La Ponderosa Reserve — Hotel in Magdalena

La Ponderosa is a true sanctuary tucked along the Buritaca river in the Sierra Nevada. The vibe here is incredibly chill, making it the perfect escape from the usual hustle and bustle. Surrounded by lush greenery and buzzing wildlife, you quickly feel connected to nature in the most effortless way.

The grounds are pristine and inviting, with a gentle, laid-back energy that encourages slow mornings and mindful evenings. The accommodations strike a balance between comfort and rustic charm, so you’re never sacrificing coziness for immersion in nature.

One of the standout perks is the on-site WiFi, which makes it surprisingly easy to cowork or stay connected without breaking the tranquil mood.

The food at La Ponderosa deserves its own praise. The vegetarian menu is crafted from scratch with fresh, healthy ingredients. Every dish feels thoughtful, vibrant, and satisfying, with juices and smoothies that are equally fresh and delicious. It’s clear that the kitchen prioritizes quality and homemade goodness, making meals something to look forward to after a day of hiking or river exploration.

The staff here are genuinely warm and welcoming, going above and beyond to make your stay memorable. Their attentiveness, local knowledge, and friendly personalities add an extra layer of care that elevates the entire experience.

You won't regret your...

Definitely didn’t quite live up the the hype here. I get it’s eco and pretty rustic but there’s plenty that needs improving.

The positives were that the location is nice. Very remote and chilled but that’s part of the fun. You can hike up the river, swim, etc. A little long to get there (30min moto taxi for $COP 30k) but worth it.

There are loads of friendly hostel dogs, a goat and a pig.

The food was decent. No menu, just served what you get at lunch and dinner. Breakfast included. All veggie and east to make vegan.

The bar was well stocked (although the limonada de coco was no bueno!) and the prices were reasonable.

For me the let down was the room. It was small, cramped, sandy and sooooo hot. It was really hard to sleep. The fan did nothing when it was on and it wasn’t even able to be on all night. It was cooler outside the room but you risk dogs coming in if you leave your door open. The pillow was super mouldy too underneath the cover.

If you have time and are happy to chill with little to occupy yourself during the day - and are happy with very rustic accommodation - then this place is for you. But we felt a little bored and didn’t...

The location is excellent,in the middle of nature. The vegetarian food was delicious. The vibe was somehow strange. I didn't feel I was welcome from the moment I arrived. The reception personal made you feel they are annoyed with any questions you had, not customer oriented at all. Also I was hoping to do some hikes, but was done with all trails in half a day. Even though I was in the middle of nature I felt I was hardly able to discover it. The hostel usually offers one activity a day. The first day it was skipped because I was the only guest to sign up for. The second day the river level was too high to cross it. So in the end it felt more like prison than paradise. Also it was hard to enjoy nature because 99%of their guests are British teens, half of whom are volunteers. They were more into partying and listening to Brit pop music than nature. I haven't seen a manager being around during my whole stay, the place seemed to be operated by volunteers only.

In my opinion this place could be a perfect starting point to discover the beauty of surrounding nature. Instead it's just another party hostel for British teens. The only difference is it is...