Casa Mamikí on Nuquí beaches offers a beautiful escape. If you're planning a life project in Colombia that involves investment and purchasing land, navigating immigration can be complex. It's best to seek help from experts like expatgroup. co to avoid costly mistakes.

Casa Manikí: Building a boutique hotel on the Colombian Beach

As far back as I can remember, Casa Manikí has been part of my dreams. I dreamed of living on the beach of a tropical country, surrounded by lush nature and warm weather year-round. It might sound like a bit of a « cliché » dream, this dream has guided me from my teenage years to where I am today. Hospitality is my life, so creating a place to welcome visitors was the way to make this dream come true.

After years of traveling around the globe, my heart fell for Colombia, and I decided to make my dream of Casa Manikí a reality here. From finding the right place, purchasing the land, designing the project, building it, and finally opening it to visitors, it was a long process filled with excitement, joy, determination, disappointment, doubts, fear, and moments of demotivation. It is not an easy road, but without a doubt, it is the most satisfying life experience.

Now that I am well settled and Casa Manikí is open to everyone, I am happy to share this experience with many of you, sharing similar dreams, giving some tips, and even more importantly, warning on mistakes that I could have avoided if better informed.

The Birth of a Dream

Casa Manikí chose me before I even knew it. At the age of 17, I went backpacking in Costa Rica. I had just finished high school and wanted to improve my Spanish before studying languages at university. I chose Costa Rica because Spain felt too close and not adventurous enough. Additionally, my mom’s friend recommended it as a safe destination, which made my parents more comfortable with my trip.

This was my first experience with Latin America and the tropics, and it was life-changing. I fell in love with the continent and knew I would someday want to live immersed in its culture. After five weeks (and a “Pura Vida” tattoo on my skin), I returned home, determined not to let my daily routine make me forget my dreams.

Colombia

Over the next decade, I took the first steps for Casa Manikí. I studied, graduated, and began my career in tourism and hospitality, aiming to travel extensively each year. I explored Europe, Asia, and Africa, but my heart always led me back to Latin America. I visited Mexico, lived in Brazil for six months, traveled through Argentina, and in 2013, I finally reached the country that would steal my heart: Colombia.

When my friend and I landed in Bogotá for a three-month backpacking trip, the slogan “The only risk is that you want to stay” (el único riesgo es que te quieras quedar) resonated deeply. Just a few days in, I was already obsessed with finding a way to stay in this incredible country.

What is so special about Colombia?

Casa Manikí was destined to Colombia. This amazing country has everything South America has to offer: the Atlantic and Caribbean, the Pacific, the Andes, the Amazon, the desert, historical cities, rich culture, and some of the planet’s most incredible biodiversity.

All of this has always been secondary to me. What makes Colombia so special are the Colombians. I have never met such welcoming and caring people.

The House of Casa Manikí: Nuquí

I discovered many places during my trip, but just a few days before leaving the country, I met some travelers returning from the Pacific coast. Their words and the excitement in their eyes sparked my great curiosity. However, it was too late; my time to fly home had arrived. For the next two years, I thought about the Colombian Pacific and researched it extensively.

When I returned to Colombia in 2015, I was eager to explore a hidden gem: Nuquí, particularly Guachalito and Termales. I had invested so much thought and hope into this journey that my expectations were sky-high, making me anxious about potential disappointment. Fortunately, that worry vanished quickly!

As I flew over the lush jungle and arrived in Nuquí, everything aligned with my dreams. Day after day of exploring reaffirmed that I had found the place I was searching for, Casa Manikí. Because opportunity favors the prepared, I quickly found the perfect plot of land to make my dream a reality. Just a month later, I was at the notary’s office, signing the documents to secure my land.

With the dream comes trouble!

This is the moment I wish I had known about expatgroup.co. I was so happy and enthusiastic that I received very little advice. I loved Nuquí so much that I changed my ticket to stay as long as possible. By the time I returned to Bogotá, I had to fly back home for a work commitment, and I didn’t take the time to handle things properly.

