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Known as the “City of the
Eternal Spring” for its delicious climate which is never too
hot nor too cold, Medellin is Colombia’s cosmopolitan second
city. Its sassy mixture of pretty 16th century cobbled streets
and modern parks and plazas makes Medellin an exciting, modern
Latin-American city that possesses surprising treasures around
every turn, awaiting discovery. Medellin is the capital city
of the department of Antioquia which is situated to the north
of the coffee region on the western mountain range of the
Colombian Andes. Antioquia benefits from a wide variety of
climates from pleasantly warm and fresh in the mountains to
hot and tropical in its northernmost extremity on the
Caribbean Coast.
Leaving Medellin and exploring its surroundings will take you
on a journey back in time while admiring some of the finest
examples of 16th and 17th century Spanish-colonial
architecture in the world in small yet breathtakingly
beautiful towns such as Santa Fe de Antioquia, Guatapé and
Rionegro. In and around Guatapé, be sure to take your time and
visit “La Piedra del Peñol” which is an enormous rock that
looms imposingly above the bright, picture-perfect landscape.
A plethora of vibrant festivals, a wide selection of extreme
sports activities and a plunge into the rich culture of
Medellin and Antioquia is now seeing this region emerge as one
of the most popular new tourist destinations.
| Climate: |
Warm/Fresh – Hot/Tropical (dependant on location) |
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Temperature: |
Average
16 - 30 degrees centigrade |
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Medellin is famous throughout
Colombia for possessing the perfect climate of a
temperature of around 22°C. The higher one travels up
the mountains that surround Medellin, the lower the
temperature becomes.
In the far north, the department reaches the Caribbean
Coast and for its proximity to the Equator, the climate
becomes hot and very humid and the beaches naturally
promote relaxation and sun-worship.
Always bring adequate clothing and sun-protection for
the region of Antioquia that you are visiting. |
The citizens of Antioquia
carry out their proud traditions and customs as they have done
for hundreds of years. Their parties and celebrations remind
the youth of the area of their rich heritage and include the
“Feria de los Flores” (Flower Fayre) in which participants
parade huge, elaborate flower arrangements through the streets
of Medellin and the annual fashion season in which some of the
most popular designers from across Latin-America come to show
their latest lines. As a result of Medellin’s fashion
tradition, it is said that Medellin’s women are amongst the
most beautiful in the world.
A trip to Medellin is never complete without sampling the
mouth-watering “Bandeja Paisa” which is a large bean-based
dish, famous throughout the country.
| January: |
The Festival of the
Roses. |
| February: |
The Young Meet. |
| March: |
The Traditional Holy
Week Celebration. |
| April: |
Agricultural &
Handicraft Party. |
| June: |
The Sea and Volcano
Parties.
Queen of Tourism and Reservoir Beauty Pageant. |
| July: |
Industry & Culture
Week. |
| August: |
Fayre of the Flowers.
Exhibition of Holstein Livestock. |
| September: |
Folkloric Dances
Regional Festival.
Musical Bands Regional Meet. |
| October: |
“Antioquia sings to
Colombia” Festival.
Parties of the Indigenous Race. |
| November: |
National Festival of
Andean Music. |
| December: |
Parade of Myths and
Legends. |
| Medellin |
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The second city of
Colombia is a modern metropolis and the fashion centre of
the country. Filled with parks, plazas, historic churches
and cathedrals, large shopping malls, stylish bars and
restaurants among other attractions. Medellin brings a
Latin flavour to the inner-city life. |
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Las Orquídeas (the Orchids) National Natural Park |
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Administrated by the National Parks of Colombia, this zone
is protected for its high concentration of more than 300
species of orchid that inhabit the park. |
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Los Katíos National Natural Park |
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Los Katíos National Park is shared across the border
between Antioquia and Chocó. Declared a National Park in
1973, Los Katíos is made up of tropical rainforest and its
main attraction is to admire the wonderful fauna that
inhabits it including; tapirs, primates, macaws and in its
rivers, manatees. |
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Santa Fe de Antioquia |
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This town, before the foundation of Medellin was the main
centre of political and religious activity in Antioquia
and as such has remained largely unchanged from its 17th
century, Spanish-colonial hay-day. Its beautiful,
colourful architecture makes this town an absolute
pleasure to visit. |
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Guatapé |
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This town is recognised by many as the most beautiful in
Antioquia for its unforgettable 16th century streets,
lined with hanging baskets, overflowing with the brightest
coloured flowers. From Guatapé, a short journey around the
reservoir will bring you to the breathtaking scene that
is the gigantic “Piedra del Peñol” rock which juts skyward
and surveys a panoramic view for miles around. |
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Adventure Sports |
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The dramatic and varied landscape of Antioquia makes for
the perfect canvass on which to enjoy raising your heart
rate and testing yourself. In Barbosa, experience the
sensation of flying over coffee fields while parasailing,
on the River Cauca, hold on tight as your inflatable raft
takes you safely over the rapids and the Guatapé reservoir
provides the perfect scene on which to try water skiing
and windsurfing.
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