Culture · Community · Wellness
Arhuaco mochila weaving workshop
Learn to weave with an Arhuaco family, in their home, thirty minutes from the estate.
2 to 4 hoursDifficulty: Easy
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Our home
La Jorará
Km 62.5 on the Santa Marta – Palomino road: a private beach, a natural mountain-water pool and a fruit plantation, between Tayrona Park and Palomino.
- Region:
- Magdalena · Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
La Jorará is a Sierra Nevada estate that runs all the way down to the sea. On a single property there is mountain forest, a stream with natural pools, a banana and fruit plantation, trails, viewpoints over the Caribbean and a private white-sand beach between cliffs.
It sits at km 62.5 on the Santa Marta – Palomino road, exactly halfway between Tayrona Park and Palomino, and six kilometres from the Don Diego River. That location is the reason it works as a base: almost everything worth seeing along this stretch of coast is less than an hour away.
This was, in the ninth century, one of the great settlements of the Tayrona culture, which regards the Sierra Nevada as the heart of the world. Kogui, Wiwa and Arhuaco communities still walk the ancient road that crosses the estate on their way to the high country.
It is the closest point to the snow-capped summits from the Caribbean Sea: the Colón and Bolívar peaks are 42 kilometres away and, on clear mornings, visible from here.
What to see and do
The natural pool
A crystal-clear pool carved out of rock by the Jorará stream, shaded by native trees, just 80 metres from the Caribbean Sea. This is cool water coming down off the Sierra. Following the indigenous path upstream reveals more waterfalls and pools, each one deeper into the forest.
The exclusive beach
Cliffs, white sand and sea-grape trees to hang a hammock from. No neighbours, no road noise. Lunches and dinners can be served in a kiosk built as a replica of Tayrona architecture, and the bonfires at dusk are what people remember most.
The plantation and the garden
Hundreds of banana and plantain plants on a slope facing the sea, plus fruit trees and an organic garden that supplies the kitchen. A good part of what the restaurant serves is harvested right here.
Trails and viewpoints
Paths climbing through the forest to viewpoints where you watch the mountain fall into the sea. This is ground for botanists, birdwatchers, photographers and walkers: a short circuit takes in ceibas, higuerones, mastres and camajarús, and a constant parade of hummingbirds.
How to get there
- From Santa Marta airport: 75 km, one hour twenty minutes on the Troncal del Caribe.
- From Riohacha airport: 100 km, one hour forty-five minutes.
- From Barranquilla: 160 km, about three hours. From Cartagena: 300 km, about five hours.
- We arrange private transfers from any of these airports. You can also arrive by public bus along the Troncal.
- There is parking at the estate for anyone driving.
When to go
- December to March: calm sea, clear skies and the best time to see the snow peaks from the lookout.
- July and August, the mid-year dry spell, with good weather and fewer people than high season.
- Between September and November it rains more. The stream runs stronger and the pools are at their best; the forest turns spectacular.
- The estate runs all year. High seasons are Christmas, New Year and Easter week.
What to know before you go
- The estate runs on solar power. There is light and WiFi in the common areas, but it pays to use energy sensibly.
- Mobile signal is intermittent. For many guests that is exactly the point.
- The water comes down cool from the Sierra Nevada: there is no hot water in most units.
- Towels and sheets are changed every three days as an environmental practice. If you need a different frequency, just ask.
- There are no shops or restaurants within walking distance outside the estate. Bring what you need or let us know in advance.
- Every booking includes the planting of a tree in the Sierra Nevada.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do without leaving La Jorará?
Swim at the private beach and in the natural pool, walk the trails up to the viewpoints, do the banana or cacao tour, the weaving workshop with the neighbouring Arhuaco family, the cooking tour in the kitchen, birdwatching early in the morning, and yoga or massage. A full day fills itself.
What is near La Jorará?
The Don Diego River is 6 km away, Palomino 10 km, Tayrona Park 31 km, the Los Flamencos Sanctuary 80 km and Minca 80 km. The starting point for the Lost City trek is about 20 km away.
Is it suitable for families with children?
Yes. The natural pool is shallow and sheltered, there is room to run around, and several units are whole houses for families or groups. What to keep in mind is that this is a mountain estate: there are slopes, stone steps and wildlife around.
What we run here
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Nature · Culture · Regenerative
Cacao experience
From tree to cup: planting, harvest, drying and roasting of Sierra Nevada cacao.
2 to 3 hoursDifficulty: Easy
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Nature · Regenerative · Culture
Banana tour
The estate's banana and plantain plantation, facing the sea, ending in a tasting.
2 hoursDifficulty: Moderate
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Culture · Wellness · Regenerative
Caribbean food tour
Cook the Caribbean with produce from the garden: coconut rice, patacones, estate fruit.
4 hoursDifficulty: Easy
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Nature · Wellness · Corporate & MICE
Sierra Nevada day pass
A full day at La Jorará without staying over: private beach, natural pool, trails and lunch.
One dayDifficulty: Easy
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Nature · Wellness
Birdwatching at La Jorará
The Sierra Nevada has more endemic birds than any massif on earth. The estate is a good place to see them.
3 hours, early morningDifficulty: Easy
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Where to stay
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La Jorará Eco Hotel · Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Casa del Mar
A cabin facing the Caribbean, with the sound of the sea in front and the Sierra Nevada behind.
Cabin1–4 guestsSea view
FromCOP 520,000per night
La Jorará Eco Hotel · Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Morro Paraíso
High on the headland, looking out over the Caribbean and the Sierra Nevada rainforest at once.
Cabin2–6 guestsSea view
FromCOP 560,000per night
La Jorará Eco Hotel · Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Higuerón
A suite in the all-timber Aluna cabin, lulled by the sound of the Jorará waterfall.
Suite2 guestsMountain view
FromCOP 438,000per night
Nearby destinations
Sierra Nevada river
Don Diego River
A river born in the glaciers of the Sierra Nevada that ends in the Caribbean, with howler monkeys in the canopy and a virgin beach at its mouth.
Magdalena6 km from La Jorará
3 experiences here
National natural park
Tayrona National Natural Park
White-sand bays between giant boulders and tropical dry forest, where the Sierra Nevada drops straight into the Caribbean.
Magdalena31 km from La Jorará
2 experiences here
Beach and river town
Palomino
Where the Sierra Nevada reaches the sea to the east: a long beach, a cold river off the glacier and the gateway to Kogui territory.
La Guajira10 km from La Jorará
3 experiences here