Traveling through Colombia as a family is an extraordinary experience that you will never forget, especially if you decide to stay in the less touristy towns of the country such as Jardín. The country that was once one of the least visited places in the world, is today a preferred travel destination where you can safely travel . In Colombia you will definetly find special places for everyone. You will enjoy discovering different cultures, styles of music and food in one country. In addition to, you will have the opportunity to walk through mountains and beaches with an immense variety of flowers and wildlife.
To discover Colombia as a family, a lot of planning is needed, especially when there are young children present. However, it is no longer a problem to achieve the dream of traveling the world and discovering new cultures with your family. Today we want to share with you some recommendations to keep in mind when you come to Colombia with your family.
Planning your trip
When Planning your trip, it is important to have a defined route of the places you want to explore. However, keep in mind that in Colombia plans can change from one moment to another. Colombian culture is characterized by being flexible in its daily activities. Therefore, if you have an appointment confirmed, it may take longer than expected or there may be some unexpected delays. In your travel itinerary, it is recommended that you leave 2 days of rest or free time that can be flexible for a 2 weeks trip.
If you are planning your trip, you probably have a hard time deciding the regions you want to visit because you see many beautiful places and you feel that you want to visit them all. We recommend you to choose a maximum of 3 provinces and focus on visiting the towns of that region (Antioquia, Atlántico, Pacífico etc..). This will save you stress while traveling from one place to another. On the other hand, Colombia has a very different climate in each region, in the north of Colombia you will find very hot climates (around 37 degrees Celsius) and in the south of Colombia there are colder climates (around 12 degrees Celsius), therefore, we recommend you to pack your suitcases for all types of weather 🙂
Interact with locals to learn a little more about the culture
For sure, if you travel to Colombia you will want to feel integrated with the locals. Colombians like to meet new people and getting into a conversation with someone is very easy. To get to know places as a family, contact someone local and ask for recommendations of the most suggested neighborhoods for families with children.In Medellín, you can search for friendlier neighborhoods such as Laureles, Floresta, Belén and Envigado which has several areas such as playgrounds, shopping centers, sports spaces, medical centers and are located close to a metro station. In Jardín, it is easy to find locals who want to talk to you because people are more available during the afternoon, many people go to have a coffee in the main square.
Find a local guide
In Colombia, local guides are certified and prepared to accompany you during your trip. One idea to find a guide without having to go through a travel agency is to go directly to the city you want to visit and talk directly with the person you want to guide you. It is recommended to verify that they have a permit to work as a guide. Most of the people who work in the tourism sector in Colombia speak English, so you will have no problem finding out about tourism plans. If you want us to recommend some local guides you can write us.
With Saga, our local guide in Jardin
Buy a SIM card for your phone
If you want to travel with better security, we recommend buying a sim card for your phone in a supermarket. The companies we recommend are Claro or Tigo. You can add 25,000 pesos (around 7 dollars) to your phone and have access to the internet and calls to other local phones for 15 days. Remember that you need to unlock your phone in your country for the card to work. In Spanish you can say: “Necesito hacer una recarga de 25.000 pesos por favor”, that means, I need to do a recharge of 25.000 pesos, please.
Distance between cities and transportation
Keep in mind that although a map shows you a short distance, driving between cities can be long because you have to cross very large mountains. In addition, during the rainy seasons there are usually landslides that block the roads for several hours.
Distances from one place to another may seem shorter than they actually are on a journey. For example: the distance between Medellín and Jardín is 131 kilometers and the travel time by driving is 3 hours. The buses that transport between cities are very comfortable, in most of them you can find a bathroom, television and Wi-Fi. Something to keep in mind is that air conditioning will always be on the buses, so take a good jacket or blanket to cover yourself from the cold. If you go as a family, you can rent a taxi inside the bus terminal, it almost always costs the same price as a bus ticket per person.
Public places for families
Most cities in Colombia have several museums, parks, attraction centers, playrooms and cinemas that you can enjoy with your family. These places organize free family activities on the weekends: (concerts, dance classes, singing competitions, etc.). You can find out about their programs and hours at the tourist offices in the airports and in the bus stations of each city.
Family Sports Sundays
Sundays are the days most people in Colombia ride their bicycles. Colombian families go out from 8 am to 1 pm to skate, run, ride a bike or walk their dog. On the cycle lanes you can rent bicycles by the hour and have a very pleasant time. You could also find free activities where people are doing aerobic dancing with teachers for all levels. It is an ideal occasion to learn some salsa, bachata and reggaeton steps. In several places you will find very clean public swimming pools that are kid-friendly, do not forget to bring a swimming cap which will be required to enter.
Local restaurants
In Colombia, breakfasts and lunches are almost always very large. It is very easy to share a plate between two children or between a child and an adult. When you go to a restaurant we recommend you ask what the menu of the day is. If you don’t ask, they will show you the full menu and the prices will be a little more expensive. Tap water can be drunk in most large cities, however it is always good to ask in each city you visit, if the water is drinkable.
Learn Spanish during your trip
If you have time, we recommend you take a short Spanish course for travelers, this way you will feel safer and more relaxed during your trip. With Hablea you can start taking classes online before your trip. The photo below was taken with Laura and Mila, they were two girls who took Spanish classes with Hablea before coming to Colombia and then continued their classes in Medellín.
During your trip you can choose a few hours of immersion Spanish classes like the ones we offer with Hablea in Medellín, Cali and Jardín. Private classes are tailored for parents or children. Our teachers will support you greatly during your visit. In addition, we can organize some activities such as dancing, cooking, and history classes for your family.
Jardín, an ideal place to spend family vacations
Jardin is a town located in the south-west of Antioquia, 3 hours from Medellin. This town is an historical heritage and a fantastic place full of nature, with temperatures all year around from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Its mountains are sourounded by coffee and banabana trees. You will fall in love with the people because of the kindness. For these reasons we recommend you to plan 3 to 5 days for your trip to have time to enjoy the culture. Jardin is a magical place, therefore it is the ideal place to take Spanish lessons.
Spanish students in Jardin
In Jardín you will be able to carry out different outdoor activities, take walks to the waterfalls, horseback riding, visit coffee farms or participate in activities organized by the cultural center (Corporación Cultural de Jardín).
To get to Jardín you need to arrive from Medellín or Pereira by bus, for more information go to the following link.
Among the activities you can do you find:
-Cycling with a group of locals
-Aerobics
-Spanish classes
-Yoga classes
-Dance classes
-Painting classes for children
-Swimming
-Participation in language exchanges
In the following link you will find more activities that you can do in Jardín. Click here
We hope these recommendations will encourage you to choose Colombia on your next trip. If you want to plan your trip with a local guide or if you want to take Spanish classes, don’t hesitate to write us.