Antioquian villages attract attention for their beauty and charm, as well as their importance in the country’s history, and one of them has just been chosen as the best in the country for rural tourism, a recognition that was awarded during the framework of the presentation of the awards for the Best Tourism Village 2024, which is carried out by UN Tourism to praise the best destinations for this type of tourism.
This is Jardín, a town that is part of the select group of the Colombian Heritage Towns Tourism Network, thanks to its particular charm, which gives it its cultural roots and the diversity of traditions it possesses.
It is located 132 kilometers from the city of Medellin, has an average temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and an area of 230 square kilometers. It is a valley with a mountainous relief with altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 3,300 meters above sea level.
The award is given annually to communities that have demonstrated their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and improving the quality of life of their inhabitants, while preserving their cultural authenticity and traditional values.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, 117 applications from 19 departments were submitted for the national call for proposals, which began last March. These were evaluated by a technical committee of the Vice Ministry of Tourism, which finally selected its finalists for this international competition.
The award as inspiration
Minister Luis Carlos Reyes Hernández described it as a source of pride that one of the towns that is part of the Tourism Network of Heritage Towns has been awarded by UN Tourism due to its role in preserving its landscapes, cultural and natural diversity, as well as its local activities and values, not to mention its gastronomy.
On the other hand, the mayor of Jardín Claudia Naranjo said that the award inspires her to continue working with the community and tourism service providers to continue contributing to culture and heritage.
This town also has the certification of Sustainable Tourism Destination and inclusion programs for the vulnerable population in which academic training and employment promotion in the region’s tourism sector are carried out.
According to the Ministry, the municipalities nominated in the final stage of the selection process were Puerto Nariño in Amazonas; El Cocuy in Boyacá, Casanare; Orocué, Sesquilé, Cundinamarca; Paicol in Huila; El Cairo, Valle del Cauca and Murillo in the department of Tolima.
During the awards ceremony, which took place in Cartagena, a total of 55 municipalities from 23 countries were recognized as the Best Towns for Rural Tourism in the World.
Pueblo Jardín Charms
This paradisiacal place is recognized for its colorful architecture that evokes the years of Antioquian colonization, of which its park and temple, declared national monuments, stand out.
It is a destination with a variety of attractions and the list includes: the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Convent of the Hermanas Concepcionistas, the Chapel of the Beato and, to enjoy nature, the Salto del Ángel waterfall.
For nature lovers there is the Cueva del Esplendor, which is located seven kilometers from the center of Jardín and is one of the most emblematic places in this municipality. At this site, the traveler encounters a waterfall of crystal-clear and quite cold water that comes down from the mountain, passes through a stone crater and forms a natural pool.
In the rural area there is also the Jardín de Rocas Nature Reserve, which is located just 500 meters from the town’s main park. This place is the habitat of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus), one of the birds that is considered one of the most beautiful.
Another excellent plan is the La Herrera trail. This cobbled path, surrounded by trees, rivers and rural houses, leads to waterfalls, natural viewpoints and offers the opportunity to ride the cable car known as La Garrucha. On the hike, you can see birds such as cliff-cutter and tanager.
