Jardin: A Guide to the Best Colonial Town in Colombia
Jardin is a quiet colonial town in Colombia, not that far from Medellin, which hasn't been discovered by many travelers yet. Read our travel guide to Jardin, one of the best pueblos in South America, including the best things to do, top activities, must-visit places, tips on where to stay, how to get, or safety advice.
In translation, the Spanish word ‘jardin’ means garden. To be honest, after a few days we spent in Jardin, we cannot imagine a better name for this small pueblo nestled in a wonderful landscape of the Antioquia department.
It really is a garden. Peaceful, quiet, visual.
People do not travel to Jardin because of a huge amount of the best things to do. Jardin attracts just a certain type of travelers.
Those who seek authentic atmosphere, quality coffee culture, great views, and those who appreciate the possibility to wander cobblestone streets freely with camera in hand, looking independently for tiny details that can be easily overlooked by those in a hurry.
Colombia is a diverse country that has been lately popular among travelers because it offers a well-balanced mix of vast national parks, historically significant places, wild beaches, but also colorful colonial towns.
It has many top destinations that you should have on your Colombia travel itinerary, and nowadays, Jardin is one of them.
JARDIN, COLOMBIA: A HIDDEN GEM
Not that long time ago, Jardin, which is often nicknamed the most beautiful colonial town in Colombia (same as Barichara or Guatape), was one of the best-kept secrets.
Only a few travelers made it to this town, where it seems that the time stopped years ago.
Even though Jardin has recently gained popularity as one of the must-visit places 'off the Gringo Trail', you should not worry.
The spirit did not change, and we still think it is one of the most beautiful pueblos worth visiting.
In this blog post, we would like to inspire you to visit Jardin independently.
After a few busy days in Medellin, we arrived in Jardin, and it was a welcomed stopover before heading to the famous Zona Cafetera featuring the top attractions such as Salento, Cocora Valley, or Los Nevados National Park.
If you think you might need a short break during your Colombia trip, keep on reading.
This travel guide includes tips on spending your time in Jardin, altogether with practical tips on where to stay, how to get, or when to visit.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN JARDIN
We like towns such as Jardin. As there are not many top attractions and places a traveler can't miss, we feel that we spend our time here in a more relaxed manner, but it does not mean there are no activities to choose from.
It is just more laidback.
We know that we'll be able to see the best of the town in a day or two, and we also feel more creative as we can search for photogenic houses or abandoned streets without a guidebook in hand.
Jardin's small-town feel invites visitors to wander its streets, sit on the main plaza and drink coffee, watch locals, and admire their cowboy-like outfits.
But one of the reasons to visit the town is also discovering the unique fauna and flora or spending time actively in the nearby hills.
No matter what is your favorite way of spending your free time, one thing is clear - you will have an amazing experience in Jardin.
To plan your time, read more about what you can do in Jardin.
WATCH LOCAL LIFE
Frankly, we never considered watching people in an unknown town as an activity. But we could not but notice how local people enjoy their life.
Since we arrived in Jardin from Medellin, we noticed that there is something different.
When we arrived at the main plaza, the first impression was that this town must be full of people who know how to enjoy their free time.
The Jardin's square boasts of coffee houses, every coffee house has its own colorfully hand-painted chairs and tables outside set throughout the plaza.
And what is the most interesting, any time of the day we came, tables were usually taken by locals enjoying their cup(s) of coffee.
It was just so different from our every-day fast-paced environment that we found amusing just to sit on the square and enjoy the vibe.
Quickly, we realized that our pace slowed down as well.
In only a short time after our arrival, we caught ourselves sitting in the coffee house on the plaza, chatting, sipping coffee, and idly killing time.
And we absolutely loved it!
EXPLORE COLORFUL COLONIAL STREETS OF JARDIN
Grab your camera and set off to explore Jardin's architecture.
The best thing about Jardin is that the town is so small you don't need any transport as everything is conveniently located near the plaza and you can get everywhere on foot.
During our travels, we visited quite many beautiful colonial towns in Colombia, which were supposed to be the prettiest or the most colorful.
Still, Jardin instantly became our favorite one, although it is not on the front pages of travel magazines.
Enjoy a leisure stroll in streets leading from the main square.
Of course, you can't miss Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a neo-gothic style church standing on the square, which we found disproportionate to Jardin's size as it seemed to be too big for such a cute town.
Jardin is much more rustic than, for example, Villa de Leyva.
You won't find museums and exhibitions here, but it is actually what we found so captivating here - the often sought-after simplicity.
HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE
It is hard to resist. Everyone in Jardin drinks coffee; the smell of the delicious drink is wafting from every corner, and it is impossible to avoid it.
Although we are usually tea persons, Jardin was the place where we tried the first quality Colombian coffee for the first time. It was actually great training before traveling to Zona Cafetera.
For the best coffee in the town, go to Cafe Macanas.
Of course, it is a sensitive topic as everyone has a specific taste, so drink your way around the town and leave us the name of your top coffee house in the comment section.
If you don't have time to visit Jardin, you should visit at least the more famous Salento, also known as a coffee destination (and gateway to Cocora Valley).
VISIT A COFFEE FARM
Coffee plays a major role in this region's culture, and it is something you should not take lightly.
The best way to see the hard work and the whole process from the bean to cup is to take a coffee farm tour where you can learn more.
If you are a coffee lover, this is a must-do activity. And if you haven't found your way to this hot beverage, you might start the journey here in Jardin.
RIDE LA GARRUCHA CABLE CAR
Jardin is set in a hilly landscape, and to get beautiful views of the town and its surroundings, you can either hike up or take one of two cable cars that will take you to viewpoints above the town.
The newer cable car Cable Aereo Jardin didn't seem to work when we visited Jardin.
The station can be found on Calle 8 and will take you to a mirador, but you can also opt for hiking to the top of the hill on your own.
The second cable car La Garrucha is the old, more traditional one, and we found it super-photogenic, and the ride was also a lot of fun. The one-way ride cost 3 500 COP.
The cable car ends in the restaurant on the hill, and even though the views are great, more interesting is the cable car itself.
La Garrucha is basically a wooden box that can fit up to 5 people, and it was originally built by a local who wanted to get from his house sitting on the slopes to the town more conveniently.
What a completely different experience from a riding modern cable car in Manizales!
The ride is not for the fainthearted but is worth it.
JARDIN BIRD WATCHING
Jardin is a place where you can spot Gallitos de Rocas, alias cock-of-the-rock birds.
Large birds native to South America are flamboyant and very hard to miss because of their bright red color and unique shape of the head and crest (those are males, females are the opposite, brownish and unostentatious).
To see those birds, go to Reserva Natural Jardin de Rocas.
The entrance fee is 10 000 COP, and the opening hours are 6 AM - 7:30 AM and 4 PM - 5:30 PM as birds are most active early in the morning and later in the afternoon.
To get there, walk Calle 9 to the river, but do not cross the yellow bridge. Instead, turn right downhill, and in about 50 meters, you will reach the gate to the natural reserve.
Here lives a lady who let us in, and in case she is not around, you can try to make some noise letting her know you're there, or there is a phone number you can reach her at and ask her to open the door for you.
There are few viewing platforms in the garden where you can patiently and quietly wait for Gallitos de Rocas.
Binoculars or guides are not that needed, but for better photos, consider bringing a telephoto lens.
There is also an online form where you can make a reservation.
But we filled out the form last minute and did not receive any answer, and there was no problem that we showed up without a reservation.
You can also book a bird watching with a guide in this very reserve.
It is cheap, and you will learn more about Gallitos de Rocas and other species.
HIKE AROUND JARDIN
We decided to take only a short hike to the Mirador Cristo Rey (can be reached by a newer cable car when it works) standing above Jardin.
The hike in green and lush hills around Jardin was a pleasant one, and although the trail was sometimes muddy, the round trip took us only about 2.5 hours.
The trail is not very well-signposted, but you won't get lost.
The best way how to stay on the trail is to have an app Maps.me. From the intersection of Calle 13 and Carrera 2, head down and cross the bridge over creek Paraisa.
On another crossing, stay left, and after approximately 200 meters, turn left. There is a restaurant. Follow the narrow path leading uphill.
The muddy path zig-zags uphill, and you'll soon emerge on the wider road. Here turn left again and follow the road. In a few minutes, you'll see a wooden sign, Cristo Rey, so walk to the left.
To get back to Jardin, you can either return the same way or from Mirador, when facing Jardin, walk down the trail on your left.
It is a narrow path, and approximately in the middle, you can walk straight down or turn right.
We chose the right path, had to cross one private property with a barking dog (luckily on a leash), and arrived in Jardin on the corner of Calle 11 and Carrera 2.
In case you are more into biking than hiking, consider renting a bike in Jardin.
HORSEBACK RIDING
If you are still not overwhelmed by things to do in Jardin, there are actually a few more.
Probably the most featured activity in Jardin is horseback riding. As we were traveling long-term, we could not do every activity in every town.
