Things to See and Do in Jardín, Colombia

This extraordinary cave is one of the top tourist attractions in Jardín – you won’t regret the three-hour hike (top tip: it’s quicker on horseback, which can be arranged). We say cave, but it’s rather more than that: over time, a stream has eroded the roof, creating an aperture through which a waterfall gushes, boiling and white, into a pool in the darkness. It’s a surreal, stunning sight.

When in Jardín, do as everyone does: pull up a colorful wooden chair in the main square, and sip the region’s lauded coffee as you watch the day slowly unfold. You won’t be alone: horses occasionally prance through, and, by the afternoon, regulars in sombreros and checkered shirts will be sipping bottles of beers at the establishments that trim the square. Plaza del Libertador is Instagram catnip – if there were an award for the best square in Colombia, Jardín’s main attraction would certainly take gold.

From the moment you roll up in Jardín, you’ll clock the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The pointy twin peaks of this neo-gothic temple tower over the main square. It’s a striking structure built – in the first half of the 20th century – entirely from hand-carved stone, quarried from the surrounding hills. Be sure to pop by to bask in the gauzy sunlight, admiring the bright gold arches. If you’re whizzing on caffeine, you might climb to the top for a panoramic view of Jardín and its lush surroundings.

Jardín is in the midst of Colombia’s productive coffee region, immersed in fecund greenery – and a favorite destination among birdwatchers. If you don’t have the binoculars, fret not – a five-minute walk from the town center is the Reserva Natural Gallito de la Roca, which looks after the wild Andean gallitos de las rocas (cocks-of-the-rock), one of the most brilliantly feathered avian species in the world. Top tip: aim to visit at dawn or dusk, when the birds display their cabaret-worthy plumes as they make a play for potential mates.

When you’re touring Colombia’s coffee region, you won’t get the full story unless you visit a coffee farm. Here, they’ll teach you the history of this part of Colombia and enlighten you on the coffee-production process. It’s fascinating – so much so you might fantasize about retraining as a barista. Just beyond Jardín, Finca Milena is a trusted establishment: an operating coffee farm and hotel. The beans make the best brew, and the panoramic views across the sweeping terrain are unforgettable.

Enjoy matchless panoramic views over the surrounding mountains as you ascend in this time-worn wooden gondola, which relies on a mechanical pulley system. It was built to transport goods and residents between Jardín and the surrounding agricultural regions, and it’s a miracle it’s still in use today. If you don’t have a head for heights, it can be a hair-raising ride, but the experience is rare and rewarding –and you can be sure you’ll exit on a high.

Hardcore twitchers, get set to watch the birdy – to be precise, the endemic yellow-eared parrot, one of the rarest birds in Colombia. Its habitat is in the mountains outside Jardín. Thanks to some serious conservation efforts, international scientists have recently declared the creature safe from extinction. The area, a bird reserve operated by ProAves, is a sanctuary for many other unique species, such as the tanager finch, dusky starfrontlet and chestnut-crested cotinga.

If you’re in the mood for adventure, day-trip out to the Oilbird Cave. It’s a challenging six-hour hike through the mountains to reach the Río Claro Natural Reserve, a private protected ecotourism sanctuary. Once you’ve taken in the two dramatic waterfalls, venture into the depths of the Oilbird Cave. As you get further into the gloom, look up: the strange, spooky birds (after which the cave is named) will swoop overhead, their shrill cries echoing around the cave walls.

There are several trout farms in the countryside around Jardín, the best of the bunch, about 15 minutes away in the neighboring valley, is Estadero El Arka. It channels waters from the adjacent river into a series of holding tanks containing fish of varying sizes. You can pay to catch your own lunch or order at the onsite restaurant and sit back and bask in the beauty of this bucolic piece of Colombia.