Murillo – 3000 meters high and off the beaten track in Colombia
Last updated on August 2nd, 2026 at 04:53 am
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Welcome to Murillo….
This tiny pueblo high in the mountains of Colombia’s Coffee Region is an absolutely authentic and wonderful tiny rural township It is one of my most favorite places in Colombia! And if you want to get off the beaten tourist path – then this is a good place to start!
Take a two-hour bus ride from Manizales over the mountains – and over 4000 meters – and arrive in one of the most picturesque, highest, and coldest townships in Colombia! Murillo is surrounded by high altitude farms, páramos full of frailejones, thermal springs, and views of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano – if its not cloudy!
Contents
Things you want to do in Murillo – but can’t right now
A quick 3-day itinerary for Murillo
Trip Planning Checklist
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How to get to Murillo
Go to the main bus station in Manizales and find the Rapido Tolima bus counter to buy your ticket. There are 3-4 buses a day to Manizales. Times and prices may change but expect it to cost about $12-13. The best thing to do is go to the counter when you first arrive in Manizales and get the times and prices for the buses before you even head to your hotel in Manizales.
What to do in Murillo
There’s plenty to keep you busy for a few days in Murillo – here we go…..
1. Come just for the bus ride – the scenery is fantastic!
Even if you just came for a night I would say it is worth it for the scenery on the bus.
2. Wander around the town – its so authentic
The men wear all the sombrero and poncho gear, and horses run through the streets. I hate being obvious taking phots so these are not the best but I hope you get the idea!
You can pop into the church, check out all the little shops selling local goods – ponchos and the like, and wander through the gardens in the fenced-off plaza. Its not fenced to keep you out, but to keep the cows and horses out at night!
There are plenty of cafes to choose from and it was easy to find good food and hot drinks here!
You will see a few other tourists – but 99% of them will be Colombian. In my five days here I never saw another foreigner and the locals told me very few come. Enjoy!
3. Buy some absolutely delicious arequipe!
Buy some delicious arequipe from the little tiendas – shops on the edge of the park.
Its a delicious caramel-like sweet treat / desert. Here they sell it alone or with various types of fruit on top. Yum!!!
4. Walk to Cascada El Silencio / El Silencio waterfall
Walk from the edge of the tiny town. Start your walk here at the corner of Carrera 5 and Calle 6, where you will see a sign for El Silencio. Don’t start at the place marked on google maps as the waterfall! Walk past the cemetery entrance – you will see another sign. then just follow the path.
There are signs en-route saying “Privado.” Don’t worry – you can go in but the family charges 10k COP at a house part way along the track. From there you walk down to the falls which are a decent 35m height and quite pretty. You can swim in the natural pool at the bottom of the waterfall, but be warned – its freezing!! Very refreshing though!
5. Take a tour to Nevado del Ruiz
You will go to the top of the mountain with stops on the way to see the páramo and frailejone plants, a very stunning mountain lake, and the desert-like volcanic areas at high altitude. This is an alternative starting point to doing the same trip from Manizales but generally cheaper and you will likely be in a smaller group. You can book with one of the agencies in Murillo – there is usually a trip every day. Try our wonderful jeep driver “Will” on WhatsApp +57 3174889627, or Murillo Travel to start with.
6. Hike down to Termales de la Campanita for a soak!
Its a steep 3km walk (about 1 hour down and 1.5 up) but you get to a river and waterfalls and a natural thermal pool to top it off! Oh and lots of the wax palms in the natural forest above you! Make sure you go to the waterfalls – the best one is to the upper right when you get to the path junctions. It is a few minutes walk and if you feel brave enough get in and have a refreshing shower there before you go to the pool. You can also jump between the river and the pool for that hot / cold thermal thing!
To add to all this, in the dry months you will probably get to meet a most lovely man with a great smile, Alfonso, who sells a few sweet things and drinks in his tiny shop – but best of all gives you little cups of his homemade “Mandragona” ( a bit like kombucha crossed with cider) drink – for free!
