ARRIVING BY CAR OR MOTORCYCLE
To get to Concepción there are two main routes from Medellín. The recommended one is through San Vicente Ferrer, since the road is fully paved and therefore more comfortable, although slightly longer (77 km) compared to the one through Barbosa (61 km).
Route through San Vicente Ferrer
- Distance 77 km
- Time 2 hours
Although it may not be the route recommended by Waze or Google, it is the best alternative as it is completely paved and therefore more comfortable. From Medellín take the Medellín-Bogotá highway, pass Guarne and make the U-turn towards San Vicente Ferrer near U-turn No. 10, where the famous motel Crusero del Amor is located. From San Vicente, although the road has many curves, it is smooth and safe. There is a small stop-and-go in the Palmichal rural area which will not affect your arrival.
Route through Barbosa 61 km
- Distance 61 km
- Time 1 hour and 50 minutes
Leaving Medellín, take the North highway towards Bello, pass Copacabana, Girardota and before reaching Barbosa take the El Hatillo exit. From there, climb through the car wash crossing in El Hatillo where the partially unpaved road (from km 6 to La Raya) towards Concepción begins. Keep in mind that landslides are quite frequent during the rainy season and may delay the climb or descent at any time.
ARRIVING BY BUS
- Duration 2 hours and 10 minutes
- Cost: 18,000 Col$
- Departures from 6:00 am, last bus at 5:00 pm (see official timetable)
From the North Terminal of Medellín you can easily find small buses to Concepción. The only transport company is Sotrasanvicente, located at Booth 14 (lower part of the terminal, near the exit towards Guatapé). The buses alternate between the Barbosa route and San Vicente Ferrer (both depart from platform number twelve), so take precautions since the Barbosa route is partially unpaved, while the San Vicente one is almost fully paved.
For departures from Concepción to Medellín, buses leave from the small Sotrasanvicente booth (in front of Taboga bar, on Carrera 18 or the town’s main commercial street) at similar times every hour, from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm (see image with official timetable).
For information you can always contact the Sotrasanvicente office in Concepción at Cell. 311-7628560 (they finally have a WhatsApp number! welcome to modernity).
PARKING IN CONCEPCIÓN
In town it is possible to park in the main square, taking the proper traffic-respect precautions on working days. Keep in mind that on weekends and holidays the square is closed to vehicle traffic. Another alternative is to park at Parqueadero La Guadua (cell. +57-311-4196656), located at the entrance to the town from the San Vicente Ferrer road, via Calle Ricaurte, open 9:00-18:00; or at Parqueadero El Carretero (cell. +57-302-2928981) located on the way to Alejandría, near the corralejas.
GETTING AROUND WITHIN THE TOWN
Due to the tiny size of the town, there are no taxi or public transport services inside Concepción. For travel to surrounding areas (such as natural pools and rural zones) you can use tuk-tuks or motoratones, charging from a minimum of 4,000 Col$ (up to 3 km) to a maximum of 20,000 Col$ (5–7 km). Messengers instead charge a fixed fare of 4,000 Col$ per trip and are available to deliver anything from shops or restaurants to your farm or lodging.
Here is the complete list of motoratones, messengers and cargo-motor drivers:
MOTORATONES
(in alphabetical order)
can transport up to 3 people with their luggage
Carlos (Caliche) Cell. 314-7729710
Carlos Humberto Cell. 321-7998664
Fabián Cell. 319-2138468
Oscar Albeiro Cell. 313-2344885
MESSENGERS
(in alphabetical order)
can transport 1 person or deliver orders
MOTORCARGO
(in alphabetical order)
can transport heavy loads, such as cement and bricks
Carlitos Cell. 312-2385649
Hermel Cell. 312-8651625
