Jardín

Explore Jardin without having to navigate winding mountain roads on a day trip from Medellin. Tours typically take you to a coffee plantation—where you’ll likely sample plenty of coffee and follow the production process from bean to brew—and give you time to explore the historical center of Jardin, which is home to leafy plazas and flower-filled balconies. If you’re into hiking, follow the path to the Cave of Splendor (La Cueva del Esplendor) on a trekking tour.

• If you plan on visiting the 20th-century neo-Gothic church in the central plaza, wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
• For the best views of the town and surroundings, head to the top of Cerro Cristo Rey via the reasonably-priced cable car.
• Jardin is home to a plethora of coffee shops and restaurants; be sure to sample arequipe, a sweet dessert.

Jardin is a 3-hour drive from central Medellin via Route 60. You can also take a bus to Jardin, which departs several times per day from Medellin Sur for Terminal de Jardin, within walking distance of the town center.

Due to the altitude of about 5800 feet (1770 meters), Jardin enjoys cool temperatures throughout the year. However, in order to avoid some of the heavy downpours that make the region so green, it's best to visit between December and February.

While Jardin offers a taste of Colombia’s coffee scene, Salentlo gives you a full cup of the country’s signature brew. The Andean town survives on coffee production and trout farming, and is set amid emerald-green mountains that harbor multiple coffee plantations and the famous Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora), which is home to colossal palm trees and serves as a magnet for hikers.