Taironaka Turismo Ecológico Y Arqueología — Hotel in Magdalena

We spent the day exploring the Taironaka Indian Reserve, taking in the natural environment and learning about the Tairona culture, as part as an excursion from a cruise ship. We boarded a bus to get to the reserve, and our guide turned out to be our awesome tour guide, Alex (Alejandro) we had when we went on a tour in 2011 in Santa Marta. He vividly remembered helping my mother-in-law put on her water shoes! We got in little boats to get to the reserve, which was like a very rustic resort. One of the ways on the boat, we were shown a boa constrictor in a tree. We accessed Taironaka via a pleasant walk along a path, during which we could appreciate the flora of the region. The Taironaka Ecological Tourism and Archeology site is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. We walked through what used to be the stone-paved city of Tairona. "There were paths, aqueducts, stairs, terraces, and more. There were many items this incredible culture manufactured during the hundreds of years they dwelled on this mountain; and many of them remain. The Spaniards who came and assaulted the Taironas while looking for gold took the gold, but left the clay, the stone, and what remains of the city today. Due to its climate and fertile soil, the area started cultivating tropical flowers that are sold to international markets and can be observed throughout the reserve. It has also become a sanctuary for the archeological treasures of the Tairona culture, which are more than a thousand years old." We were able to meet native Taironas still living there. We explored the museum that showcased pieces of great value and enlightened us on how the Taironas lived. They were remarkable goldsmiths, craftsmen, sailors and warriors. Following the guided portion of the tour, we walked down to the river and then back up to a restaurant at the reserve where they provided snacks, soda and mashed plantains fried into little cakes served with sauces. We were being eaten up by invisible bugs and later our legs revealed dozens of tiny welts. After approximately 2 hours, we walked back to the boats, got in the minibus, and traveled back...

My girlfriend and I drove up from Cartagena in a rental car and speak very little english. Access to the hotel is through a very tiny community without a lot of signage, but did figure out where to park our car so we could catch the boat to Eco Lodge. Not for the faint of heart unless you speak spanish or have a personal guide. After a short boat ride up Rio de Don Diego we reached the lodge, which was very nice and definitely in the jungle. There was definitely a major breakdown in communication as there were no english speaking employees, but they were very friendly and we got our accommodations in a lovely cabana complete with a huge deck that overlooked the river and had 2 hammocks. The cabana was good sized and covered with screening with a bathroom and working toilet, but there was no hot water and make sure to not have any food as the ants will find. There were a family of bats just outside our window, which was kind of cool. The food was prepared and presented well. It was just very difficult not being able to communicate and figuring things to do, but we managed. Food was made to order and took over an hour to prepare, but good. Everyone was friendly there was even an indigenous tribal family staying there and highly recommend the tube float down Don Diego to the ocean where we got to see a Caiman, fish, and saw some howler monkeys making their crazy sounds! Definitely a nature experience I just wish there could've been more english descriptions of what was available to us. We were not alone as most travelers were english speaking and felt the same frustrations. I wouldn't recommend any longer than 2 nights, but definitely worth...

Aquí mi experiencia como viajero frecuente por Colombia: Taironaka parecía en un principio un sitio prometedor para hacer algo de turismo de naturaleza pero al llegar todo comenzó mal: No había nadie en el sitio de encuentro donde se toma el bote al hotel así que hubo que esperar hasta que apareció. A pesar de tener 4 números telefónicos de personal del hotel fue imposible comunicarse con ellos. El viaje en lancha es de unos 15 minutos por un río hermoso. Un solo operario es el encargado de conducir la lancha y de cargar las maletas. Al llegar al sitio de desembarque comenzó una fuerte lluvia y el lanchero-botones desapareció con parte del equipaje. De hacer sido más gente se hubiera mojado ya que en la lancha no hay nada para cubrir el equipaje o los pasajeros de la lluvia. No había nadie esperándonos y tocó en medio de tremendo aguacero encontrar la recepción. Son unos 150 metros de caminata hasta allá aproximadamente. Al llegar a la recepción ya mojados, no había nadie y así esperamos unos 10 minutos hasta que por fin apareció la encargada. Vamos hasta las habitaciones que son dos debajo de una cubierta tipo maloca y encontramos que por la lluvia el área exterior donde hay una especie de mesa con sillas y hamacas, está completamente mojada por la lluvia. Las habitaciones también están húmedas y el piso mojado. Una de ellas tiene un charco al lado de la cama. Todo está muy húmedo debido a la ubicación del hotel. Debemos solicitar que sequen las habitaciones que pongan algo para secarse los pies. Hay perros callejeros rondando por el hotel, en el comedor, cerca a las habitaciones. Un total de 4 sin control alguno. Hay gatos también. Dos de los perros durmieron recostados a una de las ventanas de las habitaciones (que son grandes y dan a una especie de banca de concreto) y toda la noche golpeó la ventana. Al querer salir a caminar fuera del hotel no es posible dado que hay dos quebradas con buen volumen de agua que obstruyen el paso, así que prácticamente se está encerrado. Los sitios arqueológicos son hermosos y la tranquilidad es muy buena. Sólo hay wifi cerca a la cocina.

A favor: la ubicación y el bosque alrededor. *la tranquilidad y los vestigios arqueológicos.

En contra: *el descuido por la comodidad del cliente, los perros sueltos por ahí, la humedad en las...