In this guide, you will find all the best things to do in Jericó. It will allow you to organize your days and decide how long you want to stay in this lovely Colombian destination.
We stayed over 40 nights in Jericó.
Take the time to read it and you will fall in love as we did. And don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish. Our friend Cathy will be happy to help you.
Vamos!
👉 Psst, don’t forget to have a look at our selection of the best things to do in Colombia
Desde 2015, Adrien, Alejandra y yo (Tom) ayudamos a los viajeros a explorar Colombia. Aquí, encontrarás todo lo que necesitas para enamorarte de este hermoso país fácilmente.
All the best things to do in Jericó
Let’s first start with the easy stuff.
Although there are few inhabitants in the colonial village of Jericó (less than 13,000), you will find many churches and museums.
Unusual, isn’t it?
At the end of the 19th century, Jeríco was one of the most populated cities in Antioquia. Many goods (such as coffee) passed through its streets. It was the golden age of the village, politically, religiously, and economically.
Things to do in Jericó: Explore the town
Its history is quite exciting. The first thing to do in Jericó would be to book a tour with a local guide.
1# Book a Jericó tour with a guide
Cathy has fallen in love with Jericó, and offers tours in English and French! During this visit, you will understand why Jericó was elected as Colombia’s historical and cultural heritage village. Side by side with your local guide, explore its colorful streets, appreciate its colonial architecture, and learn why it became an important religious place for Colombians.
You’ll also meet various local artisans. Discover the best Carriel’s secrets (famous Antioqueño leather bag) and how to cook delicious cardamom sweets.
The visit will end with the beautiful botanical garden and the Mirador El Salvador, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire village.
This walking tour is an exciting thing to do if it’s your first time in Jericó. You’ll also receive many tips to enjoy the town during your stay.
- Duration: 6-7 h.
- Language: Spanish, French, or English.
👉 Learn more about Cathy’s profile and the experiences she offers in Jericó.
Things to do in Jericó: Religious monuments
There is a strong interest in the Catholic religion in Jericó. In essence, there are two essential points to know:
- Jericó has been a diocese since 1915
- The first and only Saint of Colombia, Mother Laura, was born in Jericó.
The city built a cathedral, a sanctuary, three churches, and eleven chapels.
2# Catedral Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, Jericó
Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes is a vast cathedral located in the main square. It was built over 20 years, from 1949 to 1969, as a tribute to La Virgen de las Mercedes and St. Laura. Designed in the modern romantic style, the primary material used is … reinforced concrete. The interior is plain. There is also a crypt that houses the museum of religious arts. The central piece is an oil on canvas from 1852 of la Virgen de las Mercedes.
- Where: On the main square
- More info: Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
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3# Santuario de Santa Laura, Corazón de María en Jericó
The Santa Laura sanctuary dates back to 1943. The interior and exterior of the walls are painted in flashy colors (pink and blue). It goes well with the Gothic architecture of the sanctuary. The inhabitants renamed it after the canonization of Santa Laura in 2013.
Across the street is El Parque de los Fundadores. There are statues of the founders of Jericó. Don’t hesitate to sit down for a few minutes on one of the benches. It is a lovely and relaxing spot.
It’s the most beautiful church to visit in Jericó.
- Where: Here
4# Casa Natal de Santa Laura Montoya Upegui
Laura Montoya was born on May 26, 1874, in Jericó. At the age of 39, she decided to become a missionary and evangelize the Emberá Katíos natives. She spent most of her life in the vicinity of indigenous communities, fighting for their protection and rights. In 2013, Pope Francis canonized Mother Laura.
Today, Laura Montoya’s house is a chapel that travelers can visit. You’ll find relics like a piece of bone and the baptismal font with which she was baptized.
- Where: here
5# Capilla San Francisco in Jericó
San Francisco is the oldest chapel to visit in Jericó. It is characterized by the semicircular arch, the thickness of its walls, with two apses and its original floor. Inside, there is a beautiful wooden altar, carved in the twenties.
You’ll have a better chance of seeing the chapel opened in the morning.
