House on water

Casa en el agua was my 'must do in Colombia' list, recommended by multiple friends. Overall a great experience, I went in open minded after hearing mixed reviews from other backpackers. Super chill vibes while I was there (heard some wild stories)! Stayed for 2 nights, having one full day was perfect, the weather turned it on that day (the day I arrived the wind and water was rough with the whole bottom level a paddling pool). My bank account agreed 2 nights was enough, not a cheap adventure by any means with accom, meals and transport to and from. Worth it though! Bunk bed was 250 p/n, boat one way 150, cheaper menu options were 40-60, crab/octopus 80 and lobster 120 pesos. The fish and lobster were delish! The experience definitely depends on other guests staying, and of course what you make of it. I met some lovely people! Learning Spanish is a top goal before I come back to SA so I'm not limited to who I can interact with, 100% on me! They offer a few tours, and have some gear you hire to go exploring although I only saw guests make the most of the snorkels. A great addition would be some outdoor mattresses or beanbags to lounge around on. And lastly ... - The loo situation (long drops with steps up - absolutely fine, not what people had made them out to be lol I've experienced some grungy festival loos). - Showers (normal shower, not a bucket) - Wifi (they may just have it... just maybe) Overall a happy camper. :)

Positive Aspects of Casa en el Agua The location and unique appearance of Casa en el Agua are truly impressive. The hostel’s charm lies in its picturesque setting and distinctive design, making it visually memorable. Additionally, the communal atmosphere allows for social connections, and meeting other guests who became friends was a definite highlight. Areas for Improvement Staff and Guest Relations The biggest concern I encountered was with the staff. The receptionist was notably unapproachable and reluctant to answer questions. The volunteers, however, were even more problematic. Many appeared overly focused on the female guests, often becoming inappropriately touchy, which created discomfort among some visitors. There was a general sense that they were more interested in socializing among themselves and with specific guests than in providing attentive service to everyone. Noise Levels and Atmosphere The noise level is very high throughout the day. Loud Latin music plays almost constantly, except during meal times, making it challenging to find a quiet space within the limited area of the hostel. It would be an improvement if guests had the opportunity to choose some music themselves, especially considering the price they pay for their stay. More quiet times would enhance the experience and allow guests to appreciate the natural tranquility of the island. Personally, I found it difficult to hold conversations due to the loud environment. Meal Portions Although the food is delicious, the portion sizes are very small, which can be disappointing for guests expecting a more satisfying meal experience. Safety Concerns There are significant safety issues in the structure and amenities. I did not observe any life-saving equipment for emergencies in the water or fire extinguishers, despite the building’s wooden and straw construction. The hostel also features a platform for jumping into the ocean from a height of about 3 meters, but boats are often parked directly below. When I suggested moving a boat to allow for safe jumping, the staff initially dismissed it with a comment like "just jump and try not to hit the boat." Only after multiple requests from guests was the boat finally relocated. This lack of attention to safety protocols is concerning. Value for Price In my opinion, the high price of staying at Casa en el Agua does not align with the experience provided. Similar accommodations offering comparable experiences are available in the area at a fraction of the cost.

Absolutely loved my stay! The location is stunning, as is the water around it. They offer 3 excursions daily - mangrove snorkeling, a trip to the nearby village (which was really interesting) and plancton snorkeling. Drinks are 50COP for 2 strong spirit and mixers. Beers 10COP. So decent value for where you are. Be aware you will have to pay 40k for lunch and dinner during your stay which is fresh fish or veggie option. I enjoyed the food. The dorm room was a comfortable mattress and you have a personal fan which helped keep me cool. The compostable toilet isn't that bad, just hold your breath... Biggest shout out to the reps and general staff who were all so friendly. From the lil welcome dance, the tour, bar staff and the entertainment in the evenings with drinking games and dancing. They really made my stay. I don't think you need loads of time here 1/2 nights is enough to enjoy the area and excursions.

cool place in the middle of the sea! There were quite some mixed reviews, so we weren’t sure what to expect But all in all it was nice! The staff is very friendly and helpful (especially the volunteers), the food was delicious (even though I missed meat as I don’t eat fish ;) and also well sized for this heat. The toilets were cleaned very often and shower is only possible in the night. The rooms are okay, obviously no airco so it can be quite hot in the night We stayed 2 nights and due to some stomach issues, I couldn’t really drink. So for me personally during the day it was a bit boring after a while. You can swim, do some water sports and they also offer snorkel tours and a visit to the closeby island, but apart from that there is not much to do during the day Every night there is a nice program and all day long it’s happy hour (tasted the cocktails from my friends and they were decent !) So if you can live without luxury for a few days it’s worth to go, even though we recommend a max of 1 night and as one improvement point maybe more places to lie down

