Welcome to this Jardin, Colombia travel guide.
Did you know Jardín is one of the key towns you can visit in Antioquia?
Translated as simply “Garden” in English, you find comfort in the name itself! Let’s look at what this Colombian garden has in store for you.
If you are in Medellin and planning a trip to Jardin, I have a host of things for you that you may want to consider before you travel.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Jardin, Colombia
With around a four-hour journey from Medellin, you’ll find yourself in a new dimension that offers a cultural experience unlike no other.
When compared to the big cities in Colombia, it begs the question; what other towns are they’re in Colombia like Jardin?
What I found was that Jardin is quite unique! Whether it’s cruising around in a moto-taxi, jumping in a cable car, or sipping some of the finest Colombian coffee, you are only just touching the surface.
How to get from Medellin to Jardin by bus
Getting to Jardin from Medellin is relatively easy! I have a guide on how to get to Jardin from Medellin if you want to learn the specific steps.
If you head over to Medellín’s South bus Terminal just take the direct bus without booking in advance.
The bus or transporter cars usually leave once every hour or so! You can use sites like Redbus to book your ticket in advance.
The journey takes around 4 hours depending on what is happening on the road. If you get stuck behind a trail of Mulas (the name for the trucks that transport goods), your ETA can quite easily get extended.
Jardin, Colombia
What else can you do here, then? Isn’t Jardin just a small village in the middle of nowhere? Let’s take a look at what you can get up to here.
Visit Coffee Shops
As with most of my trips to Colombia, apart from learning Spanish, my main objective is to try Colombia’s best coffee shops.
I’m no coffee expert but I’ve begun to appreciate the finer notes in some of the world’s best coffee found in this region.
Jardin has a few really good coffee shops, that luckily, are all within the same square so you don’t have to walk far.
I like to space my cups of coffee out to give my palate a chance to reset. My coffee ritual has become more and more refined since arriving in Colombia for the first time back in 2015.
After ordering a Tinto with no sugar or milk, you will, from that moment on, begin to appreciate the taste (hopefully).
Here in Jardin with coffee shops like Los Andes who are coffee producers from the nearby coffee town of Andes allow you to connect yourself with a superior cup of Colombia coffee grown locally.
La Garrucha Cable Car
Set between the hills filled with banana and coffee, this is a great little addition to any trip to Jardin. Get ready to be suspended by two long wire cables as it pulls you across a plantain’s plantation.
Located off one of the streets you’ll find a mini docking station where you can jump into a metal lattice cable car to prepare for the ride.
The idea is to sit at the other side and gaze at the amazing view of Jardin and of course the memorable church. It’s easy to see why my friends back in Medellin recommend I come here.
💡Smart Travel Tip
The cost is around 8,000COP and worth the ride! It’s not a speedy trip, so expect a gentle pull that allows you to enjoy the view.
Visit the Truchería
Other travelers backpacking Colombia who I met missed this. You have to do a slight detour down one of the streets to get here but after a 15-minute stroll admiring the mountains you arrive at the Truchería.
The Truchería is the name for a place where trout are bred, and in this case, sold on-site in their restaurant. Finding better lunch than this in Jardin (for the price and quality) is difficult to match.
When you’re ready sit down at a table at the restaurant and get a high-quality meal consisting of trout, rice, salad, patacones, and hogado.
Also, they make other local delicacies on-site (panelitas) and you’re allowed to walk around and see all the processes going on.
La Cueva del Esplendor
One of the Jardins gems that you can’t afford to miss. When done as part of a tour, which I recommend you arrange with your hostel or hotel for the most competitive price, you’ll get the full experience.
After a 30-minute jeep ride, you’ll arrive at a nearby refuge spot where you have an option to have a spot of breakfast, you’ll begin your trek down to the waterfall.
Amongst the Butterflies, and singing birds in a picturesque jungle-like setting. You arrive at a secluded spot filled with rocks and caves then, of course, a spectacular waterfall within a cave.
It makes sense to come equipped if you know you want to visit this attraction. See my packing list for more ideas, but some water shoes and swim gear will be needed to experience this gem.
Colombian Organic Coffee Tour
One of the best things to do in Jardin for me, with various options to choose from, I recommend a tour of La Florida coffee farm.
I spent the morning once again learning about the coffee process on a personalized Organic coffee tour.
