Cartagena, Colombia

Casa Ceiba

Casa Ceiba Photos

Style

Peachy beachy hideaway

Setting

Untamed Isla Barú

Sleeps

12

Bedrooms

6

With unruly tangles of trees and a wayward rocky coastline that opens out to gleaming sands and luminously blue Caribbean waters, there’s a sense that nature does whatever the hell she wants on Colombia’s Isla Barú. While the delightful coral-hued Casa Ceiba aims to bring some domestication to the scene – with its full complement of staff (including your own chef), cushioned reading nooks, view-blessed bedroom pavilions, and indoor-outdoor gathering spaces – it also encourages you to bash about barefoot, shed clothes for a swim off a very private beach, fritter away time in a hammock and pretty much run as wild as this alluring isle is.

Smith Extra

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A reception with drinks and canapés on arrival

First Glance

Photos Casa Ceiba
  • 400sq m in size.
  • The villa is cosy and charming rather than glamorous, but that’s what you’d expect of a stay set in a wild tussle of jungle. There are warm hues throughout, from the terracotta flooring to the apricot walls and up to the teak-wood ceilings, and there’s a considered bohemian feel to decor, with natural cottons, shells and driftwood, sculptural wicker pieces, splashes of bright colour, and Colombian handicrafts throughout.
  • In the main pavilion, there’s a huge living room decorated in warm citrus hues and terracotta tiles, with vaulted ceilings made of local wood, wicker sofas, colour-pop cushions, and ceiling fans. As well as dining space, it has an enticing cushioned window nook with a gloriously green view. One wall opens fully to the pool, with views of the ocean beyond.
  • Full kitchen, but your casa comes with a resident chef, so you needn’t lift a finger. Breakfasts are included, and other meals available for an extra charge – expect plenty of fresh grilled fish, flavorful salads, fried plantains and more Caribbean-Colombian eats.

Villa highlights

  • Unmanicured but magical location
  • Cosseting staff
  • Beach all to yourself

Sleeping arrangements

Photos Casa Ceiba
  • Sleeps up to 12 guests in six bedrooms.
  • Bedroom one (40sq m) is secluded in its own pavilion, which has a wall open to the ocean for maximum views. There’s a double bed, ceiling fan and ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower, twin sinks and a leafy view.
  • Bedroom two (25sq m) is set in its own pavilion, and has a private terrace with a hammock, views out to the ocean and direct access to the beach. Indoors, there’s a double bed, ceiling fan and ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.
  • Bedroom three (25sq m) is set in its own pavilion, and has a private terrace with a writing desk and hammock, views out to the ocean and direct access to the beach. Indoors, there’s a double bed, ceiling fan and ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.
  • Bedroom four (25sq m) is set in its own pavilion, and has a private terrace, ocean views and direct beach access. Indoors, there’s a double bed, ceiling fan and ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.
  • Bedroom five (25sq m) is set in its own pavilion, and has a private terrace, ocean views and a path down to the beach. This room has twin beds, a ceiling fan and ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.
  • Bedroom six (60sq m) is an apartment-style stay in a standalone pavilion (ideal for older kids) with a full kitchen, living room, bedroom with twin beds, ceiling fans, and an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.

Key kit

  • Free WiFi
  • Ceiling fans
  • Free bottled water
  • Locally made Loto Del Sur bath products
  • House staff can help with some light laundry on request, but as this is an island you're asked to please be mindful of the limited resources
  • Unfortunately this villa is not wheelchair-accessible
  • Children are welcome to stay, but as each bedroom has its own standalone pavilion, and the terrain is quite wild, this is best suited to older children and teenagers. Younger Smiths would need to be carefully supervised by the pool and beach.
  • Check-in is at 3pm and check-out is 11am; both times are flexible subject to availability and on request
  • Available to book all-year round
  • Pets are welcome to stay
  • Daily breakfast is included. The resident chef can prepare other meals for an extra charge

Poolside

Photos Casa Ceiba
  • The large saltwater geometric pool (with a stepped entrance) is idyllically placed among the greenery in the garden, with eight loungers around the sides.
  • By the pool there’s a wooden deck with a table and chairs for alfresco dining; could also double up as a scenic spot for yoga.

Grounds

Photos Casa Ceiba
  • Private, safe-for-swimming sandy beach. A rocky path leads down to the sand from the casa.
  • Thatch-roofed palapa on the beach with deckchairs.
  • Shaded wraparound verandas strung with hammocks.
  • Barely-tamed tropical gardens and lounging decks.
  • Parking spaces for five-to-10 cars.

Location

Photos Casa Ceiba
  • Rafael Núñez International Airport is the closest, just over an hour’s drive from the casa. Return boat transfers from Cartagena’s marina are included in the hire rate, a scenic meander that takes just under an hour. If you’d prefer to arrive by road, the casa’s staff can help to arrange a car for an extra charge.
  • Boat transfers from Cartagena are included in the hire rate.
  • The island’s small town of Barú is a 10-minute drive away, and the closest city is Cartagena, an hour’s drive away.
  • Isla Barú isn’t big but it has a few hotspots, such as the Punta Iguana beach club, a 10-minute drive north, or Hotel Las Islas for ceviches, sand-side pizzas and tropical ice-creams.
  • Watersports can be arranged on request.

The Guestbook

Whenever you book a stay at a Smith hotel or villa, we’ll invite you to review it when you get back. Read what other Smith members had to say in Casa Ceiba’s Guestbook below.
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Price per night from $3,029.41

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