The Jardín Botánico de Medellín is a free, 13-hectare botanical garden next to Universidad metro station, with more than 1,000 plant species, a butterfly house, a lake and the Orquideorama, a giant honeycomb canopy of timber 'flower trees' that shelters orchids and bromeliads. It's the greenest, calmest place in central Medellín and an easy pairing with Parque Explora next door.
What it's like
Step through the gates off busy Calle 73 and the noise drops away. The garden covers 13.2 hectares of paths, lawns, ponds and tall trees, with more than 1,000 plant species and around 4,500 individual plants. You'll see iguanas sunning themselves, turtles in the water, squirrels in the trees and plenty of birds, including migratory species that stop here.
It's named after Joaquín Antonio Uribe, an Antioquian naturalist, and run by a private non-profit foundation. Entry is free, and on weekends it fills with families having picnics, couples strolling and people sketching or reading under the trees.
The Orquideorama
The garden's star is the Orquideorama José Jerónimo Triana. The original orchid pavilion dated from 1972. In 2006 it was replaced by a striking new structure that won an architecture competition: a cluster of giant hexagonal "flower trees" made of timber slats and steel, whose tops join into a honeycomb canopy. Light filters through the slats onto orchids, bromeliads, carnivorous plants, tree ferns and a small pond below. It opened on August 25, 2006, and it's become one of the best-known pieces of modern architecture in Medellín.
The Orquideorama also hosts flower shows, including the orchid, bird and flower exhibition during the Feria de las Flores in August and a heliconia show in December. Some of these special events charge admission.
Other highlights
- The butterfly house, a covered garden full of butterflies.
- The lake, ringed by trees and home to turtles.
- Prehistoric plants, including a collection of cycads, among them a species native to Antioquia.
- A food area, with places to eat and drink inside the garden.
- Free guided walks and workshops, which the garden runs on set days, mostly in Spanish.
Practical tips
Bring water, sunscreen and a picnic if you like; picnics are allowed, but the garden has banned styrofoam containers. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, more if you're a keen photographer. If you want to shoot professional photos or video, you need a permit requested at least 5 working days ahead. The garden is right next to Parque Explora, and Parque de los Deseos and the Planetario are a few minutes' walk away.
Getting there
Take metro Line A to Universidad station; the main entrance is about a minute's walk away.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Jardín Botánico free?
Yes, general entry is free. Some special events and fairs inside the garden charge a fee.
What is the Orquideorama?
It's the garden's covered orchid pavilion, a 2006 structure of giant timber "flower trees" with a honeycomb roof, sheltering orchids and other tropical plants.
How do I get there by metro?
Ride Line A to Universidad station. The entrance is about a minute away.
Can I bring food?
Yes, picnics are allowed, but styrofoam containers aren't.
