Top 5 Things to do in San Carlos, Colombia
A small pueblo home to six rivers and over a hundred waterfalls gives San Carlos the title of Colombia’s most naturally beautiful town. However, it also used to be one of the most dangerous places in Antioquia.
San Carlos, Colombia, a pueblo I called home from July 2021 until November 2022. When I arrived, I had no idea what to expect or that I would stay for that long. Like a tumbleweed, I go where my heart desires; sometimes, I stay longer, and sometimes the wind pushes me on.
How do I get to San Carlos?
The easiest and cheapest way is to take the bus from Medellin’s North Terminal bus station. To reach the North Terminal, take an Uber, Didi, cab, or the metro.
- Taking the metro and getting off at Caribe will cost you approximately 2930 pesos (.75 cents) one way. Don´t forget to purchase a Cívica card.
- Take line A towards Niquia. I assume you are coming from the tourist area of Poblado! An Uber will cost you around 15K pesos, or 3.84 USD.
Tips
- The bus station can be overwhelming, but all you have to do is look for the window for Transoriente or Coonorte.
- They all will say San Carlos/Grenada.
- Both cost 25K pesos or 6.39 USD. However, check the website for updated prices, the price may vary s depending on holidays or the time of year.
- They are near the end of the terminal.
- Do not throw your ticket away, as they will collect it when you get off in San Carlos.
The trip will take approximately 4 hours. When you get to San Carlos, the center square is a 5-minute walk. Turn left, walk up the little street past the D1, and see the central square.
Side note: Coonorte is a bit nicer!
How often the bus leaves
They leave every 2 hours, so a bus is always going, starting at 6 a.m. from Medellin and 5 a.m. from San Carlos. They stop running between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. (double-check this!). It is a direct bus, with no bathrooms. They do stop a few times if you need to go. The most extended stop will be in Granada, usually from 5 to 15 minutes, and there is a bathroom at the terminal.
But any restaurant will let you walk in and use the bathroom; don’t ask; walk to the back and then get back on the bus. They won’t leave you typically; they know where you are headed and will count heads, and usually, the only gringa-o will stand out.
Warning
They often stop along the road, and people will get on and off to sell you food and sing to you. If I am hungry, I give them a few pesos and buy stuff. That is their job, so supporting them is always good. So you will not starve on any bus in Colombia.
Where to stay
There are a ton of little hotels in the area. These few are the ones I would recommend.
- Familia Verde Eco Hostel, book through Facebook or their website.
- EcoCamp San Carlos Glamping is a new spot. It is close to the waterfall and a short walk to town.
Top 5 Things to do in San Carlos, Colombia
La Vieja Cascada
Walking La Viejita to the two waterfalls at the top. A short 15-minute walk outside of the square to the most popular one called La Vieja Cascada. You can swim here and cliff jump if you dare.
Most of the way is paved, and some steps often go near the end.
Piedra El Tabor
It is a 6-hour round-trip hike, and I recommend using a guide. It is a very intense hike, and you will be walking uphill for about 2 hours in the woods most of the time.
The view at the top is worth it. However, be sure to bring bug spray and sunscreen, as there are a ton of little annoying bugs at the top of the mountain.
Charco Redondo
It is located in the neighboring village called La Maria, about a 15-minute motorbike ride outside town, and approximately 10K pesos. Then you must walk about 45 minutes to the Charco. It is worth it and easy to find on the trail; however, it is not labeled. You can be adventurous and see it, or hire a guide.
How to get to the Charco
They drop you off on the side of the road; you will see two routes, one goes up a hill, and one goes to the right. Walk to the right a few feet, along a fence and road.
Then you will see a path on your left; it goes up, and it’s a marked path. Take that path and continue walking. Now there is a guy at the gate, and you will have to pay him 2k pesos, then continue walking another 5 or 10 minutes; the river will be on your left.
As you continue to walk you will see a narrow footpath that leads down to the river. You can then sit on your towel and enjoy the charcol
Cielo Escondido aka Hidden Heaven
Although it is supposed to be beautiful, I have never been. You need a guide to get there, and it is a challenging hike. The area includes several waterfalls and a walk through the forest. Hire a guide in town for this adventure.
Explore the Graffiti and Town
I love exploring towns, and San Carlos is tiny, so it will not take long. I will walk around, check out the graffiti, eat local empanadas, and people-watch.
You can visit the cultural center and have ice cream at the many shops in town. Sweet Shop is my favorite place for ice cream. Sit and hang out with the locals, have a cup of coffee, and if you are here on a Sunday, it will be extra busy as that is the day most Colombians are off.
If you are in town on a Friday night, check out Atypico, a local bar with a language exchange starting at 8 pm! Then you can head over to one of the three dico-tecas in town.
Must Know Before Visiting San Carlos
- There is one ATM, and it has been known to not work from time to time. I use cash for everything, and having little money and coins is always good.
- They do not always have change for a 50 or 100, except at the D1, the local chain supermarket.
- Almost no one speaks English; everyone is friendly and welcoming. On the weekends, there is an influx of tourists from Medellin; it is more of a Colombian hot spot than a foreigner tourist spot.
- There are a handful of restaurants and mostly all Colombian food! So only come here if you are looking for an off-the-beaten, non-foreigner touristy adventure; come on down.
It is hot, but luckily there is always a river to jump into! You will enjoy it, and maybe like me will stay for a year.
Have I convinced you to visit San Carlos, Colombia?
