I have to start tipping my hat off to Michel ...

Colombia | Aug 24 - Sep 1, 2026

Great location, room was clean and comfortable. Staff is friendly, but if you don't speak Spanish, you might struggle to get things done. I have to give them 4 stars because we had two issues that were never resolved. The mini-fridge was not working properly. The land phone was disconnected. I checked it and the power source was not there. We reported the issued twice in 4 days, it was never fixed. Also the internet was spotty. WIFY was slow and just had the right speed when you stand around the lobby not in the room. That is a deal breaker.

Extraordinary. Amazing place. it is a 400 years old building converted to a hotel. Our room was a duplex, huge beds, two bathrooms. Staff, super willing to please. Luis at the front desk with great suggestions for places to visit and restaurants to eat. The waiters at the roof-top terrace great cocktails and suggestions to eat from the local restaurant. Great location, everything is willing walking distance. Really good internet speed.

Cartagena's market Barzuto, is like any other third world market. Sanitary conditions are not premium. There is a chaotic traffic of people with merchandise coming and going in all directions. You need to be quick on your feet. Different sections of the market have different smells. You need to be mentally prepared for your nose to be assaulted by the smell of fresh blood, fish, pungent flames from the boiling pots with meat from animals like Capibaras and such, spices that you have never smelled before. On the other hand, you will see fruits from the Amazonian basin that you have never seen or tasted before. Great mangoes, supreme green bananas, guavas, grapes, etc. I suggest to bring a bottle of water to wash thoroughly whatever you might try to eat. Bring closed shoes. Cooking classes. New windows to new flavors and way to cook ceviche. Corvina fish dipped into coconut milk with passion fruit juice, mangos cubes, rocoto sauce, red onions, green and red peppers infused with lime juice. Robalo fish, dipped on coconut milk and brown sugar, patacones, guacamole with garlic shrimps. Rice with coconut milk and panera. Tomate juice from a very special tomato specie.

I think this is the most overrated of all the points of interest in Colombia. There are 747 steps. You need to be in shape. The view is great, but is not worth a heart attack. Vendors are aggressive and overprice everything. Food choices are not that great too. Mostly local fried fish; bass and carpe. If you like narco-tourism, then go ahead in the boat trip, the only thing worthy of it is to say later that you were close to one of the many Pablo Escobar houses in the area. It is a two hour ride from any direction to get here. The worse part is that "El Penol' is private property, you pay close to US$12.00 to get in. There is a church in town worth visiting for its architecture and wood-carved decorations.

Medellin streetfood is mostly fried or bake. Too many to mentioned here, and to many to try in one day. There are several variations of croissant bread worth to try. Bunuelos, arepas and empanadas made of corn or wheat flour worth to try alone with the street coffee. There is no bad coffee in Colombia. Everybody try their best to percolate, roast and grind the best coffee possible. You need to try their banana bread. It is fresh fresh.

Rule number one: bring a hat. Rule number two: bring a bottle of water. Rule number three: bring comfortable shoes. Rule number four: try to read about the history of slavery in Colombia before you arrive in the country. My guide, Luis Moron was well versed on the colonial period of Cartagena, the revolution and current affairs of the city.

Amazing, a really well run farm trying to keep it environmentally correct. No pesticide, natural fertilizer. I learned so much about coffee. I drank such a good quality coffee. I saw so many birds and wild life. We even saw a capibara. The person who gives you the tour ( I am so ashamed that I do not recall his name right now) knows coffee. He starts the tour by percolating coffee in front of you. Then you drink it and he explains the flavors, aromas and effects. The he takes you for an hour up the mountain trip. You see the coffee trees, flowers, and natural resources to keep it "natural". As you walk up, you see and hear many kind of birds. They explain to you the whole process of producing coffee, from the sawing of the seeds, the grooming of the trees, the collection, and finally the roasting.

The chef tried to surprise us with a Mango ceviche as an entry. It was too acid which is normal for most people in Colombia, but my wife's ulcer begged to differ. He tried something different and I will give him credit for that. This is like a blind date. The main dish was a mixed of several meat and rice. It felt like chow-main. It has too much soy sauce which surprise us because we were expecting something more Colombian. There was an avocado salad. Rich creamy avocado with shopped vegetables. Dessert was a souffle made out passion fruit. That was worth the night. I think he put some liquor in it and was amazing.

it was worth to go up to comuna 13. Year ago it was considered the most dangerous place in Medellin. Social and political will are transforming this poor neighborhood into a vibrant, proactive community that is trying to pull themselves up. Many great murals and a genuine desire of the people to erase a bad reputation. Kudos to my guide Andres Robledo for explaining to me social-dynamic of this community.