If you are looking for things to do in Jardin, Colombia, there is no shortage of possibilities in this untouched town of Antioquia.
Listen - I traveled solo through Colombia for 2 months, and Jardin ended up being my favorite town of all! I fell in love with its charm and tranquil vibes the moment I hopped off the bus from Medellin.
After spending 4 nights in this paradise, I’ve compiled this list of the top 13 wonderful things to do in Jardin, Colombia. You can enjoy these activities solo or in groups, on any budget, and pretty much any time of year (even in the “rainy” season).
This article is part of my Colombia Coffee Region Guide, if you are looking for more information on what not to miss in the coffee triangle before or after Jardin!
13. Walk the colorful streets of Jardin, Colombia
Exploring the village is the reason why you came, right? Seriously, taking photos, petting the dogs and cats, and stumbling upon day-to-day town life is always my favorite thing to do in a new place - and Jardin is the perfect location to do so.
As soon as you step off the bus, Jardin’s vibrant streets transport you into a storybook world with a warm welcome.
12. Visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Located in Jardin’s main plaza, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception’s protruding towers will likely be the first thing that greets you from the road. This beautiful church marks the center of town and boasts a gothic style, built between 1918 and 1942.
Not only is the Basilica a main attraction during the day, but it’s also the local meeting spot for drinking and mingling with other young folks at night (as paradoxical as that sounds).
I suppose there’s nothing wrong with drinking a few cervezas in front of a holy place… as Colombians like to celebrate, after all!
11. Go out in the Main Plaza, Parque de Jardin
Speaking of drinking and dancing, Jardin’s main square, Parque de Jardin, comes alive at night, and even more so on the weekends, as locals flood in from Medellin.
Bar hopping in the plaza, I met other travelers - a mix of English and Spanish speaking friends - that danced with me to Latin music like reggaeton, salsa, cumbia, bachata, and probably more I am ignorant to… as well as styles of hip hop and pop music. Dancing is a fantastic way to traverse language barriers. Don’t be shy!
Nothing says Colombia like capturing both an armed guard and the church in the background. Is this the kind of high quality photography they recommend for a blog?
Throughout the daytime and early evening, Parque de Jardin bounces with a cute marketplace, gruff country men with 10-gallon hats, and their prodding horses - a real campesino moment.
You can also visit the tourist information center if you are looking for more things to do in Jardin.
10. La Cueva Esplendor
The most popular attraction you hear of when looking for things to do in Jardin is La Cueva Esplendor, a waterfall that bursts through the top of a cave. While the final destination can be crowded with influencers getting selfies in bikinis, the powerful cascade is quite beautiful, and the hike itself across green pastures is worth the journey to see Jardin’s peaceful hillsides.
La Cueva Esplendor is the top tourist attraction in Jardin, so you definitely won’t be alone there.
How to get to La Cueva Esplendor from Jardin town:
Option 1: Book a Jeep Tour. (1 hour of actual hiking) This saves you hours of hiking and covers your ride, includes a guide, and some snacks.
Option 2: Hike there on foot. (3 hours of actual hiking…if you don’t get lost) This is the way we took, though it took most of the day!
Take a tuktuk taxi to “Alto de Las Flores”, which will be cheaper if you find hostelmates to go with (3 can fit in a tuktuk). From there, it will be about a 1-hour hike to the waterfall trail with gorgeous views, so you still have plenty of hiking time.
Once you reach the waterfall trail which is on private property, there is a cafe at La Cueva Esplendor that provides you with a guide (required) for the last scenic 20 minutes (cost of 20,000 COP, about $5 entry).
To hike back to town, you can continue the opposite way that you came, which we did, with the trail available on AllTrails. However, it was quite difficult to follow and took us much longer than expected, so I recommend simply going back the way you came.
For all hikes in Jardin, use the free app maps.me and download the map of Jardin before you go so that you always have GPS of where you are, as the “trails” can be unclear (meadows, cows and mud).
Make sure to bring lots of water and snacks, plus cash for the entry. Additionally, wear the best hiking shoes you have and sunscreen, and get an early start to avoid a rainy nightmare, as the road is quite muddy.
