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Summary of reviewsFinca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao, situated about 2 kilometers from Minca, provides an enchanting escape amid lush coffee and cocoa plantations. This secluded retreat, embraced by nature, allows guests to immerse themselves in serene atmospheres perfect for birdwatching and relaxation. While the journey to the finca can be challenging—typically requiring a motor taxi or SUV due to unpaved roads—the seclusion offers unbeatable tranquility, stunning landscapes and exceptional facilities such as a swimming pool with picturesque mountain views.
Guests consistently rave about the breakfast experience at the finca with freshly prepared meals featuring top-notch coffee and an array of delicious options like fresh arepas, eggs, fruit and Swiss bread. The breakfasts are likened to being fed by family, providing a fresh and homey feel enhanced by the lovely ambiance often accompanied by hummingbirds. Though some suggest the need for more variety, the overall sentiment remains extremely positive.
Dinner offerings also receive commendations for their delicious, fair-priced and freshly prepared meals. The rustic and flavorful dishes, served in a warm and hospitable environment, are well-appreciated despite occasional calls for more variety and less fried food. Vegetarian options and portion sizes have room for improvement, but the dining experience generally leaves a favorable impression.
The rooms at Finca San Rafael receive mixed reviews. While many praise their spaciousness, comfort and nature-rich designs with stunning views, some guests have voiced concerns over cleanliness and maintenance issues. Problems such as mustiness, ants, uncomfortable beds and poor soundproofing are noted. Despite these drawbacks, the friendly staff and the appealing room designs contribute positively to the overall experience.
Cleanliness throughout the property shows variability. Although some find the rooms clean and comfortable, issues such as a dirty pool, poorly maintained bathrooms and the presence of bugs detract from the charm for others. Attention to cleanliness in shared areas and better maintenance could enhance guest satisfaction.
The staff at Finca San Rafael are celebrated for their friendliness, attentiveness and willingness to assist. Their excellent service, combined with the team's warm and collaborative spirit and the enriching coffee and cacao tours, greatly enhances the guest experience. A few mentions of language barriers and training needs are present, but the staff’s genuine hospitality remains undisputed.
Guests also appreciate the opportunity to disconnect due to the absence of Wi-Fi, contributing to the tranquil retreat experience. While some see this as a potential area for future improvement, others embrace the offline getaway.
Access to the finca can be adventurous due to poorly maintained roads with walking, motor taxis and SUVs being the most viable options. Despite the challenging approach, the remote location’s benefit of immersion in nature is a favored aspect.
In summary, Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao offers a beautiful, nature-immersed escape with highlights including outstanding breakfasts, friendly staff and serene environments perfect for relaxation. Some areas such as room comfort, cleanliness and variety in dining could benefit from improvement, but the overall experience remains positive, making it a recommended stay for those visiting Minca. Show more
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Categories
Farm Stay Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
This traditional farm is an eco-friendly establishment specializing in cacao and coffee. It provides guided tours that educate visitors on sustainable farming practices for these crops and allows guests to enjoy products directly from the farm.
Farm Stay for Adults Only
This farm stay provides a unique and tranquil experience in a rural setting. The focus is on connecting with nature, making it suitable for adults seeking a peaceful and authentic getaway.
Farm Stay with Parking
Room Types
Double Room with Private BathroomThe double room offers a private entrance, a dining area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Triple Room with Private BathroomThe triple room features a private entrance, a dining area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 3 beds.
Double or Twin Room with BathroomThe twin/double room offers a private entrance, a dining area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 2 beds.
Deluxe Double Room with ShowerThe double room offers a private entrance, a dining area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features a private entrance and patio.
About Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao
License: 49889
Guest Reviews
8.6
Very Good
Location
Nestled amidst lush coffee and cocoa plantations approximately 2 kilometers from Minca, Finca San Rafael offers guests an extraordinary retreat immersed in nature. This tranquil escape boasts spectacular views, including some of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable and a serene atmosphere perfect for birdwatching. The farm's scenic location, surrounded by pure nature and continuous birdsong, offers an authentic and peaceful experience far removed from the hustle and bustle of Minca.
Despite being somewhat remote—about a 30 to 40-minute walk from the town center—the finca's seclusion is one of its greatest assets, providing a calming and scenic environment ideal for relaxation and hiking. Access can be challenging, particularly on unpaved roads and may require a motor taxi or SUV, but the seclusion also ensures unrivaled tranquility and stunning landscapes.
Guests enjoy the finca's superb facilities, including a swimming pool with grand mountain views and open spaces for observing a variety of birds. The environment is exceptionally conducive to relaxation, making it a perfect getaway within the Sierra Nevada. While it might be a bit far from the center, the overwhelmingly beautiful views, warm atmosphere and hospitable staff make Finca San Rafael a highly recommended stay for those visiting Minca.
Breakfast
Located in a picturesque setting, Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao offers a memorable breakfast experience that delights its guests. The breakfast served here consistently receives praise for being delicious, varied and homey. Visitors frequently highlight the coffee, which is described as amazing and the best they've tasted in Colombia, along with unlimited access to hot chocolate and coffee from the farm.
The breakfast meals are crafted on the spot, ensuring a fresh and natural feel, often likened to being fed by family. Standout items include fresh arepas, eggs, fresh fruit and Swiss bread, satisfying different palates. Guests appreciate the variety, noting that the menu changes daily, making each morning a new experience.
Despite some mentions of a need for more variety or larger portions, the overall consensus remains positive. The simple yet hearty meals, combined with an excellent selection of beverages, make breakfast a highlight of the stay. The pleasant ambiance, occasionally accompanied by hummingbirds, adds to the charm of starting the day at Finca San Rafael.
