During our time in Minca, we wanted somewhere that felt different. Not just another hotel room where we’d sleep before heading out again the next day, but somewhere that felt like part of the experience itself.
That’s exactly why we booked Casa Loma.
Perched high above the town and surrounded by jungle-covered mountains, Casa Loma is one of Minca’s most well-known places to stay. The property overlooks the valley below, with sweeping views that immediately make you feel removed from the noise and pace of everyday life.
After staying there ourselves, it’s easy to understand why so many travellers recommend it.
The views are genuinely spectacular, especially as the sun begins to set behind the mountains. Combined with the relaxed atmosphere and open-air design, it feels less like a hotel and more like somewhere designed to help you slow down and appreciate the surroundings.
If you’re wondering whether Casa Loma is worth booking, here’s our honest review after staying there as a family during our travels through Colombia.
Don’t have time to read? Start here:
Would we stay again?
✅ Absolutely
Best for
Couples
Backpackers
Nature lovers
Families with older children
Biggest highlight?
🌅 The sunset views
Biggest downside?
🥵 The steep walk up from town
Is it family friendly?
✅ Yes, although younger children may need a helping hand on the hill.
Ready to book?
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Why We Chose Casa Loma
Before arriving in Minca, we’d come across Casa Loma again and again. It seemed to appear on almost every list of the best places to stay in town, and both travel blogs and fellow travellers spoke highly of it.
What attracted us wasn’t luxury or fancy facilities. It was the location.
The idea of staying high above the town, surrounded by jungle-covered mountains and watching the sun set over the valley felt far more appealing than another standard hotel room. After spending time in Cartagena and Santa Marta, we were ready for something slower, greener and more connected to nature.
Casa Loma looked like exactly that.
The Walk Up (You Need To Know About This)
Let’s talk about the hill, because it’s probably the thing you’ll read about most when researching Casa Loma.
The property sits above the town centre, which means you’ll need to walk uphill to reach it. The walk itself isn’t particularly long, but it is steep, especially if you’re carrying luggage or travelling during the heat of the day.
When we first arrived with backpacks and children in tow, we definitely felt it. The kids complained, we were sweating within minutes and there was a brief moment where we questioned whether we’d made the right decision.
Thankfully, that feeling disappeared as soon as we reached the top.
The elevation is exactly what makes Casa Loma so special. Without the climb, you wouldn’t get the panoramic views across the valley that have made it one of Minca’s most popular places to stay.
By the second day, the walk barely registered. By the end of our stay, it simply felt like part of the experience.
Is The Walk A Problem For Families?
In our experience, not really.
Our children managed it without any issues, although they weren’t particularly enthusiastic the first time. That said, if you’re travelling with very young children, a pushchair or anyone with mobility concerns, it’s definitely something worth considering before booking.
First Impressions
The moment we arrived, Casa Loma felt different from anywhere else we’d stayed in Colombia.
The design is open, natural and intentionally relaxed, with wooden walkways connecting different areas of the property and incredible views appearing around almost every corner. Rather than feeling like a traditional hotel, it feels more like a mountain retreat built into the landscape.
What stood out most was the atmosphere.
You could hear birds in the trees, feel the breeze moving through the valley and enjoy a level of peace that felt worlds away from the busy streets below. After spending time in larger cities, it immediately felt like somewhere designed for slowing down.
It didn’t take long to understand why so many travellers end up staying longer than planned.
The Sunset View (The Main Reason People Stay Here)
If you’ve researched Casa Loma before reading this review, chances are you’ve already seen photos of the sunset view.
And honestly, the photos don’t fully do it justice.
Each evening, guests gather around the viewing area as the sun begins to disappear behind the mountains. The light changes across the valley, the jungle takes on a golden glow and the whole atmosphere becomes noticeably calmer.
One evening during our stay, a live band was playing as the sun went down. Families, backpackers and couples were all sitting together watching the view while the music drifted across the hillside.
The kids relaxed.
We relaxed.
Nobody seemed to be in a hurry to be anywhere else.
Looking back, it was one of our favourite evenings from our entire time in Colombia. Not because we were doing anything particularly adventurous, but because everything seemed to come together perfectly for a couple of hours.
The weather, the scenery, the music and the atmosphere combined to create one of those travel moments that stays with you long after you’ve gone home.
It’s easy to see why so many travellers remember Casa Loma long after leaving Minca.
Don’t Forget The Boring Stuff
Whether you’re renting a car, whale watching in Uvita, exploring national parks, or travelling between destinations, things don’t always go to plan.
We’ve used SafetyWing throughout our travels because it gives us flexible coverage while travelling long-term as a family.
