With all the nightlife, cultural experiences, and energy of this vibrant city, Medellín is an exhilarating ride—but when you’re ready for a change of pace, the picturesque Antioquian countryside is waiting for you just outside of town. Swim, hike, and sample coffee to your heart’s content with these great day trips from Medellín.
## Discover the Treasures Beyond Medellín
Medellín, the vibrant heart of Colombia and its second-largest city, thrives nestled within the embrace of the Aburrá Valley, a verdant sanctuary cradled by the majestic Andes Mountains. As a bustling metropolis, Medellín boasts a captivating array of attributes: a dynamic nightlife scene, a diverse selection of multicultural restaurants, and a wealth of fascinating museums that cater to every interest. While spending a week or two immersed in the city’s vibrant culture and captivating experiences is undoubtedly rewarding, you might find yourself yearning for a tranquil escape, a chance to reconnect with nature, and a slower pace of life. The perfect solution? A rejuvenating day trip to explore the breathtaking landscapes and charming towns that lie just beyond the city limits.
The surrounding Antioquian countryside is a masterpiece of natural beauty, a panorama so stunning it could grace the cover of any postcard. Rolling hills, lush valleys, and towering peaks create a breathtaking backdrop for a wide array of attractions, quaint colonial towns steeped in history, and pristine natural parks brimming with opportunities for adventure. When you feel the need to escape the urban bustle of the big city for a day or two, the region surrounding Medellín offers an abundance of options. To assist you in planning your escape, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite destinations, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience. These locations provide the perfect antidote to city life, allowing you to recharge your batteries and create lasting memories.
## Río Claro Reserva Natural: A Sanctuary of Serenity
Every weekend, scores of Paisas, the proud inhabitants of Medellín and the wider Antioquia region, embark on a three-hour journey southeast along the Medellín-Bogotá highway, their destination the captivating Río Claro Reserva Natural. Here, they discover a sanctuary of pure refreshment, a natural park where crystalline waters beckon and tranquility reigns supreme. The river, a serpentine marvel that meanders through the landscape, is not merely a sight to behold; it’s an invitation to adventure. A host of activities await in and around the Río Claro, promising an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Imagine yourself relaxing with a cold beer while gently floating down the river on an inner tube, or perhaps embarking on a family-friendly river-rafting excursion, navigating the gentle Class 1 rapids beneath a canopy of hanging vines. Keep a watchful eye on the riverbanks, where curious howler monkeys often observe the passing adventurers, adding a touch of wild wonder to the experience. For the more adventurous souls, an opportunity to indulge your inner spelunker awaits with a guided hiking and caving tour to the legendary Cueva de los Guacharos. This subterranean world is home to countless nesting Guácharo birds, their presence adding an ethereal quality to the already mesmerizing cave system. As you swim from one underground pool to another, you’ll be enveloped in the cool, damp air, surrounded by the sounds of dripping water and the calls of the nocturnal birds, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.
Within the reserve, you’ll find three distinct lodging options, each catering to different preferences and budgets. Choose from a fort-like refuge, an eco-lodge that blends seamlessly with the natural environment, or a family-friendly hotel complete with a playground for the little ones. Be prepared to disconnect from the digital world, as the environment here is refreshingly free of creature comforts like Wi-Fi and televisions, encouraging you to fully immerse yourself in the surrounding nature. The absence of these modern distractions is a deliberate choice, reflecting the reserve’s commitment to preserving its pristine character and fostering a deep connection with the natural world. The Río Claro has been privately owned for generations, and the current owners are fiercely dedicated to protecting their pristine oasis, promoting conservation, and fostering a back-to-basics nature experience for all who visit. However, the allure of this natural paradise has not gone unnoticed. Big hotel chains have made exorbitant offers to acquire the property, and nearby mining projects threaten to desecrate the landscape. These projects involve dynamiting entire sections of the pristine marble cliffs that define the region, raising concerns that the unspoiled beauty of Río Claro may not remain untouched forever. So, don’t delay – seize the opportunity to experience this extraordinary place before it changes forever.
To reach the Río Claro Reserva Natural, take a bus from Terminal Norte, conveniently located at the Caribé Metro stop, one of the two main bus terminals in Medellín. The journey is an experience in itself, offering glimpses of the stunning Antioquian countryside.
## Hacienda Napoles: A Journey Through History and Nature
For a truly unique and unforgettable day trip, consider combining a visit to the Río Claro with a trip to Hacienda Napoles, the former estate of the infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar. Imagine spending the morning bathing in the clear river waters of Río Claro, followed by a short bus ride to the sprawling manor where Escobar once held court. Today, Hacienda Napoles is no longer a symbol of Antioquia’s violent past. It has been transformed into a restored property that functions as both a theme park and a zoo, reflecting Escobar’s well-known fascination with exotic animals. Following Escobar’s demise, the animals roamed the countryside, and the African hippos even began to breed, establishing a thriving population along the nearby Magdalena River.
