MERAKI, local & cosmo food | Informal Campsite

April 12th, 2024 by chasing.vida

Stayed here two nights in a Ford Transit campervan. Enough space for two vehicles. I recommend reversing in as it’s a tight space. They open at 2pm. We arrived at 12pm and waited until 1pm to ask employees if it was alright to stay the night. They said no problem, then we got to chat with Hector later.

Hector is super nice. He also has a converted van. We ate at the restaurant for a meal in exchange for the hospitality. The bathroom is nice. Cold shower and toilets with running water and TP. There’s a hose connection to fill up with potable water, too. Amazing pressure.

April 6th, 2024 by auboutdumonde

Parking dans la cour du restaurant, Proche de la place centrale à pied . WC à disposition
Hector nous a reçu les bras ouvert et il propose de bon petit plats dans son resto !!

March 31st, 2024 by viaggio.mundo

We couldn't stop here because it was Holiday, the city was packed and they need the space to serve the restaurant clients. We agreed to return later on the night but at 9pm they were closed already. We endup staying at the end of the city, because traffic police was turning away and giving tickets to everyone at the center.

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Não conseguimos parar aqui porque era feriado, a cidade estava lotada e eles precisam do espaço para atender os clientes do restaurante. Concordamos em voltar mais tarde porém as 21h já estavam fechados, acabamos ficando numa rua no fim da cidade, porque os policiais de trânsito estavam multando e expulsando os veículos do centro. Muito difícil parar nessa cidade.

March 5th, 2024 by Los De Los Viajes

Excellent place to enjoy Salento... we arrived with the intention of spending 2 nights and ended up spending 4, quiet and safe place, the food in the restaurant is very good and Hector is a great storyteller and a person from whom you can learn a lot.

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Excelente lugar para disfrutar de Salento… llegamos con la intención de pasar 2 noches y terminamos pasando 4, lugar tranquilo y seguro, la comida del restaurante muy buena y Hector un gran contador de historias y una persona de la cual se puede aprender mucho.

March 3rd, 2024 by koreanbull-fighter04

I spent 3 peaceful nights here. I had a wonderful time. It is very close to the center, the restaurant is really good as well. You have WiFi and access to cold shower H24.
The staff is really nice and the owner very welcoming. I had a small issue with my car and he helped me to fix it.

February 13th, 2024 by stablewraparound71

Conforme à la description. Parking du resto Meraki à l’entrée de Salento, idéal pour aller à la place centrale à pied. Douche et wc à disposition et bien sûr le resto avec de bons plats et café. Hector nous a reçu bras ouvert, nous avons partagé nos aventures et les siennes ensemble, un homme formidable. Merci beaucoup

December 18th, 2023 by dandovueltasfotos.com

🇪🇸Un lugar perfecto para descubrir Salento. Seguro, con baños, agua, electricidad, muy bien ubicado y con gente muy hospitalaria.
Gracias a todo el equipo de Meraki
🇬🇧 A perfect place to discover Salento. Safe, with toilets, water, electricity, very well located and very hospitable people.
Thanks to all the Meraki team

December 16th, 2023 by nomadexpedition.es

gracias a Héctor por brindar este lugar a los viajeros realmente es de agradecer. el restaurante (que por cierto la comida está riquísima) tiene un parking y Héctor nos dejó pasar aquí tres días con dos noches mientras recorríamos la zona, es genial!

November 29th, 2023 by Se Joga No Mundo

Hector y familia Meriaki, muchas gracias por todo. Salento realmente nos encantó. Tu recibimiento fue increíble. ¡Tu equipo es muy amable! Recomendamos cenar o almorzar aquí, ¡la comida es increíble!

November 17th, 2023 by niuniu1950

Creo que se ha dicho todo de este lugar, y no vale añadir mucho mas. Hemos estado, por problemas mecánicos 1 mes.
El mejor lugar? sin duda
La mejor atención? sin lugar
Las mejores personas? Imposible
La mejor comida? Única y sabrosa
Gracias amigos

October 11th, 2023 by Kombichileiros

Wonderful place to stay in Salento, flat parking, near to the center, friendly staff, clean bathrooms (cold shower) and delicious food. We slept three very peaceful nights here, I highly recommend it.

Excelente lugar para ficar em Salento, estacionamento plano, perto do centro, pessoal simpático, banheiros limpos (ducha fria) e comida deliciosa. Dormimos três noites muito tranquilas aqui, super recomendo.

