Colombia enchants visitors with its gorgeous rainforests, coffee farms, and vibrant towns. It became an even more appealing destination after joining the growing list of countries that provide digital nomad visas. In October 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced a visa for digital nomads in Colombia. The visa, also known as "Visa V Nómadas Digitales" became available in January 2023.
A digital nomad is someone who leads a nomadic lifestyle and works remotely from different countries. A digital nomad visa allows people to work remotely while living in a country other than their permanent residence. The concept of digital nomadism has grown in popularity in recent years, allowing people to work remotely while travelling to new places. As a result, certain countries have created special visas specifically for digital nomads. In October 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombia too introduced a visa for digital nomads (more about it here).
If the idea entices you, we suggest you head out to Colombia, but avoid the crowds and base yourself in Jardin, an attractive town in the Antioquia region. Here's why.
Colombia has charming towns rich in history, gorgeous architecture, and breathtaking scenery. Colombia's tourist ministry established a network of 17 Pueblos Patrimonios (Heritage Towns) to draw attention to them, uniting them under a single umbrella.
The heritage town of Jardin, nestled between the San Juan River and the western Andes in a lush valley, was founded in 1864. Situated in the southern Antioquia region, well-known for its beautifully maintained ancient architecture, the town's architecture has remained true to Antioquia's colonial flair, with whitewashed walls and brightly painted doors and windows.
You would be wise to schedule your visit around the quieter and more picturesque Jardin, which has well-preserved colonial architecture, beautiful rivers, and excellent coffee. Here are some things that will keep you busy in Jardin.
UNESCO has recognised Colombia's coffee landscapes as a World Heritage Site. "It reflects a centennial tradition of coffee growing in small plots in the high forest and the way farmers have adapted cultivation to difficult mountain conditions," says the UNESCO website. "The urban areas, mainly situated on the relatively flat tops of hills above sloping coffee fields, are characterised by the architecture of the Antioquian colonisation with Spanish influence. Building materials were, and remain in some areas, cob and pleated cane for the walls with clay tiles for the roofs."
Jardin is situated within the coffee region in Colombia. While here, you may visit a coffee farm and learn more about the production of coffee and what makes Colombian coffee one of the best in the world while enjoying the stunning scenery of the southwest Antioquian mountains. Some tours also involve hiking, birdwatching, and horseback riding through coffee plantations so that visitors can experience the astounding richness of the Andean mountain forest. You can visit Finca Milena, a coffee farm and hotel with excellent views.
The Cave of Splendour, or La Cueva del Esplendor, is one of the most stunning caves in the world. A three-hour hike leads you through coffee plantations and rolling Andean foothills to this remarkable cave with a river running through it. A steady stream has eroded the cave's roof over time. The water rushes into the cave through this natural breach and cascades into a stream. It's a breathtaking sight.
Many Colombian towns feature beautiful plazas or squares in the middle of which everyday social life revolves. Jardin's Plaza El Libertador is no exception. You could spend hours here, watching people go by (some wearing sombreros and riding a horse), sitting in colourful chairs, and sipping Colombian coffee. The cafes surrounding the plaza are best for working from and getting a coffee fix. Several establishments here also provide beer. The plaza is centred around a fountain surrounded by well-kept rose beds.
The Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepción, built of hand-carved stone extracted from a quarry in the Serranas between 1918 and 1949, dominates the square. The Basilica is decked out and illuminated at night during festivals and religious holidays, contributing to the grandeur of the town centre.
On weekends, the plaza resembles a scene from a Western, as Paisa cowboys parade up and down. As the music plays, the cowboys wearing wide-brimmed sombrero hats ride majestic Paso Fino horses through the streets.
Indians can avail of an e-visa facility for travel to Colombia. The tourist visa is called TP-11. You can obtain it online, and it is valid for 90 days.
Jardin in Antioquia is located around 130km from Medellin. It is a drive of around three hours. Several airlines in India offer flights to Medellin (MDE) from different cities. From Medellin, it takes around three hours by road.