Hotel | Owls Watch at Rio Blanco | Avistamiento de Aves — Hotel in Manizales

Visited this eco-friendly nature retreat for three (3) nights in early September 2023. From the moment our transportation came to a stop in the parking lot, it was magical. Actually, I should first say that the transportation arranged by Owl’s Watch went superb. The pick-up at Manizales Airport (MZL) went flawless, the driver was polite & professional, and the trip was quick and comfortable. Now back to the resort. This location is simply amazing. It was the perfect get-away location: beautiful, nature-focused, organized, spotlessly clean, reasonably priced, and very well cared for. Superb food, great staff, and every detail done flawlessly.

Two amazingly well-styled cabins glued to the side of beautiful mountains of Colombia with views that absolutely never get old. Mountains, the city, flowers, birds, the sky, and sunrises & sets that make you want to get out of bed early and get into bed late. And the late bedtime works well given that the cabins have private (and I mean PRIVATE) jacuzzis and the staff can arrange for the drinks of your choice while relaxing under more stars that any one person deserves to lay under. Beds are ridiculously comfortable and the linens divine. The cabin style instantly connects you to surrounding nature. The high-end bathroom is clean, eco-focused, and has HOT water (not always an easy find @ eco-friendly resorts in COL). Cabins have a small fireplace for cozying up on cool mountain evenings too. Slippers, robes, snacks, coffee, and drinking water. Nothing went unplanned or unattended in getting these cabins exactly how you would want them to be. The stay of your dreams!

As the cabins are breathtaking, the food is equally so…. and MOUTH-WATERING. From quick snacks to multi-course evening meals, the food is very top notch. Breakfast of exotic fruits, Colombian coffee or tea, and a variety of main breakfast plates… from a skillet-grilled casserole to American pancakes. All worth getting out that amazing bed for. Lunch and dinner were also superb, with a menu to select well-constructed, expertly-prepared, and inarguably delicious main course plates. Desserts were amazing as well — ask for the Bananas Foster if available! RIDICULOUS. All of this accompanied by selections of wine, coffee, tea, and fruit juices. Each meal was absolutely delicious and precisely well-portioned.

All of the staff are friendly, professional, and superbly attentive. Juan and David saw to EVERY SINGLE NEED, and always with a smile and eagerness. The owner is equally attentive, and his passion for the area, the culture, the forrest, and his property are noted in every conversation or short exchange. As much as you may want to escape and be alone in the beautiful nature of Owl’s Watch… you will be drawn back to spend time with these kind, warm, and interesting people.

Birds, birds, and BIRDS. Starting at just after sunrise, the staff is eager to get you out into the forrest to see some of Colombia’s AMAZING birds. Tanagers. Antpittas. Owls. Toucans. Hummingbirds. In our 3 day stay, we participated in 3 or 4 rounds of birding at different times of day/evening. Our species count was 80+, with many life birds and a terrific Colombian endemic — the Brown-banded Antpitta — that the staff has trained for timed feeding and amazing views. Perhaps the most enjoyable birding is seated in the main dining area or the secret garden observing hummingbirds on feeders at VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY. Have you seen a hummingbird tongue? Or tiny hummingbird eyelashes? You will here. A dozen species of hummers can be seen, and all are stunning. Owl’s Watch has well-constructed feeding areas designed for natural backdrop photography… Open-roosting Andean Guans, grape-tossing Black-billed Mountain Toucans, worm-gobbling Chestnut-crowned Antpittas, tail-flicking Long-tailed Sylphs, and many more. All observable in comfortable, well-designed stations. In addition to birding, there are trails galore, ponds to sit and relax aside, areas to picnic, and creeks to seek out the Cordillera Central Tree...

This was such a magical experience. My partner celebrated her 30th birthday here and it was a dream! The views are stunning, both day and night, overlooking the reserve and Manizales in the distance. The cabin was so cozy; a fireplace, a balcony with stunning views, automatic blackout curtains, cozy seating, blankets, robes and beds, an amazing jacuzzi!! A perfect blend of American and Colombian architecture.

