where to stay in colombia's coffee region: hacienda bambusa

COLOMBIA'S COFFEE REGION

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right in the middle of cali, medellin and bogota is colombia's famous coffee region, valle de cocora, home to lush scenery with trees and mountains and grass like we've never seen before. after our 4 days in cali we took a bus to armenia, a small transit town that is only 1 hour from our hacienda.

for the next 3 nights we cozied up, hidden amongst the lush scenery of colombia’s coffee region at hacienda bambusa, a working plantation that offers guests an ideal place to explore, taste coffee & chocolate, ride horses, or simply relax poolside. the area is rich in breathtaking scenery, flora & fauna with so much size and diversity, the jungletruly feels alive. it's also run by hard working, loving, and friendly people. the central courtyard is surrounded by 8 rooms, each with a private balcony where guests can relax with a book or take a siesta in the woven hammocks while listening to the birds sing [there are hummingbirds EVERYWHERE]. 

my favorite parts? the AMAZING food [which is included in the price], the intimate family feeling, the ever-changing dining experience [each meal is set up in a different part of the hotel], the cozy rooms, peaceful vibes, and incredibly kind staff. 

ACTIVITIES AT HACIENDA BAMBUSA

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bambusa's activity list is extensive and includes things like:

• coffee tasting 
• cacao workshop 
• cooking class with bambusa chef
• zip lining
• horse back ride (with an epic river crossing)
• hot air balloning

we chose to go horseback riding and coffee tasting and loved every bit of the experience – the staff at bambusa makes sure that you're well stocked with snacks, water and safety for the day, yet you also feel completely rugged. my favorite part was definitely crossing the river on the horses! more photos below
 

Y O UM I G H TA L S OL I K E:

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a northern patagonia retreat: barraco lodge

BARRACO LODGE

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barraco originally came on to our radar by way of some deep internet searching by our friend and pro-trip-planner adam. he found the lodge and was immediately convinced this place was made for us based on a brief description and a few photos. it was a splurge, for sure, but it's a splurge worthy spot that will leave you changed and in awe of the natural beauty of northern patagonia. 

this place is out there – i'm talking a 3 hour drive from puerto varas, to a long dirt road, to another dirt road then finally a boat ride across lake tagua tagua. from there it's an UPHILL climb to the lodge or a ride with the oxen, but the reward is a feeling of pure tranquility. originally a vacation home to the owner's, jaime and marcela, they built the lodge 30 years ago when the land was virtually uninhabited other than the native locals. only a few years ago, the lodge as we know it, was born to share this raw and unique part of the world with travelers seeking authentic outdoor experiences, a taste of patagonian culture & hospitality, and the opportunity to slow down for a bit.
 

THINKING OF HEADING TO PATAGONIA? HERE ARE THE DETAILS:

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WHERE: rio puelo, {northern patagonia} chile
TIME OF YEAR: march - april [warm days with plenty of sunshine and clear nights for star viewing] 
HOW TO GET THERE: 3 hour drive from puerto varas, then a short boat ride across the lake
PRICE PER NIGHT: all inclusive pricing (meals, activities, drinks and transportation) depending on how you want to spend your days, reach out on their website
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE: horseback riding, SUPing, heli-fishing, fly fishing, hiking, heli-adventures, waterfalls, cooking classes, boar hunting... you name it and they will try to make it happen.
THE EXPERIENCE: you arrive, are greeted by two of the cutest dogs on earth [reina and titan], and welcomed with pisco sours and a tasty snack. from there, you settle into your cozy lake-view room, and later choose activities for your stay [however, it's better to arrange your activities before you arrive]. we only had 2 nights (recommend 3 at minimum) and chose to spend our adventure day fishing on the lake – luckily we were successful and ended up eating fresh salmon & roe for dinner! 
 

AROUND THE LODGE:

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 our time was spent enjoying the wood fired hot tub, delicious food, unforgettable views and warm-by-day, chilly-by-night weather. we caught a clear night with thousands of stars and a clear milky way that is still a very vivid memory. barraco is one of those places where you can do everything or nothing and feel equally satisfied with your time here because of the surroundings. 
 

