Parque Arví (Medellin, Colombia)

Parque Arví is a beautiful ecological nature preserve located 2,200 to 2,600 meters (7,200 to 8,530 feet) above sea level in Santa Elena village – yes, that is high! If you take the slow metro cable cars up from Santo Domingo Savio metro, the view of the concrete jungle that is Medellín is stunning! Click on the video below to see what I am talking about. If heights are not for you, no worries, there are other ways to get to the incredibly biodiverse park.

There is no entrance fee, but guided tours are available every 30 minutes from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and cost 25,000 COP (approximately 7.20 USD). Tickets for the guided tour can be purchased immediately after you exit the metro, where a sign reads Guía de Interpretación. I did the ‘Orchid, Bromeliads, and Anthuriums’ guided tour, and then walked around the park. Fun fact, Colombia has the largest number of orchid species in the world. On the Parque Arvi orchid tour, you will get to see the smallest orchid in the world as well as many other types of orchids.

In addition to exotic plants, there are reportedly more than 70 species of birds, 72 species of butterflies, and 19 mammal species found throughout the 39,500 acre (16,000 hectare) park. There are also reptiles – I can’t find the official figures on the number of reptile species, so I am instead going to show you this green beauty below. I was unknowingly standing right next to this gal until the guide told me not to move and slowly walk towards her.

No worries, the snake was not poisonous. In fact, there are no poisonous snakes at the park. There are though many wonderful hiking trails in addition to other activities you can do at the park open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. This blog post by Medellín Guru, is the best guide on Parcque Arvi I found and has pretty much all the info you will need for the park.

#Colombia

#Medellin