If you already have Doradal in your sights to spend a well-deserved vacation and you have already read our article about the Río Claro Natural Reserve, we want to give you a much more complete guide on what to do in Doradal and everything that this exuberant destination in Antioquia has to offer. of your stay a wonderful experience that will make you remember this trip with a smile. Let’s get started!
How to get to Dorada? It is very simple!
To get to Doradal you have two options: do it by land or by air, we will tell you how you can do it both ways:
by air
The closest airport to Doradal is the José María Córdova International Airport, located in Rionegro, Antioquia and serving the city of Medellín. If you are planning to travel by plane, you must take a flight to this airport and continue your trip to your place of accommodation by land.
If you come from abroad, you can take a direct flight to the city of Medellín or make a stopover in Bogotá, this depends on the itinerary you chose when you bought your ticket.
By landway
If you come from Bogotá, you must take an intermunicipal bus to Doradal at Terminal Salitre. The journey takes approximately 6 hours.
In case you come from Medellín, go to the North Terminal and take the bus that will take you to Samaná. From here the journey is 4 hours.
Now, if you decided to stay at Hotel El Río and made your reservation in advance, you can request personal transportation with us to pick you up; It can be at the airport or in the terminal.
This is because our magnificent hotel is located in the village of La Danta, right in the heart of the Rio Claro Natural Reserve, which cannot be reached by bus.
With these options, there is no excuse not to visit Doradal. You can do it in the way that best suits your tastes, your budget or the number of people who will go with you.
Now, do you want to know what activities you can do in Doradal? Keep reading!
Activities you can do in Doradal, an Antioquia destination par excellence
A destination like Doradal not only has to offer a magnificent visual and sensory experience, it also has all kinds of activities to connect with nature. We will tell you some that yes or yes have to be in your plans.
- Zip line or canopy ride.
- Hiking
- boat tour
- Canoeing
- 4×4 tours
On the other hand, if you have children and who are more familiar with outdoor activities, these are some of our recommendations:
- Visit to the caves
- bird watching
- Horse ride
- To camp
- swimming in the pools
The great variety of species that exist in this place makes a visit to Doradal an unforgettable adventure for the little ones, who will be able to enjoy these activities while being safe and calm.
If you are interested in sightseeing, the following section is designed for you.
Tourist sites to visit in Doradal
The truth is that the fame of this place originated from the history that surrounds it about the Medellín Cartel, an organization that used it as the epicenter of its criminal actions. However, today it is known as one of the Colombian tourist sites with the greatest architectural and natural appeal.
It is an incredible place where natural resources abound and which has bodies of water with waterfalls, a natural reserve with marble beaches known as the Cañón del Río Claro Natural Reserve and picturesque buildings that are very attractive to everyone who visits the place. . Therefore, here we leave you a list of these wonders that Doradal has for you:
- The Colombian Santorini
- The San Juan Spa
- the honey river
- The Waterfall Intake
- The Cave of the Guacharos
- The Waterfalls “La Danta”
And how this destination is a delight for all the senses, discover what you can eat in Doradal.
What to eat in Doradal? Enjoy the divine Antioquian dishes
Doradal also has to offer exquisite dishes for all tastes and palates. If you are very selective when it comes to eating, you can choose your menu without problems, but if you are willing to enjoy all the starters, main courses and drinks of this Colombian paradise, then we recommend the following dishes.
The tickets
Arepa antioqueña:
They are a variant of the arepa, a typical dish of Colombian cuisine. It is characterized by its soft and fluffy texture. .
Patacones
Also called tostones, they are an appetizer par excellence in Colombian cuisine and are made from green plantains.
Chicharrones
A popular side dish that is usually on the bandeja paisa. They are characterized by their crunchy texture on the outside and tender on the inside, and you can usually find them served with chili pepper or lemon to give it a little more flavor.
The main courses
Bandeja paisa
A complete and abundant meal, one of the most representative of Colombia that includes white rice, red beans, ground or shredded meat, chicharrón, chorizo, fried egg, fried ripe plantain, arepa and avocado; a real delight.