October 8th, 2023 by bus.trada

Great location, safe and quiet. Very silent at night! Héctor welcomed us very well and the restaurant staff are very attentive and kind. We had dinner at the restaurant to return the hospitality. We highly recommend it!

Ótimo local, seguro e tranquilo. Muito silencioso a noite! Héctor nos recebeu muito bem e os funcionários do restaurante são muito atencioso e amáveis. Jantamos no restaurante para retribuir a hospitalidade. super recomendamos!

August 12th, 2023 by AlmaVet_movil

Mejor lugar para quedarse en Salento! Hector es un amor de persona a quien le encanta conversar, y la comida de su restaurante es deliciosa (comimos almuerzo y cena acá). Pudimos dejar el vehículo mientras íbamos al valle del cocora, así que genial

July 21st, 2023 by bemnaestrada.com.br

We stayed here for two nights, a quiet and very safe place. Heitor and his team treated us very well, and it was a very peaceful stay. He didn't charge anything, but we obviously had dinner and lunch at his restaurant. Highly recommended!

May 3rd, 2023 by destinosepasseios.com.br

Local agradável, fomos bem recebidos. Estamos com um motorhome Sprinter longa, com energia e água. como vamos jantar no local, não precisamos oagar nada. Recomendo a todos.

April 25th, 2023 by hakunamatatxelmundo

We arrived here and Hector welcomed us. He and his family are very friendly and nice people. We slept here 2 nights, quiet and safe. There is a good Wi-Fi. Also we are on the restaurant: delicious food and a lot of vegetarian options.

Cuando llegamos fuimos recibidos por Héctor. El, su familia y la gente que trabaja allí son muy amables. Dormimos 2 noches acá, tranquilo y seguro. Hay buen wifi. Además comimos en su restaurante: la comida es deliciosa y hay un montón de opciones vegetarianas.

March 25th, 2023 by vivermontessori

We spends one nigh here. We feels safe. The staff is very gentle. Note that the restaurant kitchen close at 20h30, a little bit earlier. In the other day we lunch to reciprocate the gentle to stay with pay nothing.

Ótimo lugar, colaborares gentis e felizes em receber viajantes. Se você for jantar note que a cozinha fecha cedo. No dia seguinte antes de sair almoçamos pra retribuir a gentileza

March 25th, 2023 by roamingabout.com

No issues to stay here in our full size truck camper. it's a little tight, but definitely workable. They are happy to have overlanders stay. Best to arrive around noon before they officially open and the parking lot is empty. Clean bathrooms and potable water.

March 22nd, 2023 by jornadagolden

Restaurante sensacional. Comida muito boa. O dono também tem um Motorhome e viaja. Possui banheiro e ducha. Recomendo para passar a noite!!!

March 21st, 2023 by donorteaonorte

Excellent reception by the employees of the place. we spent a super quiet night and had lunch on site to reciprocate the reception.

March 17th, 2023 by hourlesslife.com

Half of the parking lot is currently under construction. We didn’t feel there was any room for us to pull in and camp (17-foot Jeep Gladiator). The location is really great, but not sure what the future plans are for the parking lot.

March 15th, 2023 by abbyporamerica

Hector, el dueño, permite a los viajeros estacionar en el parking del restaurante. Pasamos 3 noches, él y todo el equipo son increíbles. Consumimos en el restaurante para devolver un poco de toda la ayuda a los viajeros.

February 18th, 2023 by cargumelo

The restaurant offers a space in the parking lot to receive travelers.

It offers a closed and safe space, with bathrooms, water, energy and wifi available, just ask for permission.

The space is free, they only you ask to eat at the restaurant or cafe that has an incredible food! We highly recommend the gratinated smoked trout with mushrooms and the coffees with CBD.

January 25th, 2023 by elmoost

As last comment, still valid, and still a very nice place to camp and eat.

December 6th, 2022 by instagram: auroraroamer

The site is safe, comfortable, level to sleep, cold shower, free Wi-Fi, free electricity and water connection to fill the camper, the food is delicious, if you consume on the site they do not charge you for camping. If you don't consume, they charge you only 10,000 COP. Very friendly and have all the tourist information in the area. We recommend it. It is close to the main square.

March 27th, 2022 by culturakayak

Nice bar . the owner is travel and member of ioverlander. he is invited host free.

hermoso lugar para tomar un cafe el dueño (hector). nos invito a tomar un cafe y no ofrecio para quedarno gratis wn el hostal. es lugar tranquilo y con buena musica en salento.