Things to do in Jericó: Museums
For the story and art addicts, I have a few surprises for you.
Let’s start with the triple MAJA.
What is it?
There are 3 museums scattered around Jericó. Each entrance costs 3,000 COP, or you can take the “full package” for 6,000 COP.
It’s an excellent way to learn more about the town and visit the inside of old and peaceful colonial houses. It’s an easy thing to do in Jericó.
6# MAJA: Museo de Antropología y Arte de Jericó
The Maja Museum is located in a beautiful colonial building. The travelers will discover various exhibitions on the past of Jericó (2 permanent rooms) and many Colombian artists (temporary exhibitions). You can visit it with a guide to have a few explanations in Spanish. You pay them with a tip. Don’t hesitate to check out their website too.
7# Visit the Casa Museo José Tomas Uribe Abad in Jericó
José Tomás Uribe Abad is another important character of Jericó. After making his fortune abroad, he returned to his native village to enjoy his retirement. He spent the last years of his life accumulating childhood memories (furniture, art pieces, decorative objects). Visitors can admire some of these objects in the MAJA museum. The rest is exhibited in the 6 rooms of his native house in Jericó. It’s a tiny museum, but I liked the atmosphere.
- Duration: 15 min
- Language: Spanish.
- Schedule: Every day. Closed on Wednesday afternoon.
- Map: here
8# Visit the Casa de la Música in Jericó
Located in the Casa de las Martinez, the Casa de la Música exhibits more than 140 musical instruments from around the world. It was the personal collection of Mr. Álvaro Arango Gaviria.
- Duration: 15 min
- Language: Spanish.
- Schedule: Every day. Closed on Wednesday afternoon.
- Map: here.
9# Visit the Centro de historia de Jericó
The colonial house (one of the oldest ones in town) has been perfectly rehabilitated and contains an extensive library with all the archives of Jericó. There is a room with portraits of the people who have played an essential role in Jericó’s history.
- Duration: 30 min
- Language: Spanish.
- Schedule: Closed on Wednesday.
- Map: here.
Things to do in Jericó: meet local artisans
For now, we have seen the arts, history, and religion of Jericó.
What is missing?
The craftwork!
10# Jericó’s most famous bag, the carriel
Coming to Jericó, you will see several shops selling the famous Carriel.
This bag, first known as Guarniel and typical of Antioquia, is over 130 years old. At that time, there were no cars or roads. If you wanted to go somewhere, you had to cross the Andes by mule.
These crossings lasted several days, and it was necessary to be well organized to live in these mountains. The Antioquenians had the great idea of creating a bag with many small compartments (12 to be exact) so that they would not have to struggle to find their tools.
Think about it next time you are looking for your keys for an hour in your bag.
Mr. Dario Agudelo is the rock star of Garniel/Carriel. You can visit him in his workshop and chat with him (if he has time). And don’t hesitate to buy him a bag as a souvenir 🙂
Another option is to book a tour that includes a visit to a Carriel workshop
- Map: Carrielarte.
Things to do in Jericó: coffee tasting
You should know that Colombia is famous for its Arabica coffee plantations. These crops are scattered all over the territory (yes, it is not only in the coffee region).
There are 2 types of coffee experiences you can do in Jericó:
- Visit a coffee farm and discover all the stages of transformation until the finished product.
- Learn how to prepare a good cup of coffee (using different methods) and taste it.
Let’s start with the former— we’ll come back to the coffee farm later in this article.
11# Stop at Cafe El Saturia
Café el Saturia is an excellent option to make a small break in your visit to Jericó. Juan Carlos, the owner, is passionate about coffee and sells more than 30 different local brands.
He offers 2 experiences.
First, you can prepare your coffee. You have the choice between 3 different methods (Chemex, Francesa et Dripper).
Don’t worry, Juan Carlos will be there to guide you. It costs less than 10 000 COP for two people.
The 2nd option is a coffee tasting.
You will learn to recognize the different flavors (sweet, salty, sour, and bitter) and how to find them in a good cup of coffee. Many factors come into play, such as the bean’s variety, the roasting, and the preparation method.