You can go with a guide or get a jeep to take you and wait for you. You don’t really need a guide to get to the pools. We were lucky to meet “Will” who did the driving for us. You can contact him on WhatsApp +57 3174889627 – he is lovely but does not speak English so you need some Spanish. (He also took us hiking in the páramo (no 7 below) and will take you to Nevado del Ruiz (no 5 above)).
7. Hike in the páramo amongst the frailejone plants and stunning scenery
There are a few one to two day guided hiking options you can take from Murillo and its best to talk to local agencies about which to go on when you get here. This is an alternative to hikes from Manizales. It is well worth it – the scenery and the plants in the páramo above Manizales are amazing – including the small wildflowers. Its even better in July and August when the frailejones are in flower – they are stunning! These plants grow 1-2cm a year so the ones you see in the pictures below are 50-250 years old!
Do take an easy day in the town to acclimatise before you go hiking – wait until your second full day for a high altitude hike to help you avoid altitude sickness! You can spend the first full day going to Termales de la Campanita or simply visit El Silencio waterfall and enjoy relaxing in the town.
8. Relax in the Termales Canaan
If you can manage the walk, definitely go to the Termales de la Campanita option. But if not, this is a good alternative thermal pool in a natural setting – although the pool has been somewhat formed! It does take about 2 hours each way from Murillo to get there – in a jeep!
Things you want to do in Murillo – but can’t right now
- Soak in the Termales de La Cabaña / Cabaña Hot Springs
(Unfortunately this closed in 2024 and no date is set for re-opening but check this because if / when it re-opens you will want to go!)
You hike about 5km (about 2 hours) through the páramo to get to these natural thermal pools. The pools are not piping hot but the scenery is spectacular and you can have a nice warm soak!
Note: You have to go with a guide and because the pools are at about 4000m don’t go on your first day in Murillo – acclimatise first! - See the Quebrada de los 7 Colores / River of 7 Colors or the Colored Waterfall
(Unfortunately this also closed in 2024 and no date is set for re-opening but again check this!)
The river is colored, not through algae, but through the minerals and sulphur (purples, greens, yellows, and reds) flowing down the mountain from the volcanic activity. You usually visit this as part of a longer (9-11km) hiking trip that includes the heart-shaped Laguna Corazón and the Termales La Cabaña (no 9 above). A totally brilliant day out by all accounts!
Note: Do not confuse this with the famous Caño Cristales near La Macarena! And because this river is at about 4000m don’t go on your first day in Murillo – acclimatise first! - Soak in the Termales El Sifón
(Also closed in 2024 but check the latest.)
This is a hot river canyon where you can soak in much warmer pools after a short (15-20mins) steep walk down to the river canyon. It is over 4000m high and has very strong volcanic sulfur and mineral concentrations, so you need to regulate yourself – no more than 15–20 minutes at a time to avoid severe headaches, nausea, or fainting!
Where to Stay in Murillo
If you can, stay at Donde Sara Tourist House – but book ahead! Its a great spot and a full house.
Otherwise these are all good options:
Higher End: Stellarium Glamping or Cabañas el condor del Ruíz
Good Value: El Hostal del Abuelo or Hostal Pachanuna
A 3-4 day itinerary in Murillo
Day 1: Arrive and explore the town! If you have time visit Cascada El Silencio.
Day 2: Spend the day at Termales de la Campanita.
Day 3-4: Take a day hike or two day hike in the páramo and mountains, or, do a day trip to Nevado del Ruiz. Depart the next morning!
Travel tips for Murillo
- Get a morning bus from Manizales. Sit by the window on the left hand side for great views.
- If you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, start acclimatising with a walk to Cascada El Silencio after you have dropped your bags at your hotel.
- Don’t try and go high altitude hiking without a day acclimatizing first. You can hike to Termales de la Campanita on your first full day as it is downhill at a lower altitude! (But it is a steep walk.)
- You can drink the water from the taps – no problems!
- Book the bus back to Manizales in a little cafe a few doors along from the Information Center towards the church. There is a Rapido Tolima sign outside above the doorway.
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