SANTA FE DE ANTIOQUIA: THE PERFECT MEDELLIN GETAWAY
Santa Fe de Antioquia quickly became one of my favorite places to visit near Medellín. This historic town is perfect for those who want a nearby getaway and warm weather.
This gorgeous town with cobblestone streets and white-washed houses has become a popular spot for lounging next to the pool. The weather tends to be hot, so it’s a great plan to book a hotel that has a pool.
In addition, it’s the perfect town for grabbing coffee, checking out some local markets, and visiting the Puente de Occidente, a historical bridge near the city.
Despite Santa Fe de Antioquia being a popular town to visit, it’s not overrun with tourism like other towns near Medellin, such as Guatape. It’s a great getaway town from the city and to see how Antioqueños live. It’s authentic and a great place to see local life.
Here is what you can do in Santa Fe de Antioquia:
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Puente Colgante de occidente
What makes Santa Fe de Antioquia well-known in Colombia is it has what used to be South America’s longest suspension bridge nearby, Puente Colgante de Occidente. (The longest in SA is now Chacoa Bridge in Chile).
The bridge is so important that it was declared a national monument in Colombia. Puente de Occidente has breathtaking countryside views, and it crosses Rio de Cuauca (Cauca River).
Only small tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and pedestrians can cross the bridge to protect it from damage. You’ll be glad to know it has a pedestrian walkway too. The total length is 291 meters (955ft), and the height above the river is 4.6 meters (15ft). If you’re afraid of suspension bridges, relax. This one doesn’t move the way other suspension bridges do.
Puente de Occidente is a 15-minute drive from town. Although you could technically walk there, I don’t recommend it because it’s hot, you share a narrow road with cars, and the time walking it is much longer.
Instead, I suggest you take a tuk-tuk from the town center for about 18,000 COP round trip.
Before arriving at the bridge, there is a snake statue. Ask to be dropped off there and hike the hill behind the snake to get incredible views of the bridge. Once you get off, you can walk to the bridge and cross it. Luckily my friend had a motorcycle, and we crossed the bridge and drove to the next town.
If you go during sunset, you can enjoy a lovely sunset.
Jump in th Pool
Santa Fe de Antioquia has also gained popularity among Paisas (what locals in Antioquia are called) as a place to chill by the pool. The town is surprisingly much warmer compared to Medellin and many towns in the Antioquia department. A visit to the town means you’ll be hot. So, pack a bathing suit and book a hotel with a pool.
Wander the Streets
Like many small towns in Colombia, Santa Fe de Antioquia is another one on the list that is bursting with color and charm. There are white-washed buildings with colorful doors and windows decorated with flowers. There are cobblestone streets and an antique feel to the town. Plus, you get an authentic vibe of Colombian life outside of the city. It’s a beautiful sight to take in.
You’ll quickly realize in Colombia that wandering the streets of small towns is one of the best things to do in the country.
Plaza de Bolivar
It wouldn’t be a Colombian town if it didn’t have a town plaza and church in the center. Make sure to stop by, grab a lunch, sit on a bench to people-watch, enter the small shops, or walk around. This is where all the main action happens. If you have lunch here, ask for the menu del dia (daily special) to enjoy a typical Colombian meal.
Check Out the Markets
As mentioned before, Santa Fe doesn’t have a lot of tourism, especially not foreign tourism. However, it gets a decent number of Colombian visitors, especially on weekends.
Therefore, you’ll find a market to get souvenirs, and you can also find some stalls next to the church on the main square that set up and sells artisanal items, snacks and desserts, souvenirs, and other goods.
Visit Sucre
If you want to venture out further from town, you can hire a tuk-tuk to take you across the bridge and over to Sucre. Getting there from Santa Fe de Antioquia takes about 30 minutes. You can check out the church and the plaza and eat lunch at a restaurant. It’s a tiny town, so you won’t find much to do other than check it out and walk around.
Surprisingly, our meal was expensive in terms of Colombian prices. We paid 40,000 COP for a meal and drink each, the most I have paid for any meal in Colombia. I think this is because there are only two main restaurants in town and we were the only visitors. Our mistake was not to ask ahead of time what the prices were. If you’re on a budget, I recommend eating in Santa Fe instead.
Visit a Museum
Museo Juan del Corral is a free museum dedicated to the region’s story and its historical heritage. It has seven exhibition rooms, including the table where Juan del Corral signed Antioquia’s independence in 1813.
La Chinca
La Chinca is a park square in the town with a church, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, in front of it. You can go to this park to sit on a bench, people-watch, or eat a snack near the park. This is where you can find the market with goodies too.
Walk Into Buildings
While walking around the town, places aren’t boldly labeled as to what they are. They mostly have a small plaque with the museum’s name or important city building name. So, my friend and I walked around peeking through the large doors to see the lovely courtyards, and sometimes we walked in to ask if we could browse around to look at the architecture. The locals who worked there were relaxed and friendly, letting us in to see.
Check Out the Churches
There are quite a few churches around the city center. If you walk around you can admire their architecture.
When to Visit
Santa Fe de Antioquia has excellent weather year-round, making it the perfect city getaway. The hottest month is February, with an average of 23°C (74°F) climate, and the coldest month is January, with a one-degree difference in temperature. It is much warmer than Medellin, and you will immediately feel the warmth difference.
The dry season in Colombia is from December to March, so those are the best months if you want to avoid the rain. However, the rain won’t affect your visit as it tends to only rain for a little while in the late afternoons.
Also, don’t be surprised if you get rain during the dry season. The department of Antioquia, and Colombia in general, get rain throughout the year. No wonder it’s so lush green and has so many rivers and waterfalls.
How to Get to Santa Fe de Antioquia
Santa Fe’s proximity to Medellín makes it easy to get there. You can take a bus, Uber, or taxi to arrive in the town. The most affordable way is to arrive by bus from Terminal del Norte for approximately 16,000 COP. You can also take Uber for about 150,000 COP ($40) each way. If you are with friends, this can be a great option.
To return by bus, you go to the Terminal on the town’s main road and buy your ticket at the desk. Main buses depart every half hour, but small collectivos (bucetas) leave when they are full. Making a day trip is easy because transportation to and from Medellin happens all day until late.
You can also book tours that leave from the city, and one great place to find them is through Airbnb Experiences.
Where to Stay
Although Santa Fe de Antioquia can be visited on a day trip, I recommend relaxing in the town for a night or two. There aren’t that many budget-friendly hostels for backpackers though. You’ll mainly find nice hotels with pools.
However, the prices are reasonable, and the hotels are worth the higher prices for those looking for a relaxing getaway. You can find decent ones from $20-$40. Of course, if you’re a backpacker, you can split that cost with a friend. Unfortunately, the luxurious ones get pricey, costing over $60 a night.
My friend and I stayed at Hotel Santa Barbara Colonial, and we had an incredible time in the pool and enjoying the delicious breakfasts. The hotel is in the city center so it’s ideally located and the rooms had comfortable beds with AC for the hot weather. Plus, it has a Jacuzzi and a sauna.
If you are on a budget or looking for a hostel, you can stay at Hotel Casa de Verano Santa Fe. However, although it’s under the hostel category, this is definitely not a hostel. If you visit the page, you’ll realize it’s a hotel, and there are cheaper hotels than this one at about $20. Encomendero Hotel and Curazao Hotel are better budget-friendly options.
Santa Fe de Antioquia
What to Pack
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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