Day Trips from Medellin

Medellín is one of Colombia's most important cities, a favourite destination for tourists touring the country, and one of the places with the most attractions. However, its beauty also lies in the fact that it is an ideal place to use as a base to discover its surroundings, which are full of natural wonders and adventure activities.

Some of the best things to do in Medellín include taking a trip to Guatapé to discover the rock and its indigenous community, touring the La Ceja Nature Reserve, having a rafting experience on the Calderas River, seeing Hacienda Nápoles and its natural importance, and visiting Jericó on a full-day tour.

If you want to experience the beauty of the Colombian Andes, one of the best options is to embark on an excursion to Guatapé, a picturesque village known for its reservoir and houses adorned with colourful skirting boards. These experiences also take you through the lush landscapes of Antioquia, allowing you to experience the culture and traditions of the region.

Guatapé, originally inhabited by the indigenous Tahamí community, was colonised by the Spanish in the 16th century. The construction of the local reservoir in the 1970s transformed the region, flooding several villages and creating a body of water surrounded by mountains that is now one of the main attractions of the area, which you can tour on a boat ride during your visit.

On the other hand, one of Guatapé's main attractions is the stone monolith known as La Piedra del Peñol, a 220-metre high rock formation that offers panoramic views of the reservoir and the surrounding area. Also, if you plan to visit Medellín in the summer or during the warmer months of the year, the reservoir is a great place to take a dip and participate in aquatic experiences, favoured by the idyllic surroundings.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 32 euros.
• Duration of these excursions: between 10 and 11 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to live a totally different natural and cultural experience only a few hours away from Medellín.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they require long walks, so they are not recommended for older adults or people with reduced mobility.

La Ceja Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful natural sites around Medellín that you can discover during your trip and one of the best alternatives to visit it is to opt for an organised excursion. These tours, then, will allow you to discover this reserve, which is a sanctuary of biodiversity that encompasses an extensive area of vegetation and is home to a variety of native flora and fauna.

Known for its natural beauty and ecological importance, La Ceja is a must-see destination for nature and ecotourism lovers. You can also hike through tropical forests and discover high mountain moorlands. The reserve is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including endemic birds, butterflies and exotic plants. Well-marked trails and bird watching areas offer unique opportunities for wildlife viewing.

During your visit to La Ceja Nature Reserve you can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. From guided hikes to designated areas for camping, picnics, zip-line tours and recreational circuits to view the surrounding waterfalls, you will find a complete experience that will allow you to stay in touch with nature.

On the other hand, during the transfers of these excursions you will be able to get to know some of the best landscapes of Antioquia, since during the journey you will also pass through Santa Elena, Llano Grande, Don Diego and La Montañita, all of them located on the side of the 56 highway, which will give you panoramic views and a wooded environment where you will be able to take some of the best pictures of your trip, especially during clear days.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 8 euros per person.
• Duration of these excursions: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to see one of the most outstanding natural sites around Medellín and also participate in adventure activities there.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: during the rainy season in Antioquia, which runs from June to November, many of the activities in the reserve are suspended due to bad weather.

If you prefer adventure tours, you can take part in a rafting excursion around Medellín that will immerse you in the adrenaline and natural beauty of the Colombian rainforest. These private experiences usually include hotel pick-ups and drop-offs and usually include a guided tour of the rushing waters of the Calderas River, which is located about two hours' drive from Medellín.

During the adventure you will be assisted by an expert instructor and will be provided with the necessary safety equipment, which includes the inflatable raft, paddles, helmet and life jacket for each participant. These experiences also usually include lunch and you can add, at an extra cost, a paragliding flight, an activity that is undoubtedly one of the best tours in Medellín.

On the other hand, before formally starting the descent, you will receive a detailed briefing on rafting commands and techniques to ensure a safe and fun experience. Please note that, although the instructors will be attentive to your needs, it is advisable to bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a reserve of dry clothes for when the experience is over.

When booking these excursions, bear in mind that they are physically demanding experiences, so they are not recommended for older people or those with reduced mobility, as they could put themselves at risk during the descents.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 253 euros per person, including return transfers and hotel pick-up.
• Duration of these excursions: about 7 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: an ideal adventure experience for adrenaline and nature lovers.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they are physically demanding, so they are not recommended for all ages.

