La Sirena is an Eco Hostel and Retreat Center located on a peaceful and relaxing semi-private Caribbean beachfront property of approximately 7 acres that is part of a coconut plantation situated in the north of Colombia. Nested in the foothills of La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (the tallest coastal mountain on earth) home to the Arhuacos and the Kogis, some of the most isolated indigenous tribes in the world.
The property has its own beach as well as rivers on both sides within walking distance. We have an organic plantation of numerous fruit trees and vegetable gardens. There are quite a few National Parks in the region and the area has been designated as a World Biosphere Reserve .
Standing in the middle of the property and facing inland you will see the great snow peaks of La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Turn around and you are looking out at an endless horizon of emerald green Caribbean water.
Day trips could include visits to archaeological ruins/sites and indigenous tribes, Tayrona Park, Valencia waterfalls. Other activities include jungle hiking, swiming and tubing on the two rivers, yoga (check our wellness options), horseback riding, etc..
We are featured in the Lonely Planet South America on a Shoestring travel guide.
As an Eco Hostel we take the roll of 'keepers of the land' meaning we honour it and help take care of it. We are working on reforesting areas of this property, sustainable agriculture and waste management. The water on the property comes from a clean well, making it drinkable for travellers. We ask our guests to use the water conservatively as it is a very precious resource. La Sirena employs local staff, guides and artisans with the intention of fair trade. We are also involved in education, arts, and environmental community projects.
We believe in good vibe tourism , meaning sharing what makes you unique and what you have learned along your journey. Artistic expressions are welcome in this space for creativity and expansion. Wwoofing opportunities available.
The temperature all year round rarely fluctuates from 30C daily to 22C at night.
All of our accommodations offer extraordinary ocean views .
Types of accomodations:
1 . Private bedrooms (3) in the 'Main cabana' . (No private bathrooms, the bedrooms here share a common bathhouse). The price here is $55,000 pesos (includes breakfast). Click to see pics
2 . Private double bedrooms (2) in the new 'Sea side casita' with open roof private bathrooms. The price here is $70,000 pesos (includes breakfast).
Click to see pics
3. Our new 'Divine private cabana' with one bedroom (double bed), beautiful bathroom with interior gardens and an outdoor shower. A large area for hammocks with ocean view. (Picture 1st and 2nd on the right ). The price here is $80,000 pesos (includes breakfast).
4. Accommodations in hammocks are also available. $20,000 pesos per night (breakfast not included).
*All prices are per person per night.
Childen under 12 yrs pay 1/2 price of accommodation and under 5 yrs stay for free.
Click for new photos
Our restaurant is offering breakfast (some days lunch, has to be order in advance) and drinks only . There is other restaurants on the beach where you can eat.
We accept payments in advance through PayPal and Bancolombia, onsite only cash because there is no bank machines in Palomino town.
Check-in is at 2pm and check-out is at 12pm. You are welcome to stay and use the facilities and the beach after check-out or before check-in.
Items you may wish to Bring
Bug repellent
Flash light (nights can be very dark)
Beach towels
Long pants and long sleeves for cool evenings
Sandals and hiking shoes
Palomino (La Guajira), Colombia
We are in a remote location yet easily accessible. Getting here is easy, we are only 1.5 hour from Santa Marta close to the town of Palomino, 4 hours from Cartagena and 2.5 hours from Barranquilla by bus. All of the three cities enjoy a vibrant night life. We are 30 minutes drive from Tayrona National Park and 40 minutes from the exotic desert of La Guajira, home to the Wayuu tribe. Palomino is at the gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, home to the Kogi and other indigenous tribes who live just a hike or horseback ride away.
Travel Info
By Air fly to Bogota International Airport and take an internal flight to Santa Marta where there are buses going to Palomino. Alternatively you can fly directly to either Barranquilla International Airport or Cartagena International Airport. Try Spirit Airlines (cheap option that travels from the US to Cartagena).Buses also depart for Palomino from either of these cities.
