Hello and welcome to this Jerico, Colombia travel guide.
Did you know Jericó is one of the unexplored towns in Antioquia?
Travelers visit for a dose of hospitality filled with history and heritage. Jerico is a low-key town with a welcoming smile on every street corner.
If you’re in Jardin and thinking of doing a side trip to Jerico, this guide gives you a list of things you’ll not want to miss on your visit.
Table of Contents
Jerico, Colombia: Travel Guide
So you may have visited Pueblito Paisa in Medellin but you’re yet to see it all. This is the creme de la creme of Antioquian towns in Colombia.
With Jerico being a relatively off-the-beaten-track location let’s look at how to get there before looking at what things to do in Jerico itself.
Medellin to Jerico
Getting to Jerico from Medellin is relatively easy! Just head over to Medellín’s South bus Terminal and you can get a direct bus without booking in advance (I recommend you do to get a good seat).
The bus or transporter cars usually leave once every hour or so! Sometimes I use sites like Redbus to book my tickets in advance.
My journey took around 6 hours with all the construction that was going-on on the roads during that time. It’s worth asking at the ticket booth the duration of the journey before you buy your ticket.
Also, if you get stuck behind the Mulas (the name for the trucks that transport goods), your arrival time WILL get extended.
Arriving here from Medellin you’ll more than likely endure a 4-5 hour bus ride, which if you have any experience with the roads in Colombia (especially on this route), you know is all swings and roundabouts.
There are many regeneration projects on the roads, so I’d say spend two nights here for a good run depending on what you want to do.
Things to do Jerico, Colombia
At first glance, you may look and ask yourself what is there to do here that is worth my precious time?
Cristo Redentor Jerico
The first thing you must do after dropping your bag off is head to the giant Jesus statue Cristo Redentor that towers over the village, you literally can not miss it.
With a 20 minute (uphill) walk from the main park, you feel a sense of achievement and have an instant postcard shot of the village of Jericó and its surrounding area.
It’s not a tuff walk, I promise, as a fast walker it took me 10-15 minutes.
This is a great introduction to one of Antioquia’s most preserved towns. If you can get here for sunset, then you are well in for a treat.
You’ll find a street vendor offering snacks etc. From the village in the evening, you’ll see the statue lights up which is worth stepping out for.
Hike to the Gardens
How is your Spanish going? Because if you ask any local they won’t hesitate to point you in the direction of the botanical gardens.
Not a botanical garden in the traditional sense, like the ones I’ve seen in other Latin American cities such as Buenos Aires or in Rio de Janeiro but more like a flower walk, or at least that how it starts out.
You can see both Cristo Redentor and the gardens on the walk; so do both during the morning then you won’t double back on yourself.
Visit Coffee Shops
Geeting a new opportunity to taste a new cup of Colombian coffee is one of the main reasons I visit these quaint villages in Colombia!
As a fan of Antioquia and the Paisa culture, I thought, why not seek out a fine cup of coffee while here?
With various options here, (not quite as many as Jardin) I managed to connect myself with a superior cup of coffee in Don Rafa’s place.
As you may know, I’ve been learning Spanish ever since the day I stepped foot in Central America back all those moons ago.
My goal with speaking Spanish is to connect with new people and cultures. The story of Don Rafa captivated me so I had to ask more.
As with most people from the Antioquia region, they’re keen to share their heritage and so I learned more by being able to ask questions in Spanish about the local Colombian coffee story.
Stay at Las Cometas
I’d got a recommendation from a local who had already stayed at this colorful establishment. Arriving at the large (colorfully) painted gate I was unsure if anyone was home at first.
A minute later I was greeted by a warm English (not Colombian) smile. To my surprise, I found out this hostel is run by a lady from the UK.
With authentic rooms (true to the materials) from the local region, the whole area is set up in a way that allows you to feel at home.
Las Cometas are doing BIG things: everything from teaching English/Spanish and offering volunteering options to visitors looking for different types of travel jobs that include free accommodation.
Everything a traveler could need under one roof. A short walk to the square plus all the tips you’ll need for Jerico and the surrounding area. There’s a cute patio area with hammocks and lovely people.
Souvenir Shopping
Did you know Jericó is a place that is known for specializing in leather goods? As you explore the street you’ll notice a handful of souvenir shops. Many of which sell leather bags known as Carriels.
