Santa Elena lies between the valleys of Valle de Aburrá and San Nicolás. Visitors who choose to stay here will find two distinct highlights: Silletero culture, with its family-run farms and historical stories, and natural attractions featuring forest, a waterfall and old stone paths. Plan your visit around culture, scenery or both.
Silletero Culture and Historic Paths
Santa Elena is considered the birthplace of Silletero culture. Local farming families keep the tradition of the Desfile de Silleteros at the Feria de las Flores alive, displaying flowers they cultivate year-round on their Fincas Silleteras. The Monumento a la Familia Silletera depicts the family and its tradition: the bronze sculpture, created by Marina Piedrahita in 1997, gives this cultural connection a tangible form.
The Sendero de cargueros y tradición silletera tells the story of the cargueros: from Indigenous people to Afro-descendants, farmers and Silleteros, especially those from Santa Elena. Another historic route is the old mule trail Camino Montevivo – San Ignacio, also known as Circuito El Cartucho and Camino de José María Córdova.
Visitors can also explore the Fincas Silleteras and Granja de José to learn about Silletero and farming culture. Around 17 farms run by farming families are currently open to visitors, preserving this tradition. Check the visiting arrangements with each farm before your trip. Granja de José is an agrotourism and historic site dedicated to the Silletero and farming culture of Santa Elena. A visit covers the history of the farm and the Desfile de Silleteros, flower and vegetable cultivation, muleteers and old paths, the history of Quebrada Santa Elena, and silleta-making classes. Check visiting arrangements in advance.
Forest and Waterfall
At Parque Arví, visitors can experience the region’s flora and fauna and walk or cycle through the forest. The park can be reached from Santa Elena by Metrocable; the route passes through more than 17,000 hectares of natural forest. Check the latest Metrocable service information for your trip.
Cascada Bocaná is a single natural attraction: the waterfall is about 20 meters high, lies on the Quebrada Santa Elena stream in the middle part of the watershed, and is located at an elevation of about 1,950 meters. Visitors come to its natural swimming area during dry periods.
Bosques de La Aguada offer a different experience: they feature well-preserved stone paths dating from 1800 and are visited by nature lovers and hiking groups. Santa Elena thus brings together a range of natural attractions—from forest flora and fauna to a waterfall and historic paths.
Getting There and Planning
Public minibuses operated by Trasancoop de Santa Elena run along Vía Santa Elena to the central park. In Medellín, they depart from the city center on Carrera Córdoba, between the streets of Colombia and La Playa. Check the latest minibus schedule before your trip; also check the latest Metrocable service information.
Discover more destinations: La Cecilia, Cocorna, Jerico, Canaveral, Pueblorrico, Marinilla, El Laurel, Itagui
For the broader travel overview: Antioquia.
