Tamesis

Tamesis sits on a slope in the coffee country with the Cartama river below, and what distinguishes it from the other painted Antioquian towns is what is carved on the rocks around it: several hundred petroglyphs on boulders and rock faces scattered through the surrounding farms and woods, made by the peoples who lived here before the Spanish and not securely dated. They range from spirals and geometric patterns to figures, and reaching them means walking farm tracks, usually with a local guide since many are on private land. The town also has waterfalls in the hills, a stone-arched bridge and a painted plaza. It is quieter and less visited than Jerico or Jardin, which is part of the appeal.

What you actually see

• Several hundred petroglyphs - on boulders through the surrounding farms.
• Spirals, patterns and figures - not securely dated.
• Waterfalls in the hills - reached on farm tracks.
• A painted Antioquian plaza - quieter than the better-known towns.

When to go

Year round. A full day.

Honest expectations

Petroglyphs are on private land and scattered - a local guide is effectively necessary. Walking is on farm tracks, muddy after rain. The town has limited accommodation. Roads from Medellin are long and winding.

Nearby

Jerico is north-west; Jardin is west.