3-Day Colonial Coffee Trail: Santafe, Jerico & Jardin Tour

Summary

Explore Paisa Culture & Coffee Traditions in Antioquia

You’ll step into real paisa life on this 3-day journey through Antioquia’s villages—tasting fresh coffee at its source, meeting locals in historic plazas, and soaking up traditions that go way beyond what you’ll find in any city tour.

What’s the experience like?

The first morning, we left Medellin behind just as the city was waking up—traffic already buzzing. Our driver, Luis, knew every shortcut out of town. By mid-morning, we rolled into Santafe de Antioquia. The air felt warmer here, almost sticky sweet from the mango carts lining the plaza. Our guide pointed out the old stone bridge—Puente de Occidente—where you can still hear the river rushing underneath if you stand quietly for a second. We wandered cobbled streets past whitewashed houses and chatted with a local vendor selling panela candies right outside Iglesia Santa Bárbara.

Day two took us south to Jerico. It’s quieter here—roosters crowing somewhere behind clay-tiled roofs. We visited the home of Mother Laura (the first Colombian saint), and our guide shared stories about her life that you won’t find on Wikipedia. Later, at a small family-run coffee finca just outside town, we tried our hand at picking ripe cherries. The owner’s daughter brewed us fresh coffee over a wood fire; honestly, I’ve never tasted anything quite like it—smoky and sweet at once.

The last day was all about Jardín. The drive winds through green hills dotted with cows and papaya trees. When we arrived, the plaza was already lively—locals sipping tinto at Café Europa while parrots squawked overhead. We spent the afternoon exploring colorful streets and learning how coffee shapes daily life here—from drying beans on rooftops to sharing stories in tiny cafés. By sunset, I felt like I’d seen a side of Colombia most travelers miss.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santafe de Antioquia Exploration

• Enjoy Santafe de Antioquia for a day
• Learn about impressive project

Day 2 — Jerico and Coffee Farm Visit

• Enjoy Jerico for a day
• Visit coffee farm

Day 3 — Jardin Coffee Town Experience

• Enjoy Jardin for a day
• Enjoy the coffee zone

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes! Kids are welcome as long as they’re accompanied by an adult. There’s space for strollers and plenty of stops to keep things interesting for little ones.

Are meals included during the tour?

Meals aren’t included but there are lots of local spots to eat along the way—our guide always had great suggestions for where to grab something authentic.

Is transportation wheelchair accessible?

Absolutely—the vehicles used are wheelchair friendly and guides can help with any special needs during the trip.

What’s included

This tour covers two nights’ accommodation in comfortable local hotels, bottled water throughout your journey, all transportation with a knowledgeable driver-guide (who speaks multiple languages), plus fresh coffee or tea at select stops along the route.