Alto Bonito, homestay where to stay in Salamina (bed and breakfast)

On our way to spend a week discovering the beautiful village of Salamina , we met Martin at his home in Alto Bonito, where he welcomes travelers who are curious about staying with local people in Salamina and open to a different experience.

Martin is one of those encounters that mark a trip, and his home is a story in itself. Alto Bonito is a life project, a chimera, a utopia, that of a special man who deserves to be met.

Martin

Homestay in Salamina

Martin is a mysterious character, who surprises and doesn’t necessarily let himself be identified at first glance. Lost in the mountains, you’d think he was a hermit, but it’s quite the opposite.

Martin has long worked in the fashion world, and is a true lover of art, beauty and tradition. If he is increasingly abandoning his former activity, it’s to devote himself to his crazy project: building a house with his own hands, using only the region’s traditional construction techniques.

Martin has chosen to devote his time, his money, his energy, his life to Alto Bonito. The house evolves according to his desires and the resources he can devote to it. Every square centimeter of this house has a story that Martin could tell you. Every wall, every piece of decoration is a world unto itself. And it all adds up to a universe that could perhaps resemble the portrait of its owner.

Martin has the air of a grumpy hipster, a dry sense of humor, a radical diet and lifestyle, and an assured taste in clothes. At first glance, there’s room for doubt, but if you break the prejudices, then Martin will open his heart to you and share his love for his native land, a paisa to the core, a passionate lover of its landscapes and culture.

Alto Bonito

Homestay in Salamina

Martin’s house is a living process, a kind of “work in progress”. We left it in February 2022 in a state that is no longer his as you leave these lines. A fireplace has taken its place in the living room. Plaster has been applied here and there. And perhaps, who knows, the project to build a new bedroom has been launched?

At the time of writing, Martin’s house consists of a central living room, with a kitchen at its heart, the centerpiece of the house, where the chef prepares the most delicious vegetarian dishes on demand.

On either side of the house are two large bedrooms: one for Martin, the other for guests. In the attic, a spare bedroom can accommodate extra members if needed, but Martin’s aim is to keep things small. In any case, his house isn’t built to accommodate large numbers of people.

In front of the house, the traditional corridor is the other main living space, the place where you want to spend time, because the view, folks! This view! is the other great character of Alto Bonito.

From up here, the Caldas mountains offer spectacular scenery, on the right you can enjoy a view of the village of Salamina, and in the distance, on a clear day, you can see the eternal snows of the Nevado del Ruiz!

So there you have it: we had an unforgettable time in Alto Bonito, and we met a man with whom we’ve made friendships that will keep us coming back for more!

Where to find Alto Bonito

Homestay in Salamina

Alto Bonito is perched on a hill above Salamina. Martin’s house can be reached in 15 minutes from the village square.

There are two options for getting there: either take a cab, or take the public transport that runs up and down the hill every hour.

Alto Bonito looks like a typical old house in the coffee region. However, it’s a “new” house that Martin has built with the strength of his strong arms, with a superb decor and style blending art and tradition.

The house is surrounded by nature and boasts an absolutely unique view of Salamina and the surrounding mountains.

Alto Bonito’s amenities

Alto Bonito in Salamina

Martin offers three main things: a superb room, a view and a meeting.

Beyond this stylistic effect, it’s fair to say that Martin offers various services at Alto Bonito:

• A very good breakfast included in the room rate, which changes daily
• Wifi access
• Open kitchen for self-catering
• Possibility of “ordering” a meal from Martin in advance
• Fireplace
• Double bedroom
• Open-air shower room
• Washing machine
• Mountain views
• Tourist information
• Dogs, cats, hens, roosters

Martin is a real chef! By planning ahead (the day before), he offers to prepare the meal for his guests (vegetarian meals only). An opportunity for us to confirm that, in the hands of a true chef, vegetarian cuisine can be fabulously rich and diverse.

What the Alto Bonito room is like

Homestay in Salamina

We’re only going to talk about one room, because that’s mainly what Martin wants to offer at the moment. There are additional sleeping options, but while we wait for the organization to take shape, let’s stick to the idea that Alto Bonito is currently only accessible for two people (one double bed).

Martin’s room is huge. There’s a king-size bed, a desk, plenty of space to put your things, and the whole house is decorated with the master’s meticulous attention to detail.

The back bedroom leads to the open-air shower room. A wonderful idea, with decoration that makes you feel in touch with nature. It’s really surprising when you discover it.

The bedroom has two large windows that provide plenty of natural light. One of them offers a magnificent view of the mountains.

Yoga retreats or digital nomads

Homestay in Salamina

Alto Bonito’s location, tranquility, views and ambience make it a popular spot for retreat enthusiasts of all kinds. Whether you’re looking to get back into shape or get back to work, Alto Bonito is the perfect place.

Yoga and meditation

If you’re a fan of waking up at the crack of dawn and meditating, Martin will be the happiest of men, and you’ll be able to share magical moments watching the sunrise over the Andes.

You’ll fall in love with the view from the house, or from the new terrace built around a eucalyptus tree and located a little way from the house, facing the canyon.

Digital nomads

If you’re a digital nomad looking for a unique place to work in peace and quiet in exceptional surroundings, Alto Bonito is also for you. Internet access is good, the room has everything you need to work, the environment inspires and calls for introspection.

Contact Martin, Homestay in Salamina

Where to stay in Salamina

As you can see, if you’re ready for a unique experience in Salamina, we recommend you stay at Martin’s home in Alto Bonito. We advise you to book in advance, as there’s only one room available at the moment.