Jardín Antioquia

Villages in Colombia

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Traditional coffee village “from the movies”

When the farmers ride their horses to the village square on Sundays to enjoy a cup of coffee (or something stronger, like aguardiente), you can really imagine yourself in a movie…for a moment the modern life seems very far away! Therefore, our favorite thing to do in Jardín is to have a cup of coffee on the cozy square, the best place to get a good look at the village life.

Until a few years ago, Jardín was mainly known to Colombian tourists, but that has changed a lot. Other travelers are also increasingly finding their way to the laid-back coffee village, 128km -about 4 hours by bus- from Medellín.

Activities
In the surrounding area (which is oh so green) you can do some great hiking, visit the Cueva del Esplendor, eat trucha (trout) at a trout farm, visit a coffee plantation, and catch the cable car for great views of the village. Jardín is also a good place for bird watching, for example in the bird sanctuaries Reserva Natural Gallito de la Roca (cock of the rock) and ProAves reserve Reserva Natural de las Aves Loro Orejiamarillo. Here you can spot the protected Yellow eared parrot. Check out the different tours in Jardín here.

Tips for the best hotels and hostels in Jardín

Tip #1
Stay overnight in a finca
Staying overnight in a finca hotel is the most relaxing way to get acquainted with Jardín. We ourselves stayed at the stately Hacienda Balandu, with its own pool, spa and mountain views. Because of the various animals on the property, it gave us a real country feel. Gardener Jaime took us for walks around the area, which was really a bonus for us. If we wanted to go to the village, we took a cheap mototaxi. Because of the tourism “boom” in Jardin, there are  many hotels in Jardín and surroundings. Patio Bonito is another beautiful finca hotel, in the middle of nature.

Tip #2
Book a hostel in the middle of nature
For active travelers, the Creo ecolodge is highly recommended, a half-hour walk (or 10-minute tuktuk ride) from Jardín. The location of this hostel is beautiful, in the middle of nature. From this ecolodge you can do many activities, such as hiking to waterfalls, biking, horseback riding and the lodge can help you book a paragliding trip. At the ecolodge itself you can take yoga classes. The meals offered are vegetarian and the lodge can accommodate various dietary needs, such as gluten-free. Good to know: accommodations are basic and do not have private bathrooms. You can book a “dorm” bed or a private room with shared bathroom.

Tip #3
Chill in a hotel with jacuzzi
If you prefer something more luxurious but still want to stay in the middle of nature, then the Gulupa ecolodge is a must. From the lodge you have a beautiful view of the surroundings and after an active day you can relax in the jacuzzi.

Here you book other hotels and hostels in Jardin

Colombia My Way

All about Santa Fe de Antioquia Colombia

Villages in Colombia

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About Santa Fe de Antioquia

Santa Fe de Antioquia is beautiful colonial town 58 km north of Medellín, making it a good place to visit on a side trip.

Santa Fe de Antioquia is the oldest settlement in the region (1541) and used to be the capital of Antioquia. The city with about 25,000 inhabitants has been declared a national monument because of its beautiful architecture. You will find atmospheric narrow streets, white houses and the Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar.

Must do’s

1. Savor the colonial atmosphere
Stroll around the adorable streets, admire the Iglesia de Santa Bárbara and visit the free museum Juan del Corral. This museum about the history of the region, is located in a beautiful colonial building and worth a visit. Old crafts are also still practiced, so you can see silversmiths at work in their small studios and buy a beautiful piece of silver jewelry.

2. Walk across the Puente de Occidente
This 291-meter-long hanging bridge over the Cauca River, is located 5km outside the city. You get there with a ride by mono cab (tuk-tuk). From the bridge, you have a beautiful view of the surrounding area. The bridge was built in 1895 and named a national monument. Fun detail: designer of the bridge, José Maria Villa, was also involved in the design of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

3. Explore the area on horseback
Even if you stay in Santa Fe de Antioquia a bit longer, you won’t have to get bored. Among other things, you can go horseback riding, rafting and paragliding in the area.

Photo: Paseos a Caballo Santa Fe de Antioquia-Carlos Lopez

Plan your trip

How to get there

From Medellín, it’s about a 1.5-hour drive to Santa Fe de Antioquia (terminal del Norte). You can also take a tour including transportation book a tour operator. From the Andes you travel to the lower town of Santa Fe de Antioquia, while passing coffee and banana plantations.

Climate and best time to go

Climate
Santa Fe de Antioquia is located at an altitude of 550 meters. The climate is tropical and it is very warm compared to cool, high altitude Medellín. You can visit Santa Fe de Antioquia year-round.

Events

*Fiesta de los Diablitos
This festival with lots of music, dancing and parades is the oldest and most popular celebration in Antioquia, having originated in 1653. The festival commemorates the day of rest given to slaves at the time; one (!) day on December 28 each year. To celebrate their freedom on this day of rest, the slaves dressed up as their “masters” and drank and partied late into the night. The festival is held during the last week of the year.

*Easter celebration
The Easter celebration during Semana Santa (Easter week) is one of the biggest happenings in Santa Fe de Antioquia. The celebration attracts many spectators. Semana Santa is a popular travel period for Colombians, so if you want to experience the Easter celebration, book your hotel early. (Photo: RCN radio)

Where to stay overnight?

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More hotels in Santa Fe de Antioquia
#ToColombia tips

 

# Tip 1

Take a look inside the colonial hotel Mariscal Robledo

The hotel on Parque de la Chinca oozes history and is the 4e oldest hotel in Colombia. The cozy hotel is decorated with many antiques and has its own library. Nice to see, even if you’re not going to spend the night there.

