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, including the famous Riosucio chiva.
Jardín, Antioquia, is one of Colombia's most beautiful towns, and the question we get asked most at reception is: how do I get there from Salento without backtracking to Medellín? Good news: it's absolutely doable by public transport, in a single day, and the scenery along the way is part of the trip. Here's everything you need to know.
Route overview
There is no direct Salento–Jardín bus. The trip is done in two stages, changing in Riosucio (Caldas):
| Stage | Company | Departure | Duration | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salento → Riosucio | Flota Occidental | 9:40 am (sometimes 8:40 am) | ~3.5 hours | $42,000 COP |
| Riosucio → Jardín | Chiva / local bus | 3:00 pm | ~3–4 hours | $30,000 COP |
Total: around $72,000 COP (~USD 18) and a full day of travel. You leave Salento in the morning and arrive in Jardín around 7:00 pm.
Schedules on this route change often. Always confirm the next day's departure at the Salento terminal (or ask us at reception — we'll check for you).
Stage 1: Salento → Riosucio
The Flota Occidental bus leaves from Salento's small terminal, a few blocks from the main square (and steps from the hostel). Buy your ticket at least one day ahead: there's only one bus per day and it fills up, especially in high season and on weekends.
A few details about the ride:
- The bus makes a short stop in Pereira to pick up passengers.
- It's a mountain road — if you get motion sickness, sit near the front and travel on a light stomach.
- You'll reach Riosucio around 1:00 pm, with plenty of time for lunch.
The layover in Riosucio
You have about two hours in Riosucio before the chiva. Make them count:
- Have lunch at the market hall or around the main square — a hearty sancocho costs less than a coffee in Bogotá.
- Buy your chiva ticket as soon as you arrive, at the office next to the departure point.
- Riosucio is famous for its Carnaval del Diablo (every two years in January), and the twin-church plaza is worth the stroll.
Stage 2: Riosucio → Jardín by chiva
This is the part you'll remember. The chiva — Colombia's colorful, open-sided country bus — leaves at 3:00 pm and climbs an unpaved mountain road through coffee farms, canyons and drifting fog.
- It's 3–4 hours of dirt road. Not comfortable, but unforgettable.
- Sit on the right side for the best canyon views.
- Bring a jacket: it gets cold at the top even when Riosucio is hot.
- You'll roll into Jardín around 7:00 pm, right by the main plaza.
The return: Jardín → Salento
The same route works in reverse:
- Chiva/bus Jardín → Riosucio: departs at 8:00 am from Calle 8 and Carrera 5. Buy your ticket the day before at the little window across from the garage.
- Riosucio → Salento bus (Flota Occidental): leaves around 12:15 pm, so the connection is comfortable.
Alternative: via Medellín
If dirt roads aren't your thing or you're hauling lots of luggage, the "long way" is Jardín → Medellín (Terminal del Sur, ~3–4 hours), then the Flota Occidental bus Medellín → Salento (~$78,000 COP). More comfortable and more departures — but you lose an extra half day and miss the chiva.
Final tips
- Cash: neither the chiva nor most ticket windows take cards. Withdraw money in Salento before leaving.
- Luggage: on the chiva, big backpacks ride on the roof or at the back. Keep valuables with you.
- Your last night in Salento: sleep near the terminal so you don't have to rush — our rooms are one block from the main square, with free breakfast in private rooms to fuel the journey.
Unsure about this week's schedules? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll confirm them before your trip.
