Where We Be
Jardin is the perfect off-the-beaten-path getaway town. It's charming
and quiet while offering just enough amenities to feel comfortable.
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La Garrucha was originally designed to transport local farmers in the surrounding
hills to and from the village -- but now it's also something of a tourist attraction
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A cafe with a killer patio sits at the top
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Be sure to walk along the adjacent trail for ten minutes or so -- lovely views will unfold before you
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It's a flower-filled path and not too steep
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Bananas wrapped to protect them from insects
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Once you've had your fill, head back to La Garrucha for the return trip.
Note: we originally planned on walking all the way down but the trail got confusing.
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Okay, this really is the life!
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Spectacular view from the cafe
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View from the bridge looking up at the surrounding scenery
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One more greenery-filled view from the bridge. Jardin means
"garden" in Spanish -- an apt name for this beautiful town.
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There aren't many places where you can see this rare bird up close, so be
sure to visit Parque Jardin de Rocas for an almost-guaranteed sighting
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The Andean cock-of-the-rock has striking colors and a raucous calll --
and it has to be one of the strangest looking birds you'll ever see
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The preserve opens its doors to visitors daily
from 3 pm to 5:30 pm (10,000 pesos or ~$3 each)
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During our half-hour visit we saw one juvenile and eight to ten
adults close at hand. The property includes a lovely garden.
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We loved waking up to these views from the balcony of our Airbnb
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Some of the local buses sport a lot of color
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We watched locals get on and off the bus in remote places like this
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We paused at this pretty spot for snacks and a restroom break halfway through
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It's hard to feel too bad about a long bus ride when the scenery is this good
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It's a long, bumpy ride full of twists and turns and ups and
downs on that second rickety bus -- but the views are terrific!
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First you have to get here! From Medellin it's not so bad -- a 4-hour bus ride -- but from Salento
it took two buses and a solid 10 hours (including a 3-hour wait in Riosucio between buses).
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Over four days we ambled up and down just about every
street in Jardin, but this was our main route to the plaza
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We quickly fell in love with this plaza. The church is huge for such a small town.
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The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception was built entirely
from hand-carved stone quarried in the foothills of the town
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Allegedly sinners were asked to bring stones from the quarry
equal in weight to the weight of their sins for its construction!
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Colorful chairs and tables dot the entire plaza. Each cafe has its own colors.
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It's a big plaza with trees and flowers and views of the surrounding countryside
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Pull up a chair and relax! It's one of the best things you can do here.
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Locals gather each day to read, chat, and watch
the tourists pass by -- while we watch the locals!
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Lovingly painted buildings surround the colorful plaza on all sides
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A fine cup of Colombian coffee right on the main
plaza will only set you back 1,200 pesos (~$0.40)
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We bought our groceries at Sol's Store. Even this side street has plenty of color.
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It's easy to fall in love with this town
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Jardin offers a respite from "real life" with its slower pace
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Keep your camera handy -- you never know what you'll find around the next corner
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This small convent (Convento Hermanas Concepcionistas)
near our Airbnb had some dramatic paintings on its outside walls
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The main plaza remains busy throughout the evening. Cafes
are packed with people and ice cream shops are hopping
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Why not take a metal shack with pulleys for a ride across a ravine?
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It's low-tech but it works!
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This suspension bridge offers another way across the gorge. The bird
sanctuary is located near the bridge on the right-hand (village) side.
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Plaza de los Libertadores
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Jardin quickly became our favorite town in
Colombia. It's surrounded by natural beauty and
retains its quiet charm, mainly because the long
bus ride to get here keeps tourist numbers
down. There are some fun things to do here,
but Jardin is more about the ambience than the
busy schedule you'll keep. The town's central
square, Plaza de los Libertadores, has to be
one of the prettiest in Colombia. We spent each
morning drinking coffee here in the heart of
Coffee Country while enjoying the local color.
Our favorite activity was taking the tram called
La Garrucha to the top of a mountain for great
views of the town. La Garrucha is basically a
metal shack with pulleys that takes you up and
down the mountain. It's rustic, rattling, and
altogether charming, and at a cost of only 4,000
pesos (~$1.20) each way a bargain to boot. You
can sip beers at the cafe up top while enjoying
terrific views. A walking path lets you enjoy
more fine views before you head back down.
Once at the bottom, be sure to visit the Gallito
de Roca Preserve a short distance away to see
one of the strangest looking birds you'll ever
lay eyes on -- the Andean cock-of-the-rock.
This kid has the right idea for getting up the hills!
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Home at last! Our Airbnb in Jardin was on the second floor with a balcony.
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Flowers love the growing conditions here
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Old shack in use before the nice shiny new one
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