From the south the range extends from the Baudó River north and slightly west along the coast into Panama terminating at the Golfo de San Miguel.

Technically the landform extends south of the Baudó River down to Malaga Bay, but the area has been eroded into low hills and marshlands.

From Cabo Corrientes north to Punta Ardita and on into Panama the Baudó Mountains meet the ocean in steep cliffs, rising up to as high as 70 m (230 ft), with small indentations in the coast providing small pocket beaches, some sandy, but most are shingle or cobble.

However, near river mouths the coast has been eroded and there are wide sandy beaches, tidal flats and even mangrove swamps.

The area is still tectonically active with the Malpelo Plate estimated to move eastward at the rate of 3.7 centimetres (1.5 in) per year.