A HISTORY OF FRIENDS
Casas Viejas is the dream made true of three young travelers who wanted to create a dynamic and warm place where travelers from all over the world could feel at home, make new friends, and connect with an inspiring natural environment. After visiting different places around the world, we fell in love with Minca and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta for its magnificent beauty and the welcoming spirit of its people.
After several months of hard work, we opened the doors of our hostel in December 2016. Since then, together with our team of local and international collaborators, we work day-by-day to offer a unique experience in the mountains of the Colombian Caribbean: authentic and innovative, comfortable and adventurous, local and international.
In 2020 we joined the Masaya family to unite our efforts and share our expertise to promote authentic and local touristic experiences full of nature and culture in Colombia and Ecuador.
A MILLENIAL HERITAGE
The core of our hostel are two rural houses over 70 years old where coffee pickers who came to work during the harvest season at Finca La Victoria (hence the name Casas Viejas) used to stay. After several years without use, these houses were in advanced deterioration and about to fall down, so we decided to renovate them to preserve this architectural and cultural heritage, using traditional materials and techniques and preserving their original charm.
However, the history of this exceptional place goes back much further in time, since the terraces on which our hostel is located today were built centuries ago by the Tayrona indigenous people as a corner of peace and connection with mystical nature of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
WHAT DOES MASAYA MEAN?
It is a word inspired by the audacious and adventurous spirit that accompanies us, created especially by our brand, to name our way of doing things in a unique, proper and original way; and that of all those human beings who, like us, travel the world always willing to share and learn from the incredible diversity of cultures, territories and people.
Passion
We are the best local ambassadors in each destination.
Audacity
We love everything that challenges us and leads us to adventure.
Respect
We are moved by respect for the other, for the environment and for the environment where we find ourselves.
Conviviality
We are friendly and smiling people, always willing to share with people and give our best.
Excelence
We always seek to exceed expectations with every incredible experience we bring to the world and share.
