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Guatape vs Jardin 2024 guide
Guatapé or Jardín? That’s the question many travelers ask when they arrive in Medellín with limited time on their hands. Our favorite answer will always be BOTH! However, if your itinerary doesn’t allow it, we’ve put together this guide to help you decide in 2024:
1. Location
Jardín and Guatapé are situated in two different regions of Antioquia. Jardín is located to the south of Medellín, approximately 3 hours away. Guatapé, on the other hand, is located to the east of Medellín, about 2:30 hours away (though traffic can double on weekends).
2. Weather
Both places are in temperate zones, usually enjoying sunny days and cool nights. You can roam around in a T-shirt during the day, but you’ll need a light jacket at night.
3. Transportation Options:
As Guatapé is a more touristy destination than Jardín, it wins in terms of ease of access. Many companies in Medellín now offer tours on public transport, significantly reducing travel costs. Jardín, while also a tourist spot, doesn’t have as frequent transportation options. You’ll either have to use public transport, which can take up to 4 hours, or book a private transfer.
4. Activities:
Guatapé is one of Colombia’s most touristy places, meaning the entire town revolves around tourism. You’ll find a plethora of activities, with the most popular being climbing the Peñol Rock, taking a boat ride on the reservoir, visiting the colorful streets of Guatapé, and exploring the replica of the old Peñol (a mini-town built to simulate what Peñol was like before it was flooded for the current dam and hydroelectric project).
Jardín, on the other hand, offers a wide range of nature and cultural tourism, not as catered to English speakers and a bit more challenging to find customized tours (ask us about our Jardín tours). In Jardín, you can explore the urban center, its famous church, and beautiful facades, as well as dive into artisan shops (unlike Guatapé, where you’ll mostly find touristy souvenirs).
Here, you’ll discover art, crafts, incense, and plastic arts. Additionally, Jardín allows you to independently explore its viewpoints, take the cable car to La Garrucha, try local sweets, visit a traditional coffee farm, and of course, go trekking and visit waterfalls, with the Cascada del Esplendor being the most famous.
5. Atmosphere:
This is perhaps the biggest differentiator between Guatapé and Jardín. While Guatapé focuses more on fast tourism, entertainment, and boat rides, Jardín offers a more hippie, spiritual, and tranquil vibe. The hustle and bustle found in the streets of Guatapé contrast with the calm atmosphere of Jardín’s mountains. However, Jardín transforms into a hub of local nightclubs on weekends, so don’t expect a completely quiet town.
6. Accommodation:
Both places offer a variety of lodging options. If you’re into glamping, Guatapé might be your best bet, with several luxury projects available by the reservoir starting at 200 USD. Guatapé also has hostels in the urban center at great prices (from 10-15 USD per night). If you prefer hotels with a nature concept or colonial style, Jardín might be a better choice. There, you’ll find several boutique hotels focused on organic living and nature connection, along with a wide range of hostels and traditional hotels.
7. Cuisine:
The cuisine is similar in both places, but Guatapé is not exactly a culinary destination, and many travelers find the food to be just average. In contrast, Jardín, being more of an artistic destination, offers various specialty coffee shops, international restaurants, and the famous trout (river fish) cultivated in the area, which is one of the main reasons locals visit Jardín. 🙂
8. Safety:
Both places are safe for tourists, as is the region in general. However, as in Medellín, it’s important to take usual precautions and avoid scams, unauthorized tours, or wandering drunk in dark streets.
9. Prices:
If you’re looking to visit these towns on a single-day trip from Medellín, Guatapé will be more economical due to the wide range of tours available. However, if you’re planning to spend a couple of days, Jardín might be more affordable because of the local options available. Lodging, especially in Jardín, can be very economical during the week. This is why many travelers, especially Europeans, stay for long periods in this town.
