The 7 wonders of Jericó

As a passionate traveler, I love sharing my discoveries. After over 6 years in Jerico Antioquia, choosing just a few reasons to visit this enchanting place is a challenge. In Jerico, the options to keep you entertained are endless — from breathtaking landscapes to magnificent waterfalls, charming houses to friendly locals. Each day in Jerico unveils new delights, from its delectable cuisine to vibrant traditions. Here are some compelling reasons to explore Jerico:

For those who relish long walks, extreme sports, and breathtaking scenery, Jerico is an instant enchantment. Abundant in beautiful landscapes, microclimates, and water sources, this biodiverse haven combines authentic Paisa ingenuity with a plethora of activities to fill your days with excitement. Whether you seek things to do, places to eat, or free activities, Jerico has it all. And for practical advice on how to get around, we’ve got you covered.

1. Las Nubes Reserve – Ecopark and other Paradises to hike

Explore the natural wonders of Jerico through a vast reserve spanning over 4600 hectares, including Eco parks La Trocha (Pueblorrico) and La Capota (Tarso). Las Nubes, reaching 2,500 meters above sea level, offers hiking enthusiasts a journey through exotic landscapes and diverse flora and fauna, from tropical dry forests to the highest peaks.

Feel the freedom of solo trekking in the safe haven of Jerico, with numerous routes catering to your preferences and desired hiking duration. Embrace camping amidst breathtaking views but remember to respect nature and the environment. Witness morning clouds, the world’s greenest Canyon, and a sunset sky with blue mountains.

Discover the biodiversity of Las Nubes, home to hauling monkeys, hawks, armadillos, and iguanas. For full-day hikes, connect with riversideecoliving.com (+573195872632), or kaanastravel.com (+573165346383).

Get inspired by the Most Beautiful Coffee Farm in The World (Said by coffee experts) where the scenery, waterfall, colourful house and the authenticity of it’s family is simply breathtaking. You can book one of the best raked tours with Riverside Experiences contacting them on +573195872632 or booking directly clicking here

Embark on a journey to the Quebradona Falls, a highly sought-after natural destination. Accessible by car or foot (approximately 5 km/1 hour), discover routes on wikiloc or contact ecoturismolanohelia.com; Also, you can check availability for this tour visiting the following link

Don’t miss the spectacular Salto de Los Monos hike, praised as one of Jerico’s finest. Traverse eco parks Las Nubes and La Capota to reach five waterfalls and natural pools. Book this adventure with riversideecoliving.com at +573195872632 or here

Uncover the indigenous engineering marvel at Tinajas del Cacique, stone bathtubs carved by ancient inhabitants. Contact Riverside Ecoliving for getting directions

Embark on a diverse journey with D’mi bosque, spanning cloud forests to tropical dry forests at 1,400m above sea level. Contact Felipe and Alonso Correo at +573113016537 for an unforgettable exploration of nature’s wonders.

2. Paragliding and paragliding lesson

Embark on an exhilarating paragliding adventure near Medellin, soaring over the breathtaking Cauca River Canyon in Southwest Antioquia. Experience three distinct flight options over the world’s greenest canyon, taking off from the crest of the Western Andes mountain range for an awe-inspiring journey. Marvel at the central mountain range’s beauty, with views of the highest natural pyramid, Cerrotusa, along with Cerrobravo and Paramo del Sol.

Flights typically operate from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., offering varying distances priced between $230,000 and 250,000 Colombian Pesos. Direct operators include ecolandjerico.com and parapentenubeextremajerico.com. Conveniently book your adventure at your hotel or hostel reception, or through riversideecoliving.com at +573195872632

For those seeking to extend their paragliding journey, consider a certification course to turn your soaring dreams into reality. Local operators, accompanied by their friendly and knowledgeable staff, will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

3. Horse, bike, or motorbike riding

Horseback Riding:

Immerse yourself in the rich horse culture of Jerico and traverse the stunning coffee landscapes astride a beautiful horse. Book tours ranging from 2 to 4 hours, complete with a delightful lunch, and explore the picturesque mountains, rivers, and coffee plantations of Jerico in an authentic and immersive way.

