Guatape / El Penol - The small town of Guatape is a colourful and tranquil pueblito perfect to enjoy a day trip (or two) from Medellin. Whilst the town is famous for the colourful designs on the facades of the houses it’s probably more recognisable in promotional material for the the large rock “El Penol” which you can climb to get an amazing view of the surrounding man-made lagoons.

Apart from climbing to the top of El Penol for an unforgettable view, some of the things to do in Guatape include jet-skiing, fly roping, taking a boat cruise on the lake, paintballing at Pablo Escobar’s mansion or just sit back and relax as you breathe in the fresh country air.

Guatape is located about two hours from Medellin by buses that leave from the North Bus terminal (Caribe Metro station). A bus should cost you about $15,000 COP. Once you get to the bus terminal in Guatape, you’ll be located on the main street, lining the lake. Peruse the block at your leisure for great restaurants as well as plenty of hotels and hostels.

If you have time extend your day-trip to a weekend outing (which many do). The beautiful Kasa Kayam Hostel comes recommended, it’s located 15 minutes from the main Guatape street. Be careful timing your bus back to Medellin as the last bus leaves, on the dot, at about 6 pm from the same station you came in from.

If you don't have much time or don't feel comortable navigating the buses and in Spanish, don't worry, there are daily tours to Guatape in English.

Santa Fe de Antioquia - is a small historical town located just 2 hours from Medellin. It was the capital of the region before the control of power was shifted to Medellin. If you’re interested in colonial architecture, white-washed walls, weathered churches (like The Catedral de Santa Fe de Antioquia, located in the main plaza) and old town squares then Santa Fe is a perfect day trip from Medellin. Cruise around the main plaza and then eat a traditional lunch at Portón del Parque for a tasting Bandeja paisa the local specialty. Drop into the Hotel Mariscal Robledo a very historic hotel with many antiquities on display. They also have a lovely swimming pool which you can probably use for a fee as well as a .

To get to Sante Fe you can take a bus, minubus or collective (shared taxi) from Medellin’s Terminal Norte (North Bus Station). For a more enjoyable visit you can book a private tour with car and driver.

Rio Claro - if you're looking for more than just a one day trip then Rio Claro is a great option. Just three hours east of Medellin Rio Claro offers the chance to get up close and personal with Colombian flora & fauna whilst also being able to participate in various outdoor activities such as rafting, caving and zip lining through the canopy. For the less adventurous you can explore the river and take a swim at one of the relaxing “beach spots”.

There are several types of accommodations to choose from including a Eco hotel or a selection of cabins,  some with no external walls, giving you the chance to sleep to the sounds of a chorus of birds and frogs.

Be sure to bring a sizeable amount of cash with you as they don’t accept credit cards. There’s an ATM about 30 minutes away from Rio Claro that may or may not be operational. You are not allowed to bring food, alcohol or stereos into the park.

Rio Claro don’t take bookings by email only by telephone. However they do have an office conveniently located alongside Parque Poblado, which is probably more convenient. You can find out more information on the Rio Claro website.

The following video gives a good insight into what you'll see at Rio Claro. It's quite long and only in Spanish, you might want to just skip through it.