Spread out over time, I’ve spent a total of about 10 months in Colombia. The pure greenness of this South American country still strikes me from time to time, and Jardín and the surrounding countryside perfectly exemplify the lushness I’m talking about.
Located in the department of Antioquia, southwest of Medellín, Jardín is nestled among rolling green mountains, coffee farms, pastures, and forest.
It’s an ideal escape from the hectic atmosphere of Colombia’s second-largest city.
For the sake of comparing it to another Colombian town, I’d describe Jardín as a smaller and cuter version of Salento. It’s colorful, surrounded by nature, easy to explore, and an excellent place to slow down for a few days.
I spent three days here, and Jardín became one of my favorite small towns in Colombia.
Things to Do in Jardín, Colombia
One of the things that makes Jardín so appealing is that you don’t have to travel very far to find something to do.
The town itself is compact and walkable, while hiking trails, viewpoints, coffee farms, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities surround it. You can wake up, walk out of town, and quickly find yourself surrounded by mountains and farmland.
That’s exactly the kind of place I enjoy.
SEE THE GALLITO DE ROCA AT RESERVA NATURAL JARDÍN DE ROCAS
One of the first places I visited was Reserva Natural Jardín de Rocas.
Located only a short walk from Jardín’s main plaza, this small nature reserve protects a gathering area for the Gallito de Roca, or Andean cock-of-the-rock.
It’s a spectacular—and very noisy—bird.
Male Gallitos de Roca gather here to display themselves and compete for the attention of females. Their brilliant orange-red coloring makes them incredibly easy to spot against the surrounding green forest.
I spent about an hour simply relaxing and watching them fly around, call to one another, and move through the trees. There’s also a small café where you can grab coffee or tea and try some homemade cookies.
The reserve isn’t free and currently opens daily from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., which corresponds with the afternoon period when the birds gather. Check the current schedule before visiting because hours and admission prices can change.
Hiking in Jardín
Jardín has plenty of hiking opportunities, and one of my favorite things about the area is how easily you can start exploring directly from town.
The most famous natural attraction nearby is Cueva del Esplendor, or Cave of Splendor—a waterfall that plunges through an opening in the roof of a cave.
Access to Cueva del Esplendor is on private land and is controlled by the reserve, so don’t treat it like an unrestricted public hiking trail. If visiting the cave itself is one of your priorities, arrange the appropriate entrance and guide or tour beforehand.
Another well-known adventure is the Seven Waterfalls hike, a considerably more strenuous excursion involving waterfalls, river crossings, steep terrain, and private property.
I had already visited some great waterfalls fairly recently, so I wasn’t interested in committing to that mission during my three days in Jardín. If you want to do it, I’d recommend going with a knowledgeable local guide rather than assuming you can simply follow a trail on your own.
MY HIKE TO MIRADOR DE CRISTO REY
Fortunately, Jardín is also a great place to combine trails and simply wander.
Trust me when I say that I thoroughly enjoy wandering.
My hike went a little something like what you see below.
You can see my phone dying here—another reason why I didn’t make it all the way to Cueva del Esplendor.
I used AllTrails as a general reference and started with the Cerro de Cristo Rey Loop. The route began in the forest and eventually brought me to Mirador de Cristo Rey.
From there, I kept exploring.
I came across other trails, ventured toward what was marked as the start of another hike, and eventually began heading in the direction of Cueva del Esplendor.
I didn’t make it all the way. At that point, I didn’t have enough food or water for the remaining distance, and my phone battery was running dangerously low.
It didn’t matter.
The hike itself was still extremely satisfying. The surrounding landscape was gorgeous, and much of the route passed through rolling green pastures and farmland. I even stopped to pet a cow, which was pretty awesome.
The hike was difficult enough that I felt the repeated ascents, but it wasn’t overwhelmingly strenuous.
Don’t get it twisted, though. It was still a workout.
I encountered several closed gates along the way that initially made portions of the route look inaccessible. In rural areas around Jardín, however, gates can be part of working farmland rather than an indication that an entire trail is closed.
That doesn’t mean you should wander blindly onto private property. Respect signs, barriers, landowners, and any access restrictions you encounter. Trail conditions and access can also change, so use an updated map or local advice instead of relying exclusively on my route.
VIEWPOINTS AROUND JARDÍN
If you want a view over Jardín without spending an entire day hiking, Mirador de Cristo Rey is an excellent option.
Another place I enjoyed was Café Jardín, where you can sit with a cup of Colombian coffee while looking across the mountains and town below.
The surrounding hills are part of what makes Jardín so beautiful. Even when you’re relatively close to town, you can find elevated views overlooking the colorful buildings and green Antioquian countryside.
Coffee Farms Around Jardín
Jardín sits within one of Colombia’s famous coffee-growing regions, so visiting a finca is another popular activity.
I personally didn’t take a coffee tour in Jardín because I had already visited a coffee farm in Salento during a previous trip to Colombia. However, one of my favorite coffees actually comes from Jardín Natural – Sede La Naturaleza, located a short ride outside town.
A friend of mine from Medellín used to order their coffee all the time, which is how I became familiar with it.
I haven’t personally visited the finca, so I can’t review the tour itself. The property offers coffee experiences along with accommodation, and it’s an option worth researching if a coffee-farm visit is part of your plans.
Explore the Town of Jardín
Don’t spend your entire visit in the mountains. Part of Jardín’s appeal is simply walking around town. Colorful traditional houses line the streets, balconies overlook the sidewalks, and the main plaza gives Jardín the kind of atmosphere that makes wandering around without an itinerary enjoyable.
Spend some time around the plaza, visit the stunning gothic cathedral, grab something to eat, drink some coffee, and just enjoy being there.
There’s also a nice collection of restaurants around town, so finding somewhere to eat isn’t difficult.
RIDE A CABLE CAR OVER JARDÍN
If your hiking hasn’t provided enough views, Jardín is also known for its cable-car experiences.
The cable cars offer another perspective of the town and surrounding mountains and are part of what makes Jardín feel different from many other small Colombian towns.
Availability and operating conditions can change, so check locally before building your day around a particular cable car.
How to Get from Medellín to Jardín by Bus
Getting to Jardín from Medellín is straightforward by bus. I traveled from Terminal del Sur in Medellín with Rápido Ochoa. My journey took roughly four to five hours. Travel time can vary depending on traffic, road conditions, construction, and stops along the route, so I wouldn’t build a tight schedule around an exact arrival time.
The drive itself is part of the experience.
As you leave the Medellín metropolitan area and travel deeper into southwestern Antioquia, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and green. The beautiful scenery made the bus ride back toward Medellín a pretty nice ending to my trip.
Is Jardín, Colombia Worth Visiting?
Definitely.
Jardín combines several things I love about traveling in Colombia: spectacular green landscapes, hiking, coffee, wildlife, colorful architecture, and a relaxed small-town atmosphere. It’s also a great addition to a longer Colombia itinerary, especially if you’re looking for more things to do around Colombia beyond the country’s biggest cities.
You can fill your days with activities, but you don’t have to.
Go hiking. Watch Gallitos de Roca. Drink coffee overlooking the mountains. Explore the countryside. Wander through town without a plan. Three days gave me enough time to experience Jardín without rushing, although I could easily understand wanting to stay longer.
After spending so much time traveling around Colombia, Jardín still stands out as one of my favorite small towns in the country.
Good luck in your travels!
