Jardín, Colombia Travel Guide: what to do and see?

Tucked away among the green mountains of Antioquia lies the village of Jardín. This idyllic spot, just a 3.5-hour drive from Medellín, is the favorite village in Colombia for many Colombians and foreign travelers alike. I’ve wanted to go to Jardín for years, and now I’ve finally made the trip from Bogotá. And now I can confirm it too: Jardín is amazing. Authentic, full of colorful houses, coffee plantations, waterfalls, an incredible number of birds, hiking trails, charming cafes, and delicious food. In this comprehensive travel guide, you’ll read everything you need to know about Jardín: from the most beautiful sights and walks to the best time to visit, restaurants, hotels and hostels, and how to get there.

Table of contents

A piece of history

The name Jardín literally means ‘garden,’ and when you visit the village, you immediately understand why. Everywhere you look, you see flowers, colorful facades, and green hills that surround the village like a natural garden.

Although the area had been inhabited by indigenous peoples for centuries, Jardín only officially came into existence in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Around 1863, settlers from Antioquia established themselves in this fertile mountain region during the so-called Colonización Antioqueña. During this period, many families moved from the north to the south of Antioquia to develop new agricultural areas.

In the beginning, the inhabitants lived mainly from agriculture and livestock; later, coffee cultivation grew into one of the most important sources of income. And you can still see dozens of coffee farms around Jardín where coffee has been grown for generations. Jardín is therefore a great place to visit a coffee farm.

Since 2012, Jardín has been part of the official Pueblos Patrimonio de Colombia: a selection of historical villages that receive extra protection because of their culture, architecture, and heritage.

I was a little afraid that Jardín, just like Salento, would be overwhelmed by tourism, but fortunately, Jardín is still truly a Colombian village where you can observe daily Colombian life.

Click here for Jardín on the map.

What is the climate like in Jardín?

Jardín is located at about 1,750 meters altitude in the Colombian Andes. Because of this, the climate is pleasant all year round. During the day, temperatures are between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, while it can cool down considerably in the evening. A sweater is therefore not an unnecessary luxury.

Jardín is located in the mountains in an incredibly green area. And it’s not green for nothing: it rains regularly, and that can be the case all year round. While there are differences between the dry and rainy seasons, expect that you could have a little rain at any moment.

Traveling in Colombia during the rainy season is something I personally don’t mind at all. In Colombia, it can rain at any time anyway. You mostly just need a bit of luck with the climate in Colombia.

If you plan on hiking in Jardín, it is advisable to at least bring a raincoat and waterproof hiking boots.

How many days do you need for Jardín?

There is so much to do in and around Jardín; besides that, it’s also just really nice to truly experience this place. And although there are travelers who visit Jardín on a day trip from Medellín, I would definitely not recommend that.

I stayed in Jardín for 6 nights myself, and I found 6 nights to be absolutely perfect for a first visit. This way, you get to know the village well, you can enjoy the delicious food, the sights, and nature, and you also have time to just rest for a bit.

Are you going for one day? Then you’ll have time to explore the center and grab something to eat. Maybe a short visit somewhere in nature. But one day is really not enough to see Jardín.

With two days, you have a bit more time to go for a walk and visit the village. Or perhaps to visit a coffee farm.

If you go for three days or more, you can see and do much more. Bird watching, trying out multiple restaurants, going to waterfalls, visiting a coffee farm or a cocoa plantation, and simply experiencing Jardín.

My advice? I love slow travel and would stay at least 3 nights in Jardín, but if you have more time, definitely stay longer. It’s also quite a detour on your route through Colombia, so it’s a shame if you don’t take a bit of time for it.

What is the best time to visit Jardín?

You can visit Jardín all year round, but it’s good to keep a few things in mind.

I always travel in Colombia outside of the high season (read all about Colombian holidays here); the rainy season or dry season, on the other hand, doesn’t matter much to me.

The most popular months are December and January, Semana Santa, all puentes, and from late June through late August. If you don’t like mass tourism, avoid these periods.

As in all of Colombia, it can always rain, especially in mountain villages like Jardín. Whether you go in the dry or rainy season. If you’d rather minimize the chance of rain as much as possible, read here about traveling in Colombia in the rainy season.

