Medellín, the City of Eternal Spring, is a perfect place to break the routine and reconnect with nature. Despite being the second largest city in Colombia, it has managed to maintain a balance between modern architecture and large and beautiful green areas.
Arví Park is an excellent example; it is a natural ecological park located in the northeast of Medellín. It is perfect for ecological tourism. There you will go into the native forest, have an incredible view of the city, and enjoy the unique activities of this spectacular place. It is also very easy to get to as it is only 18 miles from the city center and is connected to the Metrocable.
We made the ultimate guide with everything you should know before visiting Arví Park. Keep reading to find out about plans, costs, and how to get there.
The Arví Park adventure will begin before you enter. On the way there, you will enjoy one of the most impressive views of the entire city of Medellin as you enter the woods and feel the air getting fresher and cleaner.
Inside the park, there are many different activities you can do.
Hiking
If you simply want to enjoy the park at your own pace, you can walk through the park admiring nature, taking pictures, and discovering the different types of forests. Did you know that in Arví Park there is a mixture of native and plantation forests? This means that you will find native trees such as oaks, palms, yarumos, and yolombos, as well as trees that have come from other parts of the world such as eucalyptus, and acacias. Plus, you can also enjoy fruit trees!
There are different guided tours if you want to learn about and appreciate the plants and animals of the park in depth. If you are a city dweller and are not used to walking in wooded areas, don’t be intimidated! There is a tour for every type of explorer, from beginners to experts. Each tour varies in duration and level of difficulty, as well as focusing on different themes, such as the wild animals of the forest or the ancestral history of the place.
In fact, one of the most attractive tours is the Ancestral Tour. It runs mostly along the Camino de la Cuesta, the best-preserved prehistoric road in the park. Some 450 years ago, this area was extremely important for the trade and economy of the indigenous people who inhabited the region. Today, visitors can admire the stone roads that date from this period, as well as the houses made of stone and wattle and daub (a construction method that combines strips of wood with mud, sand, wet soil, and other natural elements).
Bird-Watching
A very popular activity in Arví Park is bird-watching. Did you know that Colombia is the country with the largest number of bird species in the world? Our beautiful country is home to 20% of the global total of bird species. Just inside the park, you can admire more than 100 species of colorful birds, such as the Carriquí or the Masked Trogon.
The park guides will take you to the best birding areas. There are different bird-watching towers that will not only give you an excellent view of the birds but also of the Aburrá Valley.
Go on a Picnic!
Another option to enjoy the park to the fullest is to go on a picnic. There is a perfect area to eat near the Chorro Clarín while resting under the shade of the trees, enjoying the sound of nature, and contemplating the calmness of the water. At the park, you can buy a picnic basket with different food options or you can bring your own. Eating in the middle of a forest and near a river is an incredible experience to enjoy the scenery and reconnect with nature.
Bike Tour
Are you a bike lover? Arví Park created a perfect plan for visitors like you: the Ciclada Silletera tour.
You can cycle through the park, enjoying unforgettable landscapes and the fresh air that the forest offers. There will be stops to learn about the plants and animals you see along the way, to take pictures, and to have a snack with typical regional delicacies.
The tour ends at the Finca Silletera, where you will learn about the traditional silletas (a huge ornament made with flowers, the icon of the Flower Festival), and you will be able to participate in their making.
Arví Nocturno
From time to time, the park organizes special nighttime activities. Arví Nocturno is the ideal opportunity to experience the magic of the forest. You can enjoy the song of the trees and nocturnal animals, learn the stories of the place from local guides, enjoy hot drinks and marshmallows around a campfire, and camp in one of the most beautiful places you will ever see. Plus, you will wake up to the birds singing and the sun filtering through the trees.
How Much Does the Entrance Fee to Arví Park Cost?
There is no entrance fee to Arví Park, as it is a public park. However, if you want to do any of the tours or special plans, you will have to pay a small fee. There are different rates for national and foreign tourists, children under 5 years old, and beneficiaries of SISBEN.
How to Get to Arví Park?
There are different ways to get to Arví Park. The most famous one, recommended for its breathtaking panoramic views, is through the Metrocable. First, you must take the metro north until you reach the Acevedo station. There, you’ll take the Metrocable line K to the Santo Domingo station. Once there, you must transfer to the L line, which is exclusively for the park. This line will leave you at the entrance of Arví Park.
Another way to get there is by bus. Go to Placita Flores if you are near the center of Medellín. There, you will take a Transacoop bus to Santa Elena. You can ask which ones take you directly to the park.
Recommendations:
- Arví Park is at a higher altitude than the rest of Medellín, so it tends to be colder. Wear comfortable and warm clothing. A windbreaker and a sports sweater are ideal for touring the park.
- Wear appropriate footwear for walking long distances.
- Bring sunscreen and a hat; although the weather is cold, the sun can be strong.
- Bring water and snacks to give you energy.
- Do not stray from the trails and do not go on trails that are not authorized.
- Call 123 or 4442979 in case you get lost.
These are just some of the plans you can make. There are many more you can explore, such as the Rural Experience, where you can participate in the everyday duties of a typical farm in Antioquia.
At Local Tours Medellin, we have the Arví Wellness + Coffee Tour in which you will not only get to know the Arví Park, but you can also learn about the coffee growing process and enjoy a spa session that includes relaxation therapy and a coffee temazcal (an aromatic and medicinal bath). Book your tour now and enjoy the wonders that nature has for you.
