Best places and restaurants in Jardin

Updated in March 2024

Jardin is one of the prettiest municipalities in the south-east of Antioquia. Officially named a national monument, it offers its visitors great attractions. Its beautiful mountain landscapes surrounding the town, the smell of coffee and the view of banana plantations in the distance give this piece of paradise an invaluable richness. We want to give our readers today a list of the most recommended places to visit in Jardin or study Spanish with us.

Jardín is also home to natural treasures (waterfalls, hiking, caves, paragliding, canyoning) which we suggest you discover below. We also offer the visits in English if it is required.

For bird lovers, Jardín is a world-renowned place for its unique and lush fauna, where you can observe the Barranquero, the Cock of the rock, the Tanager or the Green Jay in their natural habitat.

Wondering how long to stay in Jardín, what to visit? To appreciate all the hidden treasures of this authentic Colombian village, it is best to plan between 3 and 5 days. In this tourist guide, we recommend good addresses, activities to do and other useful and practical information.

Visit to the cable car (garrucha)

There is a fantastic transport system in Jardín which communicates the town with the district of Serranías. The cable car (garrucha) was initially built to transport local rural dwellers from this area and today visitors can enjoy a panoramic view. The five minute journey costs 4,500 pesos. The cable car is five minutes from the central park and and you can take it and enjoy the beautiful view over Jardín.

Photo: Gabriel Angel

Don’t forget to ask for the pasties (empanadas) that Gilma makes with so much care and attention. If the weather is good on the day of your visit, we recommend walking back down to Jardín (it takes about 45 minutes).

Mural at the Garrucha station

The Esplendor cave

The Esplendor cave is one of the main tourist attractions in Jardín. It is a magical place recommended for lovers of nature and waterfalls. You will find a cave here carved out by a waterfall more than 40 meters high and an amazing landscape. A dip in the waterfall’s crystal clear waters is very therapeutic. You can also do abseiling. Before and after the visit you will be provided with a traditional snack. The visits can be with a guide and take about 3 hours.

Cueva del Esplendor. Photo: Gabriel Angel

Los Angeles coffee plantation

In our list of top 3 places to visit is a traditional coffee plantation. In Jardín we recommend Finca Los Angeles, located in the district of Casiana, 20 minutes from the town. Start your visit by arriving in Casiana by local bus (chiva). Take in the coffee plants on the way surrounding the route and get a feel of life in the rural areas of this locality. You can also get there by moto-taxi. You will be captivated by the friendliness of Angela and Andres, who share their knowledge and experience of coffee growing and production with such love. The mountainous landscape, the variety of exotic flowers produced, Angela’s orchard and the birds that can be seen at their house, all make for an unforgettable visit. At the end of your visit you can buy their excellent quality coffee and other local produce, and in this way support a local project.

Camino de la Herrera and Charco Corazón

This beautiful stone path, opened in 1858, connected the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and Valle with Riosucio Caldas. Today, there are only remnants of the path but it is worth travelling on part of this ancient path, preserved as “national heritage”. You can travel on the path from carrera sexta Berrío, which is the closest to Dulces de Jardín. You can follow the path until the Cascada de Amor (Love Waterfall) and Charco Corazón (Heart Pool). It is a very quiet and peaceful walk and you will be able to appreciate the wonderful natural surroundings that lead you to the rural parts of Jardín.

Photo: Gabriel Angel

Dulces del Jardín

This is a family tradition which opened its doors a few years ago to share the magical recipes of its candies and desserts. They have an ample selection of candies, jams, honey and craft wines. You can try the candies if you ask. We recommend the arracacha caramel jam and the ginger tea. Located at: calle 13 #5-47.

Hotel Hacienda Balandú

Just outside Jardín is the Balandú hotel. If you’re in Jardín for a while, we recommend you visit the farm where you will find various well-cared for animals, especially the horses (the children love them). You can also buy an entrance for the whole day and spend the afternoon in the swimming pool, eat pasties (empanadas) and have a relaxing afternoon. If you manage to stay until the evening, you can spend time in the Jacuzzi and meet new people, or share with your friends and family. To get there, take a moto-ratón (tuk-tuk or auto-rickshaw) costing 34.000 pesos and walk back at sunset.