I visited Jardín in mid-June and yes, we had some rain too. But also plenty of sun. I wasn’t bothered by the rain for a moment, as it also provided fantastic views with rainbows. As far as tourism goes, it was very quiet during this time, which I personally find much more important.

How do you get to Jardín?

Jardín is located in the southwest of the department of Antioquia, about 130 kilometers from Medellín. Due to the winding mountain roads, it takes about three and a half to four hours from Medellín.

Jardín is quite remote and not all roads leading to Jardín are equally good. That’s also why it took me so long to make the trip from Bogotá. The easiest way to Jardín is via Medellín. But there are more ways.

By bus to Jardín from Medellín

Most travelers to Jardín depart from Medellín. Buses run several times a day to Jardín from Terminal del Sur, taking about 3.5 hours (it can be a bit faster or slower, depending on traffic and weather).

You can buy a bus ticket at the bus station, or in advance online. I bought our bus tickets in advance via Busbud with the bus company Rapido Ochoa.

By bus from Salento or the coffee region

Many travelers combine Jardín with Salento or Filandia. There are various bus connections, where you always have to transfer one or more times along the way. So keep a longer travel time in mind in this case.

There is a bus from Salento to Riosucio, to take the chiva to Jardín from there. This is an adventurous route over a road that isn’t great, which will keep you busy for about 8 to 9 hours.

An alternative is to travel to Medellín first and then on to Jardín. In that case, I would advise you to stay a night in Medellín before traveling further.

With a rental car

You can also rent a car, which is a great way to discover the surroundings of Jardín right away. The road between Medellín and Jardín is fine to drive yourself, but drive more carefully if there is a lot of rain.

Around Jardín, you’ll encounter many unpaved roads; also to some hotels, such as Glamping Jardín where we stayed, you have to drive over a road that isn’t very good. So it’s best to rent a car that can handle that.

You can rent a car in Colombia here, and read everything about driving and renting in Colombia here.

Hotels and hostels in Jardín

Although you’ll find many hotels and hostels in Jardín, it’s also very nice to stay outside the village. The surroundings are so incredibly beautiful that you can enjoy them much more outside the village.

We stayed for 6 nights at Glamping Jardín, and I can tell you: that is truly a spectacular experience.

As you wake up among the coffee beans and walk out of your tent, you have an amazing view over the green mountains surrounding Jardín. You have breakfast among many colorful birds with a view over the mountains as well, and in no time, you’re in Jardín by tuk-tuk or taxi.

Really, Glamping Jardín is like a dream. I can recommend it to everyone.

Would you rather stay in a hostel, hotel, or in Jardín itself? Then click here for hostels in Jardín and here for hotels in Jardín.

What to see and do in Jardín? The 13 best sights & things to do

You certainly won’t be bored in Jardín: there is plenty to do and see. Not only in the village itself but also outside of it. Because as soon as you walk out of the colorful center, you’re right in the middle of coffee plantations, waterfalls, and mountains.

1. Parque El Libertador

Upon arrival in Jardín, you’ll quickly find yourself at the central square, Parque El Libertador: the heart of Jardín.

Surrounding the square are colorful colonial houses with wooden balconies, cozy cafes, and restaurants. On the square itself are the famous brightly colored wooden chairs, which have become almost as iconic as Jardín itself.

Order a cup of local coffee, take a seat on one of the colorful chairs, and watch daily life pass you by. Colombia doesn’t get much more authentic than this.

Click here for Parque El Libertador on the map.

2. Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción

On the central square stands the imposing Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción. This neo-Gothic church, built from natural stone, towers high above the village and is visible from afar.

3. Get lost in the colorful streets

Perhaps the best thing you can do in Jardín costs absolutely nothing: just walking around and getting happily lost.

Almost every street looks like it came straight out of a postcard. The whitewashed houses are painted in bright colors and decorated with wooden doors, colorful window frames, and plants.

Walk through the colorful streets without a plan, take a side road every now and then, and discover hidden squares, local shops, and charming eateries.

4. Take a ride on the historic Garrucha

One of the most unique attractions in Jardín is the Garrucha. This is a cable car that was originally built to transport people and agricultural products to the other side of the valley. The small cabin hangs from a steel cable and is still operated in the traditional way.

