The Gypsy Residence

Welcome to Macondo

Once upon a time in the Caribbean of Colombia, a boy was born, and he was called little Gabriel.

The parents made the decision to leave their child with the maternal grandparents, as they were returning to the wild west town of Riohacha where they lacked a support system. Colonel Marquez and his family had arrived in Aracataca as a fugitive from his past, having taken a life in a duel. Enchanted by the promise of this land.
​As a boy, Gabriel was exposed to the captivating family history and extrordinary legends of the town. He grew up with a collective awareness of a magical reality, where people from diverse cultures and religions coexisted, filling in the gaps of their understanding of the world in wondrous ways.
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A short history of Colombia

The history of Aracataca has in many ways defined the 20th century history of Colombia, and has become a symbol for the history of Latin America. Most importantly, there was the United Fruit Company massacre (now Chiquita) in 1928 that later attracted the investigations of congressman Jorge Eliecer Gaitan. When Gaitan published the first different official version of the truth of those events, he became a hero for the working class all over the country. It is widely believed that if he wouldn't have been murdered in 1948, he would have been elected president the next year. His assassination started El Bogotazo; massive riots that burned down much of Bogota followed by a hugely turbulent time called La Violencia, that ultimately resulted in the civil war that has only recently ended.

Aracataca is the heart of Macondo

The Caribbean in Colombia is a vibrant land, teeming with life. Music fills the air on street corners, while friendly locals wander the neighborhoods selling fruits, candy, and other goods. The people are as warm and joyful as anywhere else, welcoming strangers and showing genuine interest in the world around them.
In the early 20th century, during the Banana Boom, Aracataca saw an influx of people from various parts of the world. Arab craftsmen, Italian salesmen, indigenous travelers, supervisors from the United States, and recently released African slaves all mingled in this melting pot of cultures.
Magical realism often emerges from living among diverse cultures, religions, and languages, interpreting the events of others through one's own experiences.
The banana boom, a phenomenon that swept across the Caribbean, has come to symbolize modern imperialism. Aracataca experienced rapid growth during this time, only to face economic collapse later on. Nevertheless, Aracataca endures.
Today, 100 years later, Aracataca is a wonderful destination to explore. The locals are incredibly friendly, making your visit truly immersive. Here are our recommendations for making the most of your upcoming trip.

Visit Aracataca

What is the meaning of Macondo

It's the sound to which all other do respond. It's a state of mind that allows you to see what you want, and how you want to see it. It's the name of a farm a few kilometers north of Aracataca, Colombia

​Macondo is the town, the main character in Garcia Marquez's nobel prize winning novel; 100 hundred years of solitude.

​Macondo is a tree that grows in parts of Central and South America.

Our favorite Garcia Marquez books



​100 Years of Solitude

A classic amongst classics. The book that gives better insight in the history and culture of Latin America than 100 theses together. The story that changed Garcia Marquez's life as well as the life of millions of latinx who recognized their heritage in the shape of a novel. 


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Clandestine in Chile. Adventures of Miguel Littin

Garcia Marquez's repertoire is insightful, humorous, exciting and sometimes downright revolutionary.
Clandestine in Chile shows the effects of the coup that toppled Salvador Allende's government and installed Pinochet, a puppet of imperialism. 
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Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor

Everybody was supposed to be dead. An allegedly horrific storm struck the military vessel that was allegedly patrolling the seas.
This story made an exile of Gabito. A heroic piece of journalism.
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