Best Day Trips from Medellín

What are the best day trips from Medellín?

Medellín sits in a valley with mountains, lakes, small colonial towns and farms within a few hours' drive. Which trip is best depends on how much time you want to spend in the car, and what you like to do.

• Guatapé and El Peñol: about 2 hours. Best first choice for most visitors.
• Coffee farm: our farm is just about 30 minutes from El Poblado. Best for food and culture.
• Santa Fe de Antioquia: about 1.5 hours. Best for a colonial town and warm weather.
• Waterfalls: Cisneros about 1.5 hours, Salto del Buey about 2 hours 15 minutes. Best for nature and a swim.
• Jardín: about 3 to 3.5 hours. Best for a pretty town and nature, in a long day.
• Hacienda Nápoles: about 4 to 5 hours. Best for Pablo Escobar history and a theme park.

Drive times are approximate and change with traffic, weekends and holidays, so add margin.

Is Guatapé worth it as a day trip?

Yes. Guatapé is the most popular day trip from Medellín, and it works well in one day. The town is known for its colourful painted zócalos on the lower walls of the houses, and it sits on a large reservoir with islands and small beaches.

The famous stop is El Peñol, a huge rock with a staircase to the top and a wide view of the lake. Many tours also include a boat ride and lunch. It is about 2 hours from the city.

Which day trip is best for coffee lovers?

Antioquia is one of Colombia's coffee departments, and you can reach a working coffee farm in the hills in a short drive from the city. You walk the plantation, see how the beans are picked and processed, and taste fresh coffee.

It is a gentler day than Guatapé, with less driving, and it suits families and anyone who wants a slower pace. A good farm visit also includes a local lunch.

Can you visit Jardín in a day?

You can, but it is a long day. Jardín is in the southwest of Antioquia, around 3 to 3.5 hours by road from Medellín. The reward is one of the prettiest town squares in Colombia, surrounded by coffee hills.

• Walk the main square and the church, and have coffee at a table in the plaza.
• Ride the town's cable car for the view over the rooftops.
• Visit the Cueva del Esplendor, a waterfall that falls through a hole in a cave roof. It is about 7 km from town and needs some walking.
• See the Andean cock-of-the-rock at the local reserve, if you are a bird lover.

If you can spare it, an overnight stay makes Jardín more relaxed. A private driver also helps, because the road is winding and the day is long.

What about Santa Fe de Antioquia?

Santa Fe de Antioquia is a colonial town about 1.5 hours west of Medellín. It is lower and warmer than the city, with stone streets, old churches and squares. The road there passes through the Occidente tunnel.

It makes a good half-day or full-day trip when you want a different climate from Medellín's mild one. Bring sun protection and water.

Are there waterfalls near Medellín?

Yes. Two popular ones are in the eastern part of Antioquia. The Salto del Buey is near La Ceja, about 2 hours 15 minutes away, and tours often combine it with outdoor activities. The Cisneros waterfalls are about 1.5 hours away, in the Nordeste, and you walk for part of the way.

Trails can be slippery and rain can change conditions quickly. Go with a guide who knows the route, and wear shoes with grip.

Is Hacienda Nápoles a good day trip?

Hacienda Nápoles is a theme park on the former estate of Pablo Escobar, in the Magdalena Medio region, about 165 km from the city. Plan on 4 to 5 hours of driving each way, which makes it a very long day. A few people prefer to sleep nearby.

It suits travellers who want the history of Escobar, the animals and a day at the water park. If your time in Medellín is short, a closer trip is a better use of the day. Read our full guide before you decide.

How do you choose the right day trip?

Match the trip to the traveller, not only to the photos you have seen.

Avoid combining two far-apart places in one day. A tour that promises Guatapé and a second big stop usually means rushing both, long hours in the vehicle and a late return. One good place with time to enjoy it beats two quick visits.

• First visit and one free day: Guatapé and El Peñol.
• Travelling with young children: a coffee farm or Guatapé, both with short drives and easy stops.
• History fans: Hacienda Nápoles, or a city-based Pablo Escobar tour if you want less driving.
• Hikers and photographers: waterfalls, or Jardín if you can give it two days.
• Short on time: Santa Fe de Antioquia or a coffee farm.

How do you book a day trip from Medellín?

You can go by public bus from Medellín's bus terminals, or in a shared group tour, or privately with a guide and driver. Public buses are cheapest but slow, and connections at the other end can be hard to time. A private tour gives you hotel pickup, your own schedule and the freedom to stop where you like.

PH Tours runs private trips from Medellín to Guatapé, Jardín and Hacienda Nápoles, in English and Spanish. Tell us your dates and how many days you have, and we will help you choose the trip that fits.