One thing I’ve noticed learning about coffee in Colombia is that every farm has unique ways of doing things. It’s best to do the tour in the morning if you want to make the most of your day, I spent two hours.
People-Watching in the Plaza
Ask anyone whos been to Jardin why this is a thing. You naturally end up admiring the local life here, especially after arriving from a big city.
A trip from Medellin to Jardin kind of makes you realize just how intense the daily grind of Medellin can affect your mental state.
Here in the El Parque (public square) you can sit back on appreciate the Pueblo (town) life and reflect on the life of the bigger city.
Most locals visit El Parque daily to meet up and socialize. There are some real photo opportunities here which show you a lifestyle that many people from all over the world arriving in Colombia look for.
Ride in a Tuk-Tuk
No matter what your intention is here in Jardin no trip would be complete without a ride in a Tuk-Tuk.
You’ll be surprised how robust these little machines are, I took one all the way up to the coffee farm through some of the most invisible clouds forests; up and over some of the muddies hills.
Whether it’s just a ride around the town or a ride to the La Garrucha from the plaza give one a go!
Stay At Europa Ecotours
After a long day of traveling, it is likely you’ll spend a night or two in Jardin! If not, then how will you be able to connect with all the beauty that this picturesque Colombian pueblo has to offer?
- Free WiFi
- Bicycle rental
- Amazing tours
If you want to room with a private bathroom and a nice view of the mountains, I found Europa Ecotours I great place! It’s close to the square and a Pizza restaurant which you also must try.
Here is another great recommendation for Jardin if looking for a more luxury style hotel or you feel like a rest from staying in hostels.
Jardin Travel Tips
See these travel tips for Jardin to ensure you have the best stay whether you’re on vacation, backpacking, or traveling with friends.
⤵️ Dan’s Travel Tips For Jardin:
- Wherever you go, always pack a water bottle for refills.
- Visit Café Macanas a coffee shop located close to the park, in an instagrammable place. Great coffee, cakes, drinks, and breakfast.
- You can find the various shops and coffee shops that accept Visa or Mastercard so if you find yourself running low on cash remember to use your card where possible.
- Book tours online or contact a travel agency recommended in your hotel. As mentioned earlier Europa Ecotours offers some great deals.
- Go up to Mirador de Cristo Rey. It’s about one hour from the park. You can contemplate a stunning view of mountains and the town.
- Before taking a ride on La Garrucha you can also visit Charco Corazón (Heart Pool). Instead of taking the return ride, walk for about 40 minutes on a path. Then, enjoy a dip in freshwater.
- Things to carry to Jardin include A pair of hiking shoes or boots, warm fleece or travel hoodie (it gets cold at night), carry Sun Screen and enough Colombian pesos to last the duration of your stay
- Carrying some insect repellent or a travel bug spray is a must, not just in Jardin but in Latin America. Especially if you go hiking.
- Travel on weekdays is always better, but staying on weekends has a good side: much more in terms of food and drinks at night.
- La Parrilla de mi Pueblo is a traditional restaurant with delicious food.
- Pack a travel powerbank or an extra battery for your camera or a high-quality portable charger for your phone.
- There’re stunning views and a lot of picturesque places you’ll want to capture. Don’t miss the opportunity because of the battery.
- When looking for other places to visit near Jardin, extend your trip to Jericó which will take you further back in time to Colombian village life.
- I always suggest bringing a journal notebook to register memories and thoughts. It’s a great way to be with yourself and be creative.
Jardin is a very popular place, not just with international tourists and backpackers in Colombia but with locals and Colombians.
From my travels to Jardin, I’ve noted some of my best tips in my South America travel budget of how I try to save pesos by looking for the Menu del dia amongst other tips and tricks to save money.
Got Travel Insurance for Jardin?
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Jardin, Colombia: Travel Guide
We have now come to the end of this Jardin, Colombia guide!
Jarin is for anyone looking to escape the big city and experience rural life in Colombia.
This is a destination that is not only popular with backpackers looking to get off the beaten track but very popular with Paisas who reside in Medellin looking for a weekend break or to visit family.
If you’ve not set off yet, see the best time to visit Colombia and let me know how you get on. Remember to try the coffee, even if you don’t consider yourself a coffee drinker, you may not live to regret it 🙂
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