La Casa Amarilla

The staff were excellent and went out of their way to make sure things were okay. My room, though, had no running water for a long time. They tried to fix it on the day I arrived, but I still had to wait until the next morning to shower, which was inconvenient. I’d still recommend the hotel. It seemed reasonably priced for being so close to the tourist area. It sits near the entrance to the town center, in a yellow colonial-style house facing the rio magdalena, with a few parking spaces. There’s a central patio, and most rooms suit families. I got a single room upstairs, away from the street noise and other guests.

We spent three nights here, and the room was spotless and pleasantly cool, a welcome break from the heat. The hotel sits right by the Magdalena, and Richard, Alba and the team looked after us and helped us figure out what Mompox has to offer. The wetlands boat ride is well worth doing. Wandering around town feels like stepping through a living Colombian history book. The hotel is charming and well run, and El Fuerte pizza next door is handy for dinner and delicious cocktails.

I managed to get two nights at Casa Amarilla, even though it’s usually fully booked. My stay felt like stepping into a Garcia Marquez novel, full of magical realism. Such a lovely visit, and I’d highly recommend it. Helene Munson

The breakfasts were splendid, and from the rooftop terrace I watched the sun rise over the Magdalena River as birds chirped and nearby fishermen sang. This beautifully restored 17th century house makes a lovely guesthouse in Mompox. Since I only speak a little Spanish, there was a bit of a language gap, but the friendly staff helped us check in and pointed out places to visit and eat on their map. A mini fridge in the room would have been useful for keeping drinks cold, but it didn't take away from our enjoyment. We almost wished we could have stayed longer. As they say in Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay.