A soulful 17th-century colonial house in the heart of Cartagena’s walled city reimagined by Lina Botero, daughter of Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
Lina spent three years restoring the house, preserving its original architecture while filling it with an eclectic collection of art, antiques, colourful textiles and furniture. The result is a wonderfully personal private home, with ten bedrooms and countless open living areas and lush terraces where tropical plants tumble down the walls. At the centre of the house is a courtyard garden and swimming pool, an idyllic setting for long lazy breakfasts and cocktails after dark.
It’s staffed with an attentive house team, with entertaining spaces for up to thirty, and Cartagena’s churches, galleries, restaurants and lively plazas are just beyond the front door.
What we love about Casa Botero
- The house dates back to 1693, when it belonged to Cartagena’s governor, and has been in the Botero family since 1979; it was Lina’s own home in her 20s.
- Each of the ten rooms has a different look and feel, most overlooking the central courtyard; it can be booked as a five-room ‘medium house’, or taken its entirety.
- Fabulous location just steps away from the vibrant energetic streets of Cartagena and local restaurants (if you can tear yourself away from the house).
- The creative and fresh breakfasts, lunches and dinners prepared by the chef and house team; the arepas con huevo for breakfast are legendary, and there’s often cold coconut water waiting when you return from a hot afternoon exploring.
- The roof terrace has an extraordinary 360 panoramic views of the illuminated cathedrals and churches – sunset is best enjoyed from the jacuzzi with a cocktail in hand.
- The house comes with a very comfortable speed boat captained by the ever-smiling Gilberto. Heading out to the islands of El Rosario, Cholón, and Barú is a must during the day.
Cartagena is a city of grand colonial mansions and neighbourhood salsa bars, cutting-edge restaurants and street stalls, old-fashioned family businesses and a new generation of Colombian designers.
From Casa Botero, you’re perfectly placed to explore it all on foot. Spend the morning wandering its streets, browsing small galleries and independent boutiques. Explore the old fortifications with a guide for a sense of the city’s history, or head across to Getsemaní for murals, music and the lively Plaza de la Trinidad. Visit the wonderfully chaotic Bazurto Market with a local chef, then book a table at Celele for its inventive take on Caribbean Colombian ingredients. Come evening, have a cocktail at El Barón, catch live salsa or champeta, or simply wander between the old town’s lively plazas
A day out among the Rosario Islands is a must. With Casa Botero’s private speedboat and captain Gilberto, head out by boat for a day of swimming and snorkel around the coral reefs, stopping for a long seafood lunch. Barú has lovely stretches of beach, and Cholón great parties. Back at the house, head to the roof for sundowners on the roof overlooking the city’s church towers, followed by a dinner of fresh ceviche prepared by the house chef.
Mandla is located in the quiet beach town of El Transito, on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. Located just an hour’s drive from Managua, Nicaragua’s capital, Mandla is extremely accessible.
There are direct flights from Managua to Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, and Panama, meaning that a stay at Mandla can be easily combined with another Central American country.
When to Travel
Cartagena is warm throughout the year, with the driest, sunniest weather generally falling between December and April, though these are also the busiest months; March and April are, we feel, the sweet spots. May to November is hotter and more humid, with sunshine punctuated by occasional tropical downpours.
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