A girl looks over Guatape and the expansive lake system.

©jeremykingnz/Shutterstock

Around Medellín

Long off-limits to Colombian tourists who remained trapped in their cities by the civil war, the countryside around Medellín is now secure and bustling with crowds. To the east lies the artificial reservoir Embalse Guatapé and the nearby Piedra del Peñol, a 656ft-high (200m) granite monolith you can climb. From the top you'll find great views over the lake.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Steep canyon rising above Rio Claro.

    Reserva Natural Cañon de Río Claro

    Around Medellín

    Within the boundaries of this private nature reserve, the river has carved a stunning canyon from its marble bed. You can visit the spectacular Caverna de…

  • Piedra del Peñol

    Piedra del Peñol

    Guatapé

    Also known as El Peñon de Guatapé, thanks to the fierce rivalry between the towns it straddles, this 200m-high granite monolith rises from near the edge…

  • Cueva del Esplendor

    Cueva del Esplendor

    Around Medellín

    Located at 2200m amid beautiful landscapes, this spectacular cave has a 10m waterfall gushing through a large hole in the roof and is Jardín's most famous…

  • Cerro Cristo Rey

    Cerro Cristo Rey

    Around Medellín

    You'll spot this lookout point with its white Christ statue from the center of Jardín. Take the modern cable car (round trip COP$5000) up for fantastic…

  • Hacienda Nápoles Adventure Park

    Hacienda Nápoles Adventure Park

    Around Medellín

    A somewhat bizarre safari-themed adventure park built on what was Pablo Escobar's favorite farm. While Pablo's hippos are still around, the park…

  • Puente de Occidente

    Puente de Occidente

    Around Medellín

    This unusual 291m bridge over the Río Cauca is 5km east of town. When completed in 1895, it was one of the first suspension bridges in the Americas. José…

  • Cueva de los Guácharos

    Cueva de los Guácharos

    Around Medellín

    A less visited cave and a great alternative to the Cueva El Esplendor excursion, Cueva de los Guácharos is reachable via a six-hour round trip from Jardín…

  • Caverna de los Guácharos

    Caverna de los Guácharos

    Around Medellín

    This is a spectacular cave, about 1km long, featuring numerous marble caverns, soaring high and hollow like great cathedrals, connected by a fresh stream…

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