La Casa Amarilla

New Year, New Challenges in Mompos

2012-01-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

So, 2012 is here and for those of us not too concerned about the Mayan prophecy that everything as we know it is going to come to an end, it's business as usual!

Christmas and New Year were great celebrations here in the Casa Amarilla and we even had the infamous band "Abundio y sus Traviesos" fresh from their adventures in Washington DC playing their cumbia and chande music on the roof terrace to see in the New Year.

And now, with the flood waters receding we find ourselves confronting a year of hard work and definite growth. Our reviews on TripAdvisor (read the newest one here) are testament to the hard work put in by the whole team here. And while we suffer the ignoble onslaught from other businesses, we continue to fill the Casa Amarilla and provide a service that helps Mompos and the region.

I have mentioned on various occasions that we strongly believe in the trickle down economic effect of tourism and how we can help Mompos and the most humble Momposinos. And for the most part we feel that change is taking place and this is a positive social aspect to our work.

In other news we are trying to maintain our lead here in terms of social networking and various other free publicity media. We now have a tumblr photo site to accompany our twitter (@CasaAmarilla), facebook (La Casa Amarilla Mompos) and original website (www.lacasaamarillamompos.com).

And while there has been a change of administration in the political hierarchy in Mompos, and this in itself is positive, those of us in the tourism industry hold our collective breath to see if the new Mayor has any interest in us at all. The obvious statement to make is that before long the only meaningful income for Mompos will be tourism, so we remain in the wings, watching and waiting.

Mi Gringo!

2011-12-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

Folks, it has been a while but I have uploaded a blog about my life as a gringo in Mompos, how I am seen and how this allows my friendships in the town to grow.

“Mi Gringo!”

She comes and hollers through the colonial ironwork on the window. She waits. She knows I’ll appear. Her very appearance brightens my day. This is my “novia” who comes to take away the trash every other day here in Mompós.

“Como estas mi gringo?”

You can read on here

Reviews now coming in on Hostelworld in Spanish and English!

2011-12-01T04:50:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since we posted. So much going on, the complete overhaul of a "backpacker room" in order to make this more liveable. The rains have continued in the area but mainly overnight, allowing for the strong semi-equatorial sunshine to dry out the puddles that mark the town's streets.

Anyway, it is an interesting phenomenon that of Hostelworld. From day one we were affiliated with the website in order to build a foundation and internet presence. I think we may have received one guest this way in 2008, 2 in 2009 and maybe back down to 1 again in 2010. 2011 has been a different year of sorts that has seen us become a destination for "different" countries. I mean different in the most simple term, really: not habitually associated with visiting Mompos. For the most part our bookings though hostelworld have come from Brazil and Poland.

You can see some of the reviews on the site.

Un Blog en espanol de una huesped Argentina

2011-05-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Muchas gracias a Patricia de Argentina por absobar el ambiente de Mompos perfectamente en su blog, esperamos de verle de nuevo por aqui en Mompos.

EL CAMINO A SAMARCANDA

While Out Riding by Cass

2011-05-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

Take a look at Cass's blog (While Out Riding) on his travels through the Americas from Alaska South. He has just been with us here in the Casa Amarilla, Mompos for a few days and I think you'll agree that both his text and photos capture Mompos and the spirit of the region.

The State of the Road BODEGA - MOMPOS

2011-04-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

it is open, contrary to reports in the mainstream media in Colombia. Direct buses are arriving from Barranquilla and Cartagena, small taxis, everything....everything can get here. Following news reports here in Colombia is akin to doing your thesis based on info drawn from Wikipedia.

Thank You WildColombia!

2011-03-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

La Casa Amarilla was recently mentioned as one of the best places to stay on the Weblog WildColombia.

THANK YOU!

You can check out their write up here

Article in El Tiempo about the State of the Roads around Mompos

2011-03-03T06:08:00.001-08:00

Before reading this article, remember that Mompos is a riverside community and therefore if there are problems with the roads one can reach here by river. The poor vias of access have hardly been felt by the Casa Amarilla. It is all about informing the traveller.

EL TIEMPO

our response is the following:

Mompos por su situacion aislada ha mantenido su integridad y belleza. Llegar a Mompos siempre ha sido una aventura, asi que el pueblo es ribereno y uno siempre puede llegar por el rio como en el pasado, como Bolivar. Salud, tu llegaste, si o no?

Deja tu carro en Magangue y sigue un viaje de aventura. Los Colombianos tienen que reconocer lo que hay en su pais, bajense del carro y explore! Mompos no es un resort todo incluido. Desde Bogota o Medellin uno llega con facilidad por aire a Monteria o Corozal, desde alli es una cuestion de taxis collectivos.

