Day trips from Medellín

Spend a day visiting the municipality of Guatapé, the city of many names: known variously as the interior sea of Antioquia, the Acapulco of Colombia, the interior Cartagena, Paraíso Paisa (paradise country), Remanso de Paz (haven of peace) and the heart of Antioquia's East, the city was actually named in honor of Cacique Guatapé, an inhabitant of this territory in the pre-Hispanic period. Spend a day visiting this growing and colorful city, made unique by the decorative tiles adorning the lower facade of the houses. For the third part of the day, enjoy a 1-hour boat tour through the reservoir with crossover music. See panoramic views of Casa Museo, La Cruz, Piedras del Marial, Piedra del Peñol and the ruins of the Pablo Escobar's vacation home. Throughout the whole day, you'll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. Please note that the order of the itinerary may vary.

Depart Medellin early in the morning. Enjoy a scenic drive to the Piedra del Peñol. You’ll have 1.5 hours to climb the 742 steps to the top of the historic rock and return to the base.  If you do not want to climb to the top, there is plenty to do at the base, with many shops selling local artisanal goods and many cafés as well. Enjoy a traditional lunch at the Piedra del Peñol or along the boardwalk in Guatapé. Take a guided tour of Guatapé, and then board a boat for a cruise on the Guatapé Reservoir. You will then start the return journey back to Medellin.

Head out to San Sebastián de Palmitas, just 45 minutes from Medellín, to begin your unique coffee tour. After hotel pick-up, set off for a coffee-making farm and enjoy listening to a brief history about the origin of the coffee and how it was first brought to Colombia. Take the chance to dress in the typical costume of the paisa muleteer, including hat, poncho, paruma, and the tail of a rooster. Later, move on to a coffee plantation to carry out the coffee harvest, reducing the mixture to a pulp and finally, drying it. After these activities, sit down for a refreshing drink of musilago (coffee juice) and a tea made from the coffee pulp. Savor a typical dish from the region made of banana with honey and cheese. Hear your guide explain some techniques on how to prepare and drink coffee and have a short tasting of different coffees and servings. Later, try a typical dish of the paisa muleteer consisting of rice, yuca, ground beef, boiled egg, sausage, and banana. Try preparing your coffee to your own taste with the information you have just learned from your guide. Finally, receive a pack of coffee as a gift and have the chance to buy farm products at the shop. If the option is chosen, also experience a 2 hour horseback ride through the farm to some viewpoints. All instructions will be given to inexperienced riders.

After being picked up in Medellin, drive for 1.5 hours to the eastern Antioquia municipality of Guatapé. Once there, take a 1-hour boat tour through the reservoir. Soak up panoramic views of Casa Museo, La Cruz, Marial Rock, El Peñol Rock, and the ruins of Pablo Escobar's vacation home. Then, climb the 740 steps to reach the top of the Rock of Guatapé or Piedra del Peñol, a 220-meter (722-foot) high monolith surrounded by abundant water and vegetation. At the summit, delight in magnificent 360-degree views of the spectacular landscape and Guatapé Dam, built in the lands of the old municipality of Peñol in the 1970s. Next, visit Guatapé, a growing and colorful city made unique by the decorative tiles adorning the lower facades of the houses. Replenish your energy with a lunch of rice, beans, fries, salad, and a choice of pork, chicken or beef, with a refreshing drink included. Return to Medellín after and be dropped off at your hotel.

Enjoy Pablo Escobar's former farm that has been transformed into a theme park to be enjoyed by everyone from kids to adults. When entering Hacienda Nápoles, you will encounter a world of fun with pools for the family, lazy river, dinosaur replicas, bird world, an African museum, and much more. You will also be shown Escobar's main house, known as La Mayoría. Visit the Memorial Museum, where you will learn about the life of the drug lord and see the first airplane he used to send drugs abroad. Explore different wildlife habitats and be amazed as you encounter tigers, elephants and other creatures from the wild. The tour will last throughout the whole day as it is a long way from Medellin, but expect lots of fun! There will be breakfast included and plenty of places to eat lunch at the park.

Start with pickup from your hotel located in the El Poblado neighborhood or the meeting point in Parque Lleras. Drive 45 minutes to arrive at the launching pad where you will have a great view over the Medellín region. Rely on high-quality gear and instructions from professional and reputable staff. Receive an introductory lesson, and then fly out over the Aburra Valley over the beautiful scenery. See spots such as the Medellin River, the El Quitasol hill, the Garcia barrage, and the Picacho hill, with the spectacular backdrop of the mountains. After your flight, return to the city of Medellín.

Be picked up by private car from your hotel then drive 1.5 hours to the natural reserve in La Ceja. Upon arrival, you will be given an introduction to the place, safety instructions, and you will be taken to the first zipline station by hiking for 20 minutes. Start the first 700 meters flight to the other side of the canyon, enjoying a stunning view of five giant waterfalls. Your weight must be under 99 kgs or 218 lbs to do this activity. Children will be accompanied by a professional guide. Once at the other side of the mountain, take a 30-minute hike to the base of the giant waterfall. Feel the powerful splashes of the giant waterfall and recharge your spirit. Return to the top of the mountain, and enjoy some free time to relax in this paradise. Then, a second zipline flight will take you to the other side of the canyon to start a 30-minute hike back to the starting point.

You'll experience exquisite hors d'oeuvres and sample savory authentic Paisa dishes in this one-of-a-kind four-hour culinary adventure! This tour takes you to several locations to sample our succulent cuisine while learning the cultural aspects of the gastronomy and much more! The friendly and professional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel at your scheduled time. From there, you will be transported in a comfortable and private vehicle with air-conditioning and tinted windows to the top of the Andes Mountains. There will be stops at different locations, such as the Mirador, where you will delight your eyes with a panoramic view of Medellin from a precipice. Your taste buds will be stimulated while you sample tantalizing food with gusto, as you are driven from place to place to experience the richness and tradition of delectable dishes and finger food from the region. All of the delicious food on this tour is included, come on an empty stomach and enjoy! Guests will be dropped off at their hotel or place of stay after the tour.

Hop into a van in Lleras Park and drive from Medellín into the mountains. Once arrived, warm up first in a parking lot with your 550cc ATV quads take a short test over an obstacle course. Receive instruction and safety tips from an experienced guide throughout the activity.  Enjoy a ride in the majestic mountains of Antioquia, in a natural reserve surrounded by pure Colombian nature, various trees, flowers, and fauna. Stop at a couple of view points to take amazing photos. Return to Medellín after an exhilarating day exploring the countryside.

Combine adrenaline and adventure with this combo tour. After getting picked up from your hotel, get the opportunity to ride your own ATV through the beautiful landscapes and mountains of the Colombian rainforest. Spend 1 hour getting your adrenaline pumping as you drive through lush untouched vegetation. After your ATV ride, enjoy a 3-hour rafting experience on the Calderas River, a Class IV river. As well as experiencing the thrill and excitement of white water rafting, you will have the unique opportunity to journey into the heart of Colombia's most untouched rainforest. After a full day's excitement, make your way back to your hotel in the afternoon.