Do you want to visit one of the most famous and mythical destinations around Medellín? Then you can't miss Hacienda Napoles Theme Park, a unique tourist destination in Colombia that combines history, nature and adventure. This former hacienda, once owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar, has been transformed into a theme park offering a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages.

The history of Hacienda Nápoles is linked to the controversial past of Escobar and the Medellín cartel, who built it as his personal refuge and centre of operations during his criminal career as one of the world's most powerful drug traffickers. After his death, the hacienda was confiscated by the Colombian government and eventually transformed into a theme park to house the wildlife that Escobar concentrated in this space.

During your visit to Hacienda Napoles you can explore a variety of attractions, ranging from the exotic animal park to the water park and the museum dedicated to the history of drug trafficking in Colombia. In addition, you can enjoy adventure activities such as safaris, bike rides and jungle tours, where you can discover the rich biodiversity of the region.

Also, if you want to delve deeper into the close relationship between Pablo Escobar and Medellín, you can also take part in some of the best guided tours of the city that will take you to different places in this destination that were directly and indirectly related to drug trafficking and the wave of violence that plagued Colombia during the 1980s and 1990s.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 52 euros per person.
• Duration of these excursions: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know one of the most emblematic sites around Medellín, which is closely related to the history, culture and nature of Medellín.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: many of the attractions inside the theme park are not included in the initial rate and have an extra cost.

Jericó is a town located in Antioquia that, due to its rich cultural and intellectual tradition, is known as the Athens of the Southwest and offers visitors a unique experience that combines history, art and natural beauty just a few kilometres from Medellín.

During your visit to Jericho you can explore the cobblestone streets and colourful colonial houses of its historic centre. You can also visit the Catedral Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, an iconic symbol of religious architecture in the region and home to the replica of the famous Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.

In addition to its architectural heritage, Jericho offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous countryside and the opportunity to explore the surrounding nature. Here you can take part in scenic hikes along the nearby trails, which wind through the lush landscapes and offer views of the mountains and valleys that surround the area.

These excursions will also offer you an opportunity to disconnect from urban life and immerse yourself in the authenticity and charm of a typical Colombian town, with its customs, traditions and rich gastronomy, which is highlighted by the bandeja paisa, beans and fried preparations.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 69 euros per person.
• Duration of these excursions: about 9 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know one of the most picturesque villages of Antioquia, located only a few hours from Medellín.
• Disadvantages of these tours: many of the visits to the attractions in Jericho cost extra and lunch is not included in these experiences, even though it is a full day tour.

You can book any of these tours in advance online or book them once you are in the city. However, if you plan to visit Medellín during the summer or during the high season months, I advise you to book in advance to secure your place on the experiences, which will save you time and also money, as you will be able to freeze your fare.

Booking in advance will also allow you to put together an itinerary for your tour, allowing you to combine these full-day excursions with other activities, such as taking part in some of Medellín's best tours or visiting the city's most prominent museums, such as the Museo de Antioquia.

Planning an excursion from Medellín can be exciting, but it also requires a good deal of preparation to ensure a successful experience. That's why I advise you to do your research on the sites you'll be visiting, the activities on each of these tours and the weather during the time of your visit.

Temperatures in Medellin can be unpredictable, especially in the mountainous regions, which will be the main focus of excursions outside of the city. Therefore, make sure to pack adequate clothing and any additional equipment that may complement your visit, such as waterproof coats or sunscreen.

Finally, don't forget to learn about the local customs and traditions of each of the places you visit. Most Colombian Andean villages retain pre-Hispanic practices and have a long history. If you plan to buy a tour to Guatapé, which is inhabited by the indigenous Tahamí community, or visit Jericho, which is another ancient village, make sure you learn about their culture to optimise your experience.

Opting for a guided tour that includes transportation to and from destinations around Medellin will eliminate your worries about organisation and parking, allowing you to concentrate fully on the sightseeing tour. In addition, the tour guides are local experts who can provide historical, cultural and geographical information about the places visited, which will significantly enrich your experience.

On the other hand, an additional advantage of guided tours is convenience and efficiency. Itineraries are planned in advance, which means you can make the most of your time without having to worry about logistics. Also, tours often include priority, skip-the-line entry to sights and attractions, which will maximise your time, especially if you are planning a short stay in Medellín.

On the other hand, visiting Medellín 's surroundings on a guided tour will ensure your safety, as although this destination is relatively quiet, the constant accompaniment of an expert local guide will keep you safe and allow you to enjoy each of the activities in a more relaxed manner.