The crossing only takes a few minutes, but along the way, you have a beautiful view of the village and the surrounding mountains.

I didn’t actually use the cable car myself. We preferred to walk, and I didn’t find the idea of an old cabin hanging from a cable very appealing, even though it’s quite popular among travelers.

You can find the cable car here.

5. Climb to the Mirador Cristo Rey

Mirador Cristo Rey is known as the most beautiful view over Jardín, but I’m not sure if I agree with that.

I especially found the walk there very beautiful. When we arrived at the white statue of Christ, Cristo Rey, everything was closed, so we couldn’t get into the restaurant with that beautiful view.

Still, the walk is recommended; more on that later in the article.

Once at the top, you look out over the red roofs of Jardín, the basilica, the green mountains, and the vast coffee fields. Along the way, you’ll encounter many birds and beautiful views.

You can find Mirador Cristo Rey here on the map.

6. Hike to the Cueva del Esplendor

The Cueva del Esplendor (Cave of Splendor) is one of the most famous sights in Jardín.

A spectacular waterfall that plunges dozens of meters down through an opening in the ceiling. When the sun shines in at the right moment, an almost magical spectacle of light, water, and mist is created.

The trek to the cave is at least as beautiful as the destination itself. You hike through green hills, past coffee fields, streams, and small farms.

How do you get to the Cueva del Esplendor?

You can get there by jeep from Jardín, which drops you off at a nearby finca. From there, you hike to the cave. Depending on the chosen route, the hike takes about one to one and a half hours one way.

From Glamping Jardín, you can also hike there in about 2 hours. Read everything about a visit to the Cueva del Esplendor and how to get there here.

Even though we stayed in Jardín for 6 nights, we skipped the cave due to other activities. A good reason to come back, then.

7. Visit a cocoa plantation near Jardín

I’ve already visited many plantations in Colombia, but a cocoa plantation was still missing from the list. That’s why I thought it was extra fun to do a cocoa tour from Jardín.

During Alejo’s Cacao Tour, you learn everything about, yes, cocoa. From cocoa bean to chocolate. Incredibly interesting.

The tour begins on the plantation where cocoa grows. Here you learn all about cocoa trees and taste what a cocoa bean (the seed in that characteristic fruit of the cocoa tree) tastes like. Not like you would expect, I can tell you.

Afterwards, the enthusiastic guide takes you to the section where chocolate is made from it. And you’re going to follow this path yourself too. So you’re going to roast, peel, and grind the cocoa beans into chocolate. To eventually make your own bonbons from them.

All that while enjoying a delicious cup of hot chocolate from their own garden.

It was incredibly interesting and fun to do, and the homemade chocolates came in handy throughout the trip.

You can’t just drop by Alejo’s Cacao Tour; you have to book in advance. In our case, Glamping Jardín arranged everything, including our pickup. But you can also walk into any random travel agency in Jardín and arrange a cocoa tour there.

8. Do a bee tour and become a beekeeper for a day

Another must-do in Jardín: a bee tour at a bee farm in Jardín. Incredibly fun to do and also a bit exciting being among the bees.

Suit up in a bright yellow beekeeper’s jumpsuit and go with the beekeeper to the hives. Here you learn everything about bees and the dynamics between the Queen, the Workers, and the Drones. Who does what? Who does the hard work? And who is the boss of the colony?

Besides the bees we all know, there are many more types of bees, and you’ll discover those during the bee tour as well. Tour de Abejas Jardín, where we did the tour, has saved several natural hives from destruction. They now do their work in peace on their bee farm.

You also taste different types of honey and learn how to recognize real, pure honey (spoiler: unfortunately, you can never really know for sure).

We walked from Glamping Jardín in about 40 minutes to the bee tour, which they arranged for us. However, there is also a lot of advertising for bee tours in Jardín, so you can easily arrange a tour to the beekeeper in Jardín as well.

9. Visit a coffee plantation in Jardín

Around Jardín are several coffee farms where you can see how coffee grows, is harvested, and eventually ends up in your cup. During a tour, you learn everything about the production process: from planting the coffee bushes to drying, roasting, and tasting the beans.

The nice thing is that many fincas are still family businesses. This gives you a personal look into the lives of the coffee farmers.

Even if you’re not a coffee drinker (like me).

