Discover the Hidden Beauty of El Retiro Village & Tekendamita Waterfall
5.0
9 Ratings
Medellín
Uncover the hidden gems of El Retiro Village and Tekendamita Waterfall on this exclusive tour. Escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the tranquility of these lesser-known destinations.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Avenida Las Palmas - 1) After picking you up at the Hotel on a comfortable and private transportation, we’ll head to the east side of Medellín up the mountains, towards the beautiful countryside. We´ll stop at the view point Las Palmas, just a few minutes away, where you´ll get to see a wider perspective of how big the city is and undesrtand why they call it the “Money cup”, and of course, be blown away the amazing landscapes.
  1. We will continue our scenic drive through the countryside until we reach our next destination, El Retiro Town, approximately 15-20 minute ride. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to soak in the breathtaking beauty of the Andes Mountains, witness the vibrant diversity of crops, admire the enchanting sight of white Yarumo trees, houses nestled amidst the lush greenery of the rainforest, and marvel at the skilled artisans crafting exquisite wooden handicrafts right beside the road.
  • Retiro - 3) One of the tour’s most notable highlights is El Retiro Town, renowned for its longstanding tradition of woodworking and furniture craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

We’ll have a short walk through its colorful neighborhoods, impressed by the intricate architecture of the houses, the charming cobblestone streets, and the ornate wooden doors, windows and balconies, we’ll discover the simplicity and richness of the local life, once we get to the main square of El Retiro, we’ll sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee or a beverage of preference, and just people watch like the locals do, really taking in all the cultural heritage.

*El Retiro, often referred to as the cradle of liberty, holds historical significance as it stands as the first place in Colombia where a group of African slaves were emancipated, granting them access to the highly productive gold mines. This milestone not only symbolizes freedom but also marks a pivotal moment in the country’s history.

  • El Tequendamita - 4) Our next stop, just 10 minutes away from El Retiro town, is the stunning Tequendamita Falls, an extraordinary waterfall surrounded by the lush greenery of the forest. We’ll experience the refreshing breeze and the mysterious beauty of the surroundings. The waterfall is an embodiment of the “Magical Realism” that defines the essence of Colombian culture and its connection to nature, no worries, no hiking is required.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Travel insurance
  • Snacks
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

This expedition is perfect for adventurous souls keen on discovering off-the-beaten-path locations neglected by regular tourism.

We pride ourselves on being the sole excursion that takes you to the remote El Retiro Town and stirring Tequendamita waterfall! These hidden gems may not be in every tourist guide, but their mesmerizing allure rivals that of renowned tourist sites.

What sets these places apart is the lack of massive group tours and throngs of sightseers commonly found in well-known tourist spots. Instead, you’ll experience the serene pleasure of mingling with jovial locals, participating in vibrant chats, and savoring the essence of life in its most unadulterated form.

We concentrate on providing unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, complete with private transportation and a bilingual guide. By steering clear of large groups, we ensure a quality, customized experience. You’ll have the liberty to ask any questions and shape the tour to suit your tastes.

Location
Avenida Las Palmas
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(9 Ratings)
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Kellyso5010im
Jul 25, 2023
Amazing time! - Our first trip to Colombia was in December of 2020. We booked a tour to Comuna 13 with Daniel who was a complete joy! It was a great experience! When we came back in July of 2023, we knew we wanted to go on another tour. We only had one day and with our 7 year old daughter in tow, we chose a short trip to the waterfall and village of El Retiro. Our guide, Carlos was simply amazing. So friendly and knowledgeable! He included our daughter in conversation and even sang one of her Spanish songs she learned in school with her. He treated her to “una sorpresa” in the village square. It was such a memorable time. The food we had in the village was so yummy! The waterfall was beautiful. It was the perfect amount of time for our family. Next time, we hope to do some of the longer adventures! Until next time, Colombia 🇨🇴 Hasta luego
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746438
May 3, 2023
Not to be missed! - Two of my girlfriends and I booked this tour with Daniel and it was fantastic. He was energetic and knowledgeable and answered all of my 200 questions about the history and politics of Colombia between stops. The churros in Retiro were some of the best things I've ever tasted in my LIFE. Everyone we encountered in Retiro and San Antonio was kind and friendly. Would absolutely go again!
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Rodyandersonn
Apr 27, 2023
Absolutely Fantastic - We had the best trip with Daniel, he took us to Medellín’s stunning countryside and shared the beauty of his region, we got to see breathtaking landscapes, a beautiful waterfall, walk through a quaint little town full of history, local people, furniture and wooden shops at every corner, we sat down at the main square/plaza and had an amazing coffee, tried some delicious Colombian Snacks, really enjoying the moment, like Colombians do. We also visited a town known for its incredible desserts, Im still thinking why I didn’t bring some back to the hotel. We learned so much about the history of Medellín and Colombia, its just mind-blowing. It was amazing the knowledge, the passion and the friendliness of our tour guide. Very recommended, specially if you’re short on time, since its a half day tour.
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Kromney124
Apr 17, 2021
Danny made me LOVE Colombia - Danny was extremely professional and kind. He is bilingual which was refreshing. He taught us so much about this country. He is very knowledgeable. Danny made me LOVE Colombia. The places he took us was so beautiful, full of life and culture. If you come to Medellin, book with Danny. I did not want to come back to the U.S. I am coming back just so Danny can so me the rest of the country. You will not regret booking with Danny.
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Maria305787
Oct 20, 2020
Beautiful Pueblo of Medellin and Incredible Waterfall - do not miss it! - I want to give a special thanks to our tour guide for the amazing trip to this town. This was such a cute town and the drive to Retiro is very pretty and very green. If you are a lover of nature, you will feel the nice breeze and enjoy the green views of trees as you get closer to Retiro. I loved the town, the people, the churches, and how our tour guide gave a full explanation of all sites. I highly recommend this tour and you will love the snack - delicious. The Waterfall is amazing and the pictures we took are incredible. You won't believe this Waterfall is actually in Medellin. It is so beautiful. The tour guide Daniel Giraldo is amazing and fully bilingual and has an incredible positive and up beat personality.
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Viajera1219
Jun 29, 2020
Andes Adventures es lo mejor! - Daniel is an excellent guide. He is very knowledgeable and his love for his home country shows in everything he does. I did two awesome tours with him, visiting a coffee farm and visiting the town of El Retiro, Tequendamita Waterfall and El Penol/Guatape. I would highly recommend it. He took care of everything and I learned a lot about Colombia and what we saw. Daniel es un guia excelente. Él está muy bien informado y su amor por su país de origen se muestra en todo lo que hace. Hice dos tours increíbles con él, un tour de café y una visita a la ciudad de El Retiro, la cascada de Tequendamita y El Peñol / Guatapé. Lo recomiendo mucho. Él se encargó de todo y aprendí mucho sobre Colombia y lo que vimos.
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June 2024
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