Day trips
Jardín, Antioquia
A coffee town in the mountains south of Medellín
The short version
Jardín is a small coffee town in Antioquia's southwestern mountains, about 134 kilometers from Medellín, or roughly 3.5 hours by bus from the Terminal del Sur. It's known for its painted colonial square, its neo-Gothic basilica, coffee farms you can tour and cloud forest full of birds. It's possible as a long day trip, but it's much better with 1 or 2 nights.
In this guide (6 parts)
Why go
If Guatapé is Antioquia's classic day trip, Jardín is the one people talk about for days afterwards. It's a working coffee town tucked into a green valley in the southwest of the department, with steep farms climbing the hills around it and rivers running down from the mountains. The town keeps much of the look it had in the late 1800s: whitewashed houses with brightly painted doors, windows and wooden balconies, all gathered around a big square.
Jardín is part of the Red de Pueblos Patrimonio, Colombia's network of heritage towns, and its main square is a national monument. It's a place to slow down, drink coffee where it's grown and get out into the countryside on foot.
A short history
The area was settled in the 1860s, during the wave of Antioquian colonization that spread farms across these mountains. According to local tradition, the founders looked down from a high pass at the forested valley and called it a garden, which is where the name comes from. The town was officially founded in 1863 and became a municipality in 1882. Coffee has shaped its economy ever since.
Things to do in Jardín
Sit in the main square. The square, Parque El Libertador, is the center of town life. It's lined with cafés and their brightly painted wooden chairs, and in the evening it fills with families, farmers in from the hills and visitors. It's the best people-watching spot in town.
Visit the basilica. The Basílica Menor de la Inmaculada Concepción dominates the square. It's a neo-Gothic church built from grey stone, with tall spires, stained glass and a vaulted interior, and it's considered one of the most striking churches in Antioquia.
Ride a cable car. Jardín has 2 small cable cars used by locals and visitors. One, La Garrucha, crosses the valley on the edge of town and gives you a quick bird's-eye view of the farms and the river.
Hike to Cristo Rey. A walk uphill of about 45 minutes to 1 hour takes you to a hilltop statue of Christ with views across the town and the valley.
See the Cueva del Esplendor. This is a waterfall that drops through a hole in the roof of a cave into a pool. Getting there is a full outing: a guided hike or horseback ride of several hours each way through farmland and cloud forest. Go with a local guide.
Tour a coffee farm. Several farms around town offer guided tours of 2 to 3 hours. You walk through the plants, learn how the beans are picked, washed, dried and roasted, and taste the coffee at the end. It's the best way to understand why coffee matters so much in this region. For the city's coffee scene, read our guide to the best coffee in Medellín.
Go birdwatching. The forests around Jardín are home to hundreds of bird species. A small reserve near town has a viewing area for the Andean cock-of-the-rock, a bright orange bird that's most active around dawn.
Getting there from Medellín
By bus. Buses to Jardín leave from Medellín's Terminal del Sur, near the Olaya Herrera airport, roughly every 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. The trip takes about 3.5 hours on a winding mountain road over the Alto de Minas pass. Buy your return ticket early on weekends and holidays.
By car. Driving takes around 2.5 hours, but the mountain roads are narrow and slow, and they can be affected by landslides after heavy rain. Check conditions before you set out in the wetter months.
Because of the long ride, a day trip only gives you a few hours in town. We'd recommend at least 1 night, and 2 if you want to do the cave hike or a coffee tour without rushing.
Where to stay
Jardín has small hotels and guesthouses around the square and quieter farm stays and lodges in the hills around town. Rooms fill up on Colombian long weekends and during holiday periods, so book ahead for those dates.
When to go
Jardín sits higher than Medellín, so evenings are cooler; bring a light jacket. Like the rest of Antioquia, it gets more rain in roughly April to May and October to November. The drier months are usually best for hiking, although showers can come at any time of year. Our Medellín weather guide explains the seasons in more detail.
Questions people ask
Can I visit Jardín as a day trip from Medellín?
You can, but with about 7 hours of bus travel round trip you'll only get a few hours there. At least 1 night is much better.
Which bus terminal serves Jardín?
The Terminal del Sur in Medellín. Buses leave roughly every 45 minutes to 1.5 hours during the day.
Is Jardín good for coffee tours?
Yes. Several farms around town run guided tours of 2 to 3 hours that cover growing, harvesting and roasting, with a tasting at the end.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, a rain jacket and a warm layer for the evenings. Bring cash, as smaller places may not take cards.
How does Jardín compare with Guatapé?
Guatapé is closer and easier as a day trip, with the big rock and the reservoir. Jardín is further away, quieter and better for hiking, coffee and birds.
