Calanoa Lodge

Kasamar is a private villa on the outskirts of Tayrona National Park – a great option for families, groups of friends or people who are after an exclusive getaway. The house has four en-suite bedrooms with air conditioning and ample space for relaxing and eating. The upper levels of the house have open sides so you can enjoy the sea breeze as you recline in the hammocks or on the wicker chairs with a good book. The views out over the ocean and jungle really are something very special. There are two swimming pools, which is great as the ocean, although stunning, can be a little too rough for swimming. Guests staying here will enjoy the services of a personal chef so you can enjoy delicious meals at times that suit you. The nearby river can be explored by canoe and Tayrona National Park is a short drive away.

Surrounded by the verdant forest, meandering rivers and with the Central Andes Range in the distance, the Hacienda Bambusa is a traditional farm that raises cattle and grows cocoa, ginger, plantain, bananas and tangerines. The main house, built in the vernacular style with bamboo guadua and clay tiles, has just eight rooms. Each has a private bathroom, balcony, a small sitting area and a hammock for lazy afternoons listening to the birds before dinner is served. In the kitchen, chef Vanessa Quintana cooks up delectable Colombian tasting menus making the most of this fertile region’s produce. Days can be spent exploring the hacienda and beyond with a range of activities and excursions such as hiking, horse riding, trips to cacao and coffee plantations, hot air ballooning or tours of beautiful local towns and nearby Los Nevados National Natural Park.

Casa San Agustin is a beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Cartagena’s vibrant old town. The hotel comprises three connecting 17th-century buildings, in the middle of which are the remains of an aqueduct which was used to collect rainwater for the walled city. There are 31 rooms and suites, some with their own Jacuzzi and small balcony. Rooms have maintained their colonial charm with dark wooden beamed ceilings and tiled bathrooms, but the soft blues and greens and natural fabrics add a fresh, contemporary edge. The large duplex prestige suite is ideal for small groups or families with two large en suite bedrooms, living room and small kitchen. There are beautiful orchids, Colombia’s national flower, in each room. The open-air swimming pool sits at the heart of the hotel with the aqueduct towering above. It is the perfect place to cool off and relax after a day exploring the city of Cartagena. There is a small rooftop terrace as well as a library, which features original frescoes uncovered during the renovation, where a daily afternoon tea is served. The Alma Restaurant is the perfect place to try traditional Colombian cuisine, with seafood casserole and ceviche perennially popular. The Alma Bar is a beautiful space and ideal for unwinding with a G&T. Breakfast can be enjoyed indoors or on the patio. The Aurum Spa is inspired by the gold Colombia is so famous for, and is a beautifully relaxing space where guests can indulge in a treatment.

Casa Barichara is a gorgeous boutique hotel looking out across the town with its red-tiled roofs and cathedral dome. It’s the perfect spot for a few days of downtime in this spectacularly pretty part of Colombia. Designed by Ezekiel Alarcón, the simple but comfortable villa features exposed wooden beams, terracotta roof tiles and white-washed walls, invoking the Spanish colonial history of Colombia. There are six bedrooms as well as chill-out areas such as the lounge, sunny terrace with a pool and hammocks in which to laze away the afternoon.