- Language: Spanish
- Schedule: Closed on Wednesday
- Where: here
- Note: You pay by the hour. Juan Carlos recommends 2 hours.
👉 Contact Cathy to book an English coffee tour.
12# Learn everything about Coffee with Cafetear
I met Emmanuel in Bomarzo.
This young psychology and coffee graduate works hand in hand with coffee farmers to help them produce better quality beans (and thus improve their profitability).
And that’s not all.
Emmanuel also understood that it is crucial to educate the final consumer. He designed different interactive and educational modules to encourage people to shift into real coffee connoisseurs.
With him, you will learn how to roast your coffee beans, meet coffee growers, and learn how to prepare a good coffee.
- Language: Spanish
- Schedule: Closed on Monday
- Where: In Bomarzo, at the Canela Shop.
👉 Contact Cathy to book an English coffee tour.
Things to do in Jericó: Eat and drink
There are many delicious surprises to eat in Jericó. I hope you are hungry!
13# Order a delicious coffee in Jericó
In Jericó, there are several places where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee.
Travelers who want to discover different methods of coffee preparation will be delighted to find the small interior patio of café el Saturia. (open every day).
Those with a sweet tooth can visit Don Rafa. My family-in-law fell in love with their chocolate/coffee ice drinks. (open every day).
You can also go to Bomarzo and sit at one of the tables in Canela. Emmanuel will be happy to prepare you a delicious coffee.
It’s one of my favorite things to do in Jericó.
15# Bomarzo, the place to hang out in the evening
Bomarzo is a place that is both cultural and relaxing. This residence is composed of a vast interior courtyard where some bars and restaurants have settled.
Every Friday, locals get together to practice their singing skills at Karaoke. And on Saturday night, there is usually a live music concert at 8 pm. They also organize several events during the week. Take a look at their Instagram to find out more.
Bomarzo aims to promote art. Budding artists can join a program and any travelers can book a room on the second floor. There are regular exhibitions, and you can buy their work.
16# Taste Jericó’s desserts
Jericó is known not for one but two desserts!
First one is “El Postre Jericoano”. This fruit cake comprises 7 layers (like a lasagna) and requires several days of preparation!
It includes Grapefruit, ripe and green papaya, pineapple, coconut, figs covered with panela, arequipe, and a sponge cake soaked in rum and wine.
This hundred-year-old recipe is prepared only in a few places in Jericó. If you want to taste it, your best shot is La Pizzeria De Jose.
If this dessert seems “too much” to you, you can opt for the second option.
The dessert “Maria Luisa de Jericó” is a brown bread made from bran (Mogolla) and filled with guava marmalade.
Typically, you should bake this cake over a wood fire (preferably coffee wood). Head to the bakery Valle to order some.
17# Eat some Cardamom candies
A few years ago, a huge company (+600 pers) in Jericó exported cardamon seeds. Unfortunately, it closed due to bad management — and other odd reasons.
Today, there is still a family that runs a small sweetshop. Their specialty is the Cardomom. It will make a perfect gift to take home.
- Schedule: Every day.
- Map: here.
18# Wanna fish your lunch?
Las Trucheras are restaurants that raise trouts (and other types of fish). These are usually places in the middle of nature where it is possible to catch your meal.
These places usually open from Wednesday. It takes 30 minutes by cab.
Where:
- Finca el Recuerdo | Locals told me it’s where you get the best view.
- Naturalia
19 # Drink the wine made with love by the nuns
Yes, it’s a thing you can do in Jericó.
All you need is to ring the doorbell of the monastery. A nun (the one who is officially designated to communicate with the outside world) will offer you different products, including the famous soft wine. I liked it. It’s perfect for the aperitif.
You can also buy a box of butter cookies.
- Where: Convento de las Clarisas
Things to do in Jericó: easy hikes
Mountains surround Jericó. Several paths start from the colonial village and will allow you to admire beautiful panoramas.
Don’t forget that Jericó is at an altitude of 1 950m. The physical effort is, therefore, a little more intense.
20# Botanical garden “Los Balsos” & El Morro El Salvador
I love the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. It’s a small walkway painted in different colors leading to a gate and a covered wooden bridge.
