A Coffee with Macondo
This space was created to inspire you. Each month, we will bring you something worth sharing, a conversation starter filled with curious facts, little-known stories, traditions, flavors, rhythms, local life, or destinations that deserve a deeper look.
Small tales that, like a perfectly brewed coffee, leave an impression and awaken your curiosity.
Let’s talk about Gabo.
In Colombia, reality and magic blend seamlessly in every corner, echoing the world imagined by Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez. It’s here, where the sounds of gaitas and drums mix with Afro and Indigenous traditions, that Macondo was born: a place that transcends fiction to become a symbol of Colombia’s cultural and natural richness. Traveling through Colombia is like stepping into the pages of García Márquez’s novels, where landscapes and characters come alive through a unique fusion of memory, history, and imagination.
From Aracataca, the birthplace that inspired the mythical town of Macondo, to the historic charm of Cartagena de Indias with its colonial magic, Colombia invites you to experience a genuine kind of magical realism. Explore Mompox, a town seemingly frozen in time; feel the vibrant soul of vallenato music in Valledupar; immerse yourself in the spirituality of the Sierra Nevada and Tayrona National Park, where nature unveils its mystique along the Caribbean coast. In La Guajira, discover the ancestral culture of the Wayúu people amid sweeping desert landscapes, while Santa Marta -the oldest city in the Americas- offers a timeless embrace of history and natural beauty. With Macondo DMC, every journey weaves literary magic with exceptional service, safety, and heartfelt warmth, turning every destination into a story worth remembering.
WHAT´S NEW AT MACONDO DMC?
In this section, we share where Macondo DMC has been recently, whether it is international trade shows, tourism events, or industry workshops, representing Colombia and proudly promoting our country on the world stage.
We will also keep you updated on our latest inspection trips across Colombia, which help us strengthen relationships with strategic partners and spark new ideas to enrich the travel experiences we offer.
We continue to explore new paths, build meaningful partnerships, and share our vision of Colombia as a world-class destination, while celebrating the milestones that inspire us to keep growing alongside the global travel industry.
From June 2–7, we participated in Expo Osaka 2025 in Japan. Representing Macondo DMC, Estefanía Colorado from our groups division presented our rich cultural experiences, diverse nature, and tailor-made travel circuits to the Asian market. This global event offered an incredible platform to open new business opportunities, strengthen Colombia’s image as an authentic and captivating destination, and share what makes us unique, our passion and expertise in designing unforgettable journeys.
We took part in the Europa Workshop 2025, held in Frankfurt on June 17–18. Our representative, Hugo Sellen, showcased our specialized travel offerings for the European market, with a strong focus on sustainability, authentic experiences, and high-value travel. It was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships with agencies from Italy, Portugal, the Nordic countries, and Central and Eastern Europe.
We are proud to announce that Macondo DMC has been nominated as Colombia’s Leading Destination Management Company 2025 at the World Travel Awards, the most prestigious awards in the global tourism industry. Just being on this list is already a celebration, for us and for everyone who works to showcase the charm and biodiversity of Colombia, The Land of Beauty.
On June 12–13, the entire Macondo DMC team came together in Bogotá to reconnect, learn, and celebrate everything we build each day. We shared moments with strategic partners, enjoyed live music and games, and explored inspiring destinations such as the Salt Cathedral and Villa de Leyva. The gathering was a true reflection of who we are: a committed, creative, and united team working to position Colombia as an unforgettable destination.
STAY UPDATED WITH MACONDO DMC
Each month, Colombia’s map of experiences continues to evolve: new spaces emerge, familiar places reinvent themselves, and fresh surprises await discovery. In this section, we highlight the updates you will want to keep on your radar: hotel openings, hidden-gem restaurants, new activities added to our portfolio, and enhancements to existing offerings.
Because staying informed is part of crafting unforgettable journeys, and at Macondo DMC we want to keep you one step ahead with the very best this country has to offer.