9. Visit the El Cristo Rey Statue
It’s free and will take you to great heights: the Jesus Christ statue watching over the holy town! Stop by to greet El Cristo Rey on your way up to Cafe Jardin for a god-like view of the city and photo opportunities.
Say hi to white Jesus - it’s a free thing to do in Jardin, Colombia. He loves the view.
You have the option to dine at the cafe where the statue is located, but I suggest you keep ascending the mountain, saving your appetite for the next bullet point…
8. Cafe Jardin: Enjoy the best view, drink infused coffee, and take a picture at the JARDIN sign
You can spot the white letters of JARDIN up on the hill from the town, reminiscent of my hometown of Hollywood… This prominent sign is where Cafe Jardin is perched above the town, and purging on housemade coffee and cake is truthfully one of the best things you can do in Jardin after a steep hike or excursion.
Me feeling super happy after discovering one of the best things to do in Jardin Colombia - get high on caffeine after a long hike, high above the city. Plus, that carrot cake was to die for.
Even if you are not a coffee connoisseur, the views are phenomenal, and the service at Cafe Jardin is welcoming, hospitable, and professional. It feels like a miniature Finca tour, with the servers infusing the coffee blends right before your eyes while explaining the coffee production process.
We also gorged on sweet treats including moist carrot cake and lemon meringue deliciousness… yum. It feels like a 5-star dining experience, yet affordable for the budget traveler. Thank you, Cafe Jardin!
7. Tour a Traditional Finca (Coffee Farm) in Jardin
If you’re seeking more insight into the coffee production process, a great way to spend a couple hours is touring a traditional finca in Jardin, where famous Colombian coffee beans are abundant.
Taste the aromatic cups made from a blend of different cacao beans, which were once used as world currency as gold.
A coffee tour is not only one of the best things to do in Jardin to learn more about the region, but also a simple way to meet other travelers, enjoy nature in the beautiful landscape, and support local farmers in Jardin, Colombia.
Jardin Eco Tours is a local reputable company that offers different cultural and adventure tours in the area. I had already done a coffee farm tour in another city, but I did the horseback riding tour with them, and I can recommend this company for an authentic experience that meets all your Jardin tour needs.
Visiting stunning waterfalls is one of the best things to do in Jardin, Colombia
6. Hike the Four Waterfalls Trail
The Four Waterfalls trails is one of the most epic hikes in Jardin, Colombia, taking you to Cascada La Escalera, Caída del Dragón, Cueva de los Guarachos, and Salto del Angel.
The hike is considered hard due to the inclines and duration, but you can always just visit the first couple waterfalls if you wish.
How to get to the Four Waterfalls Trail:
Option 1: Go with a tour. This tour with Jardin Eco Tours takes you to Angel Falls and Cueva de los Guarachos.
Option 2: Follow this trail and go on your own.
I was exhausted from taking a full day to hike the long route to La Cueva Esplendor, so I decided to skip out on this hike, as the Four Waterfalls Trail can be strenuous and will take you about 7 hours.
However, if you have sturdy shoes for hiking and are up for the challenge, encountering some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Colombia’s coffee region is one of the best things to do in Jardin for adventurous travelers - and free!
I’ll mention again just in case: for all hikes in Jardin, make sure to use the free phone app maps.me and download the map of Jardin ahead of time so that you always have GPS of where you are, as the trails can be unclear.
5. Taste the Region’s Famous Trout
One of the best things to do in Colombia’s coffee region? Eat La Trucha! Photo by Hunter Brumels.
Trout fish, or “la trucha”, is a staple of Colombia’s coffee region. You can find it in many restaurants on the “menu del dia”, also known as the special of the day, which is an affordable lunch option that usually includes the entree, rice, soup, salad, bananas, and juice for a few dollars.
I enjoyed eating at Momentos de Jardin, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that I stumbled upon in town. It appeared popular with locals, and I didn’t see or hear of any tourists going there.