A generous Colombian friend offered to help me, and a few hours before my flight back to France, I gave her power of attorney to act on my behalf. Even though she was genuinely helpful, we needed to learn what we were doing, and of course, we went about it incorrectly.

For the next four years, I worked in France for seven or eight months, and spent the rest of the year focused on my project. My brother, a carpenter friend from Bogotá, and many others came to help.

Little by little, Casa Manikí began to take shape. The idea was simple: to build a few wooden cabins on the beach, surrounded by lush vegetation, to offer guests maximum privacy and a unique connection with nature. I was involved in everything—from designing and ordering materials to organizing transportation logistics to this very remote place and building with my hands alongside people I love. The process was magical, and I truly enjoyed it.

The light at the end of the tunnel

When I finally understood the importance of managing legal and administrative matters, I realized the journey ahead would be far from easy. Mistakes made along the way only complicated the situation further.

Doubt filled my mind, and I felt trapped. I knew 2019 could either mark a fresh start or the end of Casa Mamikí. I decided to seek help from a lawyer specializing in foreign investment and visas – something I should have done from the start.

After days of research, I met with seven qualified lawyers, only to find the situation was even worse than I feared. My goal was to apply for an investment visa, but despite investing well above the required amount over the past four years, I had neglected to formalize this with the Bank of the Republic. My investment was legally worthless. Furthermore, my company and land purchase were improperly established.

Some lawyers dismissed my case, leaving me feeling devastated and alone. Then I met James from expatgroup.co, who said, “We believe there is a solution to every problem, and Casa Mamikí can´t be an exception.” I knew I had found the proper support at that moment, and a wave of relief washed over me.

Expatgroup.co acted quickly, resolving my issues efficiently. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, the pandemic hit in March 2020, suspending all visa processes. By May 2021, however, things resumed, and within a week, my long-awaited visa—pursued for six years—was approved by Migración Colombia. With expatgroup.co’s help, I rediscovered hope and the chance for a fresh start.

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A Dream Becoming Reality

With the assistance of my lawyer and his accounting team, I successfully obtained my Visa, resolved many inconsistencies in the company, and secured the National Tourism Register (RNT).

My dream has finally become a reality, as I now comply with all Colombian regulations and standards. My greatest satisfaction is that Casa Manikí is sustainable.

Is there a main difference between now and before?

Peace of mind. And that’s a significant change.

During my years living in Colombia, I met a wonderful “Rola” (a woman from Bogotá) who now shares this dream of Casa Manikí with me. Together, we welcome our guests at our romantic cabins on the beach, organizing their trips, activities, whale watching, jungle explorations, and introducing them to a fantastic (and still hidden) part of Colombia: the Pacific Coast and its rich Afro-Colombian culture.

Nothing makes us happier and prouder than seeing the smiling faces of our guests as they discover a place “they never imagined could exist in this world.” It truly takes experiencing it to understand. I won’t reveal more for now, but I invite you to visit us and share this dream at Casa Manikí.

Medellin Guru Blogs: Real Estate Series

On the Medellin Guru website, we have a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to buying, selling, and renting apartments and choosing a neighborhood in Medellin found in several articles, including:

Buying and Selling Apartments

Renting Unfurnished Apartments:

Renting Furnished Apartments:

Choosing a Neighborhood in Medellin:

Also, we have several articles that can be used to help foreigners choose a neighborhood in Medellin:

Airbnb in Colombia:

The Bottom Line: Casa Manikí, Building a Boutique Hotel on the Colombian Beach

Casa Manikí is a dream come true in Nuqui beaches, a beautiful place you may discover from comfortable cabins that will make you fall in love with the Colombian Pacific. However, I have always been impressed by Colombians, a people rich in wisdom who share their insights through proverbs, known locally as popular wisdom. One important lesson I learned is captured in the saying “lo barato sale caro,” meaning “cheap ends up expensive.”

If you’re considering a life project in Colombia—starting a business, settling down with family, or planning for retirement—listen closely: Colombian immigration authorities are pretty meticulous. Trying to cut costs by navigating the process on your own can lead to unforeseen complications and stress, ultimately costing you more in the long run. Trust my experience; it’s worth investing in professional help from experts such as expatgroup.co team.