By Bus take a bus from Santa Marta's downtown market or Mamatoco bus stop to Palomino (72 km, aprox. 1.5 hours). From there, you can walk (approx.20 min) to the beach through Don Aires entrance (ask in town) or take a Moto taxi (no later that 5pm). Once there walk to the right on the beach approx. 5 minutes until you see a bright multi-coloured house close to the water...you have arrived to La Sirena.
By Car take the highway from Santa Marta via Riohacha, pass Palomino (72 km) and at the 73 km make a left at the entrance, then another left and follow the road to the end, then turn right at the very last property until you hit the beach...you have a arrived to La Sirena.
We would like to inform our guests that Palomino town has no bank machines or currency exchange, so the whole area only accepts cash in Colombian pesos. The closest bank machine is in Santa Marta or Riohacha.
Activities
- We offer guided hikes on the jungle of La Sierra Nevada to visit the house of an indigenous shaman from the Arhuaco tribe.
- Tubing along Palomino River with an ecological hike through the jungle $25.000.
- Yoga, Salsa and drumming classes private & groups (can be arranged directly at La Sirena).
- Horseback riding $50,000 aprox.4 hours
- Valencia Waterfalls day trip.
- Swimming on Palomino and San Salvador rivers.
Ongoing
All of the above need to be be arranged in advance with the mananger.
Retreats
Part of our mission is to contribute in ways we feel would lead to the expansion of human consciousness. Therefore we would like to offer our place as a retreat center to those groups or individuals who have a similar intention or direction in their life journey.
We would like to invite spiritual teachers, Yoga instructors, Healing Arts practioners, artists or those interested in wellness and personal growth to host your next retreat/workshop at La Sirena.
We will work with you to co-ordinate the ideal retreat for you and your students.
YOU relax and we take care of
* Accommodations & Meals.
* Local ground transportation.
* Wellness options (Depending on the time of the year) including:
Massage with Christopher which may include any of the following modalities: Shiatsu, Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian massage), Thai massage and energy work.
Life Coaching, Yoga, Salsa and Fitness Classes.
* Jungle Hikes on La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, visits toTayrona National Park and River Tubing.
* Campfires with Drumming Circles.
"Retreat from the city to nature's tropical temple. Allow the magic of la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the tallest coastal mountain on Earth, to access your spiritual essence. Breathe in to your favourite Yoga Pose to the rhythm of the ocean waves and connect to a quiet inner space".
Scheduled Retreats & Events
June, July, August 2011 ~ Yoga, Fitness and Salsa clases with Marta
Shiatsu/Lomi Lomi Massage and Life
Coaching with Christopher.
November 13-20, 2010 ~ Yoga & Nia Technique retreat with:
Trixie Montanile & Jenn Hicks (Canada)
This is a beautiful documentary entitled " From the Heart of the Earth; The Elder Brothers Warning " by BBC filmmaker Alan Ereira. It documents the life, landscape and teachings of the Kogi along with a message from the elder brothers’ warning” of our impact on the environment and separation from the natural heart of the planet.
Byron Katie is the founder of The Work. Katie (as everyone calls her) not only shows us that all the problems in the world originate in our thinking but gives us the tool to open our minds and set ourselves free.
The Work is based on FOUR QUESTIONS which can be done on your own or with another person, ending with a process called a "Turnaround": The four questions are:
1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do you react when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?
This is one in a series of promotional short commercials showing the heart and soul, diversity of landscape and the culture of Colombia. " The Only Risk is Wanting to Stay ".
