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.
This month takes us to Santa Marta, Colombia’s Caribbean treasure, which recently celebrated 500 years since its founding by Rodrigo de Bastidas on July 29, 1525. The first city established in South America and the oldest in Colombia, it now thrives with a vibrant mix of living history, dazzling landscapes, and ancestral cultures.
Framed by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and the majestic Sierra Nevada, the world’s highest coastal mountain range and the sacred home of the Indigenous Kogi, Arhuaco, Kankuamo, and Wiwa peoples. Wander through Tayrona National Park, where jungle meets pristine beaches and ancient ruins. Escape to Minca, a mountain haven of waterfalls and coffee farms. Or, for those seeking a deeper connection, venture to Ciudad Perdida, the ancient Teyuna, where the spirit of the Sierra reveals itself in every step.
WHAT´S NEW AT MACONDO DMC?
This section is where we share Macondo DMC’s journey: trade shows, events, and workshops that allow us to represent Colombia on key global tourism stages. We also highlight scouting trips and site inspections that strengthen partnerships and inspire us to keep enriching travel experiences in the country.
Together with over 60 guides, we held spaces for training and inspiration in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena, celebrating their role as storytellers of Colombia’s identity, diversity, and cultural wealth, while highlighting the impact of their knowledge and hospitality in every experience.
We traveled through Villa de Leyva, Barichara, and Bucaramanga, seeking authentic encounters with local communities through coffee, wool, gastronomy, and living traditions that give every journey a deeper meaning.
We explored the Route of Hope in Ciudad Bolívar, Bogotá, where cultural and community initiatives reveal powerful stories of social transformation ideal for inspiring new experiences with purpose.
STAY UPDATED WITH MACONDO DMC
Each month, Colombia’s map of experiences evolves with new openings, renovations, and places full of surprises. In this section, we highlight what’s new: hotels, restaurants, activities, and adventures that enrich the country’s ever-expanding travel offering.
Just 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena, Corona Island welcomes guests as an adult only retreat. With ten bungalows and a full board plan that includes unlimited “Coronitas” from the moment you board, it is designed for young travelers seeking disconnection in a natural and authentic setting. Beyond overnight stays, it also offers day passes with access to the beach and pool. The island stands out for its sustainability efforts, from its Plastic Free certification and use of renewable energy to construction with local materials and the protection of sea turtle nesting areas.
In the heart of the Amazon, just a few kilometers from Amacayacu National Park, Nomad Lodges is a 96-hectare sustainable retreat with two cabins that host up to 8 guests. Designed with organic architecture in wood and natural fibers, it honors the environment and local traditions with a vision that integrates conservation, culture, and community. Guests can explore the rainforest through guided jungle treks, river expeditions, and pink dolphin watching, while cultural workshops with indigenous communities provide authentic encounters. With a fully local team and a model that reinvests in education and community projects, Nomad Lodges offers a conscious and meaningful way to discover the Amazon.
Just an hour and a half from Medellín, the Belmira Páramo trek invites travelers to explore one of Colombia’s most fragile and magical ecosystems. Spanning 12 km, the trail winds through Andean forests and mountain paths that gradually open to the mist-covered landscapes of the páramo. Along the way, travelers encounter unique flora and fauna, from towering frailejones to hummingbirds and other highland species that make this ecosystem unlike any other. It is an experience that connects visitors to nature in its purest form and to the cultural and ecological richness of the Andean region.
WHAT´S HAPPENING IN COLOMBIA?
Colombia continues to make headlines around the world. From new destinations and international recognition to milestones in tourism, here are some highlights that inspire us and keep us connected to what’s happening
Colombia among the 11 best destinations in the world to visit in July 2025.
Tourism in Colombia on the rise: record number of international visitors in 2025.
Colombia ranked 34th in the global MICE index, consolidating its position as a meetings and events destination.
Colombia confirmed as a leading birdwatching destination with 1,563 species.
Forbes named Colombia the most beautiful country in Latin America.
Colombia ranked 7th in the Americas for international arrivals in 2024 according to UN Tourism.
We close another edition of The Macondo Journal, filled with inspiration and discovery.
Thank you for traveling with us.
See you in the next edition with more destinations, stories, and new ways to explore Colombia.