You can observe these remarkable hippos, along with giraffes, Bengal tigers, zebras, and rhinos, in the official zoo located within the Hacienda Napoles complex. For an extra dose of excitement, explore “Aventura Jurásica,” a dedicated area featuring recreated dinosaur exhibits that will transport you back to the prehistoric era. While the transformation of Hacienda Napoles is remarkable, it’s impossible to completely erase the legacy of Pablo Escobar. Reminders of the past remain, such as the single-prop Piper aircraft perched atop the front gate, and the swimming pool where the tiles have been smashed by treasure hunters hoping to find one of Pablo’s mythical stashes of narco-dollars.
## Jardín: A Colonial Gem in the Andes
Colombia boasts a wealth of well-preserved colonial towns, particularly in the Antioquia region. Currently, Salento, nestled in the heart of the renowned coffee triangle, is a popular destination, and rightfully so. Its picturesque landscapes and opportunities for nature excursions make it an irresistible draw for travelers. However, if you’re seeking a day trip to a relatively undiscovered *pueblito* (small town), make sure to include Jardín on your itinerary. Located three hours south of Medellín, with buses departing from Terminal Sur at the Poblado Metro stop, the journey to Jardín is an adventure in itself. The route winds through some of the steepest sections of the Andes, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Eventually, you’ll reach the plateau upon which Jardín sits, nestled amidst rolling green hills dotted with banana and passion fruit crops, creating a verdant tapestry that stretches as far as the eye can see.
This charming town, with its population of just under 14,000 residents, offers a tranquil escape from the relentless bustle of Medellín. Consider staying at a local hacienda, where you can soak in the stunning views of the surrounding hills and the numerous rivers that meander through the landscape. Be sure to indulge in the delectable jams and sweets at the local confectioner, Dulces de Jardín, where you’ll find a wide array of flavors, including maracuyá (passion fruit) and rose petal, among countless others. A must-do activity in Jardín is taking one of the rickety cable cars that ascend to lookout points on either side of town. From these vantage points, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside, offering a unique perspective on the region’s natural beauty. To fully appreciate the town’s well-preserved colonial character, take a leisurely stroll through the cobbled plaza, dominated by the twin steeples of the Neo-gothic Templo Parroquial de la Inmaculada Concepción, the town’s main church. If you happen to be in Jardín on a weekend night, you’ll be treated to a spectacle as local cowboys ride into the plaza and perform impressive equestrian stunts, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.
## El Peñol and Guatapé: A Symphony of Scenery and Charm
This is one of the most popular excursions from Medellín, and with good reason. If you embark on this two-hour trip east of Medellín, with buses departing from Terminal Norte, you’ll get a fantastic two-for-one experience. You can not only witness the majestic granite rock formation known as El Peñol, but also sneak in a visit to the adjacent village of Guatapé. The town itself is a character, colorful and quaint, bustling with wildly painted moto-taxis that illuminate the night.
Both the town and the rock are situated on the shores of a famous lake, or rather, a reservoir called the Embalse Peñol de Guatape. Its pristine jade waters wind like octopus tentacles through the countryside, and the green islets that rise from the water resemble something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. For the ultimate vantage point, climb the 649 stairs carved into the side of the rock. The journey up is so narrow and vertical that you’ll feel as though you’re scaling a sheer rock face. It’s undoubtedly a brisk workout, but the reward is well worth the effort: breathtaking 360-degree views of the stunning Antioquian countryside and the aforementioned lake. To celebrate your achievement, treat yourself to a mango michelada, arguably Colombia’s greatest alcoholic refreshment.
## Santa Fe de Antioquia: A Colonial Capital with Tropical Charm
Santa Fe de Antioquia is another charming small town, with a population of approximately 23,000, located at a lower altitude than Medellín in the Cauca River Valley. As a result, it enjoys a more tropical climate, making it ideal for sunbathing and swimming. Here, you’ll find numerous *fincas* and *haciendas*, retreats featuring shimmering pools that cater to the Paisas who visit town on weekends for a little rest and relaxation. You can reach Santa Fe de Antioquia by bus from Terminal Sur in Poblado.
But Santa Fe de Antioquia also possesses a rich colonial history, as evidenced by the Catedral Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcíon de Santa Fe, the neoclassical cathedral that fronts the town’s Plaza Mayor. It stands as the crown jewel of one of the most beautiful plazas in the entire region. The town itself was founded in 1541, and for nearly three centuries it served as the capital of Antioquia Department until Medellín replaced it in 1826. The cobbled streets and colonial grandeur that make Santa Fe de Antioquia such an idyllic place to visit led to its designation as a National Monument of Colombia in 1960, a testament to its historical and cultural significance.
B-372