La Sirena is an Eco Hostel and Retreat Center located on a peaceful and relaxing semi-private Caribbean beachfront property of approximately 7.5 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 some of the most isolated indigenous tribes in the world such as the Arhuacos and the Kogis.
The property has its own beach as well as rivers on both sides within walking distance. We have papaya, mango , tangerine, guanabana, orange and plantain trees on the property as well as many others. 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. Recreational activities include jungle hiking, swiming and tubing on the two rivers, yoga, etc..
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.
The temperature all year round rarely fluctuates from 30C daily to 22C at night.
All of our accommodatios offer extraordinary ocean views.
The hostel features a large two level teak cabana. The first floor has two bedrooms and a spacious bedroom with a balcony on the second floor overlooking the ocean that is just steps away. The bedrooms can sleep from 2 to 4 people and shares a common bathhouse. The price here is $45000 pesos each per night.
Our fabulous new one bedroom (double bed) private cabana has a beautiful bathroom with interior gardens and an outdoor shower. A large area for hammocks with ocean view. It can accommodate groups of up to 5 people. (Picture top right corner). The price here is $70000 pesos each per night (Breakfast Incl).
We also offer a one bedroom seaside 'Casita' for double occupancy. The price here is $60000 pesos each per night.
Accommodations in hammocks are also available. $20000 pesos per night.
Our restaurant service offers home-cooked meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day.
*All prices are per person per night (Include complementary coffee in the morning) from December 15th, 2010.
Children under 12 years old pay 1/2 price and under 5 stay for free.
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 1pm. 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
Towels
Long pants and long sleeves for cool evenings
Sandals and hiking shoes
Palomino (La Guajira), Colombia
We are in a remote location yet accessible. Getting here is easy, we are only 1 hour from Santa Marta close to the town of Palomino, 3 hours from Cartagena and 2 hours from Barranquilla by bus. All of the three cities enjoy a vibrant night life. We are 20 minutes drive from Tayrona National Park and 30 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
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. Buses also depart for Palomino from either of these cities.
Take a bus from Santa Marta's downtown market or Mamatoco bus stop to Palomino (72 km). 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.
If you are coming by car, 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 Clasess private & groups (can be arranged directly at La Sirena).
- Valencia Waterfalls day trip.
- Swimming on Palomino and San Salvador rivers.
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 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
* Local ground transportation
* Wellness options (Depending on the time of the year) including:
Shiatsu Massage, Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian massage), Matrix Energetics and Yuen Method (energy healing), Life Coaching, Spa Treatments, Yoga, Salsa and Fitness Classes.
* Jungle Hikes on La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park, River Tubing.
* Campfires with Drumming Circles
* Picnic Lunches and special dietary needs
"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 2010 ~ Yoga and Nia classes with Martha.
(3 times a week).
Shiatsu/Lomi Lomi Massage and Life
Coaching with Christopher.
November 13-20, 2010 ~ Yoga & Nia Technique retreat with:
Trixie Montanile & Jenn Hicks (Canada)
Ongoing Wednesday morning Yoga Clases with Silvy. (Need to be arranged one day in advance with the manager).
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 enviroment 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 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 partner and two children. She works as a Fitness & Latin dance instructor for community centers, private clubs and studios around the city. Marta is also an energy healing practitioner of Yuen Method and Matrix Energetics as well as a White Belt certified NIA Technique instructor. Recently Marta has been studying to become a Yoga teacher and fulfill a long time dream. She discovered Yoga 14 years ago. She loves practicing and teaching her classes in front of the ocean.
"7 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 or Other inquiries: please call, email or use the contact form.
(57) 313 823 7930 or 301 640 0484 Colombia
(1) 416 686 6836 Canada
ecosirena_gmail.com
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.