Another hotspot for trout is La Trucheria, which is a few steps out of town. You can even fish your own trout if you choose to! I didn’t pay a visit, but it is well known as a flagship lunch spot for trout, and grows quite busy on the weekends.
4. Hike the loop by Charco Corazon and Cascada del Amor
For an easy hike around Jardin that only takes 1-2 hours, including stoppage time to take photos, I loved doing the loop around the river of Charco Corazon.
Nature, rivers, waterfalls, views, countryside - this trail has it all. You even have the option to stop by Charco Corazon, a vegan cafe (it’s also a stunning hostel, where I stayed along the river).
Charco Corazon is also the name of the river where you will see entryways to take a dip in if its a hot day. Cascada del Amor, the “Love Waterfall”, is also just across the road from the Charco Corazon cafe/hostel, so you can’t miss it.
3. Ride the Cable Car, La Garrucha
If you hike the Charco Corazon Loop, you get a chance to take the old cable car, “La Garrucha”, back down to town.
Even though I have a fear of heights… this metal box was a fun thrill! I rode down with a new acquaintance from Spain, as well as a couple from the countryside of Colombia. It leaves from La Garrucha, a cafe of the same name, and costs 4500 COP (about $1 each way).
If you don’t choose to hike, you can still ride the cable car from the bottom and back… if you dare.
2. Visit the Reserva Natural Jardin de Rocas
Located right in Jardin town, you can view the famous South American red bird, the Andean Cock of the Rock (Gallito de la Roca)!
This nature reserve offers a small sanctuary to birdwatch up close, and is only open from 3 to 5:30 in the afternoon. Apparently, the birds don’t like the heat mid-day, so the later you go in the day, the better.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. I wasn’t fast enough to capture these quick, flying beauties!
I only spent about 40 minutes here, but the visit to Parque de las Rocas was completely worth the 10,000 COP (about $3), and I found myself in utter serenity with these wild Andean natives.
1. Go Horseback Riding to Chorro Blanco
My favorite activity in Jardin ended up being one that was outside of my comfort zone, and the risk paid off.
With the encouragement of other travelers, I signed up for a horseback riding tour, and it allowed me to travel farther in the region in a unique way on the edge of the epic mountains!
Horseback riding in the stunning countryside is one of the most memorable things to do in Jardin, Colombia
In Jardin, the price of the tour was a tiny fraction of what it would cost to go horseback riding in the West, yet the experience was anything but miniscule.
After a Jeep ride from our hostel, our small group each met the lovely horses and learned the basic commands. I had only ridden a horse once in my life when I was quite young in the U.S., but felt completely comfortable, and it was the highlight of my Jardin trip!
The horses were well taken care of, in shape, and most of all, it felt like we were in a cinematic film as we trotted along the countryside. We reached the dramatic falls of El Chorro Blanco, and had the cascade all to ourselves.
I will never forget this day, so I recommend you don’t miss out on this unique adventure, as you have come so far already, Lone Wolfette.
And if you don’t have time in Jardin… you can always try it out in Salento!
How many days in Jardin, Colombia?
I spent 4 nights in Jardin and found it to be the perfect duration, with a full schedule of activities but still time in the evening to rest.
I did every single thing on this list, except for the Four Waterfalls hike and the coffee farm tour, so you will find plenty of things to do in Jardin, even if you stay for a week.
It requires a 4-hour bus from Medellin to Jardin to get there, so you definitely want to make the trip worth your while and book at least 3 nights. I promise you won’t regret it!
3 Day Itinerary in Jardin, Colombia
Day 1
Have a coffee in the main plaza
Visit the Basilica
Eat trout or “menu del dia”
Shoot photos in the colorful streets of Jardin
Ride the cable car “La Garrucha” up to the top of the mountain for views of the city
Hike back down to town and pass by Cascada del Amor
Day 2
Hike to La Cueva Esplendor OR do the Four Waterfalls hike
Day 3
Go Horseback Riding OR Tour a Coffee Farm
Visit the natural bird reserve, Parque Natural Jardin de Rocas anytime from 3-5:30PM
Where to stay in Jardin
Best Hostel to stay in Town:
Sgt Pepper's Hostel: Free hot breakfast every morning, comfortable bunks and gorgeous balconies for $9 at this Beatles’ themed hostel within the city. I made friends immediately with the welcoming atmosphere, and the main plaza is only a couple blocks away.
