WELCOME !
Thank you for choosing to stay with us and we look forward to sharing some time with you in this beautiful setting. There are 6 acres of gardens, wild jungle with a river and natural springs. We encourage you to relax, explore and discover some of Colombia's amazing natural diversity in the flowers, fruit trees and bird life that thrive here.
The name, Refugio Puente de la Explanacion, was inspired by the graceful 4 arched bridge (Puente) at the entrance that was once part of a railway line. It was only used once before the country fell into civil war 60 years ago and was never used again. More evidence of this enterprise can be seen from the remnants of the old train station down the road and several tunnels near the Santa Rita waterfalls.
We have two private rooms with private bathrooms. Two rooms, each with one bed, and one room with three beds … shared bathrooms. Dormitory with 6 beds, a Safari Tent by the river. Total of 15 beds. We do not wish to add any more rooms as we want our guests to enjoy the tranquility here without being over crowded.
The estate is family owned and operated by a Canadian, his Colombian wife and her family. It was purchased in 2016, extensively renovated and opened in 2017. We hope that you will enjoy your time here, as we certainly do. Thanks from our family team …
COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES !
BREAKFAST
- served from 8 to 10 outside reception
- freshly brewed local coffee available at 7:30
GUEST KITCHEN
- located in the log house - 8 am to 9 pm
WIFI - network REFUGIO - password SALENTO123
DRINKING WATER
- pure clean water from one of our natural springs in all taps and showers. Ozoneated water in the kitchens.
LUGGAGE STORAGE
- in reception before check in (2 pm) and after check out (11 am)
PARKING
- Free secure parking, locked gate at night with lighting and security camera.
CLOTHES LINE
- Covered drying lines behind log house, please feel free to use.
FOAM MATS
- For yoga or sunbathing
BBQ
- Wood fired behind log house
BONFIRE
- On request, weather permitting
While on the premises guests are covered by our complimentary health insurance policy !
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
LAUNDRY - 15.000 per load. Allow up to 24 hours to dry depending on weather as we dry them naturally.
MOUNTAIN BIKES - 2 new good quality. 40.000 per day
HORSES - Gentle horses, good guides, depart here on the farm.
40.000 for waterfalls 55.000 for coffee tour.
MASSAGE - 70.000 to 100.000. Several options available.
BAR - Club Colombia - Dorado, Roja, or Negra 4.000
- Quinta Las Cabras,very good wine at a great price. 25.000
FRUIT AND VEGGIES -Fruit and vegetable delivery here on Wednesdays and Sundays 11 am.
BREAKFAST - If you arrive before check in, or are extra hungry 8.000.
DINNER - we now offer wholesome home cooked meals, please let us know in advance if you can. 20.000 Vegan and gluten free on request.
TRANSPORTATION - We offer shuttle and taxi service in our new crew-cab truck, fully licensed with excellent drivers.
Salento 20.000
Cocora Valley 50.000
Armenia Airport 120.000
Pereira Airport 140.000
Hot Springs 280.000 (4 hour soak)
ACTIVITIES
We offer splashing in the river, sunbathing in private areas, great birdwatching, picnic spots, meditation and yoga, massage therapy, BBQs, campfires, and occasionally live music, traditional medicine and healing ceremonies! When you do explore the area there is lots to do...
1. Hike the Cocora Valley famous for its beautiful scenery and the world’s tallest palm trees.
2. Visit coffee farms, a pleasant two hour hike from the lodge will bring you to four coffee farms all offering tours. Continue walking to Salento for lunch or dinner.
3. Ride horses (or walk) to the Santa Rita waterfalls or other trails. Nice horses, guide included, leave from the lodge.
4. Mountain Bike some amazing backroads and trails. Trips for all levels of fitness.
5. Soak in the Santa Rosa de Cabral hot springs ( full day trip).
6. Visit Filandia, another attractive coffee zone town.
7. Hang out in Salento, visit the Mirador, play Tejo, check out live entertainment, eat at the many restaurants. … our favourites are : Brunch (hearty portions - travellers favourite), Rincon de Luci (traditional fixed menu) and el Punto Vegetal (vegan).
ADDITIONAL INFO
HIKING THE COCORA VALLEY (VALLE DE COCORA)
- allow 5 to 6 hours
- better to go anticlockwise, always turn left at intersections as you are going in a circle.
- you can make a side trip to Acaime La Casa de Los Colibris, 2 kms return, 5.000
- jeeps leave from the plaza during the week and several blocks from the plaza during the weekend, you will have to ask for directions, they occasionally change the location as the plaza is closed to traffic on weekends. cost: $4500
- rubber boots can be rented near the trail head for 5.000. There are also restaurants and small stores there.
- we do not recommend renting horses there because it can be tough on the horses and you will enjoy the views more when walking.
COFFEE TOURS
- see how the coffee is grown, harvested, roasted - savor freshly brewed coffee - buy local coffee beans
Don Elias
- speaks english, tours on demand
- family owned
- permaculture
La Arzacia
- our horse guide usually goes here
- english, tours on demand
Ocaso
- english and spanish, specific tour times
- larger commercial farm
BUSES
- SALENTO - walk back to the main road and catch one of the small buses on the other side of the road, usually every 15 minutes for Salento, cost 1.000, 10 minutes to main plaza. Last bus leaves Salento at 9pm , first bus at 6:30am.
- ARMENIA - this side of road, look for the sign in the window, cost 6.000, 50 mins to main bus terminal
- PEREIRA - this side of road, watch for sign, no set schedule, usually every hour 6.000, 50 minutes to terminal.
- MEDELLIN - two options, take small bus to Pereira and large bus to Medellin (usually more comfortable). Or take direct bus from Salento (usually mid-sized bus) 8,10,11,12 am , 4pm. The Salento bus station is located at the entrance to town before the fire station.
SAFETY
- Boquia is very safe, family community, everybody knows each other. The walk is well lit at night. So far, in two years, we have never had a theft or problem here.
-Our dogs also act as a visual deterrent but in fact are big babies, they will bark when you arrive but just greet them and walk on. Yukon and Achilles are friendly but watch your food!
-We also have a camera system that records the last two months activities. Lockers are provided in Dorm and tents, we also have a safe in reception.
-Gates are locked at night. During the day the small gate is closed but unlocked, sometimes it needs a push.
BOQUIA RESTAURANTS
- The largest restaurant is El Fogon, turn right at main road and walk 50 meters around the corner, our river runs past it. Ask for the plate of the day 9.000 and you will not be hungry. They also have great trout. They often close early though. There are several others that operate on varying schedules.
-There is a small store 20 meters to the left (blue and white) that has the basics.
INSECTS
- There are no mosquitos here!, It is too cool at night for them. Should you encounter one … it is probably lost. During the day there can be sand flies depending on the weather, a little repellent might be needed.
- 3 ATMs in main plaza (cajeros) -BancoAgrario max 780,000 - Bancolombia, max 600,000 Daviivienda
-We accept credit cards but have to charge the extra 5% the bank charges us.