Top Things to do in Santa Elena
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10 Things to Do in Santa Elena That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Santa Elena, Colombia including Parque Arvi, Medellin Adventure Trails, Laguna de Guatape, Parque Explora, Medellin Metrocable, Metro de Medellin, Tranvia de Medellin, El Tesoro Parque Comercial, Museo de Antioquia, Museo Casa de la Memoria.
Restaurants in Santa Elena
1. Parque Arvi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Ecotourism Arvi Regional Park (Arvi Park), is located 30 km from the center of Medellin (Colombia) in the village of Santa Elena and the municipality of Guarne (Antioquia - Colombia). It is an open park developed on land for public use, created for the enjoyment of the local, national and international community, through the construction of organized tourism, consolidates a conservation strategy and promotion of the potentials and strengths of its cultural and environmental wealth and archaeological heritage, silletero tradition and entrepreneurship of its people, through a proposal for sustainable nature tourism.
Reviewed By ahardacre - Scottsdale, Arizona
Maybe I missed the point of Parque Arvi because we showed up without a plan but so far, it’s been the biggest disappointment of Medellin. I had heard good things from some other bloggers but failed to read TripAdvisor before we left for the day. Wish I would have!
After the 30 min ride on the metro line from the poblado station, through the trees on the cable cars, we arrived at the station. To the left, there were booths of food and trinkets. Nothing we haven’t seen before in town so nothing worth seeing there.
We venture over to the information booth where we inquire about hiking trails. We’re told most are with a guide, $7000 pesos, but are only in Spanish. The young kid in the booth scribbles on the map and tells us that the hike to the picnic area is free though. Perfect. We take out and head to the left down a paved path to another center. This area has the only bathroom in the area...$1000 pesos. I gladly pay it for clean facilities with a toilet seat and toilet paper. After we grab a coffee, we head out on the ‘hike’ towards Picnic Chorro Clarin.
The ‘hike’ consists of walking along the side of a paved road with motorcycles, cars and buses wizzing by and leaving plums of exhaust. So much for enjoying the clean air. Lots of other people are walking so we continue past a restaurant and road side booths with food at El Tambo. Not much to note either either.
We continued walking all the way down to the picnic area and found lots of locals grilling and playing in the creek (even though there were signs asking people to stay out of the water). We walked around for a bit but found nothing of interest. We decided to cut our losses and hoped we could catch the bus back up the hill. We waited around for about 10, several drove on by without stopping at the designated bus stop so we trekked back up the hills.
Upon arrival back at the metro station, we’re met with a VERY long line of people waiting to buy tickets. 30 min later, tickets in hand, we stand in the other long line to board the metro. Each car comes every 30 seconds and only take 8 people. There’s another long line at the Santa Domingo line as well.
Complete waste of an afternoon in Medellin if you ask me. If you’ve been to any forest park in the states, you can skip the park and just ride the metro cable if you have an afternoon and nothing else to do.
Tips if you go anyway:
1. Plan ahead and pick what activities you’re interested in.
2. Buy your return ticket when you arrive and avoid the LONG line to buy your return tickets. There are TWO ticket booths here and slows everything way down.
3. Do not come here on a holiday weekend. We attempted to come another weekend and made it all the way to the Santa Domingo station and was told the park was closed due to max capacity of visitors.
2. Medellin Adventure Trails
Overall Ratings
5 based on 57 reviews
Medellin adventure trails is the best way to see the country side Atvs 4x4 full automatic like Yamaha grizzly 450cc/ 700cc Mountain bikes 25.7 / 29 like Scott, especialized and Giant; You can also enjoy ecological horse riding.
Reviewed By Natalia B
We had an amazing time! The views are breathtaking from the mountain. We also had our guide, Billy Jason, drive us through the river and make this experience unforgettable. Definitely would recommend taking the tour. We had only one experienced driver out of the four...Morethank you for visiting this family ... we work every day so that our service is the best ... we are happy that you have had an excellent experience ... always welcome!
3. Laguna de Guatape
Overall Ratings
5 based on 883 reviews
Reviewed By Denise P - Canada
The day was beautiful and it was relaxing to be on the water. Very interesting to learn that the town was bombed (people safely moved) to make a lagoon for the hydro electric. We saw Pablo Escobar's house and then went as far as the Penol Rock. Great scenery, quiet and enjoyable. The boat ride was part of a day tour we took from Medellin. Spanish speaking only.
4. Parque Explora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Yannic C
My girlfriend and I visited after a walk in the botanical garden. I just wanted to go because i saw the dinosaur and then we were both blown away by the aquarium, the staff that shares all the information and their passio for the animals and the interactive part on the top floor!
Fun for all ages!
5. Medellin Metrocable
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By ArohaCM - Wellington
The Metrocable is part of the public metro system. You can connect directly from the metro station. It takes you up through neighbourhoods - sometimes it seemed a little intrusive of the homes below but I hope at least it has meant providing transport access for the inhabitants. When you reach the top station you can transfer over to the cable car going to the Parque Arvi. It's an additional cost but well worth it. As you ascend over the urban sprawl you pass farmland, and then forest before reaching the very top and entrance to the Parque. The views are dramatic.
6. Metro de Medellin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By ExpatinBogota - Bogota, Colombia
The only down fall at least for me was that the Metro is not convenient to all location around the city. It was a good 20 minute walk. It doesn have stops for some major landmarks like Botero Park Parque Berrio) And the MetroCable (Santo Domingo).
7. Tranvia de Medellin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By podrozniczka60 - New Jersey
This is a nice option during the exploration of Medellin if you want to stick to public transportation. It runs from the San Antonio Metro station to the neighborhood Alejandro Echavarría and connects also with metro system. Good way to move quickly through the city.
8. El Tesoro Parque Comercial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 326 reviews
Reviewed By Pedro W - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
this place is just out of this world ,amazing stores and restaurants also the view is expetacular omg so much to surprise you in this place...deff a most see thank you Medellin
9. Museo de Antioquia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Amuribes - Medellin, Colombia
Fernando Botero is one of the most famous living artists and he is original from Medellín and a good part of his art collection is located in Museo de Antioquia. Additionally, just outside the Museum is Parque de las Esculturas, which contains some of his famous GORDAS that have been exhibited in the principal art venues around the world...in France, Italy an USA just to mention a few... This GORDAS just stand there free for you to take the most traditional photo and proof you visited Medellín.
He also donated some of his private collection of very famous artists that you can also see in the museum. There is also a permanent exhibition about Colombian art but in my opinion Botero´s pieces are dominant.
10. Museo Casa de la Memoria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By Marc C - Colombia
I can tell that this is a great place for Colombians who lived through years of violence to process those difficult times. It was very powerful to hear some of the stories. As someone with limited Spanish and knowledge about the conflict, the exhibits were not very informative. Unfortunately I left not learning much but I'm still very happy to see there is a space for Colombians to confront their violent past.
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