It's worth mentioning the beautiful views and the serene environment that enhances the meal experience. The breakfast's delightful simplicity and the farm's exceptional produce make it a treasured part of the guest experience.
Dinner
Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao offers a dining experience that is generally well-received by guests. Many reviews highlight the meals as delicious, fair-priced and freshly prepared. The food, ranging from breakfast to dinner, often surprises visitors with its tasty, rustic flavors and is described as both simple and good. The hospitality from the cooking team further enhances the friendly vibe guests feel at the finca.
However, perceptions of the food do exhibit some variation. Some guests have found the evening meals to be very good, albeit simple and occasionally repetitive with a desire for more variety and less fried food. While vegetarian options are available, they sometimes fall short in terms of value and nutritional content. Portion sizes and occasional blandness were cited a few times as areas needing improvement.
Despite a few critical notes on freshness and variety, the overriding sentiment points to a positive dining experience at Finca San Rafael, underscored by recurring praise for its flavorful dishes and warm atmosphere.
Rooms
The rooms at Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao receive mixed reviews with guests often praising their spaciousness and comfort. Many rooms are described as large, clean and equipped with mosquito nets, offering adequate bedding and hot water in the showers. A highlight for some visitors is the stunning and unparalleled views from specific rooms, alongside tasteful and rustic decor that harmonizes with the nature-rich environment.
However, several guests have pointed out issues related to cleanliness and maintenance. Some rooms were noted to be dark, musty and occasionally shared space with ants. Beds in certain rooms were found to be uncomfortable, either too hard or sagging and some mattresses were worn out. Privacy issues were also a concern due to poor soundproofing between rooms.
Facilities like outside washing sinks and mirrors were not always clean and rooms on the ground floor lacked windows, exacerbating the darkness and mustiness. Despite these drawbacks, guests consistently highlighted the friendliness of the staff and the overall loveliness of the room designs.
In summary, while the spacious and beautifully designed rooms with stunning views and nature immersion make Finca San Rafael a desirable stay, the inconsistency in cleanliness and comfort can be a drawback for some visitors.
Beds
Travelers considering a stay at Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao should be aware of consistent feedback regarding the beds. Many visitors have described the beds as uncomfortable with specific complaints of them being hard, sagging and squeaky. The mattresses, in particular, have been noted for their poor quality with some guests mentioning that the springs are worn out and that the beds are too short and hard. The bedding itself is described as average and in need of an upgrade.
Despite these issues with the beds, guests have appreciated other aspects of the accommodations, such as the spacious and clean rooms and amenities like mosquito nets for every bed. However, it’s worth noting that the dorm rooms can be noisy due to their proximity to the restaurant. For travelers who prioritize a comfortable bed, Finca San Rafael may benefit from improvements in this area to enhance guest satisfaction.
Cleanliness
Nestled amid lush surroundings, Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao offers a blend of nature and leisure, but visitor experiences with cleanliness have varied widely. Many guests have praised the facilities as being clean and comfortable, highlighting spacious rooms that are neat and pleasant. The host's accommodating nature added to a generally welcoming atmosphere.
However, several areas of the property need attention. The cleanliness of the pool has repeatedly come under scrutiny with numerous guests finding it unusable due to its dirty state. Shared and private bathrooms have often been described as outdated and not cleaned thoroughly or frequently enough, sometimes accompanied by unpleasant odors and cobwebs. The presence of bugs at night and animal hair in the dining area further detracts from the overall impression. Additionally, common areas such as the washing sink and outdoor mirror have been found lacking in cleanliness.
In summary, while the landscape and certain amenities at Finca San Rafael have earned positive remarks, a consistent theme among reviews indicates that improvements in maintenance and cleanliness could significantly enhance the guest experience.
Staff
The staff at Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests, highlighting their friendliness, attentiveness and willingness to assist at every turn. Known for their excellent service, the team, including the hosts, manager and volunteers, create a welcoming and homely atmosphere. Specific mentions of individuals like Cristian and Annia stand out for their exceptional service and readiness to help. Despite a few criticisms regarding language barriers and occasional lack of training, the overall consensus is that the staff are incredibly accommodating, knowledgeable and passionate about their work. Guests particularly appreciated the staff's genuine friendliness, warm welcomes and the collaborative spirit within the team, which significantly enhanced their experience. The consistent high quality of attention and care from the staff, paired with the beautiful landscape and engaging coffee/cacao tours, makes this an unforgettable destination in Colombia.
Wi-Fi
The guest reviews of Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao reveal a clear consensus regarding the hotel's lack of Wi-Fi. While some find it inconvenient, many guests appreciate the absence of internet access for its potential to facilitate a genuine disconnection from their daily routines. It's apparent that the Wi-Fi service is currently non-existent and this may be an area for future improvement, potentially by 2024. However, visitors seeking an offline retreat may find this characteristic a welcome feature rather than a setback.
Parking
Reaching Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao is an adventure in itself, adding to the charm of this secluded haven. Though the farm lays over half an hour from the nearest village, travelers can shorten this journey significantly by choosing a moto taxi, which takes around 15-20 minutes and costs 15,000 COP. For those with heavy backpacks or less inclination for physical exertion, this mode of transport is highly recommended. The path, characterized by poorly maintained dirt and rock roads, is otherwise accessible only by foot, motorcycle or a sturdy 4x4 vehicle. Visitors should note, however, that cars are not an option; larger trucks and SUVs, while expensive at 60,000 COP, can manage the rough terrain. Despite the challenging approach, guests find the immersion in nature without the interruption of urban sounds, to be a perfect retreat.
No, Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao.
No, Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao.
No, Finca San Rafael - Cafe y Cacao doesn't have a gym.