You will find several small paths, benches in the shade to rest, and many plant species (wax palm trees, ferns, orchids, etc.). It is a peaceful place, and there are many spots to take nice pictures.
Follow the path that goes up to reach El Morro El Salvador.
From there, you’ll get a great view of Jericó. Sometimes, young people train with their kite.
- Difficulty: 1/5
- Duration: 30 min
- Where: Here
21# Gruta la virgen de la Peña
This walk is a little more challenging because there are many steps. I don’t tell you how many so as not to scare you 😀
Once there, you will find a statue of the Virgin looking over Jericó. The view is quite pleasant.
It is the same path as the one to the Parque de las Nubes (see below). After a few minutes, turn right and cross a wooden bridge.
- Difficulty: 2/5
- Duration: 20 min (1 way)
All the Best things to do outside of Jericó
Most travelers think only of visiting the beautiful and colorful village of Jericó. However, this destination has many other assets.
Things to do in Jericó: Medium and long hikes
Now the serious stuff begins. If you like to sweat among beautiful landscapes, you will love the next experiences to do in Jericó.
22# Las Nubes, most famous Jericó’s hike
Las Nubes is a protected natural reserve located at 2400m altitude. Many paths will lead you to different viewpoints.
Las Nubes means “clouds” in Spanish. I can assure you that this park lives up to its name. You’ll need a little luck to get a good view.
The trail that goes up to the cable car (out of order) is pretty well marked, and you can do it on your own. The trail starts from Jericó, at the Calle 6 with Carrera 1.
- Difficulty: 3/5
- Duration: 2 h (in total)
👉 If you book a tour with Cathy, the hike will take longer. You’ll be able to follow less frequented paths, stop at a local farm for a snack and ask many questions about the fauna and flora of Jericó.
- Difficulty: 3/5
- Duration: 3-4 h
- Language: French, English, Spanish
23# Hike along the Canyon del Río Cauca
La Nohelia has created this tour for travelers who love to walk and be amazed by the scenery. Starting from their farm, you will embark on a thrilling adventure, passing through forests, local farms, creeks, and waterfalls. This tour includes coffee & lunch.
- Difficulty: 3.5/5
- Duration: 10 am – 5 pm
- Language: Spanish
- Note: 2 pers min.
- More info: La Nohelia
24# More epic hikes to do from Jericó
Hiking fans can explore deeper the mountains of Antioquia. The problem is that the paths are not well marked.
During my stay in Jericó, I met Diana. This professional guide is from Támesis and knows these mountains like the back of her hand.
You can program hikes of 1 or more days with her to reach Támesis, Tarso, Punto Iglesias, and Puebloricco.
She is available on weekends and speaks Spanish only.
Things to do in Jericó: rivers & waterfalls
The days in Jericó can be hot. Here are two options to cool down.
25# Balneario Las Playas
Las Playas is the spot where the locals go for a swim. The Rio Piedras is 5km from Jericó, on the road to Andes.
The easiest way is to take a tuk-tuk to get there and then walk back.
Los Molinos is another alternative.
26# Chorros la Quebradona
There are two places (located 12km from Jericó) where you can enjoy Los Chorros de la Quebradona. You won’t find any signs. It is, therefore, better to go with a local guide — or at least a jeep driver that you can contract on the main square.
For both access points, you have to go down an inclined path for about ten minutes. It’s slippery and the path is narrow. Avoid going there if you are not used to hiking.
The waterfalls are cool but I don’t think it’s worth considering a half-day trip to get there.
Still, it’s a good idea to stop there on your way to the viewpoint La Soledad and La Finca de Ariel (#point 32)!
Things to do in Jericó: Coffee farms
Here are two comprehensive coffee farms you can visit in Jericó.
27# A full tour with Don Rafa’s coffee farm in Jericó
Don Rafa is a family business that has been cultivating coffee plantations since 2004.
First, they take visitors to their farm to explain how they grow and collect their coffee. On-site, you will also have lunch.