The main shared lodge is such a great place to sit for hours and observe the hummingbirds who come within inches of you, drinking sugar water from the feeders. It's a quiet place, good for reading or meditating. The food cooked by the chef was delicious! Every meal was perfect home-made style dishes for cold days on the mountain. We especially enjoyed breakfasts where we were served acai bowls and eggs served in a cast iron skillet, fresh juices and coffee. The American chili and wine were also so good for dinner.

The place is very secluded and might be tricky to find from Manizales and while you ascend, but they supply instructions so just follow them closely! Takes about 30 minutes to get up the mountain -- stunning views and you really feel like you're on top of the world isolated. Once you're parked, the owners bring their truck and help you descend to the lodge with your luggage in the trunk.

The place itself is tended to so carefully and that's a nod to Juan Carlos who is such a caring soul and kind man. He made sure our stay was comfortable and magical. He is so knowledgable, taking us on an early morning bird tour in the "enchanted forest", a part of the forest where he's built trails and lookouts where you can see so many rare and exotic birds. He names them and they know him, heeding his call as he patiently waits for them. The enchanted forest is scattered with hidden knick knacks like gnomes and globes, making the whole place feel so special. The night birding tour was also so cool! The first night we didn't see an owl and he was so sad for us but didn't give up! He went deep into the forest and brought out a chocolate frog to give us the chance to see something unique. And the next night he did some bird calls and we ended up seeing an owl only a few feet away. We are not birders, but this experience was so special and seeing his knowledge and excitement around the birds made us feel very enthusiastic during each experience. Don't miss out on the 6km of trails he's built out and maintains! Each has something special to offer. He also made sure we were always fed, and had a hot jacuzzi to come home to.

Meeting the owners and their son was also really special. They're such a thoughtful family. The whole team at Owl's Watch goes the extra mile to make an unforgettable experience. Thank you all! We can't wait...

My partner and I just had a magnificent 2-day retreat at Owl’s Watch, a luxury ecolodge nestled in the mountain tops of Rio Blanco reserve. This experience was peaceful, private and offered first-class service. We made a trip to Manizales specifically to visit Owl's watch and we highly recommend it for anyone seeking a relaxing and private getaway in nature.

Owl's Watch Team: The team at Owl’s Watch made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. They were easy to connect with, attentive, and genuinely committed to ensuring our stay was exceptional. The personalized service and warm hospitality - lead by owners Dennis and Adriana - were outstanding and it is clear that they have a deep passion for the Rio Blanco reserve, nature and hospitality. We were lucky enough to spend some quality time with Adriana and Blake (their son), further enhancing our experience.

Birding Walking Tours: Our day and night walks with Juan-Carlos were both informative and engaging. His passion for nature and wildlife was evident, and he shared his knowledge with immense charisma. These walks were a highlight of our stay, allowing us to connect deeply with the natural beauty of the Rio Blanco reserve.

Eco-Cabin: The eco-cabin was cozy and highly comfortable, providing a perfect retreat from the outside world. We loved the jacuzzi and the fireplace, which added a touch of luxury and warmth to our stay. There are 2 luxury cabins that have been thoughtfully designed, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings while offering modern comforts. Each cabin has a kitchenette with mini-fridge (stoked with delicious drinks!), sink, kettle, tea, coffee, basic cutlery and crockery.

Food: The food at the restaurant, prepared by Juan-Carlos’ brother David, was absolutely delicious and each dish was professionally decorated. Dining here was a true culinary delight, with epic views over the valley and an endless list of hummingbirds flying by the restaurant.

Overall, our experience at Owl’s Watch was one we could not recommend enough. It is an idyllic retreat offering peace, relaxation, privacy and unparalleled service in a stunning...