innovation, Sustainability & regeneration in tourism
Based in Cartagena, Colombia since 2015, Manzana Azul specialises in the design, launch and operation of boutique style hospitality aimed at travellers who seek authentic, off-the-beaten-track experiences in a fun, well designed setting that also have positive environmental and social impact.
Bocachica, Isla Tierra Bomba
Founded in 2016 and hidden away just half an hour by boat from central Cartagena, Blue Apple is an internationally inspired beach club, hotel and restaurant.
What differentiates Blue Apple from other island resorts in the area, is its holistically responsible environmental and social approach to operations, without compromising on the provision of outstanding food, a uniquely extensive wine list and excellent service.
Blue Apple Beach is a certified B-Corp and a member of the Regenerative Travel collection.
100 lunch covers. 5 bedrooms. 6 beach bungalows.
Centro Historico, Cartagena
Townhouse was created for those who like their boutique hotels with a side of attitude. Disguised by a traditional Republican façade is a modern, creative art hotel, decorated by young Colombian artists.
The atmosphere is young and vibrant, with a lively rooftop bar. Townhouse is the only hotel of its kind in the historic walled city, offering luxurious accommodation to travellers looking to enjoy a more social environment.
8 Bedrooms. 3 Suites. Rooftop Bar.
Centro Historico, Cartagena
Enriching tourist experiences are impossible without authentic interaction with local people, and any city aiming for sustainable tourism must have high quality offerings for its own residents.
Members Only opened in August 2018 as a boutique jazz bar that was created for locals, providing them with a sophisticated and, crucially, international entertainment experience.
The house band, MO-Town, was formed specifically for the bar and is the city's only jazz band.
MO flies under the radar, discourages the use of phones and therefore has no online presence.
Bocachica, Isla Tierra Bomba
The foundation is dedicated to implementing long-lasting change in the way waste and natural resources are managed by the hospitality industry in Cartagena, while creating sustainable, positive employment opportunities for local people.
By March 2020, Green Apple was servicing 15 bars, hotels and restaurants in Cartagena, processing glass and organic waste itself and diverting card, plastic and oil waste to recycling centres.
To date, the foundation has diverted over 100 tons of waste from landfill and created 5 full time jobs, as well as bringing waste management and sustainability to the forefront of hospitality operations in Cartagena.
Tierra Bomba, Cartagena
Born of the pandemic and a new environment for Cartagena, Amare was conceived for those working in high end tourism and seeking somewhere to enjoy their day off, with the same quality of service as their workplace, within their budget.
We serve simple, fresh food made with local, sustainably sourced ingredients. Our supply chain is vetted and wherever we can serve local bar products, we do.
As always, music is a core part of our identity. Resident DJ Omi (from the village of Palenque) mixes local and international.
Solar powered and off grid, we recycle 70% of grey and black water and divert 90% of our waste from landfill.
Amare is a registered BIC company and operates according to B-Corp guidelines.
Isla Tierra Bomba, Cartagena
The island of Tierra Bomba is larger than anyone expects, and much of it is completely untouched and inaccessible. By far the best way to get around is on horseback.
Tierra Bomba Horse Treks is the closest riding centre to the city, and offers guided riding experiences to people of all levels.