Therefore we skipped it here. But as we saw the wonderful landscape, we know Jardin is one of the best destinations for horseback riding. We tried horseback riding later in San Agustin and absolutely loved it.
We could see locals with their horses in Jardin's streets, and it seemed to us that these animals were well-fed.
Feel free to book a horseback riding tour in Jardin in advance.
LA CUEVA ESPLENDOR
La Cueva Esplendor is a beautiful cave outside the town with a waterfall.
You can do it as a part of a jeep tour (which we didn't find interesting), or it should be possible to walk there on a day-long hike.
But we couldn't find any recent information if it is possible and the lady in the information center told us we must take a jeep tour.
We believe the muddy path goes through private properties with strayed dogs, and that's why we decided to give it a pass.
WHERE TO STAY IN JARDIN
The accommodation in Jardin is slightly more expensive than in other small towns, especially during weekends when paisas from Medellin arrive to enjoy their days off, so it is always better to book your room in advance.
We found it great that it was still possible to reserve a budget-friendly room close to the main square (well, everything is close to the main square), and everything was within walking distance.
We've selected the three best hotels in Jardin for every type of traveler.
Budget | Hotel Jardin Antioquia - The lovely place just off the main square is a perfect hostel for budget travelers looking for a warm, friendly, and clean hostel. We stayed here for three nights and can only recommend this place.
Mid-range | Hotel Kantarrana Urbana Jardin - This cute hotel offers nice and well-appointed rooms and a beautiful garden where guests can chill after all day out.
Luxury | Casa Passiflora Hotel Boutique - A gorgeous stylish place is here for you if you are looking for a luxurious yet still affordable retreat.
HOW TO GET TO JARDIN
Jardin can be easily reached from Medellin, and most of the traveler usually go to this town from Antioquia department's capital.
Medellin has two bus terminals, the bus ride takes usually 3.5 to 4 hours.
To get to Jardin, head to Terminal Sur. From here, take a bus company Rapido Ochoa (the bus leaves several times a day), the ticket costs 38 000 COP per person.
Terminal Sur is not connected to Metro we found the easiest to take a taxi, from Poblado district, it cost only 5000 COP.
The road from Medellin to Jardin is winding. If you are car sick, you might want to take a motion sickness pill.
The bus terminal in Jardin (it's just a small station) is within walking distance from the town's center.
Later, we continued from Jardin to Manizales. It was a long but doable ride, and we had to switch buses.
No matter what's your next destination, ask at the bus terminal, and the staff will help you out.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT JARDIN
Jardin has a very similar climate as Medellin, which is called the city of eternal spring for a reason.
The best time to visit is the dry season between December and February, and then the short period of drier time of the year, which is July to September.
On the other hand, we would have opted this time for the offseason as the Colombia destinations are less visited.
Even in the wet season, it does not rain that often, and you will very likely experience short afternoon showers.
Temperatures are pleasant throughout the year.
WHAT TO PACK
Jardin is a place that offers a wide range of activities and things to do.
Combine it with the not so warm temperatures and occasional rain that comes from the hills, and it is clear you should pack a bit of everything.
If you plan on hiking, we recommend hiking boots as the trails are often muddy.
You won't make a mistake with a proper daypack, fleece jacket , and rain poncho.
No matter where we travel, we always pack a reusable water bottle to reduce our plastic use.
The sun in the region is often intense, so sunscreen with a high SPF and sun hat is also a must.
We've also written an in-depth South America packing list where you will find more useful tips and advice on what to pack.
WHERE TO EAT IN JARDIN
As Jardin is a popular travel destination among people living in Medellin, there's a surprisingly good selection of restaurants, some of them serving international food.
These restaurants were usually over our budget, and we were also not too keen to eat pizza in Colombia.
We found a great restaurant La Parrilla De Mi Pueblo, on the corner of Carrera 6 and Calle 9, with a cheap menu del dia for COP 9 500.
It was one of the best meals we had in Colombia, and it was very nicely designed on the plate.
IS JARDIN SAFE?
We know that many first-time travelers are concerned about safety in Colombia. We get it; the country is slowly getting rid of its reputation.
From what we could see, Colombia is still rough around the edges in the bigger cities such as Bogota or Medellin, but smaller colonial towns seemed very laidback and safe.
Of course, be careful as you usually are, but there's nothing you should worry about in Jardin.
We even walked the streets of Jardin after dark and did not feel unsafe. Stick to the main square, and enjoy your time in Jardin.
We would be a bit more precautious when hiking in the countryside, where we think the most significant danger is strayed dogs.
After our unpleasant experience in Los Estoraques, we always found a stick to have something in hand, just in case.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