I didn’t do this tour myself, as I’ve already visited many coffee plantations in the Colombian coffee region before. But I can tell you that a coffee tour in Colombia is always a lot of fun!

You don’t have to look far for coffee in Jardín, anyway; here at Glamping Jardín, for example, you literally sleep among the coffee beans.

10. Spot the Andean Cock-of-the-rock in Jardín de Rocas nature park

A short walk from Jardín, you’ll find the Reserva Natural Jardín de Rocas. This has been a popular spot for years to spot the Andean Cock-of-the-rock.

We were very hesitant about whether or not we wanted to go here. After looking at many reviews, we eventually decided to skip this place. Especially when it comes to animals, I prefer parks where the animals are not fed and where they are disturbed by humans as little as possible.

That’s why we chose another nature park (see number 11). Here we also saw the Andean Cock-of-the-rock in the wild, though we couldn’t take any good photos. But it was certainly special!

Do you want to go to Jardín de Rocas? The park is open every day from 3 PM to 6 PM.

You can find Jardín de Rocas on the map here.

11. Birdwatching in Reserva Los Guácharos (oilbirds)

Instead of Jardín de Rocas, we visited the Reserva Los Guácharos. This is a small-scale park in the backyard of a family who discovered years ago that oilbirds (Guácharos) live there.

And that is special, because the oilbird normally lives in dark caves, but here about 20 of them live on a steep rock face.

To see the oilbird (and many more bird species), you can only enter the park with a guide. It’s a beautiful short walk down, where we also spotted young ones in the rock (see the photos).

At one point, you come to a suspension bridge that you have to cross with a harness to get to the oilbirds.

Tip: bring good hiking shoes and a raincoat; even if it’s not raining, you’ll get wet here.

Once on the other side of the bridge, you come to a small waterfall where you see the oilbirds on the rock—an amazing experience. And while you’re standing there enjoying nature, you see many more bird species pass by. Including the Andean Cock-of-the-rock.

So you can only visit the park with a guide, and there is only one time a day for that. A maximum of 6 people can go per walk, and allow about 1 to 2 hours for it. To be sure of a spot, it’s best to make a reservation, also to know what time is possible. Reservations can be made in English or Spanish. Book the walk in Reserva Los Guácharos here.

A walk is also possible for photographers, birdwatchers, or people who simply want more time. That one starts very early in the morning and lasts longer. For that, too, you contact the park.

There are Spanish- and English-speaking guides.

I found it a very beautiful experience; we saw so many beautiful birds and learned a lot. Not with hordes of other tourists, but in total peace. This park is highly recommended.

You can find Reserva Los Guácharos on the map here.

12. Horseback riding in Jardín

You can also go horseback riding very well in the mountains near Jardín. A fun way to discover the surroundings in a traditional way.

Horses still play an important role in the daily lives of many residents. During a trip, you ride over old mountain paths, past rivers, coffee fields, and small farms that are hardly accessible by car.

If you book a horseback riding trip in Jardín, make sure the horses are well cared for. Finca Carrizales is well known for their horseback riding tours, which you can book there. You can find more information about their horseback riding tours here (look under Cabalgata).

13. 7-Waterfalls hike

There is a famous 4.5-hour hike from Jardín that leads you past 7 waterfalls. Quite a tough hike that is best done with a guide.

We didn’t do this hike because it was closed at the time of our visit and also at the time of writing, due to climate and safety issues. But it’s possible the hike will be open again when you are there.

Read all about the 7-waterfalls hike in Jardín here.

Hiking routes from Jardín

As you’ve read by now, Jardín is a true hiking paradise. From the village or in the surrounding area, you can do miles of hikes into nature. We did two very beautiful hikes where we saw many stunning birds, waterfalls, and beautiful views.

1. A 7.6km hike to Mirador Cristo Rey and the La Escalera waterfall

This hike starts from Jardín to the Mirador Cristo Rey, to walk up from there over a beautiful narrow old path. At one point, you come to a wider road from which you have fantastic views. We saw so many beautiful birds; it was truly impressive.

At the end, you come to a bend with a small road going up. Follow that road to arrive at the La Escalera waterfall. In our case, there was no one there at that moment, but I suspect it’s quite busy on the weekends. If you’re looking for peace, do the walk on a weekday.