Los mochileros Colombianos y viajeros extranjeros de todos los estratos sociales siguen llegando porque investigan el tema del transporte y no permiten que las malas noticias los detiene.

Y, los visitantes de afuera, mochileros y gente con plata, todos gastan en las tiendas, restaurantes, en la Plaza Santo Domingo, en los kioskos - entonces en lugar de criticar los pocos debes estar felicitando los que llegan y apoyan y ayudan al pueblo Momposino.

En lugar de leer de tanta miseria, mi consejo es de ir a ver el periodico Britanico The Daily Telegraph el cual tiene tres reportajes excelentes sobre Mompos en los ultimos anos y que el periodista extranjero reconoce la belleza a pesar de los problemas.

Creemos que el reportaje va a ayudar que el gobierno haga algo? Mas bien estas perjudicando a la gente Momposina mas o menos aconsejando que no vienen los turistas al pueblo.

New Interview in the Sunday El Tiempo

2011-02-27T04:51:00.000-08:00

The Ingles from Mompos is interviewed in El Tiempo newspaper this week. Please take a look

NEW GUIDEBOOKS TO COLOMBIA PUBLISHED

2011-02-25T04:28:00.000-08:00

As most are well aware, Colombia has been divorced from the idea of international tourism for some time and is currently undergoing a renaissance of sorts. So, in addition to the ubiquitous Lonely Planet, Footprint and Bradt guides to this great country, two others have been produced in 2011.

Michelin Green Guide to Colombia

This prestigious title delves further into the ample culture and history on offer in Colombia and is an ideal companion to any brief trip here. Good maps and information are accompanied by ideas for walking tours, nice photos and a few ideas where to eat and stay.

Explore Travel Guides: Colombia, Bogota and the North Coast

Independently written and published, author Justin Cohen saw the need for a different guidebook to Colombia. This is his take and it is aimed principally at the backpacker crowd. The result is refreshingly honest and his website allows for online purchases. Take a look and support independent authors!

Owlet in the Casa Amarilla

2011-02-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Pal Bjarne Johansen, we have a couple of photos of the owlet that was stuck in the Casa Amarilla yesterday 19/2/11. Anyone know what species of owl it is?

You'll all be glad to hear that it is not in a cage somewhere, but we kept it safe during the day so it was unharmed and then liberated it that night.

Becoming the Local: New Blog Entry

2011-01-29T10:39:00.000-08:00

The trash piles up, in particular when there are guests in...there is no refuse collection at the moment. There is supposed to be, they don´t come. Sometimes, maybe once a week at best.

I can understand their reluctance to work during the floods, the dump was flooded, there was nowhere to put the rubbish.

READ ON

2011-01-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

New reviews online on Tripadvisor - take a look!

FLOODS IN MOMPOX: UPDATE, Dec 24 2010

2010-12-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

Things are getting better regarding the floods in Mompos - for more information on travel, please see this link

After the Time of Cholera

2010-12-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

An excellent piece of reportage in one of our favourite publications Wend Mag from Brian Kevin on the Magdalena River.

"After the Time of Cholera"

....many mentions of Mompos and of course river travel. He makes the journey from El Banco to Barrancabermeja as offered by our affiliates at Aji Colombia Tours.

Stoked to see this piece online.

The State of the Flooding in and Around Mompos

2010-12-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

It has taken me some time to write this update, I guess we continued just hoping that the floods would abate. The reality is just that, temperatures are rising, the sun is shining and it is beginning to dry out.

This is a slow process, but, we maintain the street dry in front of La Casa Amarilla with a motorpump and of course we are monitoring the sandbags.

TRAVEL ADVICE: You can still get in and out of Mompos. If coming from the interior, catch a boat from Barrancabermeja and then another one in El Banco...a true adventure.

If coming from Cartagena, catch any overland transport to Magangue and then the chalupa motorised boat from there to Mompos - this stops very close to La Casa Amarilla.

Don't let the weather ruin your travel plans, come and show solidarity with the people of this beleaguered area.

More info on transport in English here

and in Spanish

a Day in the Life of an Expat in Mompos, Colombia

2010-11-11T04:05:00.000-08:00

Interesting times in Mompos, heavy tropical rains across the country, then sun to dry it out follwed by perhaps a day without rain to restore the equilibrium.

So, I wrote a blog on the Matador network about day to day life in Mompos. The river has dropped somewhat, with our pump working outside daily we keep the road dry and guests keep coming. For a slice of life, please read on

Pueblos colombianos para enamorarse

2010-10-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

As written by Colombia.travel the government's tourism portal and including excerpts on Villa de Leyva, Barichara and of course Mompos...with La Casa Amarilla receiving a mention.

The state of the Magdalena River

2010-10-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

There is flooding, this is serious, but, the historic centre of Mompos remains fine. Getting in and out of Mompos if coming from the Caribbean coast, in particular Cartagena is no problem. We will keep you posted.

