Medellín

east

Guatape and La Piedra del Peñol (http://www.piedrapenol.com/): Guatape is located approximately 90 minutes outside of Medellin and is a popular recreational and ecotourism destination for many Colombians and foreign travelers. Half the fun of traveling to Guatape is driving through the Colombian countryside lined with beautiful rolling hills, small towns, farms and friendly people. Once you arrive in Guatape you will notice that the town borders a reservoir built for a hydroelectric dam. The lake covers thousands of acres and can be explored and enjoyed by renting a boat or taking one of the large party boats available on weekends. Guatape has new resort hotels, restaurants, homes, and recreational rentals boats and water skis bordering the lake. The huge Rock La Piedra del Peñol a.k.a. Peñón de Guatape that borders the lake is an unexplained geological phenomenon. With 2/3 of its height below ground, the exposed vertical face is over 200 m. high 660 ft and visible from throughout the surrounding countryside. Anyone can scale the rock for a few thousand pesos via a staircase built into one side, the view is breathtaking. On the top of the rock, a restaurant offers outdoor tables overlooking views that stretch to the horizon in every direction. There are buses going about every hour from the Medellín North bus terminal. Pablo Escobar, the famous druglord, once called Guatape his home and built several big Casas on its lakeshores. His presence made Guatape a dangerous place for both foreign visitors and local Colombians. After his death Guatape transformed into a quiet town that's growing as a tourist destination. Escobar's main home is now a bombed out shell that is easily viewed from the lake.

Natural Reserve of Río Claro

This private nature reserve began in 1970 with the intention of supporting the protection of tropical rainforests in the Canyon of Rio Claro, while developing ecotourism with recreational-educational programs. The lime-stone, marble deposits and the river bed are beyond amazing. (http://http://rioclaroelr...) Accommodations with optional open to the forest cabins are available. Day tours from Medellin are also available with optional activities to choose from such as cave trekking, white water scenic rafting, kayaking and canopy adventures to name a few.

Extreme sports

Montevivo is a reservation in Santa Elena, 30 minutes up the hill from Medellín. It has 5 aerial ropeslides, one is around 400 mts long, among the largest in the world. You can canopy, trek, even sleep in the park. $$-$$$. (http://www.montevivo.org) Phone: +574 538 0279. email: [email protected]

south

Most of the coffee in the country grows in the Andes region southwest of Medellín and most of the traditions of the coffee growers are the same as in this city. Indeed, world famous Juan Valdez (http://juanvaldez.com) has lived in Medellín for over 3 decades. There are most of 20 small towns southwest of Medellín Suroeste Antioqueño where you can see Juan, mule Conchita and Grab Life by the Beans.

Jardín

is a quaint little town that displays beautiful local architecture, 2.5 hour drive southwest of Medellín. The main plaza is lined with several outdoor cafes, a large stone built church dominates this plaza. Local fresh trout is easily available at many eateries in town and a couple of countryside restaurants. Probably Jardín's most spellbinding natural attraction is the Splendor Cave. LandVenture Travel (http://www.LandVentureTra...) offers day tours from Medellín to the Splendor Cave plus visiting sugar cane mills, coffee mills and other great attractions that Jardín has to offer.

In the very southern tip of the Antioquia Department there is a small country hotel overlooking the Cauca river. Terrific views of the canyon, ecological paths, swimming pool. Hotel Pipintá (http://www.hotelpipinta.com) in La Pintada. A 2.5 hr. drive from Medellín.