[Atmosphere R] Destination: Santa Marta, a vibrant Caribbean coastal city nestled in Colombia.
[Balloon R] Travel: Round-trip flights by large aircraft ✈️ are the way to go (flights from Bogotá are surprisingly affordable, with tickets starting at just [Money Bag R] $500).
[Star R] Local Transport: Once you arrive, taxis and buses are your best options for getting around town. Ride-hailing services are not available here, but fear not—taxi fares are quite reasonable.
[Dolphin R] Key Adventure [Dolphin R]: The beaches within the city limits may not be what dreams are made of—they’re crowded, and the water isn’t pristine. But don’t worry! The real magic lies in taking a boat [Longboard R] to secluded, far-off shores where crystal-clear waters and powdery white sands await. There’s no road access to these hidden gems [Sweat R], making the journey all the more thrilling. Isn’t that exciting?
[Shy R] Booking Your Boat: After securing your accommodation, the hotel owner will provide you with the captain’s contact details. If you arrive in the morning, opt for a shared boat—it costs half as much as a private one and is just as sturdy on the open seas 😄. These boats resemble the water sports vessels we have back home, manned by seasoned sailors who expertly navigate the waves [Vest R].
As you speed across the ocean, you’ll experience the exhilaration of slicing through the water and spotting flying fish leaping gracefully into the air [Dolphin R].
[Explosion R] Accommodation Highlight [Explosion R]:
For those seeking solitude—a place where time slows down and you can reconnect with yourself—Wachakyta Ecology might just be your dream destination. It feels less like a hotel and more like stepping back in time, with its cluster of rustic thatched huts [Tent R] surrounding a serene communal area [Folding Chair R].
Yet despite its simplicity, it offers unparalleled comfort, exuding warmth and charm. During my visit at the end of April, the weather was perfect—not too hot, thanks to the gentle sea breeze. The owner shared how she discovered remnants of indigenous tribes living there, inspiring her to create this unique retreat.
She prefers keeping guest numbers low, yet every visitor leaves enchanted. I fell head over heels for their friendly 🐶 and cats; the dog would trot down to the shore to greet incoming boats and vigilantly guard against any “wild visitors” descending from the hills. Interestingly, we were only the third group of Chinese 🇨🇳 guests to ever step foot on the island.
When the owner saw our passports, her excitement was palpable, expressing her hope to someday visit China herself.
Most days, we lounged on rope-woven beds by the sea, listening to the rhythmic 🌊 waves and engaging in leisurely conversations under the cooling sea breeze. We’d also find ourselves sprawled under the shade of a tree with a good book, while someone in the kitchen kindly asked about our meal preferences.
For the more adventurous, swimming and snorkeling revealed an underwater world teeming with life—eels, turtles, corals, and even barracudas. In the evenings, everyone gathered together for dinner, accompanied by the soothing sounds of insects and birds… It felt as though time itself stood still.