Sancocho antioqueño
It is a spicy and hearty stew, prepared with various types of meat and vegetables. It can also be accompanied with white rice, chili, lemon and avocado.
Drinks
Aguapanela
One of the most refreshing drinks. It is made from panela, a type of unrefined sugar that is obtained from the juice of sugar cane.
Aguardiente
Perfect to give a cheerful touch to your trip. It is an alcoholic drink that mixes aniseed with distilled cane liquor and is considered an emblematic drink of the country.
Now, if you are already determined to travel to Doradal, then you must know the best seasons to visit this magical place.
What is the best season to go to Doradal, Antioquia?
This Antioquia destination is privileged for its warm weather most months. This makes it especially convenient for outdoor activities and enjoying the great scenery it has to offer.
As for the seasons, if you have a tight budget, it is best to travel in low season; however, you will not be able to enjoy the celebrations and events that the place has. On the other hand, you will see more tourists and you will have a much better time if you go in high season, but at a slightly higher price.
The low season in Colombia is two periods a year. The first runs from January 14 to June 14, except for Easter, where many more tourists arrive. The second goes after the start of classes, on June 15, until December 14.
With these dates you can start planning your trip and book in advance to spend a vacation in one of the most beautiful places in Colombia.
Something important that you should take into account is that these dates may vary each year, so we recommend you always check them.
In case you want to travel in high season, you can enjoy the festivals and celebrations that we will mention below.
Long live the party in Doradal! Know the celebrations of the place
Although not all the celebrations take place in high season, it is undeniable that enjoying the culture of Doradal makes the experience even better. Here we present some typical festivals of the region.
Fiestas del Mango
A popular event among tourists, as the locals openly share it with foreigners. It takes place during the month of June where sports, cultural and artistic activities are carried out.
Fiestas de las Mercedes
Very popular in religious tourism. It is a Catholic festivity to venerate the Virgen de las Mercedes in the month of October that attracts many visitors to the San Juan María Vianey Church, one of the most interesting tourist places in Antioquia.
Tourism Festivals
This celebration takes place at the end of June and beginning of July, and it is due to the fact that the place has a large number of visitors, increasing its recognition at a national and international level. Renowned artists perform here and the party is incredible.
Lemon and Sympathy Festivals
This is the most recognized festival of the municipality. Held at the end of October and beginning of November, various artists from the community perform and special events are held to celebrate the pride of the people.
Yuma International Nautical Marathon
Sports activities cannot be missing in Antioquia and this marathon is designed for that. Athletes from countries like Venezuela join in this event and it attracts tourists who love running and walking.
Are you looking for a hotel to stay? Continue reading!
Meet Hotel El Rio, the best hotel in Doradal to stay
One of the frequent questions that people often ask before visiting the place is: what is the best hotel in Doradal to stay? Of course, this decision will depend on your budget and the group of people you are traveling with, but Hotel El Río and Río Escondido are the best options for many reasons.
These hotels are excellent for special events such as birthdays or weddings, even for an “all-inclusive” vacation; Of course, without overlooking the incredible tourist attractions of the place.
From luxurious rooms with a spa to extreme sports in exclusive areas of the most popular natural reserve in Antioquia, these hotels should undoubtedly be among your first options.
To finish this complete guide, we will give you some practical advice that you should take into account when traveling to Doradal, Antioquia and that will help you fully enjoy this tourist destination and the incredible facilities that El Rio Hotel and Río Escondido have. for you.
Recommendations that you should take into account when traveling to Doradal, Antioquia
- If you are a foreigner, do not forget to have travel insurance
- book in advance
- Make a travel itinerary
- Communicate your preferences to the hotel staff
- Take a power bank
This guide contains everything you need to make your trip full of unique experiences and unforgettable. You can plan your itinerary, book your tickets and contact us to stay at Hotel El Río, we will be happy to receive you and make your experience even more incredible. We are waiting for you!