How to get from Salento to Jardín by bus: the complete guide
Route, schedules, prices and tips for traveling from Salento to Jardín (Antioquia) by public transport.
Jardín, Antioquia, is one of the most beautiful towns in Colombia, and one of the questions we hear most from our guests is: is it possible to reach Jardín without having to go all the way to Medellín? So we decided to put together this guide — not just for our guests, but for any traveler looking for a direct, budget-friendly route between these two towns. Here's everything you need to know:
Route overview
There is no direct Salento–Jardín bus, so the trip is done in two stages:
| Stage | Company | Departure | Duration | Price 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salento → Riosucio | Flota Occidental | 9:40 am | ~4 hours | $49,000 COP |
| Riosucio → Jardín | Chiva or local bus | 3:00 pm | ~4 hours | $45,000 COP |
Stage 1: Salento → Riosucio
The Flota Occidental bus leaves from the Salento terminal (less than a 10-minute walk from the hostel). Buy your ticket as far in advance as you can, at least a day before. There's only one bus a day and it fills up often, especially in high season and on weekends. We recommend buying it on the company's official site, Flota Occidental.
A few details about the ride:
- It's a mountain road: if you get carsick, sit up front and bring something for motion sickness.
- You'll reach Riosucio around 1:00 pm, with plenty of time for lunch.
The layover in Riosucio
You'll have about two hours in Riosucio before the chiva. Make the most of it and buy your chiva ticket to Jardín first. After that, take your time to grab lunch and even explore a little. Riosucio is famous for its Carnaval del Diablo, held every two years in the first week of January.
Stage 2: Riosucio → Jardín by chiva
The chiva leaves at 3:00 pm and heads up an unpaved road, winding between coffee farms, canyons and fog. It can get a little cold at altitude, so bring a jacket. It's 3 to 4 hours of dirt road. It probably won't be the comfiest ride, but it will be a one-of-a-kind experience.
Now the reverse: Jardín → Salento
The same route works backwards:
- Chiva/bus Jardín → Riosucio: with Cootransrio.
- Riosucio → Salento bus: leaves around 1:15 pm — make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time here too.
Alternative: via Medellín
If the dirt road isn't your thing or you're traveling with lots of luggage, the long option is to go from Salento to Medellín (~7.5 hours and $89,000 COP) and from there take the Medellín → Jardín bus (~3 hours and $46,000 COP). It can be more comfortable, but it's a bigger investment of time and money.
Final tips
- Cash: neither the chiva nor many ticket windows take cards. Withdraw cash in Salento before you leave.
- Luggage: on the chiva, big bags ride on the roof or at the back. Keep your valuables with you.
- Your last night in Salento: sleep near the terminal so you don't have to wake up too early — our rooms are one block from the main square, with free breakfast in the private ones.
