La Garrucha Cable Car & the Best Viewpoints in Jardín

What is La Garrucha cable car in Jardín?

La Garrucha is Jardín's beloved little cable car — a rustic, open-air cabin that runs up the hillside on a single cable. Locals call these contraptions 'garruchas,' and they began as a way for coffee farmers to move people and supplies up and down the steep slopes. Today it's one of the most photographed things to do in town.

The cabin is simple and a little wobbly in the best way — think a metal basket with a roof and a bench, not a sealed Swiss gondola. That rawness is the charm: you ride slowly over treetops and coffee plots with the wind on your face and the red-tiled rooftops of Jardín opening up below you.

What's the experience like and how much does it cost?

The ride is short — only a few minutes each way — and cheap. Expect to pay roughly COP $8,000–$12,000 for a round trip per person (treat this as an estimate; the operators set their own rates and they shift over time). At the top you'll usually find a small café or kiosk where you can grab a coffee or a beer and just sit with the view.

It's an easy plan for almost anyone — no hiking required, no booking needed, you just show up and pay in cash. Bring small bills, because change can be tight up there. The whole outing, including coffee and photos, can be done in under an hour, which makes it perfect to squeeze in before dinner.

Where are the best viewpoints over Jardín?

Beyond La Garrucha, Jardín is ringed by hills, and several lookouts reward a short walk or ride with sweeping views of the town and its green valley. The classic is the climb toward the Cristo (Alto de las Flores), a hilltop with a statue and arguably the widest panorama over the colorful grid of streets.

Here are the lookouts and rides worth your time, plus a few practical tips for getting the most out of them:

• La Garrucha — the rustic cable car; the quickest panorama, café at the top, great with a tinto in hand.
• Cristo / Alto de las Flores — hilltop statue with the widest view over town; reach it on foot (steep, about 20–40 min) or by mototaxi for a few thousand pesos.
• Roadside lookouts on the hills around town — informal pull-offs with valley views that are loveliest in soft early-morning light.
• The second garrucha (toward the waterfall side) — another rustic cable line locals use; ask in the square which one is running that day.
• Tip: go at golden hour (roughly 5–6 pm) for warm light on the rooftops and cooler temperatures.
• Tip: carry cash in small bills, water, and a light jacket — it's breezier up top.

When is the best time to ride La Garrucha?

Golden hour wins. The light between roughly 5 and 6 pm turns the red rooftops and green hills almost cinematic, and the heat of the day has dropped. Mornings are the calmest option if you want clear air and fewer people, while midday tends to be brightest and busiest, especially on weekends and holidays.

One honest caveat: Jardín's weather changes fast, and clouds can roll in and swallow the view in minutes. If you wake up to a clear sky, don't wait — go. From our house it's only about five minutes into town, so it's easy to seize a good-weather window on a whim.

How do I get to the cable car and viewpoints from the hostel?

Our house, Isla de Pascua, sits at KM 5 Vía Verdún, about five minutes from the main square (Parque / Basílica) on a paved road any vehicle can handle. From the square it's a short, well-known walk to La Garrucha — locals and shopkeepers will happily point you the right way if you ask for 'la garrucha.'

For the Cristo / Alto de las Flores, you can walk up (it's steep but doable) or take a mototaxi from the square for a few thousand pesos. We're happy to sketch you a simple route, tell you which garrucha is running that day, and time your outing so you catch the sunset — just ask us when you arrive.

Is La Garrucha safe and worth it?

Yes, it's worth it — it's one of those small, low-cost experiences that ends up being a highlight, precisely because it's so unpolished and authentic. The cabins are rustic and you'll feel the movement, but the lines run daily and locals use them all the time.

If heights make you nervous, the open cabin can feel exposed, so pick a calm, clear day and hold on. For everyone else, the few-minutes ride and the view at the top are an easy, memorable yes — and a perfect warm-up for bigger Jardín adventures like the Cueva del Esplendor or a coffee-farm trail.