Parque Arví — Attraction in Medellín

I had previously heard high praise for this place from other travellers who had visited over the years, but I have a feeling that this reputation it has built for itself is about to come crashing down after some recent changes that they have made.

I was surprised to discover that they have brought in new rules. Ones that require you walk its trails with the assistance of guides. Now, I have several problems with the way they have done this. Let me explain.

This park takes a while to get to. First, you need to catch the metro, followed by a cable car system. The cable car is expensive (by Colombian standards) and it is my understanding it is owned by the park, so I imagine it is probably how they used to make most of their money (as most people would have no other reason to use this cable car other than to visit the park).

This is a place people mostly hear about from travel guides and online, and almost all of these sources still state that it is free. The station you catch the cable car from has no information concerning any other charges either, meaning most people taking this long (and pricey) journey are still doing so on the premise that entry will be free. Some will end up paying because they feel like they have to after coming all this way, whilst those who refuse to pay will feel like they have wasted their time, and almost everyone is going to be annoyed. The woman at the (newly created) admission desk seemed embarrassed when she explained it to me, so I have a feeling they have been getting a lot of pushback.

You don’t need a guide for this place. It is a park on the outskirts of a city with well-marked trails. It is not big enough to get lost in, and the climate is mild. In terms of wildlife, you are unlikely to come across anything more than some birds and maybe a squirrel or two.

I have come across this trick of enforcing unneeded guides upon people before (it is becoming increasingly common in Asia), and trust me; nobody gets a fulfilling experience out of this. The people being ‘guided’ feel duped and frustrated, and the ones ‘guiding’ often adopt a passive/agressive mien to cope with the tension. Even if you try to be polite to each other, the energy is awkward. Imagine being one of those guides and your job only existing because it is an unwanted ‘service’ being imposed upon people, and spending your days walking disgruntled people around under the pretence that you are needed when you are most definitely not. It must be soul-destroying. There are many other ways people can create jobs. They could set up ziplines, open cafes, butterfly farms, or museums. The list is endless when it comes to creating opportunities for people to have valid and rewarding careers if they are innovative enough.

I do understand how capitalism works and that Arví Park is a private corporation, so I would have happily paid a moderate fee to enter but it is currently a whopping 50,000 Colombian pesos for foreigners, whilst locals pay 15,000. Not only do I not want to pay that much Gringo Tax out of principal, but I honestly don’t think this place is worth it.

Did you notice me saying that I would have happily paid a moderate ‘fee’ to enter? Well, that’s it. I go for walks in places like this for some peace and in the hope that I might be able to see some birds. I am not going to get either if I am lumped with a group of other people in a ‘tour’.

But on the bright side, there were some nice views of the city from the cable car. It just wasn’t quite worth the disappointment of the...

Parque Arví, Medellin: A Natural Gem with a Touch of Elegance

Parque Arví, located in the lush landscapes of Medellin, is a testament to the beauty and elegance of nature. This beautiful nature reserve offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, inviting visitors into its tranquil embrace.

One of the highlights of Parque Arví is the flexibility it offers in exploring its vast expanses. Visitors have the choice of wandering through the trails on their own or opting for a guided tour. During my visit, I opted for a self-guided hike, as unfortunately, there were no English-speaking tour guides available. Despite this minor setback, the experience was nothing short of wonderful.

The spice plantations within the park are a marvel. Walking through them offers not just a visual delight but also an educational journey, as they come with a bit of history about the place. The trails, though short, are immensely satisfying. Walking these paths, surrounded by nature, you can't help but appreciate the fresh air and the serene atmosphere.

The park does a commendable job in catering to both Spanish and English speakers, at least in terms of informational content. The explanations of the various plants and their uses are available in both languages, making it a unique and informative experience for everyone.

The local market in Parque Arví is a treasure trove of Colombian culture. Here, I had the chance to savor some amazing local fruits and delicacies, truly an experience that tantalized the taste buds.

A piece of advice for future visitors: While Uber might seem like a convenient option to reach the park, I found the best way is to take the cable car. On my visit, I made the error of choosing Uber, which resulted in an hour-long ride. A more efficient route is to take the metro or Uber to Acevedo and then ride the cable car up to the park. This not only adds an element of adventure to the journey but is also a more convenient and scenic route.

In summary, Parque Arví is a must-visit for anyone in Medellin. Its elegance, combined with the natural beauty and the unique experiences it offers, makes it a standout destination. Just remember to choose the cable car for that added element of...

Read the 1 star reviews before you venture here. I perused several that are quite true.

The cable car ride to Arvi is approx 20 mins. A/O 6/2022 it costs ~$11000 each way per person. Can be a lovely experience, EXCEPT if it's raining (as in our case) and all the windows were foggy so we couldn't see any of the city or park during the ride.

Entrance to the park is supposed to be free, however, there's a ticket booth with glaring price signs as soon as you exit cable cars to enter the park. Seeing this makes you assume you must pay to enter and they will milk you (meaning they won't tell you the park itself is free). Price for foreigners is 3x price for locals (see my pics).

We were a group of 8. One was a local who translated. We chose the free option (to the waterfall), but it seems we entered the same area and walked the same route to the waterfall as others who paid. 🤔. Yes, pretty confusing.

Getting to the WATERFALL 'Entrance', is approx 25 mins walk. THERE ARE NO SIGNS to guide you there. Seems most groups are following other groups and you hope the group you're following knows the way! The walk is along an active and winding street/highway with cars. 'Entrance' is across from a random house. House on right. Entrance to waterfall/camp grounds/park area on left. Again, there are NO SIGNS. Next, you venture another 10 +/- mins through clay/dirt landscape. Dress appropriately! If it rains, clay is VERY slippery and adventurous. We saw a young lady slip and fall, so be careful.

I enjoyed the outing, but if you've been hiking before or have seen a waterfall, you're not missing anything if you...