^ there is a stunning waterfall on the property only a 10 minute walk. these two lead the way

FISHING ON THE PUELO RIVER

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fishing on the puelo or lake tagua tagua is an experience that is hard to find in most places. the backdrop is wild and the crystal clear water is loaded with trout, salmon and other native fish. whether you decide to troll or fly fish, there is a good chance you will hook something and even if you don't, it will be a day well spent.

to help your odds, barraco staffs many of the native fly fishermen who grew up and still live in this remote land, where they have relied on these waters for hundreds of years. for the adventurous  fly fishermen, you can have them helicopter you into glacial streams and rivers where only a few humans have ever been. we didn't get the opportunity to do this, but heard many fishing tales and even a few photos to prove it.
 

Y O U  M I G H T  A L S O  L I K E:

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rustic & modern luxury at hotel AWA | lakes district, chile

HOTEL AWA, AFFORDABLE LUXURY

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the moment you step foot into AWA, you are overcome with a feeling of chic, that also manages to feel incredibly welcoming and cozy. this family owned project has been in the works for over 10 years and only opened its doors to guests less than a year ago. for a long time they wanted to open a family oriented bnb, but after researching the local market realized that historic wooden lodges were a plenty. a modern cabin meets boutique hotel, though, would be extremely unique and special to the region. their astute attention to detail stands out as they seem to have found the perfect balance of architectural design with the comfort of a friend's home. they've thought of everything in between too. from the handmade pisco goblets to the rustic yet comfortable furniture, perfectly situated fireplaces, ever-so-hip drink coasters and one of the most intriguing coffee table book collections i've ever seen. immediately after checking in, i found myself questioning if we should add another night.

tucked on the shores of the vast llanquihue lake with incredible views of volcano osorno, staying here is a very special experience. everything is built and crafted with luxury in mind, but we felt right at home in shorts and flip flops. stepping out the back door of the hotel, you feel as if you've crossed into a far away land - black sand beaches, sparking blue water and a snow capped volcano in the horizon. it's no surprise that after all the deliberation they chose to build AWA on one of the most beautiful stretches of chile's lakes region, showcasing the natural beauty that is almost taken for granted around here.

YOU REALLY HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED

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we didn't leave the property once during our 3 day visit, because you really don't have to. that being said, there are many adventures to be had in the area which AWA can easily arrange for you. with their high quality culinary experience, a complete spa with full lap pool & jacuzzi, a private beach down at the lake, SUP boards and kayaks to use at your leisure...adventure or relaxation, whichever you seek, their location allows you to have privacy and find tranquility. 

DETAILS:

WHERE: puertos varas, chile
TIME OF YEAR: march - april [perfect weather, i'd recommend beating the heat and coming in the fall!] 
HOW TO GET THERE: 2 hour flight from santiago to puerto montt (PMC) airport
PRICE PER NIGHT: starts around $200 per night with breakfast (the best!) included
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE: kayaking, SUPing, swimming (lake and lap pool), full spa, biking, hiking, and other outdoor excursions.

THE ROOMS ARE PERFECT AND COME WITH A VIEW

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with floor to ceiling windows, authentic local decor, cozy bedding and a bathroom you want to live in – the rooms are hard to leave. and there's no fear of getting a "bad room" – as everyone is situated with essentially the same view. we would start the mornings with coffee in bed, followed by an afternoon cocktail at our corner table. i notice so often that when we stay at hotels we never spend *that* much time in the room. this time, we wanted to change that. 
 

THE FOOD WAS HANDS DOWN THE BEST WE HAD IN CHILE

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we could not get enough of the food here. even if you're not staying at the hotel, no problem – their restaurant and bar are completely open to the public. they have fostered direct relationships with the fisherman, farmers and other producers in the region. if they can't get fresh salmon that day, then it won't be on the menu. this region of chile is rich in diversity and abundance of great food from the land. here's what an average day [food wise] looks like:

breakfast: included with your stay, fresh yogurt, juices and fruit, granola, pastries, eggs to your liking, pancakes [if you want!]
lunch: not included with your stay, served on the patio if the weather is nice and is usually consists with a salad or starter and a main course. about $30–50 USD [will let the pictures speak for us here!]
dinner: not included with your stay, served in the dining room and the menu changes each night based on the fresh ingredients available. about $30–50 USD
 

^^ we also celebrated my 29th birthday here and this delicious little cake was on our bed when we arrived back from dinner. 

