11 (+4) Best Day Trips From Medellin, Colombia

Immerse yourself in culture and beauty with the best day trips from Medellin, Colombia. From freshly roasted coffee in a tiny cowboy town to seeing the world from the top of a 220 m/721 ft rock, we’ve counted down the top trips to complete your visit.

Colombia is split into 32 departments and a capital district. Medellin and all these day trips are in the Antioquia department.

Now, have your notes app at the ready! Scroll down to be an expert in minutes. 

1. Guatape

Every blog about Medellin day trips will tell you to go to Guatape, and they’re right. Don’t discount this trip because it pops up everywhere! It really is a must-see.

This lakeside town is a multi-colored paradise full of Colombian culture. But Guatape isn’t the only attraction here. Piedra El Penol (the El Penol Rock) is the star of the show. This rock stands high amongst the rolling green hills, shimmering artificial lakes, and colonial towns. 

Want the best view? Climb the 740 steps to the top to feel like the king of the castle. You can reward yourself with an ice cream or beer once you reach the summit. Gorgeous.

The journey from Medellin to Guatape takes 2 hours and 20 minutes via private car. Although it’s more expensive, it’s much faster and more straightforward than patching together the local buses. 

Trust me.

I took the public transport route, which took an extra 45 minutes (and some Spanish) to figure out. 

2. Parque Arvi

If you want to see more than the city center but don’t fancy traveling too far, Parque Arvi is your day trip. This sky-high park sits just east of the city, and you can reach it via Medellin’s cable car network. Great views and a unique journey.

Within the park, you can hike the forest trails, enjoy a picnic, or try zip-lining. It’s a great place to take a moment to breathe after a busy city trip.

Parque Arvi is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. 

Pro tip: Don’t make the same mistake I did by turning up on a Monday. 

3. San Rafael

San Rafael is east of Medellin, in the same direction as Guatape, but it’s an hour further. The extra travel is worth it, though, as San Rafael is a gorgeous, natural paradise with fewer tourists than Guatape.

Here, you can swim in clear rivers, frolic amongst picturesque waterfalls, and wander through wild forests. You might even spot a monkey or two! 

Pro tip: Don’t forget your swimsuit and sunscreen for this day trip. 

You can get here by taking the bus to Guatape and another bus from Guatape to San Rafael. This takes approximately three to four hours, depending on the buses. These are local buses, so a few words of Spanish will help you get around. 

4. Santa Fe de Antioquia

Did you know Colombia has a network of Heritage Towns? The Colombian tourism department created a network of beautiful towns with cultural and historical significance, and Santa Fe de Antioquia is one of them.

An o-dark-thirty wake-up call is worth it. This town boasts warm weather, traditional buildings, cobbled streets, and a slower pace of life. Unlike Medellin, this town isn’t a tourist hotspot. It’s ideal if you want to swap the city for small-town vibes.

Highlights include:

• Shopping at the local markets
• Sipping fresh coffee
• Feasting on a bandeja paisa (Colombian dish with beans, pork, rice, egg, plantain, and chorizo)
• Marvel at the architecture
• Explore the many churches

This quaint town is a few hours north of Medellin and can absolutely be done on a day trip if you embrace getting up early to make the most of the day. You can travel from Medellin to Santa Fe de Antioquia in two hours via a private car.

5. Jardin

Does the smell of fresh coffee make your mouth water? Do you need a hot cuppa to function in the morning? If yes, Jardin is the day trip for you.

Jardin is a colonial town with a beautiful basilica, a stunning main square, traditional cowboys, and lots of coffee. Get ready to have the best coffee you’ve ever tasted. 

Jardin is a coffee lover’s dream because it sits in a valley surrounded by coffee plantations. But coffee tasting and tours aren’t the only activities here. You can also enjoy horse riding, canyoning, and hiking.

While you can travel here on a day trip, try to stay overnight and truly experience this Heritage Town to its fullest. Medellin to Jardin takes about three hours via bus. 

6. Sonson

Sonson is a little town three hours west of Medellin. Though it’s not as well known as other day trips, it should be on your list — especially if you’re a keen hiker. 

In Sonson, you can trek through rolling hills while enjoying dramatic scenery and crisp fresh air. Perfect if you’re craving raw nature after seeing the city’s sights. 

Popular hiking routes in Sonson include:

• Ruta Santa Monica
• Paramo de Sonson
• Chorro de Las Campanas
• Paramo de Las Palomas
• Sonson to Melcocho

If Sonson sounds like a breath of fresh air, pack your hiking boots and plan your trip. Medellin to Sonson takes approximately three hours by car. You should book an early taxi for this trip. 

7. Cocorna

Want to keep your travel below two hours? 

Cocorna is a little town southeast of Medellin, and it’s less than two hours by public bus or taxi. 

Unlike other sleepy small towns, Cocorna is a hub for adventure tourism. It’s particularly well-known for paragliding — the take-off area overlooks the town, the green countryside, jungles, and waterfalls. 

Since it’s smaller, Cocorna isn’t one of Medellin’s most well-known day trips. Head here before it loses its small-town charm!

8. San Felix

Like the idea of paragliding but don’t want to travel too far from the city center? 

San Felix is your answer. 

This little town is northwest of the city, and it only takes 40 minutes to drive here from the city center. Or you can embrace public transportation. You can take the metro from downtown Medellin for one hour to La Aurora. Once here, you can take a bus or taxi to San Felix town — another 15-minute journey. 

Most Medellin paragliding tour package companies will take you here. So, if you want to merge a day trip and an adventure activity into one, consider booking one. 

Seeing Medellin from the sky is something seriously special. Push your fears aside and give it a go.

9. Ciudad Bolívar

Calling all hikers! 

This little town southwest of the city might not look like much on the map. But it’s where you can hike the Farallones del Citara mountains, which cover 75,000 acres of forestland. 

There are lots of small towns around the mountains and many eco-friendly tourism centers. So, you can stay overnight if you want a few days to take in the views. 

You can travel from Medellin to Ciudad Bolivar in two and a half hours.

Pro tip: Don’t confuse this Ciudad Bolivar with Colombia’s Bolivar department. This day trip stays within the Antioquia department. 

10. Jerico

Jerico is a traditional town with picture-perfect colonial architecture. Unsurprisingly, there’s lots of religious history here. But that’s not all! There are also a few galleries, many art shops, and plenty of chances to buy a carriel bag — a traditional Colombian satchel bag that originated in Jerico. 

Many Colombians make a pilgrimage to Jerico during Holy Week. The long, winding road to the town is part of its charm. Picture rolling green hills, coffee plantations, and rugged mountains. Secure the window seat!

This small town is only 2.5 hours away via car. Still, you’ll probably want more than 24 hours to explore this hidden gem. Public buses take 3.5 hours.

Fun fact: Jerico is the birthplace of Madre Laura, Colombia’s first patron saint. 

11. El Carmen de Viboral

Is souvenir shopping non-negotiable on your travels? 

El Carmen de Viboral is the place for unique Colombian ceramic gifts and the chance to spend the day in a peaceful and colorful town. 

The highlight of El Carmen de Viboral is Ceramic Street, the most attractive calle in town. Not only can you buy exquisite crafts, but you can also admire the ceramic building fronts. Even some of the trash cans have ceramic designs!

While you are there, attend ceramic workshops, visit local art galleries, sip fresh coffee, and enjoy traditional Colombian food.

This little town is only one hour from Medellin via taxi. The journey is easy, but safely packing ceramics into your backpack might not be!

4 Alternative Medellin day trips & routes

Haven’t found the right Medellin day trip for you? Here are some other options.

• Rio Claro — Located 3.5 hours east of Medellin, Rio Claro is more of an overnight trip. But it’s worth considering. This destination is a nature reserve with green rivers, tropical rainforests, and a marble canyon.

