Another cool thing to do if you want to escape Medellin and aim for some more peaceful time is to head to Sante Fe de Antioquia. It is the most beautiful colonial city of Antioquia (that it used to be the capital) and a great gateway only 80 kms away from busy Medellin.
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We were really lucky to visit Sante Fe with our friend Marcella who has a family house with a massive swimming pool there. The sun can be killing In Santa Fe and it was fantastic to be able to freshen up between 2 walks.
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You will find in Sante Fe the “traditional Colombian Colonial Streets”, narrow and lined up by white houses, there are 4 beautiful churches and several plazas. You should be able to cover the whole city in about an hour.
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Photos of Santa Fe de Antioquia
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What to do there?
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Explore the city by foot or "Moto-taxi" In Santa Fe to admire the beautiful streets, the Iglesia de Santa Barbara, the main square's Cathedral, the Museo del Corral and the Museo de Arte Religioso.
You can also rent horses for a nice ride in the beautiful nature surrounding it, or grab a Moto Taxi (with 2 seats) to visit the city or ask them to bring you to the beautiful bridge over the Rio Cauca, about 30 mns away. We recommend to climb to the statue (with a rope to help) on the right of the road for an amazing view over the river.
=> OR just enjoy a beautiful afternoon of "farniente" in one of the numerous swimming pools in hotels and restaurants!
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How to get there?
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Grab a bus from Medellin Northern Bus Terminal ($10.000 COP) it will bring you there in about 1H30 if traffic is good (watch out on Weekends!)
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Accommodation
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Accommodation is definitely a strong point of Santa Fe, there are many luxury hotels with swimming pools at very affordable prices which makes the city a favourites for Paisas, heading there to spend a "hot" romantic weekend.
=> We particularly recommend The Hotel Mariscal situated on the plazoleta de la Chinca. That one is a little expensive but even if you don't plan to stay there, just get in to visit it, the building is simply incredible.
Hotel Mariscal Robledo
Superb Colonial building, massive swimming pools, great views, beautiful rooms, a SPA, formulas with 3 meals included... Proper Luxury!
Plazoleta de la Chinca, Santa Fe de Antioquia
Tel: (57 4) 853 1111
Website: www.hotelmariscalrobledo.com
Prices: from 100.000 to 250.000 per person
Hotel Caseron Plaza - Plaza mayor
A nice colonial building with pool and restaurant. 32 Rooms with TV, air conditioning or fan, minibar, closet and bathroom.
Calle 9 # 9 a 41 Plaza Mayor, Santa Fe de Antioquia
Tel: (57 4) 853 2040
Fax: (57 4) 853 1640
Website: www.hotelcaseronplaza.com.co
> Hotel Plaza Mayor
A well maintained colonial house owned by Dario. Rooms are clean and quite. With a lovely patio and good service. Rooms are pretty small but clean with private bathroom. There is also a small swimming pool which is certainly not as good as other hotels but still good to freshen up!
Calle 9 # 9-59 Plaza Mayor, Santa Fé de Antioquia
Website: hostalplazamayorsantafedeantioquia.blogspot.com
Prices: around 20.000 pesos per person
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AND WHY NOT RENT A FINCA?
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That's a cool option especially if you go there with a good group of friends, try this website:
http://www.alquilesufinca.com/
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Food
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> Buffalo Bill
Yeeeeeeha! Get your cowboy boots and hats out, the best restaurant of Santa Fe is a "Gringo" one. You can eat grilled fish and meat and enjoy the massive swimming pool. This is also one of the good spots for dancing iwhen sun goes down (hopefully, it's more Raggaeton than Country Music!)
Prices: between 20.000 y 30.000 per person
Address: Plazoleta de la Chinca
Tel: (57) 314 784 5072
Hours: friday and saturday until 3am., sunday and thursday until midnight.
> Porton del Parque
OK, some say that this restaurant is actually THE BEST in town. Well at least, this is more "traditional". A lovely colonial house with nice courtyard and more relaxed ambiance, to enjoy really good traditional Colombian Food.
Prices: between 18.000 to 30.000 per person
Address: Calle 10 # 11-03
Tel: (57 4) 853 3207
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