                                                                           * this stay was part of a collaboration, all opinions are my own. 

Y O U  M I G H T  A L S O  L I K E:

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stargazing & glamping at the elqui domos

ELQUI VALLEY, CHILE

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this region fell on our radar through a friend that had visited a few years ago and highly recommended us checking it out. we were intrigued by the valley's claim to fame – "world-class stargazing" and thanks to ~320 days of sunshine per year, there isn't a high risk for a cloudy night. after a 2 hour drive from the la serena airport, we arrived at the incredibly cool elqui domos. our time here reminded me a lot of our stay at el cosmico in marfa, texas. as the only astronomic hotel in the southern hemisphere, this spot is extremely unique and special. each dome is equipped with it's own living area, open ceiling [for a night full of stars!], a mini fridge packed with local goodies, and only a few short steps from the chilly pool – perfect for a desert dip. even better? they offer star gazing sessions, yoga classes, guided meditation, horseback riding, massages and much more. plus, the cute village of pisco elqui is only a couple miles away. 

"A SENSE OF A RELIEF AND REST"

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we read that those who have stayed in the elqui valley, say they experienced a better mood and "sense of relief or rest". it might be a bunch of hoop-lah, but i don't care and totally see where these people are coming from. the calm desert air, striking mountains, and millions of stars is certainly one of the most beautiful settings that nature can give us. Experts say the contemplation of a clear and starry sky helps reduce anxiety and stress levels...who doesn't need that? our time here was spent lounging, swimming, playing cards, and snuggling up 4-wide to watch shooting stars. scroll down for the lodging details on this awesome spot. 

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READ MORE: 
W E L C O M E   T O  C H I L E ' S  S P I R I T U A L  D E S E R T:  T H E  E L Q U I  V A L L E Y

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DETAILS:

WHERE: elqui valley, {central} chile
TIME OF YEAR: march - april [perfect weather, i'd recommend beating the heat and coming in the fall!] 
HOW TO GET THERE: 2 hour drive from the la serena airport
PRICE PER NIGHT: ranges from around $180 per night with breakfast included
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE: astronomic tours, day and nighttime horse rides, reiki, massages & meditation, tarot session. bike and car rental are also available if needed.
 

P I N  F O R  L A T E R:

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Y O U  M I G H T  A L S O  L I K E:

where to stay in ubud: bambu indah

BAMBU INDAH, ECO-LODGE IN UBUD, BALI

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bambu indah, which translates to “beautiful bamboo", came to fruition back in 2005 when the owners of the land brought eleven antique homes to bali and began decorating them with the intention of hosting family and friends only [which is so freakin cool and awesome]. they wanted to be surrounded by the rich creativity and history of indonesia, while being comforted by the luxury and service of a boutique hotel.

bambu indah now combines the use of restored antique houses with much newer structures built with sustainable bamboo, which we learned about during our time in the philippines, is extremely durable and light. instead of using concrete foundations, stilted buildings can ultimately be moved or removed with little impact to the ground. their designs also promote use of natural light, ventilation and passive cooling with the use of open air spaces. perched up on a hilltop over looking ricefields and endless palm trees – this place makes you feel like you are away from it all and the zen vibes are very strong. even cooler? their swimming pool is actually a natural spring that looks and feels like you're swimming in a local pond. 

WHERE: ubud, bali
HOW TO GET THERE: 1 & 1/2 hour drive ($20-30 for driver) from the denpasar (DPS) airport or most of the popular beach towns. 
PRICE PER NIGHT: $125-$400 per room [including breakfast] room rates here
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE: village hikes, green village & bamboo tours, r & r, massage, yoga, mountain biking, balinese blessings and ceremonies.
 

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