In the meantime, Mark Holsten's article in Colombia Reports explains the sitaution admirably.

Casa Amarilla and El Ingles Interviewed for El Heraldo

2010-07-05T09:47:00.001-07:00

Great article out to day in El Heraldo newspaper of Barranquilla
All about Casa Amarilla and El Ingles

Michael Jacobs Writes an Excellent Article in the Telegraph about Mompos

2010-05-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/southamerica/7709751/Mompox-Colombia-A-town-from-the-pages-of-Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez.html

UPDATES from La Casa Amarilla

2010-01-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

We have three (3) important pieces of news for those of you out there following us and indeed interested in coming to visit us here in Mompos.

(1) Semana Santa runs from Palm Sunday 28 March - 4 April. Our dorms are already full. We do have private rooms with/out air con, fans etc still available. Prices will increase for this period.

(2) We now have WiFi in the house! This carries a cost for use.

(3) You can continue to follow us on Facebook, where we routinely publish new photos and updates.

Página web de La Casa Amarilla

2010-01-17T10:14:00.001-08:00

Encuentrenos en la web en : www.lacasaamarillamompos.com

Flaming Footballs!

2010-01-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

So, in the spirit of a bizarro world christmas, here in Mompos in the early hours of the morning in the 9 days running up to Christmas they set off fireworks and chase burning footballs around the Plaza Santa Barbara...right next to La Casa Amarilla!

These photos are all courtesy of Oisin Prendeville a guest a LCA during the festive period. You can see more of these at his Flickr page.

Interview with El Colombiano Newspaper of Medellin

2009-10-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

During a meeting in Medellin I was pulled aside by a journo from the Medellin daily newspaper El Colombiano and interviewed about "mochileros" in Medellin. Take a look...

Mompox.org - Growing!

2009-09-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

So, the last time I posted here I was announcing the launch of www.mompox.org as an information portal for the town of Mompox. Well, it's popularity is certainly growing as word gets out. Presently we only have transport information in English but before the end of November we hope to have put this into Spanish and with any luck French.

On another note, a big shout out to Chris Moss of Time Out who wrote a fantastic piece about the Colombian Caribbean island of Providencia in today's Observer.

Two Announcements!

2009-08-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

We are launching a new Mompox information site. Work started yesterday on www.mompox.org and we have managed to put most travel information To and From Mompox up there. In coming weeks we will be building on this and adding Attractions in Mompox, Shops, Hotels and Restaurants...check it out please.

and

We are on Twitter

@CasaAmarilla

Fiestas in San Jacinto 13 - 17 August 2009

2009-08-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

For those of you unaware, San Jacinto is midway between Mompos and Cartagena and is the town where the best hammocks and vuelteados are made in Colombia. We are publicising their fiestas as they should be an incredible and truly Colombian experience...of course there will the the ubiquitous singing and dancing, copious amounts of partying with the gaiteros during which you can pick yourself up a hammock or two!

Second Mompox Independent Film Festival August 13-16 2009

2009-07-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

NOW CONFIRMED

The second ever Mompox Independent Film Festival will be taking place from August 13-16 this year. Evoke the spirit of Cinema Paradiso and support this free, open air, independent film festival.

For more information see this article

the official Festival website

President Uribe and many Politicians in Mompos - June 20

2009-06-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

Today, President Uribe and many members of his government are in Mompos heading up a Consejo Comunal.

This event should outline the present Government's commitments to improving services in the town and around abouts. The discussions have mainly revolved around hospitals, transport links and education. Can this Government deliver?

For more information in Spanish see the Presidential website

New Rooms Open!

2009-06-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

I know I know, we have rambling on about these new rooms on this blog for some time now, but really, we have 4 new "deluxe suites" ready. All of these come with air con and ceiling fan and two have televisions with cable. Prices go for 100,000 per room per night but you won't regret it.

Check it out.....

And, lest we forget to mention the bathrooms, with the best showers in Colombia!

Of course, we have the other two private rooms available at 40,000 per night and the dorms as well.

Presently we are working on another new room upstairs but plan on completing this work later in the year in low season.

New Rooms Ready

2009-04-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

With Semana Santa behind us and with space to breathe once again we are proud to announce that the fourth new room will be ready in only a matter of days. All of the new rooms, constructed in a record time, are a step up from regular hostal lodging and are equipped with luxury showers and air con. We shall post photos soon.

In the meantime don't forget to check out our new website www.lacasaamarillamompos.com and of course join our group on facebook - La Casa Amarilla Mompos

Semana Santa in Mompos 2009

2009-03-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

Friends, as ever Semana Santa in Mompos is incredibly popular. We are almost completely full but are listing here those openings we have for Easter Week.

