Jardín, Antioquia: Colombia's Most Beautiful Town

How to get there from Medellín

Buses leave from the Terminal del Sur, with Rápido Ochoa and Transporte Suroeste covering the route. There are about 9 daily departures, from 4:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. The trip takes around 3 hours and fares run about 42,000-46,000 COP.

The town

Jardín is part of Colombia's Heritage Towns Network: brightly colored colonial houses around a main square with one of the most photographed churches in southwestern Antioquia. Everything worth seeing is within a few blocks of the park.

Two different cable cars

The Cable Aéreo leaves from the end of Calle 8 and climbs to the Cristo Rey viewpoint, with views of the town and a café at the top. A round trip costs about 6,000 COP.

The Teleférico La Garrucha is a different experience: a wooden basket that glides over the river to a restaurant serving trout with a view. A round trip costs about 8,000 COP.

Andean cock-of-the-rock

Jardín is one of the best places in Colombia to see the Andean cock-of-the-rock, a bird with intense red plumage and a striking crest. The Jardín de Rocas reserve practically guarantees a sighting if you go during its most active hours: 6:00-7:30 a.m. or 4:00-5:30 p.m. Admission costs around 10,000 COP.

Coffee farms

Several farms near town offer tours through the coffee fields explaining the full process, from plant to cup, ending with a tasting. Worth booking a day ahead during high season.

Other activities

Paragliding, zip-lining, cloud forest hikes and guided bird and orchid watching outings for anyone staying more than a day.

Before you go

Transport prices and schedules change often: confirm before traveling, especially on long weekends or high season.