Necocli or Turbo?  Both Have Boats going to Capurgana - but Which is Better?

Both towns of Necoclí and Turbo serve as a departure point to the beach resort town Capurganá on the Darien Gap. Because the boats leave in the mornings, around 9 a.m., an overnight stay is usually required in one town or the other.

Necoclí is generally the preferred option for most travelers.  Getting to Capurgana from Turbo is an hour longer boats ride.  But the fare is cheaper from Turbo and the town is closer to Medellin by an hour bus ride. Necocli is closer to Cartagena and the town is more touristy and nicer than Turbo but the boat trip is a bit more expensive.

 Here’s a comparison to help you decide from which town to depart.

🏙️ Town Atmosphere

• Necoclí: is a charming seaside town located in the department of Antioquia. It’s a picturesque town known for its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful beaches and seafood cocktails and sees its fair share of tourism. The town has a population of 70,824.  There are numerous inexpensive hotels and lots of bars and seaside restaurants.  There is a nice market section in the center, and the town offers an accommodating, welcoming and safer environment than Turbo.

• Turbo: is a port city located in Antioquia with a population of 163,525 with 65,300 living in the city center. As port towns go it has its own personality but is rough around the edges. It is completely off the tourist trail unless you’re catching a boat to Capurgana. There are public beaches outside of town but Turbo also has fewer descent accommodations and fewer restaurants.

Often characterized as less appealing, it has a reputation for being dirtier, less safe and less favored by travelers.

The local economy of Turbo centers on agriculture—particularly banana and plantain plantations—alongside fishing, cattle ranching, and exploitation of Chocó rainforest resources. The tourist docks used to be at the fisherman’s wharf in town but in 2018 a new tourist port was build just outside of town. 

🚌 Accessibility

Necoclí: Accessible via a 3-hour bus ride from Montería, which has regular flights from major cities all over Colombia.  So, if one is flying in Monteria would be the closest airport and Necocli the closest port.

Buses come from the north from Monteria – 148 km approximately 3 hours   and Arbolotes (known for its beaches and volcanic mud baths) is 77  km. away approximately 2 hours by bus.

Buses also come from Turbo to the south 46 km approx 1 hour by bus.

Necocli is closer to the Caribbean coast than Turbo and if one is coming from Cartagena, it would be the closer port.

Turbo sits on the Pan‑American Highway, and is a 10-hour bus rides from Medellín. Most residents coming from Medellin take night buses and arrive early in the morning in time to catch the boat to Capurgana. The bus trip will be cut in half this year as a new highway tunneling through the mountains is opening up and tourists will be able to travel between Medellin and Turbo in just 4 hours.  They are hoping it will increase tourism.

Buses run between Necocli to the north a distance of 46 km approx 1 hour by bus.

Turbo is reachable by bus from Medellín, but the journey is longer, and the town is less.

No road currently penetrates the Darién Gap northward.  Turbo is the northernmost paved highway point in South America before the Darién Gap. 

The Docks

Necocli: The docks of Necocli are called Muelle de Necocli where the boats leave for Capurgana and are right in the center of town down by the beaches.

Turbo: In 2018 Turbo built new tourist docks called Muelle Puerto Pisisi built on mangrove swamps just outside of town which is a 10-minute taxi ride from the city center. Here the boats leave for Capurgana 85,000 COP Trigana, San Franciso 75,000 COP Acandi 65,000 Cop.

The tourist docks in Turbo are located outside of town a 10-minute taxi ride from the bus terminal and city center.

💰 Cost

• Necoclí: Boat tickets one way are around 95,000 COP (~$22.25 USD).  Necocli to Trigana 75,000 COP and to Acandi 85,000 COP

• Turbo: to Capurgana boat tickets are slightly cheaper at 85,000 COP, but the boat ride takes 2.5- 3 hours and is a bit rougher maybe offsetting the savings. Turbo to Trigana and San Francisco 75,000 COP and Acandi 65,000 COP

Recommendation:

Personally, having used the docks in both towns,  I opt for Necoclí due to its shorter and more comfortable boat ride, safer and more pleasant town atmosphere, better lodgings, restaurants and better accessibility to the docks. While Turbo may offer slightly cheaper fares and is closer to Medellin, the trade-offs in comfort and safety make Necoclí the better choice for most travelers heading to Capurganá. And if you are coming from Cartagena, Necoli remains your best choice.

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