Jericó is a great place to find authentic gifts at bargain prices, especially if you want to buy Colombian souvenirs for your family or friends.
People watching in the Plaza
One of my all-time favorite things to do in Colombia! People watching. Why? Because it helps me to gain perspective on my own life.
Seeing how people live in these well-preserved environments make-up part of my cultural travel and people studies which I oriental set out to do in Latin America from the start.
Get yourself to the park grab a chair or sit amongst the locals!
The idea is to just sit, observe, and forget about life in the city!
Contemplate life. Write in your travel journal maybe?
For me, it is one of the most rewarding things to do when backpacking Colombia because I don’t find myself doing this as much in the bigger cities such as Bogota or Medellin; due to the immense pace of life.
Jerico Travel Tips
Below is a list of travel tips for Jericó that I feel you can benefit from. On my next trip to Jerico, I will update this list with more information.
Jericó is a relatively off-the-beaten-track location in Colombia, you may find yourself feeling out of place here.
Don’t expect to see hoards of backpackers walking around like in Jardin or some of the other more popular places in Colombia.
⤵️ Dan’s Travel Tips For Jerico:
- Visit the Jardín Botánico Los Balsos (Botanical Garden), just walk a few blocks from the park to get there. It’s a small but lovely place, perfect to go in the mornings.
- Pack some insect repellent , sunscreen, sunhat, swimsuit, and some comfy hiking boots (you’ll need them if you’re going outside town).
- Ask for the tour cafetero at Café Don Rafa. You’ll visit a coffee farm, learn about the process and, of course, taste Don Rafa’s Coffee. For sure, an exceptional experience!
- Be sure to carry enough Colombian pesos to last your stay as it’s difficult to change money here.
- Las cometas isn’t the only place to stay in Jerico but when looking for a communal hotel with private rooms; it serves as a great base.
- If traveling from Jardín, you must get dropped off at Peñalisa, and wait for a bus to Jericó. I suggest you wait at Restaurante La Mayoría.
- You can head to the Jericó transport office to ask for bus times so you’ll know how long you need to wait for. No need to book a ticket back to Medellin or onwards travel in advance, however, if you’re leaving during peak times (or holidays) I suggest you do so.
- In some cases, there can be flooding nearby or natural disasters nearby which may put a halt to the public transport on this route, so take that into consideration as you plan your trip here.
- Check out a taller de guarnielería, which is the workshop that makes the carrieles. You can find different options in the tour office too.
- If you’re low on cash you’ll find one or two places i.e Don Rafa that accept Visa or Mastercard. Unlike more popular places such as Jardin, in Jerico, you’ll find fewer places that accept credit cards.
- Be sure to hike to Reserva Natural Las Nubes (The Clouds Natural Reserve). You will be able to see a panoramic view of the town and the spectacular mountains surrounded.
- Learn some basic Spanish conversation before you arrive. Not many people speak English, even in travel agencies. The most basic Spanish words and expressions will help you to survive.
- Some other things to carry include: your Passport (as with everywhere in Colombia), a hoodie or fleece (for those chill evenings).
- Visit Museums for a cultural experience and learn about history. I recommend go to Museo MAJA Antropología y Arte while you are here.
- You could always stay at the El Despertar Boutique Spa Hotel if you want to have a dream accommodation experience.
One of the great things about Jerico, Colombia is the lack of outsiders here. There is an official tourism office where you can get information about the local area and even other parts of the country.
It’s likely that you’ll spend a night or two here if you traveled from Medellin! If not then you’ll miss out on being able to really connect with all that this picturesque Colombian village has to offer.
I’ve noted some tips in my South America travel budget of how you can save money during your travel around Colombia; hopefully they can help you or a friend that is traveling on a budget.
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Jerico, Colombia: Travel Guide
I hope you enjoyed this Jerico guide and get the chance to visit.
In a relatively short space of time, we have managed to look at what things to do in Jerico, how to get there as well as some pretty interesting spots you can visit.
The weather can change here at any time so come prepared.
I’d say, for the most authentic experience, head to Jericó soon before all the crowds catch onto this Antioquian gem.
For more Colombia inspiration see my backpacking Colombia guide!
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