PLAYA KORALIA
Established in 1996, Playa Koralia set the spiritual and architectural tone for the touristic zone running from Santa Marta through Palomino. While recent years have seen significant growth in the region, Playa Koralia’s holistic well-being approach and strong ties to the Indigenous communities ensure a unique experience. (Instagram)
Nestled in the protective lee of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountain, Playa Koralia is one of the few places on the planet where guests can float in tropical waters and gaze up at snow-covered peaks. Rising from sea level to 5,700m, it is the world’s 5th most prominent summit - after Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, and Kilimanjaro. It provides cool breezes, a constant freshwater supply, and the promise of adventure while maintaining a safe distance from other travelers and is utterly void of overcrowding.
UNIQUE & INDEPENDANT
Playa Koralia's unique experience is in high demand as travelers seek an escape from overcrowded destinations such as Tulum and Ibiza. Colombia offers the perfect combination of sun and freedom, attracting those who crave a relaxed, naturally pure, and safe environment.
PROPERTY
6.35 Hectares (15.7 Acres)
180m beachfront (600’)
19 Rooms
11 Suites
5 Jr. Suites
3 Standard Rooms
49 Beds
69 Occupancy
Certifications
Certificación Ambiental (Governmental Environmental & Quality Certification)
Obtained 2018 / Obligatory starting 2021
1 year process of cross-departmental government monitoring
Playa Koralia was the first to be awarded in a rural area of Colombia.
Certification of Curatorship for Constructions
Special license to build to 2.5 floors
Zoned to add occupancy
Glowing reviews from Travel & Leisure, Brides Abroad, and The Guardian.
A member of Hip Hotels
For additional information, please see our FAQ Page.
LOCATION
Playa Koralia sits on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Biosphere.
Over the past 5 years, this zone has led Colombia in hotel growth and occupancy rate.
Travel Times
GROUND
12 minutes from the entrance of Tayrona National Park
(2nd most visited in Colombia)10 minutes from the trail-head of Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City)
1 Hour from Santa Marta’s International Airport (SMR)
2.5 Hours from Barranquilla International Airport (BAQ)
4.5 Hours from Cartagena (CTG), a UNESCO world heritage site
AIR
2.5 Hours MIA- BAQ (Direct)
5 Hours from NYC - CTG (Direct)
8 Hours from NYC - SMR (1 Stop)
10 Hours from LA - SMR (1 Stop)
14 Hours from London - SMR (1 Stop)
LAND
6.35 Hectares (15.7 Acres / 683,892 Sq. Ft / 63,537 Sq. M)
4.65 hectares deeded plot
1.7 additional hectares with “rights of concession”
A 20-year land reclamation project via the continuous planting of palm trees has added 1.7 hectares of land.
BEACH
Playa Koralia is privileged to have 180m (600’) of virgin beachfront and an uninterrupted vista from the mouth of the Buritaca River to the world-famous Tayrona National Park.
Colombian law prohibits construction that can be viewed from the beach, thus preserving the purity of the experience.
Rooms & Public Areas
The elegant natural beauty, warm hospitality, and magical style that embodies Playa Koralia permeate through our signature accommodations. Each tells its own story, written in its own unique theme, colour palette, murals, and mosaics. Elements arise from the earth, fuse together and become one with the landscape. The rooms are spacious, with private bathrooms, ceiling fans, and simple, fresh linens and towels.
STRUCTURES
Playa Koralia is well served by a range of existing structures. Generous local licensing allows for expansion as well.
Reception / Office
19 Guest rooms
11 Suites
5 Jr. Suites
3 Standard rooms
Spa / yoga shala
Bar / Lounge with architectural atandout atage
Main kitchen w/ dining area
Outdoor dining area
Public restrooms
Storage & laundry
Generator building
Residences for 12+ full-time staff
Construction by Use
Suites
All of our bungalows are private and have a unique configuration. They are situated in front of the beach, submerged in our tropical gardens, or on the river’s edge.
Private bungalow suites provide barefoot luxury while harmonizing with nature. We employ indigenous techniques perfected over generations. Constructed with local materials such as palms, caña, and guadua, we create tall, weaved palm ceilings, designed to bring in the refreshing breeze cooled by the ocean.
(3) Two-person suites
(2) Three-person suites
(5) Four-person suites
(1) Five-person suites
Jr. Suites
All Jr. Suite Cabañas are of differing sizes and layouts with tall, woven palm ceilings. The bathrooms are open-roofed, allowing you to gaze upwards to the sky and stars. Lounge chairs are built-in, so guests can relax in the shade.
(2) Double Bed Jr. Suites
(1) Double Bed + 1 Single Bed Jr. Suite
(1) Double + 2 Single Beds Jr. Suite
(1) 6 Single Beds Jr. Suite
Standard Rooms
Ample rooms with unique designs and private baths. Suitable for groups of friends and families.
(1) Double + Single Bed Standard
(2) Double + 2 Single Bed Standards
(1) 3 Double Bed Standard
Public Areas
Reception - 2 Floors (128 m2)
Bar & Stage (208 m2)
Spa (49 m2)
Shop (23 m2)
Public Services (31.5 m2)
Back of House
Main Kitchen (175 m2)
Staff Kitchen (26.1 m2)
Workers Residences (338 m2)
Laundry (29 m2)
Generator / Storage (42 m2)
ACTIVITES & WELLNESS
As a destination hotel, we are sure to offer plenty of activities and excursions for our guests. Bespoke itineraries are always created for retreats, weddings and special events.
Spa & Classes
The Koralia Spa is a bamboo and palm paradise, idealized to illuminate the Caribbean glow while surrounded by tropical palms and flowers. Playa Koralia's Spa Experience is an indigenous journey of the senses with a deep respect for the natural environment. We offer a variety of spa treatments with a particular focus on healing and beauty.
Throughout the year, Koralia is visited by therapists from different disciplines offering unique treatments and activities. Residencies can last for up to six weeks.
Private & Group Yoga classes
Whether you're a beginner working on Child's Pose, or an advanced yogi who can float with both feet behind their head, our Yoga Instructor welcomes you to practice.
Excursions
Playa Koralia offers guided excursions to nearby natural parks and reserves, including the world-renowned Tayrona National Park. All tours from Playa Koralia include transportation, entry fees, refreshments, and guides specialized in local history, fauna and flora.
Weddings, Productions & Events
Weddings have a high-profit margin. Currently, we are receiving an average of 20 wedding requests per week. A dedicated staff member is servicing these requests, and proactively courting this lucrative market is a quick opportunity to increase revenues. Playa Koralia is the only hotel between Santa Marta and Riohacha with the size to fulfill a wedding for 120+ guests.
Similarly, Wellness Retreats are on the rise. Due to the inspiring ethos and pristine location of Playa Koralia, we are being sought out by ever more practitioners. Again, a proactive appeal to this market would see a significant increase in retreat bookings.
Location scouts also love Playa Koralia. Several elements lend Koralia a destination for film, TV, music videos, and photo shoots. Aside from the evident character, our size and infrastructure stand out from our competition. Playa Koralia can handle multiple sets and large crews, often becoming the base of operations for larger productions.
Welcome to the real world
We know this presentation can never adequately capture the magical realism that infuses each day at Playa Koralia. If your interest is piqued, we invite you to contact us at hola@koralia.com.
HOTEL PLAYA KORALIA
+57.310.642.2574 - FrontDesk
+44 75353 19077 - International Management
hola@koralia.com | www.koralia.com | Instagram