Inspired by close friends such as novelist Gabriel García Márquez, and artists Fernando Botero and David Manzur, president Betancourt helped shape Barichara into a haven for artists and artisans.
Today, the property is welcoming guests who want to experience a special insider access to life in Barichara.
Barichara was founded in 1705 as part of the Spanish colonization of the eastern Andes mountains. This village remains frozen in time, and its remoteness has helped preserve the colonial architecture, quiet local life and rich culture that make it such a unique destination.
The maze-like cobblestone streets lined with beautiful white colonial houses inspired many Colombian artists to leave everything behind and set-up shop in Barichara. Today, it is a haven for local artisans and renowned artists including David Manzur, one of Colombia’s most recognised painters. As a guest of Casa del Presidente, get exclusive access to certain artists’ ateliers and artisan workshops that were part of the creation of the villa’s interiors.
Located beside the 2,000-meter deep Chicamocha Canyon, Barichara is an ideal destination for adrenaline junkies who prefer to spend their days white-water rafting, paragliding, zip lining, and rappelling.
Guests seeking nature can be in the Andean countryside within minutes biking and trekking to nearby colonial towns, waterfalls, or lookout points of Chicamocha Canyon.
For more adventurous guests, helicopter expeditions to remote parts of the canyon and the region are a must. Land in the middle of nowhere for epic trekking and mountain biking, or a simple picnic with a glass of wine and a breath-taking view.
Casa del Presidente’s gastronomic experience has been designed by chefs Natalia Velásquez and Rafael Buitrago, who have more than 12 years of experience working in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Mexico, in hotels like Sofitel Victoria Regia and top restaurants like El Chato —#21 in Latin America.
The chefs personalise a menu based on each guest’s preferences and requirements, whilst highlighting the gastronomic richness of the region and supporting small, local producers. Wake up to fresh baked bread and homemade fruit jams, and end the day with a bonfire dinner of traditional dishes with a modern twist.
