This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Santa Fe de Antioquia.
The impressively well-preserved colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioquia offers a great escape for travelers seeking a slower-paced destination with beautiful, sunny weather all year round. This town was founded in 1541, and still contains many churches and houses that are now more than 250 years old.
Located on the Cauca River’s western bank, Santa Fe de Antioquia got its start as a gold mining town – and this extravagant resource has been the base of the area’s economy ever since. Thanks to the community’s incredibly maintained architecture, Santa Fe de Antioquia was declared a national monument in 1960.
The mountainous region surrounding Santa Fe de Antioquia is generally tropical and humid, supporting the city’s thriving tourism industry. With a wide variety of hotels, hostels, and water parks, it has become a popular destination for visitors from nearby metropolitan areas, as well as foreign travelers from abroad. Tourists coming during the summer months are advised to book a hostel or hotel ahead of time, as the town fills up with vacationers during this time of year.
While the entire town is a showcase of beautiful colonial architecture, venturing a bit further from your hotel or hostel in Santa Fe de Antioquia brings a host of other landmarks. Popular attractions in this area include the Puente de Occidente, a suspension bridge over the Cauca River built in 1887, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Archiepiescopal Palace, Plaza Mayor Juan de Corral, and the House of the Two Palms. To the south of the plaza, travelers can stop by La Playita, a famous ranch near Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Buses run from Medellín to Santa Fe de Antioquia fairly frequently, but the Túnel de Occidente, a tunnel which opened in 2006, offers a quick and easy route for drivers interested in renting a car and navigating the area on their own.
Written by local enthusiast for Santa Fe de Antioquia hostels
Jakob Lombardi