Walk by Vereda La Salada

The walking tour can be done as a family or at any time of the day. It is a very easy journey that lasts approximately 45 minutes of gentle walking from the beginning of the path to the café on the top of the mountain called “Yo amo Jardín”. It is the path that most restaurants travel where you will find the option of trout, the typical dish of Jardín.

Beginning of the walk

Climb up to the Cerro de la Cruz

You will have a spectacular view of the town from the cross. The climb takes about 1 hour on a path with a lot of stones and mud. The cross was taken up with the help of devotees from Jardín, led by Eduardo Suárez. The path gets a little muddy when it rains, so we only recommend going on a nice sunny day. There are silver lakes on the path. To get there, look out for La Salada district.

Photo: Testarossa Travel

Mirador café: I love Jardin

On the hike to Cerro de la Cruz (Christ), you can quench your thirst and snack on the terrace of Café Yo Amo Jardín. This must-see offers a unique view of the village and you can admire the mountains overlooking the valley.

Bird watching

Colombia has 1,940 species of birds and Antioquia has nearly 900 species. In Jardín, there are around 400 types of bird. Bird watching is a little known activity and that’s why we consider it one of Jardín’s hidden treasures. Nature lovers have one of the best locations for carrying out this activity in Jardín. The Ventanas district is a place you can visit with one of the local guides who, as well as being professional, have a great deal of knowledge on birds. You can take a 3 to 4 hour trip with the guides in Jardín and you can see the yellow-eared parrot, the cock-of-the-rock, a variety of hummingbirds (which inspired Hablea’s logo) and tanagers, to name a few.

Photo: Gabriel Angel

Enjoy the afternoon and evenings in the main square

Afternoon in Jardín is the perfect time to feel inspired while having a cup of coffee in the square, surrounded by colorful chairs and tables. The people of Jardín love going out for a coffee and watching people walk by, greeting friends and stopping to admire the beautiful landscape surrounded by mountains. This is one of the best plans in Jardín (as well as being free).On weekend evenings, Jardín residents like to go out for a drink, or sometimes head for one of the nightclubs. The spectacle of men and women on horseback is very representative of Jardín.

Photo: Gabriel Angel

Tour of the bees

If you have the time, don’t hesitate to visit Anderson and his family’s apiaries (beekeepers for 3 generations) in a beautifully landscaped farm. During 2 hours, you will discover the world of bees and their extraordinary universe.
The visit is in a beautiful setting in the mountains. It is also very special when done with children as they have to wear special uniforms to enter and visit the hives. During the visit you can taste and buy honey directly from the beekeepers and other pollen products.

To go, you must book in advance and we recommend that you visit in the morning. It is important to bring water and protection against mosquitoes. In the apiary, we have helped to promote a project with El Tour de las Abejas, the Corporación Cultura de Jardín and the French association APAEC, aimed at children from rural schools in Jardín, to raise awareness of environmental protection and of bees as an important pollinator.

Address: Vereda la Casiana (Finca la Florida- sector El alto)

Duration of the visit: Approximately 4 hours from the moment you leave the village.

If you want us to do translate the tour in English for you, please send us a message 2 days in advance.

Where to eat

Restaurant La Argelia

Trout is a typical dish in Jardín that you can’t miss. Although you’ll find trout on the menu in every restaurant, we recommend the trout served in La Argelia where it is served extremely fresh and with patacón (fried plantain), as well as a generous helping of salad. You can also visit the small trout pond in this restaurant and catch your own trout. The price of trout is around $25,000 pesos. La Argelia is on the outskirts of Jardín (10 min by moto-ratón from the central square). You can also walk there and enjoy the lovely landscape surrounded by mountains and flowers.

Having “Trucha” with Spanish students

Trout restaurant and swimming pool Valdivia (in rural area)

In la Valdivia you can enjoy a delicious trout in a very nice place outside Jardín. It is recommended to visit with the family. We recommend the empanadas and chicharrón starters and the trout broth. The typical Antioquian dish “La bandeja paisa” can also be enjoyed here.

Jacuzzi at Valdivia

During the week, this restaurant has the option for you to enjoy a day in the sun in the swimming pools of the place (price 50.000 pesos). There you will find 2 pools, 2 jacuzzis and a natural pool. There is also a bar and restaurant. It is a highly recommended plan to spend with family and friends.

To get there, you can take the bus that leaves every hour from the main square and drops you off in front of the restaurant (bus ticket price 2.000 pesos).