March 9th, 2020 by jbsnavarro

llegamos ayer.
no nos han cobrado y tampoco nos han exigido pagar. aunque si hemos consumido un poco.
todo genial y bastante seguro.
Héctor, Marta y los trabajadores muy cordiales.

August 5th, 2019 by tinu.flamingo

Very loud sound at night and some travellers started a Horn-Session at 7AM on the parking lot...thought it was a joke!

August 4th, 2019 by tinu.flamingo

Good place in Salento in the front of the restaurant. Cold showers, Wifi and toilets. Free, when you eat in the restaurant...when not, 10‘000 per car.
A little bit laborious about pay by card. The 2 days before we payed by card and after that was is suddenly not possible anymore...

August 2nd, 2019 by sharo

Estacionamiento del restaurante, el lugar está plano hay baño las 24 hora y ducha (agua fria) es gratis si consumes en el restaurante o $20 mil pesos si no consumes nada, la ubicación es perfecta para disfrutar el centro del pueblo. La comida es deliciosa. Los dueños Héctor y Marta son muy amables y les gusta hablar con viajeros , ya que ellos tienen su casa rodante armada y están planeando su viaje.

June 7th, 2019 by thevegetariantravel.com

We parked here for tow nights, it's free if you eat in the restaurant. The owner Hector and the stuff are really nice and helpful. They have clean bathroom and really good food.

December 27th, 2018 by ptitfillot

This place is permanently closed.

December 26th, 2018 by keyznking.nl

Nice hostel, restaurant.

We saw a swiss overlander coming into the parking lot to camp there.

December 26th, 2018 by ptitfillot

we arrived at 5 pm, the guy is very friendly and welcoming and 5 minutes later he say it's not possible to stay here for the night ... we don't know why !?

July 22nd, 2018 by lipp.spam

Amazing food and good pricing. If you‘re board of the typical go there and enjoy!

July 22nd, 2018 by lipp.spam

We didn't stay here but by chance ended up here for lunch due to the rather large parking lot (in relation to the rest of available parking in Salento).
Prices were $$ out of $$$ (most dishes around COP 20.000 and local beer COP 4.500) but the food was excellent with a wide variety of local, Peruvian, Japanese and Italian food. Normally we stay away from places serving this variety but this place is an exception. Had four different dishes and all of them were excellent.

June 11th, 2018 by flymikey1

WARNING has been placed of a car break in here whilst asked to leave vehicle keys with Hector check out IO south east of Cajamarca as the "warning" is in the wrong location

March 9th, 2018 by roman

nice place and very friendly as stated. we were only disapointed that after eating in theire restaurant (bill 120'000 COP) we were asked for additional 30000 for parking over the night. (discount to 15000 after discussion)

January 15th, 2018 by mowagon

Great place to stay for a night or two. Hector is super friendly and can give you lots of tips on the area. He’s currently building out his own Sprinter van as a camper! Clean bathrooms and cold shower (far stall). Wifi is SALENTO and password: salentO2016. We paid 12,000pn. Staff are onsite from around lunchtime. Keep in mind that it is a carpark and visible from the street - make sure you lock up well !!

December 5th, 2017 by Travellin/static Jimmy

Nice place. Wonderful vegetarian options, highly recommend the veggie burrito! Great service and pretty restaurant. Hector has been really friendly and helpful. Buena ondaa

November 29th, 2017 by 4auboutdumonde

very nice owner ans staff
really recommand this place
10000 /24h
closed to the Downtown
fast wifi

October 13th, 2017 by sauvage-en-vadrouille

Good place to spend night. Parking free if you eat at the restaurant or 10000 pesos by night. Toilets. Good wifi free. Héctor and Martha very nice. Their daughter Anna-María is the new owner. They speak english and french. We visit an artisanal coffre plantation at 4 km (La Arzacia)

October 6th, 2017 by nathaniellarrea

We camped out here two nights for 10,000/night. Had clean bathrooms and basic shower (faucet out of the ceiling). No height restriction and could fit decent size rig. Felt safe at night. Recommend telling the reception that you need the gate opened in the morning in case you want to leave since they don't open until 1pm. Guy with the key loves around the corner

July 27th, 2017 by linekrem

Nice staff, although someone unclear on the price:) we ended up paying 10 000 cop per night, and got 5000 cop discount cause we ate once at the restaurant. Turned out the owner wanted 10 000 for every 12hrs, but when she realised the other guy had said per 24hours, she was nice about that.

