Near Playa Bluff

My favorite new places to stay on Isla Colón [1] are on the northeast coast, on Playa Bluff [2] or just below it. This also happens to be the island’s most beautiful beach.

As mentioned elsewhere, taxi transport to this area tends to be pricey because of the distance and road conditions. The going rate for taxis from town is about US$8–10 to get as far as La Coralina [2], up to US$15 to get to Tesoro Escondido [2], and US$15–20 to reach the last two places, which are near the end of the road.

However, each of the lodgings up here works hard to get their guests free or discounted rides as often as they can, giving them lifts when they can or organizing groups to go together when they can’t. It’s also possible to ride bikes back and forth into town, but it’s a bit of a workout on a hot day.

Guests will probably be happiest if they spend most of their time in this area rather than try to make it into town or to the other islands every day. That’s part of the fun of being up there. Because it’s still a fairly remote spot, it keeps the crowds down, makes for a real sense of escape, and creates a sense of camaraderie—guests and innkeepers frequently drop by the other inns for a drink or a meal.

Tesoro Escondido is the most popular social hub. La Coralina is closer to town, which makes the cross-socializing a bit more difficult but also makes it cheaper and easier to make trips into town.

Places up here are still off the grid, having to supply their own electricity and water, which generally means captured rainwater. Tesoro Escondido, Bluff Beach Retreat, and Playa Bluff Lodge are all on solar power, an eco-friendly solution that also means they don’t have air-conditioning. I’ve not really needed it when I stayed up here, though, as all the places are right next to the ocean and often get a pleasant sea breeze.