To book your horseback riding adventure, contact Riverside at (+573195872632). For those seeking a ride through the scenic coffee plantations, connect with kaanastravel.com at . Or if you rather book directly your tour, click here

Cycling Tours:
Discover a plethora of trails for both mountain biking and road cycling enthusiasts in Jerico. If you don’t have your own bike, worry not—rent one for $65,000 for the entire day.

For bike rentals or a guided tour, reach Victor Grisales at +57 322 6395943 or parcerito’s hostels. Click here to see available tours

Quad-bike tours and rentals:

For an adrenaline-packed adventure, explore the thrilling world of motor sports in Jerico. Book an exhilarating quadbike tour by getting in touch with 4tri-tour . Experience the rush and excitement of Jerico’s landscapes on 4 wheels! contacting them at +573207419351 or book a tour to La Soledad here.

4. River life

River walks: Find beautiful places to swim, share a cold cut, picnic, fish or jump off rocks. The clean Piedras River has magical places to fill you with vitality in this beautiful source of life.

For easy access to food, smoothies and beers around the river, we recommend booking your visit with Riverside Ecoliving +5731958726326

Sport fishing: A very good number of fish farmers show their ingenuity in cultivating various species of fish. If you want to fish and learn about physics, organic farming, permaculture and eat delicious trout this is your destination.

Contact the Truchera Naturalia on +573136746759

If you want to go fishing for delicious Tilapia and/or Cachama, visit Finca El Recuerdo (+573146168757).

5. Local Art and Culture

Town Tours:

Discover the enchantment of Jerico by simply strolling through its streets. The magical ambiance is palpable as you admire the skillful balconies, doors, and windows dating back to the colonization of Antioquia. The town exudes a profound love that locals have for their home, evident in the pristine streets and well-maintained facades.

For a unique tour experience on a traditional “Chiva” (chicken bus), contact Chiva tours +573142728971; if you want to do it in a “tuktuk” or “moto-raton,” consider contacting directly at +573112076830 on whatsapp

Museums:

Jerico, with its modest population of 14,000, unfolds a captivating narrative through its diverse museums:

MAJA Anthropology and Art: Explore the anthropological history of Jerico through permanent exhibits and ever-evolving collections from global artists. Experience the cultural tapestry that breathes life into the town.

TUA Decorative Art: A treasure trove donated by collector Tomás Uribe Abad, showcasing a tasteful collection within an architectural gem from the colonization era of Antioquia. Immerse yourself in European furniture and Latin American eccentricities, making it a source of inspiration for decoration enthusiasts.

Ateneo’s Music Museum: Delve into a collection of instruments from around the world, narrating the artistic journey of a music producer who chose to leave his legacy in Jerico. This museum is a celebration of the versatility of good music, offering enthusiasts a unique insight.

Museum of Religious Art: Nestled in the basement of the grand cathedral, this museum surprises with its immaculate layout and high-quality religious statues integral to the local culture. Immerse yourself in the artistry that reflects the profound religious heritage of Jerico.

6. Gastronomy

La Comedia: An outdoor ambience with artistic options inside and a tradition of over 37 years from Carlos E Restrepo in Medellín. La Comedia tells a life of art, wine and good food. And if accompanied by live music, their montaditos or gratins with Mediterranean taste even better. AVailable dishes: aubergine gratin, gratin with red pesto.

Find out about them and make a reservation at: +573017525595

Montaña Parrilla: A tradition of barbecue and quality products. Carolina knows how to combine conscious food, love and high quality steak into possibly the first high quality gastronomic destination in town.

Recommended dishes: churrasco and solomito

Tomatitos Pizza: Perfect for those looking for variety and gastronomic quality because Felipe is simply an incredible chef. More than 7 years ago he decided to work and made it one of the most visited restaurants in Jerico. Good pizza, pasta, grill and desserts. He offered meals are always well tasted and cherished by everyone. Make sure to stop by on one of your days in town. Available dishes: pizza, fillet mignon.