Casa Carolina is a luxury boutique hotel where history, art, wellness, and sustainability come together in the heart of Cartagena de Indias. Housed in a carefully restored 16th-century mansion, the property preserves colonial murals and coral stone walls. It features 15 exclusive rooms that seamlessly blend elegance, comfort, and colonial heritage. The experience includes conscious cuisine, an outdoor pool, two event salons, a rooftop bar offering signature cocktails by El Barón, and the Just B Wellness Café with fresh and healthy options. Its spa offers holistic rituals, ancestral treatments, and specialized therapies.
Stays include daily breakfast, a welcome cocktail, and yoga classes. Casa Carolina is currently nominated for Colombia’s Best Hotel Spa 2025 at the World Travel Awards.
AmaWaterways, renowned for its luxury river cruises, has launched operations in Colombia with the AmaMagdalena, an elegant vessel for 64 passengers. This 8-day journey between Cartagena and Barranquilla offers a unique opportunity to explore the Colombian Caribbean by sailing along the Magdalena River. The itinerary includes cultural treasures like Mompox, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town in the Americas. Along the way, travelers are immersed in lush landscapes, local rhythms, and colonial architecture, scenes that inspired Gabriel García Márquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera.
Onboard, comfort meets authenticity: gourmet dining, a poolside terrace, fitness facilities, and panoramic river views make for an intimate experience for those looking to explore the cultural heart of the Caribbean at a relaxed pace.
In recent years, Medellín has become globally recognized as a model of urban transformation and social innovation, rising from a past marked by conflict in the late 1980s to a present shaped by resilience and creativity. One compelling example is the new “Constelaciones” experience in Manrique, located in Comuna 3. Here, nearly 30 murals narrate the neighborhood’s journey from its origins to today.
This vibrant urban gallery, part of a broader community art project, captures the struggles, dreams, and hope of its people. Guided by a local expert, guests can explore inspiring stories, meet residents, enjoy breathtaking viewpoints, and sample traditional flavors, creating a deeply authentic and transformative cultural experience.
Masaya Collection Camelia is the newest boutique opening from the Masaya hotel group, located in a beautifully restored heritage home in the historic center of Bogotá. Its warm, elegant spaces blend colonial architecture, handcrafted details, and a contemporary design aesthetic, inviting travelers to experience the city through a lens of local history and charm.
With only 10 rooms, some featuring terraces, balconies, or private jacuzzi, Camelia also offers lush common areas, outdoor terraces, and a cozy fireplace. Just steps away from museums, colonial plazas, and the vibrant cultural life of La Candelaria, this property invites guests to discover one of the capital’s most storied and atmospheric neighborhoods.
WHAT´S HAPPENING IN COLOMBIA?
This section brings you some of the most relevant news from Colombia’s tourism sector: international recognitions, emerging destinations, and cultural highlights that showcase the country’s creative and travel potential. It is a curated selection of headlines to keep us connected with what’s happening on the ground and to keep the inspiration flowing.
Colombia receives47 nominations at the 2025 World Travel Awards, reinforcing its position as a regional tourism leader.
Cartagena’s Celele named one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, a milestone for Colombian cuisine.
Coffee officially declared the national beverage of Colombia, honoring a beloved cultural symbol.
The Colombian adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude wins Best Miniseries at the Platino Awards.
Jericó makes the international spotlight with a nomination for the UN’s Best Tourism Villages.
“Humanimal” wins Gold at Cannes, a powerful campaign celebrating Colombia’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Medellín nominated as a top business events destination at the 2025 Stella Awards
“20 Must-Visit Places in Colombia”, according to experts and locals featured in Travel + Leisure Magazine
And so we close the first chapter of this travel journal, a collection of moments that inspire: stories, discoveries, and encounters that shape the dream behind Macondo DMC.
Thank you for being part of it, for reading, and for sharing in a vision that belongs to all of us.
We will meet again in the next edition, with new destinations, fresh voices, and stories that remind us: there’s always another way to travel.
