5 Best Day Trips from Medellin

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

Among the best activities you can do in Medellín are taking a trip to Guatapé to discover the rock and its indigenous community, exploring La Ceja Nature Reserve, experiencing rafting on the Calderas River, visiting Hacienda Nápoles and its natural importance, and visiting Jericó on a full-day tour.

If you want to discover the beauty of the Colombian Andes, one of the best options is to take a trip to Guatapé, a picturesque village known for its reservoir and houses decorated with colourful baseboards. These experiences will also take you through the lush landscapes of Antioquia, allowing you to learn about the culture and traditions of the region.

Guatapé, originally inhabited by the Tahamí indigenous 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 in the area and which you can explore on a boat trip during your visit.

On the other hand, one of Guatapé's biggest 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. Likewise, if you plan to visit Medellín in summer or during the warmer months of the year, you can take a dip in the reservoir and enjoy water activities, enhanced by the idyllic surroundings.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £28.
• Duration of these excursions: between 10 and 11 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you can enjoy a completely different natural and cultural experience just a few hours 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 in the Medellín area that you can visit during your trip, and one of the best ways to do so is by joining an organised excursion. These tours will allow you to discover this reserve, which is a biodiversity sanctuary covering a large area of vegetation and 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 lovers and ecotourists. There, you can walk through tropical forests and discover high mountain moorlands. This 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, picnicking, zip-lining, and recreational circuits to view the surrounding waterfalls, this site offers a complete experience that allows you to stay in touch with nature.

On the other hand, during the transfers for these excursions, you will be able to see some of the best landscapes in Antioquia, as you will also pass through Santa Elena, Llano Grande, Don Diego, and La Montañita, all located along Highway 56, which will offer you panoramic views and a wooded environment where you can take some of the best photographs of your trip, especially on clear days.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €8 per person.
• Duration of these excursions: around 8 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you can discover one of the most outstanding natural sites in the Medellín area and also take part 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, in the surroundings of Medellín you can take part in a rafting excursion that will immerse you in the adrenaline and natural beauty of the Colombian rainforest. These private experiences usually include transfers and pick-ups from your hotel and a guided tour of the rushing waters of the Calderas River, located about two hours' drive from Medellín.

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

Before formally beginning the descent, you will receive a detailed briefing on rafting commands and techniques to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Please note that, although the instructors will be attentive to your needs, it is advisable to wear comfortable footwear, sunscreen and bring a change of dry clothes for when the experience is over.

When booking these excursions, please bear in mind that they are physically demanding experiences and are therefore not recommended for elderly people or those with reduced mobility, as they could be at risk during the descents.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £220 per person, including return transfers and hotel pick-up.
• Duration of these excursions: around 7 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: they are an ideal adventure experience for adrenaline and nature lovers.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they are physically very demanding, so they are not recommended for all ages.

Would you like to visit one of the most legendary and famous destinations in the Medellín area? Then you can't miss the Hacienda Nápoles 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 their personal refuge and centre of operations during their criminal career as one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the world. After his death, the hacienda was confiscated by the Colombian government and eventually transformed into a theme park to house the wildlife that Escobar had concentrated in this space.

During your visit to Hacienda Nápoles, 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.

Likewise, 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 feature him as the protagonist and will take you to different sites in this destination that were directly and indirectly related to drug trafficking and the wave of violence that ravaged Colombia during the 1980s and 1990s.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £45 per person.
• Duration of these excursions: around 12 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you can visit one of the most emblematic sites in the Medellín area, which is closely linked 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 price and incur an extra cost.

Jericó is a town located in Antioquia which, 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 Jericó, you can explore its cobbled streets and the colourful colonial houses of its historic centre. You can also visit the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Cathedral, an iconic symbol of religious architecture in the region and home to a replica of the famous Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.

In addition to its architectural heritage, Jericó offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the opportunity to explore the surrounding nature. There , you can take scenic walks along nearby trails that wind through lush landscapes and offer views of the mountains and valleys surrounding the area.

These excursions also offer you the opportunity to disconnect from urban life and immerse yourself in the authenticity and charm of a typical Colombian village, with its customs, traditions and rich gastronomy, which is notable for its bandeja paisa, beans and fried dishes.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £69 per person.
• Duration of these excursions: around 9 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to visit one of the most picturesque villages in Antioquia, located just a few hours from Medellín.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: many of the visits to Jericó's attractions have an extra cost and lunch is not included in these experiences, despite being a full-day tour.

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

Likewise, if you book in advance , you can also put together an itinerary for your trip, allowing you to combine these full-day excursions with other activities, such as participating in some of the best tours of Medellín or visiting the city's most outstanding 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 is why I advise you to research the places you are going to visit, the activities on each of these tours, and the weather during the time of your visit before booking.

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

Finally, do not forget to learn about the local customs and traditions of each of the places you visit. Most Colombian Andean villages preserve pre-Hispanic practices and have a long history. If you plan to purchase an excursion to Guatapé, which is inhabited by the Tahamí indigenous community, or visit Jericó, another ancient village, be sure to learn about their culture to optimise your experience.

Opting for a guided tour that includes transport to and from destinations around Medellín will eliminate your worries about organisation and parking, allowing you to concentrate fully on the tour. In addition, 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, meaning you can make the most of your time without having to worry about logistics. Likewise, tours often include priority and skip-the-line tickets to sites of interest and attractions, allowing you to maximise your time, especially if you are planning a short stay in Medellín.

On the other hand, visiting the surroundings of Medellín on a guided tour will ensure your safety. Although this destination is relatively peaceful, the constant accompaniment of an expert local guide will keep you safe and allow you to enjoy each of the activities with greater peace of mind.