Book or ask for directions at: +573206159710

Isabel: a good restaurant/café in a wonderful location, where you can enjoy unique meat creations for barbecue lovers and their menu is well presented. Additionally, to end the perfect meal, they always offer something sweet.

Recommended dish: Morrillo

Café Don Rafa: You will find this café right in the Parque principal and it is definitely one of my favourite spots. Perfect for a warm and delicious breakfast or brunch accompanied by a Coffee, Chai Latte or Hot Chocolate. Highlights: huevos napolitanos, salami and cream pie, yucca waffles, café cafito.

Contact number: +573163426369

La Danta y La Nutria Librería Café: with a book store in the inside, this place has gained a recognition really fast for its delicious coffee, deserts and refreshing cold brews with fruits mixed.

Recommended: crujiente de manzana and coldbrew with passion fruit (gulupa)

Pollos Mario: Easy, quick and delicious. If you don’t have time to eat in, decide to go for a good grilled chicken with honey or a spicy chicken.

You can also order from home: +573207268344

Café El Saturia: As pioneer of roasting coffee in Jerico, El Saturia always has a good story to tell. A pleasant space to work in while sipping a good carajillo or café with a chocolate cake. The atmosphere is muy café-like: Quiet, chill out music and excellent service from Juan Carlos, Luis and the others.

Ay Chabela: Created by Juan Pablo, a true Mexican who fell in love with a Jericoana, Isabel (Chabela), this restaurant not only has a beautiful atmosphere that takes us on a journey through the influence that different Mexican figures have on our Latin American culture. Its dishes are well-designed and deliver an authentic experience. The presentation, flavours, and service within the restaurant help us understand the best of the blend of this Colombian-Mexican couple.

Get reservations or delivery texting them on whatsapp +57 314 8864595

Recommended dishes: guisos mexicano, cochinita, carnita, tinga y mole poblano

Frutos del Campo: If at lunchtime you are lacking calories, this place knows how to serve them. Delicious local dishes on your table in less than 5 minutes. You can order a delivery by calling 6048524006.

Street Food: At night the town square is filled with life and food stands. Make sure to breath in all the different smells, try at least half of the amazing food and enjoy every moment. Spending time in the park is a tradition and so is tasting the arepas de queso de morocho, the papas rellenas de huevo o carne and the bombones de pollo. If you pass by the square and can’t avoid temptation, this food is gonna be your downfall.

7. Accommodation

Riverside Ecoliving: the first rural coliving in the country offers a lot more than just accommodation and coworking. Right next to the river, Riverside is a unique creative space to get inspired by while travelling and working remotely. Rooms designed with the historical concept of the region and a coworking space where they guarantee high speed internet connectivity to achieve your professional goals.

If you have more time, you can enjoy the organic vegetable garden, the river, 30 hectares /74 acres to walk and take advantage of yoga, meditate, eat consciously and educate yourself with its multiple workshops. It is located just 2 kilometres / 10 minutes by car from the town square of Jerico.

Find out more about Riverside in their website riversideecoliving.com or WhatsApp +573195872632

Cabañas y Flores: Rural but close enough to town. Private spaces with parking, barbecue area, hammocks and a good internet service. The hotel allows families and remote workers to see multiple species of flowers and birds, go for a walk with your pets and maintain a quiet and private life with a view of the town and the Cauca river canyon that is hard to find. The more than 3.2 hectares / 8 Acres with native forests and wildlife such as howler monkeys, hawks and hawks make for an unforgettable experience.

Contact at +573113411857 or go to cabanasyflores.com

For more details of the complete accommodation guide for Jerico, visit: (Coming Soon)

If you still do not know how to get to Jerico, we recommend you check a site named arideto to find timetables, multi transport paths and many other solutions.

But if you want to enjoy of the beauties of this picturesque town, the best is to go around with a complete map that tells you where to eat, where to stay, where the pharmacies, supermarkets, shops, bottle shops, gym in Jerico, petrol stations and many many others; you can access to all of it it by clicking here!

And if you want to learn about how Jerico entrepreneurs work together for improving day by day their offer, visit the tour marketplace here

Written by Jorge Velasquez @ilungavelasquez in 2020, updated in March 2024