Afterward, you will stop by their coffee shop on the main square to learn about the various coffee preparation methods.
This tour requires a minimum of 4 people.
Many Colombians visit Jericó on weekends. You will be pretty sure to do this experience on Sunday (and Monday, if it is a national holiday).
- Duration: 10 am – 2 pm
- Where: Don Rafa
- Language: Spanish
- Note: 4 pers. min. Transport & lunch included. Up to 20 pers.
👉 Contact Cathy to book this coffee tour. You can even get it in English.
28# La Nohelia, a coffee tour in a small farmhouse
The Nohelia Coffee Tour is for travelers who are curious about the daily life of a small plantation. John and Rosemary are passionate about nature. Their coffee fields, facing the Piedras River canyon, are filled with various types of fruit trees to attract birds and insects. This type of sustainable agriculture also allows for less soil depletion and provides shade for the coffee fruit.
Listen to John’s passionate explanations and follow him through this green maze to pick up some red coffee beans and understand the coffee growing process.
The tour ends in John’s mom’s colorful house, where the coffee is dried under tarps before roasting.
- Duration: 2h30
- Language: Spanish
- Where: La Nohelia
- Note: 2 pers min. Transport not included.
👉 Contact Cathy to book this coffee tour. You can even get it in English.
Things to do in Jericó: more outdoor activities
This is the ideal section if you want to add a bit of adrenaline to your trip to Jericó.
29# Horseback riding in Jericó
In Jericó, it is not uncommon to see a horse waiting at the door of a café while its rider drinks a coffee.
There, it remains a practical means of locomotion.
If you like, you could become a cowboy for a couple of hours. Mauricio’s horses are well trained and are a perfect fit for beginners. The most famous route takes you to the Vereda La Leona. You will have a beautiful view of the canyon of the Cauca River.
👉 Cathy offers a great tour that combines horseriding and a visit of a coffee farm. You should check it out!
- Duration: 6-7 hours
- Language: French, English, or Spanish.
30# Paragliding in Jericó
There are 2 paragliding centers in Jericó. Both offer amazing views of the Antioquia mountains.
- Ecoland
- Nube Extrema
I met with Juan, the owner of Nube Extrema. He and his team have many years of paragliding experience and can give you instructions in English.
Depending on the tour you choose, your flight will last between 10 and 20 minutes. If you can afford it, choose the longest flight. You will fly over Punta Iglesias and land on the banks of the river! Then a jeep will bring you back to Nube Extrema (a 40-min drive).
How to get there: Grab a tuk-tuk to get there. It takes 5 min.
31# The best Jericó’s views
Some viewpoints in Jericó are incredible.
In a jeep, you can stop at :
- Mirador de la Soledad (40 min drive)
- Mirador Buenavista (10 min drive)
- Mirador de Nube Extrema (5 min drive).
32# The fabulous coffee farm nestled in the clouds
I saved the best for last.
At 1 hour from Jericó, in front of the Cauca canyon, there is a farm built on top of a rock. The bright red and yellow colors of the fence blend with its colorful garden.
After a short walk of 15 minutes, you will be welcomed by Ariel, with his father and mother. They are one of the friendliest Colombian families I have ever met — and they’ve got many interesting stories to tell.
The lunch is served in the middle of flowers, coffee plants, and hummingbirds, with an impressive view of the Andes. Afterward, Ariel will show you the different viewpoints of his property and the beautiful waterfall that flows along a red rock cliff.
During this day trip, you’ll also stop at Los Chorros de la Quebradona and the Soledad Mirador.
👉 We have realized this great experience thanks to Cathy.
- Duration: 7-8 h.
- Language: Spanish, French, or English.
- Note: Take good walking shoes
Things to do in Jericó: The bottom line
The village of Jericó can be visited quickly. If you plan your day well, one morning should be enough.
It will be a little more complicated to organize trips in the surrounding nature. There are few local guides and they only speak Spanish.
👉 To enjoy an enriching and different experience of Jericó, I advise you to go with Cathy’s travel agency
I recommend staying 3 to 4 days. Read my analysis of the best hotels in Jericó to find the right accommodation.
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