Some of the best day trips from Medellin for remote workers showcase this region’s incredible natural beauties. In fact, one of the reasons so many international travelers continue to choose Medellin as a long-term destination is the city’s passion for nature, as well as its unique surroundings across the Paisa countryside and the Eje Cafetero. As such, there’s no doubt remote workers in Medellin will at some point want to escape the intensity of the main neighborhoods in the city and head out of the city for some incredible natural experiences.
Importantly, Medellin is well-connected to the rest of the region, and an established tourism infrastructure means it is relatively easy and safe for foreigners to get around.
Below we highlight some of the main day trips from Medellin for remote workers.
This is a good day trip from Medellin for remote workers that does not take too long and is really essential for anyone visiting or living in the city. Located in the northeast of Medellin, Parque Arvi is a huge natural park located beyond the city’s eastern mountains. The park boasts countless biodiversity trails and there is a palpable respect for the local ecosystem here. Every hike in Arvi Park is unique and made special by one of the local guides provided by the park’s management. If you’re not a hiker, the park provides some of the best picnic spaces in Medellin and is the perfect place for a cycling getaway from central Medellin’s busy streets. The local Arvi Market sells fresh produce during the weekend and local restaurants and shops are plentiful around the area. It is easy to get to Parque Arvi - take Metro Line A from central Medellin up to Acevedo and then MetroCable line K to Santo Domingo where you can take the dedicated Arvi line to the park (note - MetroCable Line L to Arvi has an additional cost).
Perhaps the most popular of day trips from Medellin for remote workers, Guatape is certainly filled with fun activities and sights. Located about 1.5 hours northeast of Medellin, Guatape is home to the famous El Peñol rock - a natural inselberg towering up to 200m and giving visitors a unique view of Guatapé town and its water reserves. Climbing the rock itself is a unique experience, with over 640 steps to the top. Guatape itself is a colourful town, filled with traditional zocalos and stores selling local produce and food. The area is filled with a rich history and several beautiful colonial churches. Getting to Guatapé is great with a day tour from the city, but you can also make it from Caribe station on one of the buses departing from there.
Located just about an hour east from Guatape, San Rafael is another fabulous day trip from Medellin for remote workers who love nature and adventure. This town, located along the Guatape river is filled with activities such as tubing, canyon excursions, waterfalls and river outings. The area is home to countless affordable lodging options and makes for an excellent day trip in nature away from the busy tourist hub of Guatape itself. You can get to San Rafael via bus from the center of Guatape.
This is a longer day trip from Medellin for remote workers looking for a truly incredible experience in an authentic Colombian town. Located about three hours southwest of Medellin, Jardin is located on the edge of the important Eje Cafetero which is Colombia’s prime coffee-production region. Filled with incredible nature, culture and history, Jardin offers a exciting opportunity for remote workers in Medellin to get to know locals away from the tourist hubs of Medellin and its surrounding areas. Jardin’s Historical Center is colorful, lively and filled with impressive colonial architecture. Towards the outskirts of the town, you’ll find lots of nature reserves, coffee tours and even some caves! You can get to Jardin from Medellin for around 15USD by taking one of the Transportes Suroestes buses from the city.
For more information about living in Medellin as a remote worker, check out our complete Medellin guide.