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    Colombia's ethereal and magical mountains

    A surreal world hidden high up in the cloudy mountains of Colombia, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the world’s highest coastal mountain formation and home to a truly unique ecosystem.

    Nestled in the north of Colombia, the snow-capped range rises up from the golden sands of the Caribbean coast. Its green rainforests and magical mists cover a land filled with a fascinating mix of flora and fauna. Within its borders you will find a myriad of species that crawl along the tree trunks, shuffle beneath the undergrowth and stalk the various riverbanks.

    Hiking and walking trails are thus unmissable, providing lush windows into some of nature’s greatest gifts. Illuminated by shafts of light that stream through the thick canopies, creatures such as the jaguar and cougar stalk their prey. The shy and threatened tapir is a curious oddity while otters play in the creeks to the soundtrack of endangered harlequin frogs and Santa Marta parakeets.

    Hidden among the dense flora of the Sierra Nevada is The Lost City, known in Spanish as Ciudad Perdida. Built around AD 700-800, it was the birthplace of the Tayrona people and was once home to thousands of potters and farmers who lived there until the Spanish took control in the 16th century. The site lay abandoned until the mid 1970s, when looters rediscovered it under a mass of tangled toots.

    Luxury accommodation in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

    There are many incredible places to stay in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

    Casa Oropéndola
    Sitting 1,500 metres above sea level between dense rainforest and coffee fields and with views across the Caribbean, this is the perfect place to switch off and reconnect with nature. The lodge has been built in harmony with its natural surroundings and there is a strong focus on protecting the environment and preserving the local culture. The decor is inspired by its location with timber-clad walls, natural colours and wicker furniture. There are just three rooms which are simple but comfortable, all featuring a hammock positioned by the window so you can make the most of the extraordinary views. There is a large living room with a fireplace leading out onto the decking where you can gaze out across the forest and over the ocean. The dining area features floor-to-ceiling windows and here you will enjoy delicious Colombian cuisine made using local organic produce such as coffee, cacoa and honey as well as herbs, fruits and vegetables picked from the garden. Guests staying at Casa Oropéndola will receive three meals a day as well as snacks, local fruit, fresh juices, coffee and tea and picnic lunches for when you are out on excursions. The surrounding cloud forest results in an incredible variety of flora and fauna and there are countless walking trails right on your doorstep. There is plenty to do at the lodge including cooking classes and yoga, but there is also a lot to be said for simply sitting back and taking in this very special environment.
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    Why book with Jacada?

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    Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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    Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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    Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

    Trip Inspiration

    Get inspired with our Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

    Colombia's Hidden Highlights

    11-Day Trip

    Colombia's Hidden Highlights

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    11-Day Trip

    Colombia's Hidden Highlights

    Charming colonial towns and the mystical mountains of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
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    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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    Plan your trip to Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

    Whatever you want from your adventure in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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    Your trip, your story

    We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

    Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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    Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline