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Colombia is brimming with wild untouched nature. Sure, everyone knows + loves the bustling cities of Medellin and Bogota but when you ask travelers and locals alike what they love most about Colombia…it usually has something to do with its rugged natural landscapes. Those beautiful places also happen to offer some unique places to stay in Colombia to reconnect with that idyllic nature.
AND they don’t break the bank. We are budget travelers first. The most expensive property on this list is $25 for a private room for two.
Tayrona National Park. La Guajira Desert. The beaches of Capurgana. The jungles of Minca. And even the rawest landscapes within the Amazon Rainforest. These are the natural wonders of Colombia that should be on your “must-see” list.
But the first step to planning your visit to these destinations is finding a place to stay. If you follow my blog you know that I rarely, if ever, write about accommodation options because we typically choose the cheapest + most conveniently located for our itinerary.
These 4 unique places to stay in Colombia changed our entire experience in each destination– for the better.
None of these are *sponsored* accommodations. This means that we paid full price for each stay + just truly can’t keep quiet about these jungle lodges, treehouses, and island hostels.
Here’s our list of incredible places to stay in Colombia that are definitely worth traveling for.
4 Unique Places to Stay in Colombia
Sadly, this was a list of 7 accommodations that we loved dearly. But 3 of the lodgings have since gone out of business due to COVID. These 4 unique places to stay in Colombia, however, are still very much alive and thriving post-pandemic.
Creo EcoLodge Jardin (Jardin)
Our stay here was incredible. This is a quintessential hippie yoga treehouse tucked into the green hills high above the small Colombian pueblo of Jardin. A delicious free healthy breakfast – home-cooked fresh – not your typical backpacker toast + egg, is served each morning on the wooden deck overlooking one of the best views in the region. There’s an outdoor shower, yoga by donation each evening, and you are an easy walk away from some of the most scenic viewpoints in the area. You are also near several of the prettiest waterfalls and the best location to spot the bright red iconic cock-of-the-rock bird that lives in these woods.
Easily one of my favorite places we’ve ever stayed.
Why Visit Jardin? Jardin is a little out of the way for most travelers. But if you’re looking for a traditional Colombian pueblo than this is the place for you. Most tourists visit Guatape, but I think that Jardin (literally translated to “Garden” is a more authentic place to visit with a bigger population of local cowboys.
Casa AliBri (Santa Marta-ish)
This slice of Colombian jungle can be difficult to reach– only on foot or via the back of one of the local mototaxis– but it’s 100% worth it. The views here are incredible. The entire home is open-air and a handful of pet dogs and cats are roaming about. But what truly makes Casa AliBri special is the hosts that make you feel at home. They prepare all your meals for a small fee + it was some of the best food I ate in Colombia. They showed us around their massive property and took us to a swimming area and waterfall to lounge the hot day away in.
Why visit this region? Tayrona National Park and some of the best beaches in Colombia can be found just minutes from here. We stayed at Casa AliBri after our overnight in Tayrona when we really needed a shower and a day of leisure after all that hiking.
Eco-Cafe El Mirador (Outside Tayrona National Park)
Of all the properties on this list, this one is where you’ll “rough it” the most. It’s a simple treehouse style property with shared bathrooms and an outdoor seating area and kitchen. Usually, you’ll find some cuddly animals roaming about.
Why visit this region? This is the perfect place to stay before you visit Tayrona National Park. Because to be any closer you would be inside it. This hostel is right on the bus route to the park. Comfy, quiet, and convienetly located– I was very happy with my stay here.
Acuali Eco Hostel (Capurgana)
Photos just don’t do this hostel justice. From the eccentrically-tiled outdoor showers to its cozy comfy rooms this unique place to stay is one of a kind. It’s also smack dab in the middle of the jungle. Situated between town and the regions popular rainforest hike, this lodging is a lovely garden landscape where you are very likely to see some local wildlife. It’s also one of the only quiet places to stay in town. The owner even gave us a welcome drink on arrival.
Why visit Capurgana? Again this is a lesser-visited destination in Colombia BUT it’s where you’ll find the best beaches and it’s a popular jumping off point for those hopping a boat to the San Blas Islands of Panama. It’s a little bit Carribean and a little bit Colombian. A truly unique place to visit in Colombia.
That’s all! Let me know if you stay in one of these incredible accommodations! Or if you found any others you think I should add to this list. Be sure to check out all my Colombia blogs to find the best places to go in Colombia + best things to see in each city.
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