Cueva del Esplendor

Top choice in 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 attraction. The cave is only accessible by foot along muddy, sometimes-narrow mountain paths. The entrance is around a three-hour hike from Jardín, and since 2017 there's been a daily limit of 40 visitors to prevent further damage to the cave. Only one operator is now allowed to lead hiking tours; book ahead.

The cascade begins about 70m above the entrance, falling in various stages before pouring into a small pool at the bottom of the cave, throwing up clouds of mist. It's possible to take a dip but the water is ice-cold. Note that from the access point it's a 20-minute walk down a steep path to the cave, so visitors need some dexterity.

Expect to pay around COP$70,000 per person for the guided trek, including a traditional lunch.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Around Medellín attractions

1. Cascada La Escalera

1.7 MILES

This impressive waterfall is actually a series of seven cascades, although visitors generally only see the lower reaches. It's a fairly easy hike from…

2. Cueva de los Guácharos

1.98 MILES

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…

3. Cerro Cristo Rey

2.66 MILES

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…

5. Museo Clara Rojas Pelaéz

3.1 MILES

Located in an elegant old house on Jardín's plaza, this museum contains a diverse mix of exhibits detailing the history of the town, including pre…

6. Reserva Natural Gallito de la Roca

3.32 MILES

This small nature reserve right on the edge of town is the scene of one of Jardín's most impressive natural sights. Early each morning and again in the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "colombia/jardin/attractions/cueva-del-esplendor/a/poi-sig/1503193/1339992",
      "destination": "Around-Medellín",
      "continent": "South-America",
      "country": "Colombia",
      "region": "Around-Medellín",
      "position": "superzone"
    }