We do have some rooms and beds available and so if you are considering visiting the region please see below.

For more information about Mompos and Semana Santa see http://www.lacasaamarillamompos.com/

Todavia tenemos cupos para Semana Santa

Domingo 5 - Cuartos con y sin aire y camas en el dormitorio compartido

Lunes 6 - Cuartos con y sin aire y camas en el dormitorio compartido

Martes 7 - Cuartos con y sin aire y camas en el dormitorio compartido

Miercoles 8 - 1 cuarto con aire y camas en el dormitorio

Jueves 9 - camas en el dormitorio (NO HAY CUARTOS)

Viernes 10 - camas en el dormitorio (NO HAY CUARTOS)

Sabado 11 - 1 cuarto con aire y camas en el dormitorio

Domingo 12 - 4 cuartos con aire y 1 cuarto sin aire

Lunes 13 - varios cuartos disponibles

Reviews!

2009-02-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

We at La Casa Amarilla are proud to have received glowing reviews in the following new Guidebooks, the Footprint Guide to Colombia by Charlie Devreaux and a German version Kolombien by Frank Semper.

We would like to thank the authors for their comments and would also like to clarify that in the Footprint guide the location of La Casa Amarilla is incorrect on the map. We should be placed on the riverfront next door to the Iglesia Santa Barbara.

Semana Santa in Mompos 2009

2009-01-23T12:04:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce our new package deals for Semana Santa 2009 in Mompos. Hopefully with the proposed re-opening of the airport and the proposed new bridge at Cicuco we will be graced by a good number of visitors.

We still guarantee to be the best priced quality place in town!

See here for dates, prices and packages

Fly From Cartagena to Mompos!

2009-01-23T11:59:00.000-08:00

Announced Today: Taca will resume flights from Cartagena to Mompos. Journeys will take approximately 45 minutes and hopefully the company will begin service from later next month.

See the report in El Universal

We Are On Facebook

2008-12-13T07:42:00.000-08:00

Come Join Our Group!

La Casa Amarilla

2008-12-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

This December from the 12th to the 22nd we will be offering guests the opportunity to study Spanish. Lessons can be private or in a group. So, come and improve your Spanish language with Miss Torres.

For further information contact us at lacasaamarillamompos@gmail.com

Greg Ebersole, photojournalist who visited La Casa Amarilla a couple of months ago has his article published in The Daily News Online of Washington State, USA.

2008-11-25T19:23:00.000-08:00

Tenemos una nueva pagina web:

www.lacasaamarillamompos.com

Visit us in our new web page:

www.lacasaamarillamompos.com

Mompos Film Festival

2008-10-22T09:13:00.001-07:00

With launches in Bogota and Cartagena all are eagerly awaiting the 1st Mompos International Film Festival which runs from October 31st through to November 3rd

For more information see - http://www.festicinemompox.com/

La Casa Amarilla in the Daily Telegraph again

2008-10-22T09:10:00.001-07:00

With seemingly tall tales ofdonkeys, thieves and howler monkeys, La Casa Amarilla and Mompos make the pages of the Daily Telegraph once more

New Murals in La Casa Amarilla

2008-06-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Internationally renowned artist Paula McColl kindly agreed to paint a mural or two while in Mompos...we like the results!

How To Get To La Casa Amarilla When in Mompos

2008-06-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

If arriving from El Banco or from Magangue your driver will want to know where to drop you. State that you need to be head to "La Albarrada" (the road that runs along the river) and right in front of the "kiosko de Angelita". If the driver does not know this - but he should - say that he should head to the Iglesia Santa Barbara (hard to miss and pictured to the right)...we are one block upstream from there.

We Are Open!

2008-02-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

We are open and running. For information on how to get here please view the sidebars on this blog. Dorms and private rooms available. Come and enjoy laid back charming old Mompos!

hermosos atardeceres

2008-01-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

en Mompos se puede disfrutar de un hermoso atardecer a orillas del rio y observar a los monos ahulladores.

opening doors

2008-01-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

La Casa Amarilla guesthouse is located in Mompos, the beautiful UNESCO recognised colonial village on the Caribbean coast. La Casa Amarilla is found overlooking the River Magadalena on La Albarrada.
La Casa Amarilla offers both dorm rooms and private rooms.
We will be open on March 1.

abriendo puertas

2008-01-21T16:13:00.000-08:00

muy pronto se abrirán las puertas del primer y único hostal para viajeros en Mompos. La Casa Amarilla se encuentra ubicado en el area colonial de la ciudad, en una de las avenidas mas representativas, cerca de la emblematica iglesia de Santa Barbara en la Albarrada.

el próximo 1 de Marzo se abrirán las puertas de La Casa Amarilla.