WhereNext? Colombia 2025
Witness the seasonal beauty of Caño Cristales, the river of five colors at La Manigua Lodge.
A Collection of Experiences to Make Your Guests Feel Something
Some places have an undeniable power to transform those who visit—not just through what they see, but through what they feel. Colombia is one of them—a country where discovery is personal, where every journey stirs something deep and lasting. The WhereNext? 2025 Collection was created with this in mind.
This year, we’re introducing experiences designed to make your guests feel something. Venture deep into Colombia’s newest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where species are still being named. Dance with world-champion salsa performers in a country that moves to its own rhythm. Sail the Caribbean aboard a restored historic vessel.
Crafted with meticulous care, deep local knowledge, and seamless execution, these journeys ensure your guests don’t just visit Colombia. They feel it.
La Manigua Lodge
A Jungle Escape in the Heart of Colombia
Nestled in the untamed rainforest of La Macarena, La Manigua Lodge is a pioneering example of conservation and community-led tourism. Built on stilts to minimize environmental impact, the lodge seamlessly blends into its jungle surroundings, offering an immersive experience in one of Colombia’s most biodiverse and culturally rich regions.
La Manigua is committed to responsible tourism, working closely with local communities to promote economic opportunities and environmental stewardship. Through partnerships with Indigenous and campesino families, the lodge helps preserve traditional knowledge and support sustainable livelihoods. Guests not only explore the breathtaking landscapes of Serranía de la Lindosa, with its ancient rock art dating back thousands of years but also gain insight into the ancestral cultures that have safeguarded this land for generations.
Adventure here takes many forms: kayak through crystal-clear rivers, trek to hidden waterfalls, or witness the seasonal beauty of Caño Cristales, the river of five colors. Every experience at La Manigua Lodge is designed to foster a deep connection with nature and a commitment to its protection. This is not just a place to stay—it’s a journey into Colombia’s wild heart, where sustainability, culture, and adventure come together in harmony.
Bogotá: Roots & Rhythms
History, Art, and the Pulse of Salsa—Featuring a Flash Mob with Colombia’s World Champion Salsa Club
Wander the cobblestone streets of La Candelaria, where vibrant facades and centuries-old churches frame the city’s historic core. Stand in Plaza Bolívar, the political and cultural heart of Bogotá, where the country’s most significant events have played out against a backdrop of stately government buildings. Then, experience Fragmentos, a profound space of memory and contemporary art. This living monument, crafted from melted weapons once wielded in conflict, is a testament to resilience—co-created by women who endured Colombia’s armed struggles.
As the city hums around you, the rhythm of salsa takes center stage. In a moment of pure spontaneity, guests find themselves embraced by a salsa flash mob, a vibrant, high-energy experience orchestrated by world-champion dancers from the same school where WhereNext founder Angelika Köhler learned to dance. This joyful encounter is more than salsa—it’s a tribute to the local community that helped inspire our company’s journey.
The day concludes with a seven-course culinary experience at Prudencia, an acclaimed restaurant housed in a beautifully restored building, where seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques come together in a celebration of Colombian gastronomy.
From history to movement, from memory to music, Bogotá: Roots & Rhythms is an invitation to experience the soul of the city—one step, one story, and one beat at a time.
Where New Species Await Discovery
Exclusive Access to Colombia’s Newest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Hidden in the mountains of Jardín, Antioquia, La Reserva Natural Mesenia-Paramillo is Colombia’s newest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a place so biodiverse that scientists are still uncovering its secrets. Here, amid ancient cloud forests and high-altitude páramo, new species are being identified—including a recently discovered mammal previously unknown to science. The reserve has drawn global attention, with conservation efforts supported by figures like Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos, who have even had newly discovered species named in honor of friends and family.
This experience begins in Jardín, one of Colombia’s most picturesque villages, before continuing deep into the reserve via private jeep transfer. Led by an expert biologist guide, José Castaño, you’ll explore untouched ecosystems where rare orchids bloom, endemic birds call from the canopy, and iridescent butterflies dance along the trails. With over 400 bird species, including 30 threatened species and 26 endemics, Mesenia-Paramillo is a sanctuary for birders and nature enthusiasts alike. Beyond birds, the reserve reveals an astonishing diversity of amphibians, orchids, and insects—many yet to be fully studied.
Finca Gualiva: WhereNext’s Private Rainforest Retreat
A Restored Villa, a Rewilded Landscape, and Our Commitment to Community Tourism
Just two hours from Bogotá, Finca Gualiva is more than a retreat—it’s a living testament to WhereNext’s belief in community tourism and conservation. Once an abandoned cacao and coffee farm, this estate has been restored by WhereNext co-founder Gregg Bleakney, who has not only revitalized the villa but also rewilded the land, designating three hectares as a private rainforest reserve. Nestled in a quiet valley two hours from Bogotá, Finca Gualiva offers an intimate escape where nature and comfort exist in harmony.
Guests can unwind in a solar-heated saltwater pool, sip locally sourced coffee as the morning mist rises over the jungle canopy, or explore private trails that wind through a thriving ecosystem, home to rare birds and native flora. Recognized in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) celebration video, Finca Gualiva reflects a vision of regenerative tourism, employing locals and restoring the land’s biodiversity.
Voyage Through Time
A Journey Aboard the Restored Gaira, Where Heritage Meets the Rhythm of the Sea.
Sail through the Caribbean waters near Cartagena aboard Gaira, a restored vessel built in 1968 that embodies the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Revived by María del Puerto, this historic boat offers a distinct way to explore the region’s calm waters and secluded beaches. The journey moves at an easy rhythm—pause for a gourmet picnic on a private beach, where a personal chef prepares fresh, locally inspired dishes by the water’s edge. Swim in the clear, turquoise sea, explore the coastline by kayak or snorkel, or simply unwind on deck as the islands drift by.
Cali Beyond Salsa
The World’s Best Backyard Birding Site
Cali may be known as the salsa capital of the world, but beyond the music and dance, it has quietly emerged as Colombia’s premier birding destination. Home to an astonishing variety of bird species and host of the annual Cali Bird Fair, the city now draws nature enthusiasts from around the world. Nowhere is this more evident than at Avistamiento de Aves Doña Dora, hailed as the best backyard birding location in the world, where dazzling hummingbirds, tanagers, and toucans flutter effortlessly among the feeders and flowering trees.
But this haven for birders is more than just a spectacle of nature—it is a powerful example of how responsible tourism transforms lives. Years ago, Doña Dora and her family made their living selling coffee and empanadas to travelers along the old road to the Pacific coast. After passing birders noticed the wealth of endemic species in her backyard, she began placing bananas out for the tanagers, and soon, her modest home became a renowned birding hotspot. Now, she has built a 360-degree birding platform on the third floor of her house, where visitors can observe rare Chocó-endemic species at eye level with the towering ficus tree that attracts them. Thanks to birding, Doña Dora has built a sustainable livelihood, a testament to how community tourism can uplift local economies while preserving natural ecosystems.
After a day immersed in the colors and sounds of the cloud forest, retreat to Araucana Lodge, a world-class birding lodge just beyond the city center. Nestled in the foothills of the Andes, this elegant yet nature-focused retreat offers a peaceful escape, blending comfort with quick access to some of Colombia’s most coveted birdwatching sites.
Watch our in-house creative agency’s video series on Araucana Lodge and Avistamiento de Aves Doña Dora above.
A gorgeous Toucan Barbet at Avistamiento de Aves Doña Dora.