The Restaurant & Food
The views may be what attract people to Casa Loma, but the restaurant is what encourages many guests to stay long after the sun has disappeared behind the mountains.
One of our favourite parts of staying here was being able to sit overlooking the valley while enjoying breakfast or dinner. Everything felt slower. Nobody seemed to be rushing anywhere, and conversations often continued long after meals had finished.
Many people would arrive specifically for sunset, only to end up staying for food, drinks and conversation afterwards. It created one of the most relaxed atmospheres we experienced anywhere in Colombia.
That said, one of our favourite meals in Minca wasn’t actually at Casa Loma. It was at the enormous pizza restaurant opposite the main square, where the pizzas were huge, perfect for sharing and exactly what we needed after a day exploring the mountains.
When it came to views, however, Casa Loma won comfortably. There aren’t many places where you can enjoy dinner while watching the sun disappear behind the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Exploring Minca From Casa Loma
Another thing we appreciated about Casa Loma was its location.
Although it feels tucked away in nature, it’s still close enough to town that you can easily walk down whenever you want to explore. During our stay, we used it as a base for visiting the chocolate tour, spending time in the main square, exploring local cafés and restaurants, and taking walks down to the river.
It felt like the perfect balance between convenience and seclusion.
Some accommodations in Minca are located much further from town and require taxis or motorcycle rides to get anywhere. Casa Loma, on the other hand, offers easy access to everything while still feeling peaceful and surrounded by nature.
Why Minca Worked So Well For Our Family
Minca ended up being one of our favourite stops in Colombia.
The pace of life felt completely different from Cartagena and Santa Marta. The air was fresher, the surroundings greener and the atmosphere far more relaxed. Instead of constantly moving from attraction to attraction, we found ourselves enjoying simple experiences that gave us a chance to slow down as a family.
Some of our favourite memories included swimming in the river, building a rock fort beside the water, exploring the town, making chocolate during the cacao tour and watching the kids play with local children in the main square.
Of course, the sunsets from Casa Loma were a highlight too.
What we loved most was that Minca wasn’t packed with major attractions.
And that’s exactly why it worked.
It gave us space to slow down, enjoy everyday moments and spend quality time together without feeling like we constantly needed to be doing something.
Is Casa Loma Good For Families?
Overall, we’d say yes, although there are a few things worth considering before booking.
The views are incredible, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and the location offers easy access to both nature and town. Families who enjoy simple adventures, wildlife and spending time outdoors will likely find plenty to love here.
However, Casa Loma isn’t a family resort. There are no kids’ clubs, swimming pools or organised activities. The property is also more rustic than a traditional hotel, and younger children will need supervision due to the open walkways and hillside setting.
For our family, those things weren’t negatives. In fact, they were part of the charm.
Our children loved the freedom to explore, the wildlife around the property and, of course, the spectacular views.
What We Loved
The standout feature was undoubtedly the sunset view. Some of the scenery from Casa Loma ranks among the best we experienced anywhere in Colombia.
We also loved the atmosphere. Everything felt relaxed and authentic, with no pressure to follow a schedule or rush from one activity to the next.
The location was another major positive. It was close enough to town to remain convenient, yet far enough away to feel peaceful and immersed in nature.
Most importantly, Casa Loma felt memorable. Years from now, we’ll probably remember staying here far more vividly than many larger and more luxurious hotels.
What We Didn't Love
The biggest drawback is the hill.
There’s really no way around it. You’ll walk up and down it multiple times during your stay, and while most people will manage it without issue, it’s something worth knowing before you book.
The accommodation is also more rustic than a traditional hotel. If you’re looking for luxury facilities, polished service and resort-style amenities, Casa Loma may not be the right fit.
For us, though, that was part of what made it special.
Is Casa Loma Worth It?
Absolutely.
In fact, we’d argue that Casa Loma is one of those places where the overall experience matters far more than the room itself.
You’re paying for the incredible views, unforgettable sunsets, relaxed atmosphere, connection to nature and unique location above Minca. In all of those areas, Casa Loma delivers.
Best For
✅ Couples
✅ Backpackers
✅ Nature lovers
✅ Digital nomads
✅ Families with adventurous children
Maybe Not For
❌ Luxury travellers
❌ Anyone with mobility concerns
❌ Families looking for lots of facilities and organised activities
Our Final Verdict
Casa Loma ended up being one of the most memorable places we stayed during our time in Colombia.
Not because it was the most luxurious.
Not because it had the best facilities.
But because it perfectly captured everything that makes Minca special.
The views, the atmosphere, the slower pace of life and the feeling of being surrounded by nature combined to create an experience that felt genuinely unique.
Would we stay there again?
Without hesitation.
In fact, if we returned to Minca tomorrow,we would book Casa Loma would probably be our first choice.
