How to Explore Cueva Del Esplendor
Jardin, Antioquia Colombia
Location: Jardin, Antioquia, Colombia
Hiking Time: ~1.5 hrs
Difficulty: 1 hour moderate, .5hrs hard
Cost: 30,000 COP transport, 20,000 COP entrance fee
Time: 5-6 hours round trip
The beautiful town of Jardin, Antioquia, nestled in the high mountains of Colombia, has no lack of beautiful waterfalls. (But you can read more on that SOON)
But today let’s talk about one of the most iconic and difficult to access- Cueva Del Esplendor.
To see it you’ll have to take a tuk-tuk or jeep ride and a hike from town, plus shell out an entrance fee.
But is it worth it?
I thought so.
While the other waterfalls in Jardin are beautiful, Cueva Del Esplendor is unique. You can see stunning waterfalls almost anywhere (though I still absolutely recommend you see the ones in Jardin) but it’s not often you’ll see something as otherworldly as Cueva Del Esplendor.
How to Get to Cueva Del Esplendor
If you’re planning to see this hidden gem, you’ve got two options:
Option 1: Take a guided tour from the center of Jardin
The tour will pick you up in a jeep in the center of town and take you almost all the way to the waterfall. Then you’ll have to walk about 25 minutes down the road to the entrance.
The tour: More expensive, fewer photo ops, shorter walking time.
Option 2: Take a Tuk-tuk
Grab 2 friends (a tuk-tuk fits up to 3 people) and take a tuk-tuk from the center of Jardin to the beginning of the trail-road. The cost is 30,000 COP. From there the walk is just over an hour to the entrance.
Tuktuk & walk: Cheaper, lots of photo ops, long walk.
Note: If you take the tuk-tuk make sure to get their Whatsapp so you can call them to get back to town!
The hike from where the tuk-tuk drops you off is moderately difficult and mostly uphill. It’s steep at times too! From where the tour jeeps drop you the hike is relatively flat.
Did I mention the views from this walk are incredible as well?
Entrance to Cueva Del Esplendor
Unlike most waterfalls in the area, Cueva Del Esplendor is on private property. When you reach the end of the trail-road you’ll arrive at a house and be asked to fill out a form (which includes your blood type for some reason?) and pay the entrance fee of 20,000 COP.
At the house you can purchase snacks and drinks, but you don’t have to. They’ll also fill up your water bottle for free if you ask but I wouldn’t choose this option unless you have a filtering water bottle like the GRAYL.
We waited about 20 minutes and then the ‘guide’ took us down in a small group (our 3 plus another couple).
Y
ou start walking down the property and then arrive at another gate which is locked. When we got there, there were people waiting to be let back out.
The trail to get down to the cave is quite steep and slippery but the property owners have installed plenty of ropes for you to grab on. I highly suggest using them.
Also, the trail is BEAUTIFUL. Maybe if you’ve seen many a tropical forest you won’t be as impressed, but if the tropics are still new to you, you’re in for a treat.
Cueva Del Esplendor
After all of that, you finally arrive at the waterfall.
It’s loud and wet* and absolutely beautiful.
*when I say wet, I mean the whole area. Inside and around the cave, you’ll be hard-pressed to stay completely dry.
If you’re feeling real brave you can even jump in, but I don’t recommend it given how strong the water is, how easy it would be to slip under, and how hard it would be to get you out (Sorry- former lifeguard here!) Also, it’s freezing.
But even if you don’t jump in, the whole area around the waterfall is freaking gorgeous. Towering rock faces covered with moss, lush forest life, and water dripping down from just about everywhere. It really does feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Our ‘guide’ didn’t guide us much while we were there, but that was perfectly fine as I prefer to explore on my own. He did take my picture when I asked though!
Each group spends about 40 minutes down near the falls, which is great if you’re a photographer who needs some time to get the shot or if you enjoy soaking up the forest’s beauty.
If you’re a ‘saw it now let’s go’ person though, you’re not gonna like it. Even if you continue up the trail on your own, the gate is locked and you won’t be able to leave!
The hike back is steep and pretty tiring if you’ve been walking all day, but doesn’t feel too long!
Getting back to Jardin
If you came on a tour, you’ll be heading back with them. Otherwise you’ve got a few options here.
The ‘Trail’
Apparently there’s a ‘trail’ back through the woods to Jardin, but it’s not well marked and leads you through forests and fields. Only for the bravest adventurers.
Take the Tuk-tuk
Call your Tuk-tuk right about when you leave the property and tell them you’ll be at the trailhead in about an hour and ask them to meet you there.
Walk to Town
This is a LONG AF walk down a STEEP road with tuk-tuks, jeeps, and motorcycles whizzing by. I don’t recommend this option either!
Is Cueva Del Esplendor Worth It?
I thought so. I really loved seeing this unique waterfall and the area around it. I found that the people running the place were nice enough even if we weren’t ‘guided’ much.
I should mention, though, that some other travelers have not had such a great experience. They found the people a bit rude and the price too high and were annoyed that they had to wait for the guide to be able to leave the property.
I should mention that the most recent negative review I found was from early 2020, and I visited in early 2021, so that may have impacted my experience too.
With all the options around Jardin, only you can decide if you want to dedicate the better part of a day to see this unique and beautiful waterfall.
If you visit Cueva Del Esplendor, let me know how it goes- comment below!