One of the best ways to experience any city, particularly if traveling solo or on a short trip, is to see it with a local friend who has insider tips on how to get places, what to see and where to eat. If you don’t already have a trusted contact in Medellin, there’s no reason to worry because at Su Casa Colombia, husband and wife team, Noah and Marcela Bleicher can welcome travelers to their adopted home and provide an insider’s look into Medellin and the surrounding areas.

The Bleichers are avid travelers originally from the United States and Marcela is of Colombian descent. Su Casa Colombia’s tours are designed to get travelers away from the guidebooks and into the middle of Colombia’s undiscovered beauty.

If you’re planning your trip in advance, email Su Casa Colombia with information on how much time you have and what you’d like to see, and the Bleichers can plan activities to make the most of your stay.

One of the many tours offered by Su Casa Colombia is a day trip to Parque Arvi, a national park boasting 540 species of flora and home to birds, mammals, reptiles and 72 species of butterflies.

Start from anywhere in Medellin with a ride on the city’s elevated metro system. Noah shares history on the city, pointing out different tourist attractions accessible from any of the metro’s convenient stops. Next, hop on the metrocable--a line of cable cars hung in the sky. Get zipped across Medellin’s steep hillside for a tremendous view of the valley and diverse neighborhoods and watch the city melt away behind you before stopping in the natural sanctuary of Arvi.

Once inside Arvi, visitors can go on a nature hike, visit a butterfly garden, take a ride on a zipline or trek through on horseback. Arvi National Park houses a variety of birds, local vegetation and a butterfly garden. Camping is available for a 14,000 COP fee for 24 hours.

The Su Casa Colombia tour ranges from $20 to $45 per person, and depends on the size of the group.

Leave the city for a few days to relax and recharge. Su Casa Colombia takes visitors on a traditional Colombian family getaway with their family finca tour. Get picked up at your hostel or start from the Su Casa Colombia bed and breakfast in the Estadio neighborhood.

On the beautiful drive out to the family vacation house, travelers stop in a farmer’s market to sample fresh produce. Marcela gives a walking tour of the market while Noah collects items for the next few days.

Once at the finca, enjoy meals prepared fresh by the chef, take a cooking lesson, go for a swim in the private lake or take a hike through nature. Guests can also go horseback riding or simply plop into a hammock and enjoy the scenery.

Prices range depending on the number of people in each group and duration of stay. A three day/two night stay starts at $60 per person for a minimum group of two. Prices include transportation, food and accommodations. Certain activities, including cooking classes and adventure sports like waterfall rapelling cost extra.

Leave the guidebook in your hostel and see Medellin on foot with a local. Noah and Marcela host a walking tour of the city’s major sites--from museums to outdoor plazas, hidden food gems and an immaculate sports stadium.

Educational, fun and hands-on, this walking tour is your best bet for a one-day introduction to an amazing city. Prices range from $40-$65 per person, depending on the size of the group.
Su Casa Colombia offers a range of tours, including adventure, side trips to surrounding towns and seasonal tours related to special events.