aWESOME THINGS TO DO IN JARDIN, MEDELLIN
If you’re looking for a beautiful Colombian town to explore, Jardin is the perfect place. Sitting just three hours away from Medellin lies this colorful town surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Jardin, which translates to garden in English, is precisely that. The town has incredible mountain views, lovely flowers, fun waterfalls to explore, many types of birds, and so much more.
Jardin is known for its coffee culture and colorful homes. You can wander the streets, drink coffee at the plaza, or explore waterfalls. Although it is small, it is worthy of a visit and one of Colombia’s best towns to visit. Here are some things to do in Jardin, Colombia, and the many reasons I love this town!
Awesome Things To Do In Jardin, Medellin
Table of Contents
Awesome Things To Do In Jardin, Medellin
People Watch at Plaza del Libertador
If you’re like me, you might enjoy sitting around watching how people live and interact. The plaza is the perfect place in this town to see happy and relaxed people drinking coffee. You can see the kids running around and families visiting the church. It’s a slow-paced life, and it’s beautiful to see and sense while sipping on your coffee.
Explore the Colorful Streets
Colombia has so many colorful towns, and it’s what I love about the country. Jardin happens to be one of those beautiful and colorful towns that made me smile. Have your camera ready because while wandering the streets, you’ll want to photograph each house!
Check out the Basilica of the Inmaculate Concepcion
I love visiting all types of religious temples because of their architecture and beauty. The one in Jardin is both beautiful inside and out. On the outside, it has a touch of gothic and on the inside it has intricate detail that’s a pleasure to the eyes.
Drink Lots of Coffee
Drinking coffee in Colombia is a must but drinking coffee in Jardin is even more. People in small towns seem to enjoy coffee a lot more than people in the big cities. In Jardin, it’s what you do. My favorite spot was Macanas, a colorful coffee shop next to the Basilica. You can also have coffee with a view at Cafe Jardin. From there, you can see the town down below, and you have a view of Cristo Rey.
Explore Cueva del Esplendor Waterfall
The top attraction in Jardin is visiting Cueva del Esplendor, which translates to Cave of Splendor. This beautiful waterfall comes from above and through a cave. You can swim in this icy cold water if you dare, and I highly recommend you do. There are a few ways to visit, depending on your budget.
The cheapest option is to make the strenuous hike all the way there from the town up to the mountains. Go prepared with water because it might take you most of the day. A better option is to pay a moto-taxi in Jardin to take you to the entry gate for about 15,000 COP. You pay 7,000 COP for admission to the hiking trail, which can take about 90 minutes uphill. On your return, you can walk downhill all the way back to Jardin. Doing this might may take a little over 3 hours.
I’m not big on group tours, but I did visit Cueva del Esplendor through the only tour company in Jardin that takes you there. For 70,000 COP, they take you in a jeep to the gate entry. It includes a shorter hike, a small breakfast, and more snacks after visiting the waterfall. It was worth it!
Hike to Cascada La Escalera
This stunning waterfall is less than 20 minutes from the town if you go by car or about one hour if you walk. The walk up is done by uncovered road, but once you arrive, you enjoy this beauty. There is no fee. You just follow the road to see it. You can make a quick stop after visiting Cristo Rey.
Enjoy the Views at Mirador Cristo Rey
If you enjoy hiking, you can walk your way up to Mirador Cristo Rey, a large statue of Christ with a beautiful view of the town below. The trail begins at Calle 13 and Carrera 2 and takes about 90 minutes. Your other option is to visit Cafe Jardin, which I mentioned above, and you can hike from there. The picture below is from Cafe Jardin, and it has a view of Cristo Rey and Jardin town.
Eat Trucha at La Argelia
Eating trout in Colombia is quite common, and Jardin is a great place to do it. At La Argelia Restaurant, you can even pick your own trout and see the process at the trout farm they have inside the restaurant. You can take a 15-minute walk there by following a dirt road or hire a moto-taxi for about 5,000 COP.
Go Birdwatching
Jardin has an abundant birdlife, and it’s pretty popular to go bird-watching for those who love it. The town has a Reserve called Reserva Natural Gallito de la Roca, where you can enjoy this activity.
Where To Stay in Jardin, Colombia
The best place to stay in Jardin is any place within the town because it is small. Everything will all be within walking distance. Make sure to reserve early, especially if you visit during a weekend because Jardin is one of the most visited towns from Medellin, and places book up fast.
We had trouble booking last minute, so we stayed in a cabin in the hills outside the town that belonged to Hostal Naty Luna. It was stunning to stay in this cabin, and I only recommend it for a large group of friends. However, they have rooms available closer to town too.
How To Get To Jardin
You can easily reach Jardin from the Medellin bus terminal in about 3.5 hours. The cost will be about 26,000 COP. My friends and I had a rental car that weekend, so we got there in less than 3 hours, but I must mention the road there is very windy. If you get motion sickness quickly, I recommend you take a motion sickness pill.
What to Pack For Jardin
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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