Family Friendly 4-Day Itinerary in Medellin Colombia

  • Day 1: Exploring Parque Explora
    20 minutes (3.2 miles) from El Poblado

    Parque Explora is a science and technology center with interactive exhibits, aquariums, and a planetarium. Perfect for families, it includes three floors of interactive exhibits, an aquarium with over 4000 fish, and a botanical garden.

  • Day 2: Discovering Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour
    30 minutes (5 miles) from Parque Explora

    A must-visit destination for families is a colorful Comuna 13 neighborhood, best known for its street art, cultural expression, and community development initiatives. You'll learn the history of the area and the life of its inhabitants. Also, the escalators make it easy for all family members to explore the hillsides without breaking a sweat.

  • Day 3: Visiting Parque Arvi
    1 hour (13 miles) from Comuna 13

    Parque Arvi, located right outside the city, is a nature reserve with numerous trails and outdoor activities, perfect for a family day out. Considered the lungs of Medellin, you can hike through the forests, enjoy a picnic, and even ride ziplines over the treetops. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the city from the cable cars on the way to the park.

  • Day 4: Wandering Around Botanical Garden of Medellin
    20 minutes (2.5 miles) from Parque Arvi

    The Botanical Garden of Medellin is a vast garden that is home to various eco-zones, an orchid exhibit, a butterfly enclosure, and a lake showcasing different aquatic species. The garden also has several hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the city. Take an afternoon to relax in these lush and colorful surroundings.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Parque Explora (3 hours, $10 per person)
  • Comuna 13 (2 hours, Free)
  • Parque Arvi (6 hours, $6 per person + cable car fee)
  • Botanical Garden of Medellin (2-3 hours, $5 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $46 per person

Transportation

To get around Medellin, options include the clean and efficient metro, buses, and taxis. For the Parque Arvi visit, you'll take a cable car up the hillside. Expect to pay around $1 per trip on buses or the metro, $5 for a taxi ride around the city center, and $15 for the cable car ride to Parque Arvi.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit the Plaza Botero to appreciate the sculptural works of Fernando Botero, the largest Gothic cathedral in South America, or taste and visit the coffee farms surrounding Medellin. For less time, consider cutting the Botanical Garden of Medellin or Comuna 13 visits.

Airports

The José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), located 48 km southeast of Medellin, serves international and domestic flights. With over 20 airlines serving more than 50 destinations, it's the main airport in the Antioquia region.

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