This place is cool but I wish I hadn’t stayed here for 2 main reasons. ||1. On the 2nd night I got eaten alive by bed bugs. I was only in the bed for about 5hours but had around 200 bites that were so painful, itchy and some blistered (pics attached), ruining the end of my 4 month trip and took over a week to heal.|2. There isn’t much to do here, excursions expensive and snorkelling in the mangroves we saw nothing, not even fish! They said the bioluminescence wasn’t possible (luckily I did a day trip the night before). So it was just drinking and partying, which in general I don’t mind and like to party but it was very “lads lads lads” atmosphere, watching sports and leering after women. I felt a bit excluded travelling alone but also someone in a couple felt the same too, so I think it was maybe because we weren’t in our early 20s. Was hoping for more activities and the type of great travellers I’d met in Colombia and the rest of South America!||Things I did like were: some of the staff - the 2 hosts had nice energy (bar staff were pretty rude though) and lunch and dinner was really good. Breakfast was average and drinks bit expensive. Toilet setup was actually fine and showers basic but enough for staying a few days. Good music, fun dancing, lovely views and water.

Despite some mixed reviews, I had a positive experience at Casa En El Agua. ||It’s a great place to unwind, socialise, and enjoy cocktails, with happy hour available all day (2 x €50/60 pesos). The food was a pleasant surprise, offering three meals a day with options for fish or veggies, and you can pay extra for fresh crab or lobster. ||The facilities were better than expected, with two toilets, a urinal, a sink area, and two showers that are available from 6pm-9pm, all maintained cleanly.|||The boat trip to the island was very bumpy due to strong winds (return trip was smooth), and it costs an additional £60/70 per person for a return trip, separate from the room rate. ||Nights on the island can get very warm with limited breeze, but each room has a small fan to help. ||One area for improvement would be for volunteers to organise more activities, like volleyball or evening games. They mainly just sit around during the day whilst guests entertain themselves. ||Overall, it was a good experience and I’m pleased I went, but considering the total cost, it felt a bit overpriced. If you’re keen to go, I’d recommend 1-2 nights max.

Good things: I had a good time thanks to the people I met and obviously it's a beautiful location. The highlight of the trip was the plankton tour. Absolutely stunning. There are some lockers. Food is fine, a bit small on the portion side. Toilets and shower were great. A lot has improved based on the videos I watched before going. There is WiFi and you can use card, despite what the pre-arrival email says. Bad things: 1. Bed bugs. I know they have recently fumigated but the hammocks still have bed bugs (I was in a hammock and am now covered in bites and having to deal with what to do with all my luggage) 2. No value for money. They're basically just exploiting the location and novelty of it. Even a bed buggy hammock was horrendously expensive, but I did it for the experience. But then you have to pay the boat cost to get there (which is very expensive), luggage storage because you can only take a small bag, and then national park "tax". Once there, you pay for extra tours and snacks (or meal upgrades) and drinks. I had the fries and at least they were nice and a decent portion. The boat should be included in the price or at least the plankton tour, which is the coolest part of the whole experience. 3. Customer service is terrible. Jess was lovely, but the woman on the reception was unhelpful, unsmiling and just generally unpleasant. 4.Safety. Now I know South America has a different view on safety, and having lived in the Peruvian jungle for a year I'm very lax now when it comes to H&S. However.... There is a disaster waiting to happen, then the place will shut down. How a drunk person hasn't drowned yet is beyond me. You're allowed in the water in any state at any time, there are no life rings to throw if someone is drowning. And I really hope a staff member is lifeguard and first aid trained, but I suspect not. There are some basic practices put in place, but they need to up their game and become more professional before it's too late.

I stayed with my partner for 3 nights and had the best time. The staff are so welcoming and friendly, and the hostel had the perfect vibes to meet new friends or have some chill time. Our room was comfortable and the facilities were clean. Highly recommend, don’t miss it. Such a very special experience for the both of us. Loved it! Sarah & Aaron, Melbourne, Australia