# Tip 2

Taste the local specialty, the Pulpa de tamarindo

The pulp of the tamarind fruit has a sour taste and is sweetened with sugar. This is then made into sweets, the Dulce de tamarindo which you can buy at the stalls on the Plaza Mayor, among other places.

 

← Villages near Medellín

All about Jericó – Antioquia

Villages in Colombia

Home 9 Category: Villages in Colombia

An authentic village with 17 churches

Jericó is a traditional village located 108km from Medellin, about 3 hours by bus. Among travelers, the village is less known than the village of Jardín. Except among Colombian tourists and lovers of churches, because there are no less than 17 of them!

Activities
In Jericó, you can visit coffee plantations, hike to lookout points and go horseback riding, among other things. Furthermore, you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere in the colorful village, grab a coffee in one of the nice places and try the local cuisine in one of the good restaurants. Especially on weekends, the square is a pleasant place to be, with more visitors coming for a cup of coffee or cerveza, or just for a chat. You can also go with an organized tour to Jericó from Medellín.

#ColombiaMyWay Tips

# Tip 1
Check out Bomarzo, hot spot for the arts in Jericó
There is a creative vibe in Jericó, so you’ll find many galleries and other artsy spots. Bomarzo is the place to be, with paintings by Colombian artists, a studio, café, restaurant and stores.

# Tip 1
Go paragliding
Medellín has the reputation of being a hotspot for paragliding, but did you know that Jericó is also a great place for paragliding? All the more reason to include this village in your itinerary before it is discovered by “everyone”!

#Tip 3
Book the nicest hotels and hostels in Jericó here

Villages near Medellín

Medellin, Villages in Colombia

Home 9 Category: Villages in Colombia

The villages nearby Medellín come in all shapes and sizes. Colonial villages where time seems to have stood still, villages from which you can do all kinds of adventurous activities and…. villages with houses in “all the colors of the rainbow”. For a nice day trip or multi-day trip to villages near Medellín, there is therefore a lot of choice.

Check out some of the options below. For your convenience, we’ve listed approximate travel times from Medellín and the bus terminal you should get to: the bus terminal del Norte, a 20-minute drive from El Poblado, or the bus terminal del Sur, a 10-minute drive from El Poblado.

Colombia My Way

How to get there

Bus Terminal del Norte

  • 4 min. walk from Caribe subway station (line A)
  • Cab ride 20 min. from el Poblado

Santa Fe de Antioquia

Guatapé

Cocorná

photo:orienteantioqueño

    San Rafael

    • 110km/3h
    • Off the beaten track. Rainforest, natural pools, waterfalls
    • Good to combine with Guatapé (1h)
    • Check here your options for hotels in San Rafael
    • Hotel tip: Ritmo del Rio: an ecohotel in the midst of nature, for a relaxed experience.
    photo:viajaremverano

    Aldea Doradal (Santorini Colombiano)

    • 172km/3.5h
    • Greek-style village
    • Fun to stroll through the few streets of the village, if you happen to be in the area. Aldea Doradal is located 19 km from Rio Claro Reserva Natural and 1 km from Hacienda Nápoles.
    • You can also stay overnight there, including at hotel Aldea Plaza
    photo:Octavioprensaturismo

    San Carlos

    • 113km/4.5h
    • Village not accessible 10 years ago due to security concerns
    • Waterfalls, natural pools
    • Check hier je opties voor hotels in San Carlos

    Bus Terminal del Sur

    • 3 min. walk from Olaya Herrera Airport
    • 20 min walk from el Poblado subway station (Line A)
    • cab ride 10 min. from el Poblado

    Fredonia

    • 52km/1.5h
    • Green hilly landscape with coffee plantations and coffee fincas
    • Bekijk hier je opties voor hotels in Fredonia

     

    Jericó

    • 108 km/3h
    • Authentic village with 17 churches, well “hidden” among coffee plantations
    • Check here your options for hotels in Jericó
    • Read our tips for Jericó

         

        Abejorral

        • 90 km /3h
        • Off the beaten track, base for extreme sports such as rock climbing
        • From here you can reach Casa en el Aire and Ecoparque los Saltos, among others.
        • Check here your options for hotels in Abejorral

        Jardín

        • 128 km/4h
        • Traditional coffee village with a cozy village square, in the middle of beautiful nature
        • There is a lot of choice in hotels and hostels in Jardín, from beautiful colonial hotels in the center to accommodations in the middle of nature. Check your options for hotels in Jardín here.
        • ⇒ Hoteltip: Gulupa ecolodge, a lodge in the midst of nature, with the luxury of a jacuzzi.  
        • Here you can read more tips for Jardín

        Tamesis

        • 107 km/3.5h
        • Authentic village, not yet as well known as Jardin and Jericó
        • Indian petroglyphs, adventure activities
        • Check here your options for hotels in Tamesis

        #ColombiaMyWayTips

        Don’t feel like spending a few hours on the bus, but still want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Medellín?

        Then the high-altitude village of  Santa Elena (2500m) east of Medellín is an option. The village is known for its flower farms and Medellín’s annual flower festival Feria de las Flores.

        You can do hikes in the forest and there are a number of eco hotels and glamping sites, in the middle of nature.

        Read here the travel story about our own experiene with information and tips about Santa Elena.

         

        Colombia My Way

        Santa Elena

        20km from the center of Medellín

        • Easiest to reach by cab (approx. 40 min, COP80,000/$20)
        • Or by bus from Placito de Flores (approx.50min) or via Parque Arví for the scenic, long route (metro-cable car-bus).
        • Check here your options for hotels and glampings in Santa Elena