Best Hostel to stay in the Mountains:
Charco Corazon: If you want to be right in the middle of nature, Hostel Charco Corazon is a gorgeous accommodation across from Cascada del Amor waterfall, situated along the river of of the same name. The hostel has a delicious vegan restaurant, with free breakfast for guests. It’s only a 15-20 minute walk to town or $2 tuk tuk ride, but the setting was tranquil for one night, and you can even hike around the area.
Charco Corazon is a beautiful hostel to stay outside of the main center of Jardin
Bus Medellin - Jardin
How to get to Jardin from Medellin:
Bus from Medellin to Jardin (3+ hours): You can actually purchase a ticket online beforehand on redbus.com, though not required. Take a taxi or Uber to Medellin Terminal Sur.
The fine print on the ticket says you need to arrive at least an hour before departure… but I found this was not the case at all.
I got there early, yet didn’t board until 5 minutes before, so I just waited in the big lobby. The bus was designed for travel with comfortable seats. The entire ride ended up taking 4.5 hours, due to road construction, which is common in Colombia.
Tips for Traveling in Jardin, Colombia
BE SAFE! These trails can be quite unpredictable, with spontaneous rain occurring. Even with hiking boots, Colombian trails are muddy and easy to slide.
Like many other backpackers, I use SafetyWing Travel Insurance to travel with complete peace of mind, and it only takes a minute to sign up.
As far as preventing theft while I travel, I take an anti-theft crossbody purse and a mini combination lock for hostels.
- Money: You will need cash for most purchases, and there are ATMs in Jardin. For all other card purchases while you travel, make sure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees . I linked my Chase card, it gives a lot of rewards which is how I fly for free most of the time.
- Spanish: If you don't know Spanish in Jardin you will still survive, but it helps tenfold because most people don't speak English in these small towns. I gained fluency with Italki video calls which allow you to chat with locals for as little as $5 per session. You can filter by country to get used to the specific accent in Colombia, for example. This helped me sooo much to ease my nerves and practice speaking real Spanish.
- Allow extra time for the bus ride. The roads in Colombia are very windy and often filled with construction, so add an extra hour at least in your schedule.
What to Pack for Jardin and the Coffee Region of Colombia
Pictured: solid athletic clothes and backpack to hike, but not the right shoes…
When packing for Jardin, make sure you bring the essentials:
- Hiking boots
- Raincoat (lightweight)
- Warm clothing
- Reusable water bottle
- Motion sickness pills (for the bus)
- Waterproof backpack
These are must-have items, but be sure to check out my complete packing list for Colombia to make sure you don’t miss anything in the diverse country.
Pack for Colombia
What to Wear, Essential Gear, and More
Where to Go Next?
The coffee triangle was my favorite part of Colombia, so be sure to read my complete guide on Colombia’s Coffee Region to find out the best places to visit next with detailed and easy instructions on how to take the bus there, based on my real-life experience as a solo traveler.
Hint… Medellin? Salento? Or how about off the beaten track in Manizales?
Conclusion: Travel for the Spirit in Jardin
While I listed my top 13 things to do in Jardin, Colombia, I am sure there are even more activities and adventures just WAITING for your arrival.
Overall, I felt safe, welcomed, and pleasant vibes in this sleepy village in the mountains that is growing in popularity, so it makes me happy to share this knowledge with you.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or email me. You can even post on Instagram #LoneWolfette to share your photos with me; I would love to see them!
HI WOLFETTE, I’M MOLLy
Travel is a spiritual experience for me, especially when adventuring solo.
After visiting 6 continents on my own, I’ve dedicated this project to assist other Lone Wolfettes on their journeys.
I hope my travel guides help you find the same joy, connection, and empowerment that exploring our planet has given me.
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