Half-Day at Beautiful Town of El Retiro & Tekendamita Waterfall!
Description
This tour is ideal for those who have a desire to explore lesser-known destinations that are not typically on the tourist radar, and prefer short and concise tours instead of full day tours. This is the only tour that visits el Retiro Town and Tequendamita waterfall!! These magical destinations are often overlooked by mainstream tourists, yet they offer breathtaking beauty comparable to other famous spots, and they're just a few miles away from Medellín. The difference is the absence of large group tours and overwhelming crowds that can be found in popular spots. Instead, you'll find the tranquility of friendly locals strolling around, engaging in lively conversations, and simply relishing life in its purest form.
Tour Options
Itinerary
1) After picking you up at the Hotel on a comfortable and private transportation, we'll head to the east side of Medellín up the mountains, towards the beautiful countryside. We´ll stop at the view point Las Palmas, just a few minutes away, where you´ll get to see a wider perspective of how big the city is and undesrtand why they call it the "Money cup", and of course, be blown away the amazing landscapes. 2) We will continue our scenic drive through the countryside until we reach our next destination, El Retiro Town, approximately 15-20 minute ride. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to soak in the breathtaking beauty of the Andes Mountains, witness the vibrant diversity of crops, admire the enchanting sight of white Yarumo trees, houses nestled amidst the lush greenery of the rainforest, and marvel at the skilled artisans crafting exquisite wooden handicrafts right beside the road.
3) One of the tour's most notable highlights is El Retiro Town, renowned for its longstanding tradition of woodworking and furniture craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations. We'll have a short walk through its colorful neighborhoods, impressed by the intricate architecture of the houses, the charming cobblestone streets, and the ornate wooden doors, windows and balconies, we'll discover the simplicity and richness of the local life, once we get to the main square of El Retiro, we'll sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee or a beverage of preference, and just people watch like the locals do, really taking in all the cultural heritage. *El Retiro, often referred to as the cradle of liberty, holds historical significance as it stands as the first place in Colombia where a group of African slaves were emancipated, granting them access to the highly productive gold mines. This milestone not only symbolizes freedom but also marks a pivotal moment in the country's history.
4) Our next stop, just 10 minutes away from El Retiro town, is the stunning Tequendamita Falls, an extraordinary waterfall surrounded by the lush greenery of the forest. We'll experience the refreshing breeze and the mysterious beauty of the surroundings. The waterfall is an embodiment of the "Magical Realism" that defines the essence of Colombian culture and its connection to nature, no worries, no hiking is required.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If you're not staying in the area of El Poblado or Laureles, we can meet at Lleras Park at El Poblado, right at Juan Valdez Coffee Shop at the start time. You let us know in advance is that's where we're going to meet.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(23)
Our guide Daniel was very attentive and kind. He showed knowledge of the subject at all times.
It was a great experience and the guied was very polite and awsome. It shows that he knows the culture of Colombia and also a very well spoken person. I'll give him a fines star review.
My friend and I had an amazing experience on this tour! Even though it started raining, it eventually cleared up and didn’t take away from the fun at all—we still had a great time. Our tour guide was incredible, extremely knowledgeable about Colombian history and made everything so engaging and interesting. The snacks that were included were also a really nice touch and absolutely delicious. Overall, such a memorable experience—I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting!
Diego was wonderful, polite,informative and an excellent photographer! He introduced me to the best pastries and most exquisite jewellery in El Retiro. The waterfall was beautiful. Surroundings clean and well landscaped.
Juan was a great travel guide. He is very knowledgeable about the history of Colombia and shared many interesting facts on the drive to this beautiful town.
Had about an hour ride before arriving to the city of El retiro. The tour guide was knowledgeable and provided some good historical insights about Colombia. We enjoyed the time to walk the city a little and stopped for a little snack and drink. Then after the city we headed to the waterfall which was beautiful. Plenty of time to take pictures and walk around the little park. Overall a very nice trip and good for those looking for something different and off the beaten path!
Our experience in Medellin was amazing and a big part of it was our tour to the waterfall and Retiro. We had an amazing guide Nikolai, he drove us everywhere save and answered all the questions we had next to explaining the history etc.
Juan Carlos was great! The waterfall and surrounding area is beautiful and the El Retiro town was picturesque. We had buñuelos and pan de queso as a snack and it was super good. Had a great few hours on this!
Our guide was Carlos Gaviria and he was very nice and told us a lot about the regio, culture and the history of Medellín and the town of El Retiro. Nice tour, beautiful views and a very impressive waterfall (Taquendamita).
Carlos is the best tour guide! Not only is he a local guy, but he also has his own coffee plantation and is very knowledgeable about his country and his people. He took his time with us and explained everything to the very last detail. We were able to go inside of personal craftsmanship, woodworking stores and saw the processs of woodcarving He took us to the best coffee store in town and the waterfall was so beautiful. Highly recommend!
