Colombian Spas

Colombia offers many variations on the stereotypical relaxing and tranquil spa vacation. If you want to indulge in the local specialty, cacao, try the choco-therapy at the Thermaé Spa at the Hotel Opera in Bogotá (Ca. 10, 5-72, Bogotá. Tel: 1-336-2066, 1-336-5285, E-mail: sales@hotelopera.com.co, URL: www.hotelopera.com.co). The New York Times calls Casa Boutique Veranera in Cartagena “a jewel box of a hotel with a spa and yoga studio” (Ca. Quero 9-65, San Diego, Cartagena. Tel: 5-644-8908, E-mail: reservation@casaveranera.com, URL: casaveranera.com). Don’t skimp on the insect repellent during beachside massages or meditation sessions at Playa Koralia, east of Santa Marta (Cel: 310-642-2574, E-mail: koralia@remove-this.koralia.com, URL: www.koralia.com). As well, many luxury hotels throughout the country, like Radisson Hotels, have massage rooms.

The Hare Krishnas have six ecological reserve finca lodges in Colombia where guests may enjoy vegetarian cuisine, yoga and meditation classes, hiking trails, temazcales (sweathouses) and other natural therapies. Some of the retreat centers are: Gambhira near Santa Marta (Tel: 315-375-5591, E-mail: costavaisnava@gmail.com), Finca Raval Jardín Ecológico, near Bucaramanga (Tel: 7-680-2045 /680-2075, Cel: 312-351-0209, E-mail: govindap@intercable.net.co) and Varsana Jardínes Ecológicos, near Bogotá (Tel: 1-323-2195, Cel: 320-899-5159/313-806-5031, E-mail: info@varsana.com, URL: www.varsana.com). Many of the fincas also take volunteers. For more information about these, visit: www.inboundtours.com.

If you prefer to relax in hot springs, one place to go is Termales de Santa Rosa de Cabal, located in Risalda in the Zona Cafetera (Tel: 6-364-5500, E-mail: informacion@termales.com.co, URL: www.termales.com.co). Other thermal resorts are found in Paipa and at Termales de Rivera near Neiva. More rustic hot springs are Agua Hirviendo and Aguatibia near Coconuco in Southern Colombia, and Güicán near Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy.

Lastly, while in Medellín, don’t miss out on treating your tootsies—for free—to the foot spas in Parque de los Pies Descalzos.