Restaurant Dónde Andrés

Here you will find dishes which are typical of the Antioquia region. You’ll also find that Andrés will take great care of you. The weekend speciality is mondongo (tripe). Lunch there will cost you on average between $20,000 and $25,000 pesos.

Vegetarian restaurant : Revolución Bananera or el Jardín de Adán

Our favorite vegetarian restaurant in Jardin, all dishes are delicious and home made with love by Felipe and Dayana.

This restaurant’s philosophy is to propose a menu with organic and vegan products. It is located on the path of the trucheras (la salty path). You can enjoy a very tasty, fresh meal with an incredible view over the town in a true heart of nature. We recommend the green banana patacones with a soy ceviche, they are excellent! The hash brown is one of the specialties that you cannot miss, they are potato tortillas stuffed with vegetables and avocado. There you will find freshly baked homemade bread and banana chocolate bars.

They also have a wide variety of delicious natural juices and smoothies. All their products are made with great love by Felipe and Dayana who also propose a brand of artisan products: chocolates (chimpanzee), bread, spicy oil, Chili pepper and much more.

A unique place that cannot be missed in Jardín!

You must call to make your reservation. Phone: 3196606779

Address: Finca el Encanto. Vereda la Salada.

Lulo’s restaurant – Healthy and 100% Vegan

For visitors looking for healthy cuisine that respects animals and the environment, we can only recommend this unique address in Jardín, set in an incredible setting.

You can have breakfast in peace on the covered terrace by the lake, enjoying a bowl of granola or a traditional breakfast. (Remember to book before). Each day a new menu is offered with a starter, a main course and a drink, all for 15,000 pesos. The products used are fresh, and the dishes are enhanced by the aromatic herbs from the vegetable garden.

You can also buy exotic fruit jams, banana or chocolate cakes to take away.

Let yourself be seduced by homemade artisan products such as peanut butter, natural cosmetics… Young French and Venezuelan restaurateurs with an undeniable sense of hospitality can only mark your stay in Jardín.

Consult the menus and their news on Instagram: lulosrestaurante

Hours: Monday to Sunday (except Tuesday, closed) from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Address: KM1 Via la Herrera (opposite the Cascada del Amor)

Crêpes Trigo y Centeno

Yarima’s crepes are unmissable. Her recipe and experience in the art of making crepes comes from France. You can enjoy a selection of crepes from the menu in a peaceful ambience. Drinks like the michelada (beer mixed with salt and various sauces) with lime juice are also recommended.

Located in Cl. 9 #22

Café de los Andes

Located in Jardín’s central square, this very pleasant place is a must in order to sample an excellent coffee while you watch life in Jardín go by from the balcony. We recommend you try the chocolate and almond. Cake. At the end of your stay, do go by to pick up one of the special coffees to take with you as a present for friends.

Cocoa- French café

“Originally from the Brittany region in France, we recently left our native lands to settle in a country that was close to our hearts: Colombia!

We have been living for several months in the charming and quiet little village of Jardín a few hours south of Medellín. We opened our ice cream café there: Cocoa Café Francés. We offer our customers delicious homemade ice cream made largely with local products and made in the style of Italian gelatos. We also offer pancakes (and yes, Brittany obliges) and a whole range of teas and coffees, again working with local players. From next month, we will also be offering a brunch option in order to expand our range towards savory products ”

We welcome you with pleasure every day (except Tuesday) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays).

Address: calle 8 # 2-57

How to get to Jardin from Medellin?

There are two bus companies departing from Medellin’s southern bus terminal which will take you to Jardin: Transporte Suroeste and Rápido Ochoa. Both companies offer the same transport service and the same class of bus. The current price (March 2024) is 50,000 pesos for a one-way ticket. You have the advantage of regular departures every 45 minutes. We recommend you book your ticket online to avoid waiting in line at the weekend.

Bus companies from Medellin to Jardín.

-Rápido Ochoa. Telephone number : 3122869768 – (604) 444 8888

-Transporte Suroeste Antioqueño.Telephone number: 300 4966887

Where to stay?

In Jardín there are different accommodation options, from hostels to very comfortable hotels and others suitable for families. Recommend hostels due to their proximity to the town and affordable price for travelers include the Hotel Pepers. An intermediate price hotel in a traditional-style Jardin house is the La Casona hotel. If you are looking for a more intimate hotel with mountain views then we recommend La Tángara.

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Written by: Alejandra Cuarán