Top Things to do in Medellin
Top 8 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Medellin, Antioquia Department
Once infamous for dangerous gangs and drug activity, Medellin has been transformed. It’s now a vibrant destination for travelers seeking a culturally rich vacation. Medellin rises proudly from the belly of the Aburrá Valley, and its natural beauty makes a perfect setting for hiking, zip lining and horseback riding. Travel through lush jungle to Piedra de Penol, then climb the 740 steps to the top—a journey within a journey that rewards you with unforgettable views.
Restaurants in Medellin
1. Eco Reserva Susurros Del Bosque
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Eco reserve Whispers from the forest is close to Medellin, surounded by the exuberant vegetation, numerous birds and wild mammals, on the edge of river Medellin where many creeks with clean water enter the river. Here, you find a Rescue and rehabilitation center for sloths, armadillos and anteaters, abandoned or mistreated. Sloth shop offers small gifts to take home....
2. Arrierito Antioqueno Bird Reserve
3. Brassia Estetica y spa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Brassia Spa, offer you all its services and an excellent relaxation area, to enjoy a wonderful Spa experience. Exfoliation rituals and body hydration, massages to relax all muscles, applying different techniques such as volcanic stones, geo-bambu, hot pindas (herbal bags) , water circuit with Turkish bath and jacuzzi, to feel well-being in body, mind and spirit.
Reviewed By LouR131
It’s located in a great neighborhood in Medellin and it’s one of the best spas you can find in the city. The ambience is quiet and smooth and they have a long list of services at affordable prices and very friendly workers. I went for a massage and a facial and left feeling amazing. Great way to start and end a trip to Medellin. Will definitely be coming back!
4. Las Tangaras Bird Reserve
5. Rio Claro Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 311 reviews
Reviewed By 676alexj
SERVICE: I don´t know why so many people complain about the service.... I was very satisfied with the staff, especially David from reception is a super helpful, patient and polite guy who helped with every question I had (speaks very good english) FOOD: Not high class, but absolutely ok. I am vegetarian and for each meal I got a veggie soup and an extra little side dish like cooked eggplants, fried zuccinis, mushrooms, etc. Plus they have a really great variety of salads (one of the bests I have seen in Colombia) and you can go to the buffet a second time and get more :-) ROOMS: I was super happy with my room. I stayed in the El refugio, which I can absolutely recommand to people who don`t mind having a few little animals like insects or bugs in the room. After dinner, I loved sitting at the "open" = no window and listening to the sounds of the nature, reading a book at candle light and then falling asleep. I had no towels in the room, I asked the housekeeping ladies and I got them. At the entrance I was able to pick my room (I didn`t have a reservation), the lady showed me a map and all possibilities including rates. I chose a room at the very end (casa 1, room 9). I wanted to be as far away as possible from the restaurant and acitvity area. I didn't mind the 10 minute walk from the restaurant and the stairs at all. I paid 140.000 COP, which after all, is an acceptable price for a room with a very great view, private bathroom, all meals included. ACTIVITIES (in my opinion, rates are quite cheap for what you get): I did the cave, which was very intersting and exciting. Be prepared to get wet. You will have to swim at some parts. And bring a flashlight, it is dark! I skipped the rafting, it looked quiet boring, the river is slow and not very deep. I did rafting and canyoning in Europe (I think this can not be compared). Instead I rented a tube and walked up the river for about an hour and then I enjoyed a quiet and relaxing 1,5 hour ride with sounds of birds :-), I absolutely loved it! --> I went directly after breakfast before the day visitors arrive and my 2 companions and I had the river almost to ourselves. I skipped Ziplining as well. Much better and longer lines f.ex. in Costa Rica WHAT ELSE: I took the bus from Guatape to Rio Claro. You don't have to go back all the way to Medellin. Take the bus direction Medellin (leaves Guatape at least every hour) and change to one of the big buses in Marinilla. On the road from Medellin to Bogota (road 60) there is a small bus terminal with 3 offices (one is Coonorte) where you can buy your ticket (20.000 COP). From there it takes about 2 hours. Tell the driver to stop at reserva natural rio claro. Do not forget to mention the complete name, otherwise they might let you out further on the street and you have to walk back.... I left my big backpack at the check-in office at the entrance and just took my small one with things for 2 nights (you don't need much, its warm all the time. In case you have forgotten something you can always go back, its only 15 minutes from the restaurant). In total it is about half an hour to walk to the rooms of El Refugio, so I wouldn't want to carry all my stuff there.... AVOID weekends and puentes! I think it can get really crowded with Colombians from Medellin with kids. I was there Monday to Wednesday and there were not many people. The bus to Bogota took a lot more than 5 hours.... 7,5 hour...the road is ok, but only one lane and a lot of big and slow trucks plus some road construction....usual colombian problem.... AFTER ALL: I loved this place! It is great to have a few days very close to nature, birds, swim (the river has just the right temperature), relax, read, walk along the river (the further you go the less people you meet, at the end we were all by ourselves, sooo peaceful), enjoy the sounds of the woods, no WIFI....
6. Parque Arvi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,036 reviews
Ecotourism Arvi Regional Park (Arvi Park), is located 30 km from the center of Medellin (Colombia) in the village of Santa Elena and the municipality of Guarne (Antioquia - Colombia). It is an open park developed on land for public use, created for the enjoyment of the local, national and international community, through the construction of organized tourism, consolidates a conservation strategy and promotion of the potentials and strengths of its cultural and environmental wealth and archaeological heritage, silletero tradition and entrepreneurship of its people, through a proposal for sustainable nature tourism.
Reviewed By AMVTX92 - Mequon, United States
We took the Gondola/metro cable to the park from Medellin. There was a market and we had a lovely time hiking around the park. Some areas were closed due to the Christmas holiday. But it was a lovely afternoon. Many places to stop for food and drink. There was not a park entrance fee. The hike is good for all ages but lots of hills.
7. Mariposario Selva Viva
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 45 reviews
A wonderful place where you can see more than 1200 butterflies from 40 different species alive, flying, eating and interacting.It´s a place for fun and learning as you can see the entire process of the butterflies since it´s an egg, a caterpillar that forms the chrysalis and finally the butterfly is born.This is a unique place to appreciate butterflies in Medellín Located inside a shopping mall and , near the metro station Niquia.
8. Cerro El Volador
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By bojanat119 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Don't miss to visit this intact, quiet, cool piece of nature. Enjoy the birds and butterflies, fresh air and view of the city.