From the waterfall, you walk back to the road and continue down. Along the way, you’ll pass my favorite restaurant in Jardín: Revolución Bananera. A fantastically good vegetarian restaurant.

It was a very beautiful hike that took us about 2 hours longer than the 2 hours it’s supposed to take. Simply because of bird watching and enjoying the beautiful flowers, plants, and views.

Click here for the walking route.

2. The Ruta de la Herrera to Rio Volcanes (4.5km)

The second walk is a bit shorter and starts in Jardín at the beautiful Ruta de la Herrera. Along the way, you pass several waterfalls, including the Cascada del Amor and the Cascada del Deseo.

At one point, you come to a bridge over the Rio Volcanes. Before you hike further, it’s nice to first walk to the Charco, especially on weekdays when there are few or no people.

It’s also nice to find a beautiful spot along the river to sit for a bit when you resume the route.

On the way up the hill, you’ll pass all kinds of walking paths (they aren’t on the route). Here we found a few very beautiful birds.

You walk up via some hairpin bends to eventually end up on a straighter road. Along that road, you’ll find the restaurant Mirador la Herrerita, with a beautiful view over Jardín and the mountains.

The route stops further on, but we walked back to Jardín from there. You’ll then also pass Jardín de Rocas.

Click here for the walking route.

Here on All Trails, you’ll find many more hikes around Jardín.

The best coffee shops in Jardín

Jardín is overflowing with charming coffee shops. In colorful houses with nice terraces where you can sit and watch daily life. We visited a different coffee shop every day, and these are our favorite coffee shops in Jardín.

1. Café Alto de las Flores

We went to Café Alto de las Flores no less than 3 times; it’s not for nothing that it’s number one. I don’t drink coffee, and besides delicious coffee, they also have very good fresh tea here. You don’t find that everywhere here in Colombia.

You can also have a nice lunch here (the vegetarian sandwich is recommended) and just sit comfortably. Also truly top-notch service.

You can find Café Alto de las Flores on the map here.

2. Cocoa Café Frances

Cocoa is a favorite not because of the coffee, but because of the best ice cream in Jardín that they sell here. The ice cream cones are freshly baked and are truly delicious. If you’re in the mood for good homemade ice cream: Cocoa is the place.

Click here for Cocoa on the map.

3. Colectores

Colectores is a very nice cafe with a large garden where you can sit comfortably. The coffee, fruit juices, and food are all delicious here. The music is nice and the atmosphere is good. Recommended.

You can find Colectores on the map here.

4. Café Macanas

You’ll find Café Macanas just to the left of the cathedral on the central square. It’s a beautiful cafe full of color, good food, hot chocolate, and great coffee. If you like special places, this is definitely one to visit.

Click here for Café Macanas on the map.

5. Chabola

Exactly opposite Macanas, on the other side of the square, you’ll find Chabola. A cute little place where you can sit outside and with a photogenic interior. Here you can drink delicious coffee and tea, and don’t forget the tasty pastries either.

You can find Chabola on the map here.

Restaurants in Jardín

In Jardín, besides nice cafes, you’ll also find many good restaurants. We only ate out for lunch and even made something small in the shared kitchen of Glamping Jardín in the evening. In Colombia, the main meal is during lunch.

And as vegetarians, we also specifically looked for restaurants that have good vegetarian food. Here are my favorite restaurants in Jardín.

1. Revolución Bananera

What delicious food! A restaurant just outside Jardín (you can easily walk it), tucked away among the mountains, and completely vegetarian.

Original dishes, a very nice atmosphere, and just really delicious. Even if you’re not a vegetarian, you really shouldn’t miss this restaurant.

Click here for Revolución Bananera on the map.

2. El Jardín de Jardín

Although they also have meat dishes here, this is also the spot for vegetarians and vegans in Jardín. It’s a wonderful place to sit, among green plants and colorful decorations. The food is very tasty and varied, truly recommended.

You can find El Jardín de Jardín on the map here.

3. Café Alto de las Flores

Although Café Alto de las Flores is actually a coffee shop, you can also have a very good lunch here. Especially if you don’t want a huge meal. They have delicious freshly made sandwiches and other small dishes here. Don’t forget the chocolate bars and the delicious fresh tea and coffee.