• San Antonio de Pereira — You’ll come across San Antonio de Pereira an hour southeast of Medellin. Known as the “sweetest” town in Antioquia because of its postres (desserts) and fresh fruit, this is a must-see for the foodies. Must-try desserts include oblea (crisp wafers with caramel spread), milhoja (razor-thin pastries with vanilla creme and chocolate), and delicious brazo de reinas (frosted sponge cake filled with fruit jam).

• Abejorral — Abejorral is three hours from Medellin and far from the standard tourist trail. But don’t let distance put you off. It’s a great rock climbing, hiking, and horseback riding spot.

• Puerto Boyaca — If you fancy traveling off the beaten path or want to see authentic Colombian life, consider a day trip to Puerto Boyaca. This trip is best for those who speak Spanish or are experienced travelers, as this riverport town doesn’t see many tourists. Journeys from Medellin to Puerto Boyaca take about 4.5 hours via bus. 

Where to head after Medellin

Perhaps you’d rather travel to a new city? The Medellin day trips are amazing. But there’s so much more to see. These are some other common routes for backpackers:

• Medellin to Cartagena — Consider making the Caribbean coast the next stop on your journey. You can access golden beaches, vibrant nightlife, and delicious foods via a 1-hour and 10-minute flight or a 15-hour bus ride. 

There is a lot to do in Cartagena. I loved this city, especially evening cocktails by the old port.

• Medellin to Santa Marta — Another Caribbean town, Santa Marta provides lush sea views, scuba-diving, and the chance to see the Tayrona National Natural Park. 

• Medellin to Cali — Can you feel the salsa beat? Cali is known as the Salsa Capital of the world. 

Get ready for non-stop dancing and exciting city life. Cali was a highlight of my travels. Great food, parties, and friendly people. What more could you ask for?

• Medellin to Florencia — Add the jungle to your list. Florencia is the most populous city in Colombia’s Amazon region. 

• Medellin to Valledupar — Calling all music lovers! Valledupar is a UNESCO city of music known for bullerengue and cumbia rhythms. 

What’s the weather like in Medellin, Colombia?

Medellin boasts warm temperatures all year round, and despite having “wetter” months, the rain only lasts for a few hours and isn’t as heavy as typical tropical storms. So, no matter when you visit, you should experience some pleasant weather. This spot is dubbed the city of eternal spring for a reason!

It’s rainiest from April to May and September to November. Skip these months if you hate carrying an umbrella. From December to February, you’re guaranteed dry weather. Likewise, June to August is very dry, but you might experience a shower or two.

The warmest month is July, when temperatures average 84°F/28°C. 

Want to skip the hottest months? November sees the lowest temperatures. But don’t pack a jumper — the average is still 80°F/26°C.

The ultimate Medellin packing list

Whether climbing the rock in Guatape, swimming in the river at San Rafael, or exploring the city, you’ll need these essentials.

• Sunscreen
• UV protective sunglasses
• Swimsuit
• Lightweight moisture-wicking clothing
• Comfortable shoes
• Rain poncho (for wetter months)
• Dry bag
• Travel adaptors

Map of Medellin and nearby day trips

Don’t plan with your eyes closed! Take a look at the map above to see how far the day trips are from the city center. 

How to get to Medellin, Colombia

While Medellin Airport (MDE) is an international airport, some countries only provide long-haul flights to Bogota. You’ll need to get to the city before you start exploring!

You can travel from Bogota to Medellin in an hour via plane or take a 10-hour bus. If you’re traveling by bus, consider breaking up the trip. For example, you can stop in Colombia’s coffee towns on the way. Bogota to Ibague takes 4.5 hours by van, allowing you to cut the drive in half. 

Want to hit one of our recommended stops on the way to Medellin? Bogota to Puerto Boyaca takes just under 6 hours via bus. 

The day trip from Medellin takeaway

Whether you extend your Medellin day trip into a weekend affair or keep it short and simple, we hope this list has inspired you to see beyond the city limits. Medellin and the surrounding area are steeped in culture and beauty, so you’re in for a treat.

Grab travel tickets on the go. See all of Bookaway’s Medellin routes now.

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