Nice toilets available with lights and running water. We never tried the shower, but there is one with cold water. Wifi is good. Food at the restaurant is pricy but very good.

March 3rd, 2017 by ali.scharf

Had to pay 12.000 to stay overnight. probably Hektor/Jorge isnt around anymore. Very tasty food for 12k to 25k cop.

February 9th, 2017 by Christener

We came in late night, the restaurant was closed but two vans stay in the parking lot. We could open the door and park also there. The bathrooms, shower, also wifi is usable. Hector and Ana the owner and the staff are very friendly. The food is international, also local and they have a lot of vegetarian options.

February 7th, 2017 by www.practicingforretirement.com

Hector wasn't in when we arrived and the staff seemed a little confused about how camping worked. Regardless, Herman (the manager the day) welcomed us in. He originally said 10,000k to camp for the night, but then we didn't end up paying (we did eat in the restaurant). Gate us locked overnight so don't plan on leaving super early. Decent spot for the night.

February 4th, 2017 by hectriga11

Este establecimiento ha tenido una renovación de imagen y marca, y ahora su nombre es MERAKI un restaurante con comida local e internacional.

January 6th, 2017 by Mark_and_Nadine

Awesome Restaurant with probably the best food in Colombia. Don't miss it! Very friendly owner and staff

January 1st, 2017 by laetitialuzi

Great welcoming from Hector ! He is a wonderful host with a good heart. Though Salento was very busy and crowded, he received us warmly. We ate vegetarian food here. Staff is very kind too. There is now a shower available (cold).

December 11th, 2016 by lesmilav.canalblog.com

Le seul endroit où l'on peut stationner, le patron est super sympa et parle francais anglais, nous y avons passé 2 nuits.

December 10th, 2016 by www.a2surlaboule.blogspot.com

Nous avons passé 3 nuits chez Hector.....un très bon plan....amabilité, disponibilité c'est parfait....mais s'il vous plait n'y passez pas en fin de semaine, il a besoin de la place pour le stationnement des clients de son restaurant.....please don't pass the weekend, Hector needs this place for the restaurant....

November 28th, 2016 by creciendoenelcamino

Ideal para parar a disfrutar de Salento. Hector una hermosa persona con la que compartimos varios días.

November 4th, 2016 by hectriga11

Big parking lot.

October 3rd, 2016 by OverlandWanderlustFacebook

Héctor the owner and his stuff, are great and very helpful ! Great food and service, we stay here couple nights for free and Hector invite us to came in when we drove down. Best option to stay in Salento!

October 3rd, 2016 by hectriga11

Entrada a Salento una cuadra después de Bombero

September 21st, 2016 by PHOTOtrail

They are in the process to build a shower and toilet for the parking area. Few minures from town center. Food price for two not much more than the price you'll pay for camping. The restaurnt closes at 10pm, access to toilets until closing time. Gate is locked until 10 am. Wifi is weird couldn't use it.

August 27th, 2016 by jauntlet.com

There are two restaurants here that share the same car park so might be why there is confusion over the name of the owner. We stayed here after being told by the police at the mirador that wild camping in public places in salento is no longer permitted. Both restaurant owners very friendly and helpful. We had crepes and drinks at the Crepers Co restaurant and could stay overnight no problem. Wifi good, toilets available and water in the car park.

August 24th, 2016 by guenat

Great! Owner very nice. Nice restaurant also. Not so expensive as said, only some plates are expensive but you can very good eating for correct price. wifi. safe. ++

August 13th, 2016 by www.wiffelebenstraum.de

The name of the owner is Hector not Jorge.
I stay here for one night, Hector is very friendly and helpful. If you eat in the restaurant you have nothing to to pay for staying overnight. You can use the toilet of the restaurant, no shower.

May 23rd, 2016 by viajones.com

Had a great dinner and slept at parking lot! The owners ñame is Héctor, no problem for big rigs!

April 26th, 2016 by Tdm.les-ombres.net

After policemen explain us overlanders aren't welcome anymore in all public area of the town (some travelers let their trash everywhere), we meet Jorge, the owner of this restaurant. He's happy to meet overlanders and ask nothing else than time to share expérience of travel. He speaks spanish, english and french (he lived some times in Québec). His restaurant has a big parking lot close for night. We stay here 2 nights in our RV near a couple from Argentina in their van !
Toilets are open until 9pm. Wifi 24h.
The food isn't cheap but so good !! If you like crêpes, don't miss it !