La Sirena is truly a bit of Heaven on Earth. The ocean is warm and inviting, only steps away from the house! The Sierra mountain range can be seen wherever you are and the landscape is lush with fruit trees and vines. There were almost no insects or any other unpleasantness at all. Being there felt so relaxing and comfortable! The local foods are fresh and delicious and the people were all very kind and open with us - even though we were outsiders we were never once made to feel that way! Friends at home worried about us going to Colombia because of its bad reputation, but in fact we felt completely safe there. We have been highly recommending this magical place to everyone looking for a wonderful, deeply healing, get-away experience! GRACIAS La Sirena
Jessica & Thierry
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
My plans were to stay at La Sirena for one night, maybe two if the weather was good, and then move onward with my travels. I ended up staying there until the day I flew out of the country. The first day I woke up, in a room overlooking the palm-framed clean, quiet beach, with lazy hammocks swinging in the shade-- it was clear this was an exceptional oasis of calm and beauty. But that wasn't what kept me-- it was the welcoming and kind hosts at La Sirena that made it an experience of a lifetime. Marta and her amazing family and friends made me feel like an old friend, and helped me find all the great spots to explore and enjoy and patiently answered all of my questions, over delicious homecooked meals .
Their generosity of spirit is contagious and inspiring, and La Sirena is a breath of fresh air along the beautiful Colombian coastline.
Rebeca Thomas
New York, USA
Eco Sirena is an absolute carribean paradise. With fresh fruits and fish, and a vast beautiful beach with very few people and a nice surrounding- It was a truly relaxing and beautiful visit. The weather was absolutely beautiful, hot in the daytime, but temperate and fresh at night. I feel privilidege to have expereinced the mountains and carribean coast in such a beautiful setting for such a reasonable price.
Kathryn Meghan McKernan
Prince Edward Island, Canada
La Sirena was created in December of 2008 by a Colombian woman Marta Arellano and her Canadian partner Christopher Wickardt. They are both lovers of Yoga, nature, and alternative living...oh, and pro hammockers.
Marta Arellano lives part of the year at La Sirena and the other part in Toronto, Canada with her two kids. She works as a Fitness & Latin dance instructor and has also studied Yuen Method, Matrix Energetics and NIA Technique. Recently Marta has been trainning to become a Yoga instructor and fulfill a long time dream. She discovered Yoga 15 years ago. She loves practicing and teaching her classes in front of the ocean.
"9 Years ago, after a series of synchronized events and a teenage dream, I followed my heart and was led to this wondrous part of the planet. Once there, I wanted to share it".
Christopher Wickardt has been blessed with his beautiful partner, her two lovely gifted teenagers and his newest home at La Sirena. He loves silence, dance, music, nature, animals and creating new visions and projects to share with the world. He has a diploma in Shiatsu therapy and over ten years of study in the field of spiritual sciences. He practices yoga, and incorporates most of his studies into his massages. His life's passion is as a life coach, supporting individuals and couples to experiencing more freedom, self-realization and finding practical holistic everyday solutions for the apparent challenges of their experience of life.
"My dream is to experience a truly free world that recognizes our connection, beauty and uniqueness.
Reservations only by email at ecosirena_gmail.com
Other inquaries (57) 313 823 7930 or 312 861 4850 Colombia
(1) 647 765 7207 Canada
National Parks of Colombia - an excellent guide to the beautiful and diverse National Parks of Colombia provided by the Colombian Government.
Pura Colombia Travel & Dive - a beautiful and informative webite with great resourses for travel across Colombia.
Colombia Travel - a great resourses and links for travel ideas, places to visit and what to see while in Colombia.
Hosteltrail - The Best Latin American Travel Guide!
Destino Nomada - a Cool Hostel in the Historical Center of Bogota.
The Wayuu Taya Non-Profit Foundation - a non-governmental, non-profit organation founded in 2002 to help improve the lives of Latin-American Indigenous Communities while maintaining and respecting their traditions, culture and beliefs.
La Sirena Facebook Group - a place to connect with past, present and future guests and travellers from around the world.
Minihostels - La Sirena is part of the Minihostels.com network.
Natural Yoga Colombia - a great place to relax in the heart of Bogota and take a Yoga class.
