The Ultimate Guide to Pueblito Paisa

TLDR? Pueblito Paisa is a replica village located in the heart of Medellin.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do on vacation was visit replica villages. I felt like I’d stepped back in time and was living out a fantasy novel.

I also just loved being able to learn a bit about the history of wherever it was I was visiting. 

As an adult, I still love visiting replica villages, and luckily for me, there’s one right here in Medellin.

If you’re like me and want to step into a little bit of Medellin’s history, this is a place you should definitely check out. Here’s what to know about Pueblito Paisa. 

A Bit of History About Pueblito Paisa

Before we dive into the many things to do in Pueblito Paisa, let’s go over a bit of history. Pueblito Paisa is built on top of Nutibara hill and is the center point of the Aburrá Valley. 

Its construction began in the 70s, with a lookout restaurant designed to become a tourist destination. In 1976, the architect Julián Sierra Mejía proposed plans to build a square in the traditional style of historic Medellin homes. 

Two years later, the construction of the village was completed. Ever since then, it’s become a hotspot for tourists and a way to keep the Antioquian architecture alive. 

In the village, you’ll find a number of buildings, all built in this architectural style. Two points of interest are the typical parish house and a church which are characteristic of traditional towns. Other cool spots are a school and the mayor’s office in the town.

What to Do in the Village

Okay, enough about history. Let’s get down to business!

There’s actually quite a lot you can do once you’re in the village. Check out a few of the top activities to enjoy while you’re there.

The Food

Like most of us, one of the first things I do when I visit a new place is to check out the food. Not only is food just delicious, but it’s also a way to learn a bit more about the history of a place. 

In Pueblito Paisa, all the owners of the restaurants are Colombian. They know how to whip up some traditional paisa dishes, such as the bandeja paisa.

On top of that, there are some great little cafés. Those are the perfect place to get a quick introduction to Colombian coffee!

The Activities

Being a replica village, Pueblito Paisa is a representation of the traditional style of life that the Antiochians led back in the day.

As such, the activities you can enjoy in the village all bring to life Medellin’s culture.

While just walking around the town and checking out the shops is a must-do activity, the star attraction here is the City Museum. The museum is full of art and history and will give you a real feel for how Medellin has changed over the years.

Pueblito Paisa also has an open-air theater,, squares, kiosks, and rest areas, where you can take pictures. Plus, all the architecture is reminiscent of traditional colonial buildings from back in the day. 

You should also take some time to check out the Sculpture Park that was created in 1983. There you can take a look at the work of 11 national and international artists whose work is permanently displayed in the area. 

The View

One of the main reasons why Pueblito Paisa is so popular is that it’s built on one of the highest points in Medellin. 

Sitting at 80 meters above the city and extending across 33 hectares, you get a panoramic view of the Aburrá Valley in which Medellin sits. In fact, this is one of the biggest natural parks in the area!

Trails

If you’re a fan of getting outdoors, then you’ll love the fact that Pueblito Paisa is full of parks and nature trails for you to enjoy. 

Most of the trails are designed for hiking, but there are a couple that are good for cyclists, too. Just make sure to read up on the trails in Pueblito Paisa first. Otherwise, you could get a bit lost!

Getting to Pueblito Paisa

If you’re in Medellín, getting to Pueblito Paisa is very easy. That’s because you can walk from the metro station Industriales to get there.

You can also use the Metroplús system at the Nutibara station. Either way, you’ll get right to the base of the hill. 

For those who would rather take the bus, there are buses that run from Belén or Coonatra. Or, if you’d prefer, Turibús also offers a pretty good tour. My advice would be to go for the tour, since you’ll get to see a lot more of Medellin 

Another way to get to Pueblito Paisa is via bike. There are’s a bicycle route that will take you from the city up to Pueblito Paisa.

Just remember – it’s steep! You’re going to really have to put the pedal to the metal if you want to make it to the top.

Fun Facts About Pueblito Paisa

One of the things that’s really interesting about Pueblito Paisa is that it’s far more than a tourist town. There are actually a lot of interesting facts and backstories surrounding it.

For one thing, Pueblito Paisa receives around 155,000 visitors per year, which makes it one of the main attractions of the city.

Another fun fact about the village is that some of the materials with which this replica village is built are from the old Peñol, a town that disappeared when a dam was built. You can still learn about Old Peñol on a weekend trip out to Guatape.

You might also be interested to learn that Cerro Nutibara, the hill that Pueblito Paisa has been built on, has been called by a number of names. 

During the Spanish Conquest, it was known as Marcela de la Parra. Later, the name was changed to Morro de Los Cadavides. 

Recommendations for Visiting Pueblito Paisa

Okay, so you’re ready to visit Pueblito Paisa! Before you do, there are a couple of recommendations to keep in mind.

Opening Hours Vary

For one thing, even though it’s technically a village, Pueblito Paisa functions as a tourist attraction. 

Because of that, even though you can walk around the area from the wee hours of the morning until midnight, you won’t be able to do anything. 

The shops open during your standard 9 to 5 workday, so keep this in mind when you’re planning to visit. 

Be Prepared for the Weather

Another thing to be aware of is the weather. Since the weather in Medellin can be unpredictable, it’s a good idea to use sunscreen, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a coat and umbrella in case it rains.

Speaking of the rain, if you do go when it’s rainy, avoid walking on the trails. They can get muddy and it can be easy to get lost. 

Go Early in the Day

Pueblito Paisa changes a lot from dawn to dusk. The ideal is to visit the Pueblito Paisa early and enjoy the whole day there. Then, you can enjoy watching the sunset while you chow down on some of the delicious desserts sold in the village. 

The view of Medellin is gorgeous (reminiscent of the views from one of Casacol’s penthouses) and is definitely worth sticking around for.

Spend a Day Wandering Around Pueblito Paisa

If you’re going to spend any time at all in Medellin, you’ve got to check out Pueblito Paisa. It’s a truly unique place that will help you better understand the unique culture of this gorgeous city.

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