A popular event during Feria de Las Flores in Medellín is Florecer: Orquideas, Naturaleza y Tradiciones (Orchids, Nature and Traditions), which was previously known as Orquideas, Pajaros y Flores and then Orquídeas, Flores y Artesanías.
Florecer is an event organized by the Medellín Botanical Garden hand in hand with the Colombian Society of Orchideology (SCO), which has taken place from August 5 to 10 amidst the Medellín Flower Festival 2025, where 2,000 plants and more than 300 species have been exhibited, highlighting among them orchids, which are the emblematic flower of the country.
For this edition, 22 orchid associations from all over the country have joined, being undoubtedly the only event of this magnitude in Latin America, also featuring a children’s area, artisan markets, and of course, many instagrammable spaces.
Who is the Colombian Society of Orchideology and why are they important for this event?
This organization, founded 60 years ago by a group of enthusiasts, was created for the care and conservation of orchids, which, in addition to being a natural symbol of Colombia, are part of the country’s culture and tradition. However, they are also a plant related to extractivism, as for an orchid seed to germinate, certain conditions are needed that already exist in its natural habitat, leading many people to take them directly from the forest.
For this reason, the organization has a program called “Orchid Reserve,” with 500 hectares of native forest in Jardín. The space has forest rangers and seeks to educate people about the conservation of the entire ecosystem, because by caring for orchids, what exists around them is also cared for: the bees that pollinate them, the bromeliads, the spectacled bear that feeds on bromeliads.
Attending Florecer is to come face to face with that interconnected chain of natural events that lead to the most wonderful visual delight possible, which not only impacts and attracts aesthetically but also, for locals and visitors alike, must move us to care for and extol this beautiful Colombian natural heritage such as the Orchid and all flowers.
How Was Florecer: Orchids, Nature, and Traditions?
Once again, the Medellín Botanical Garden was transformed into the setting for Florecer, an unmissable event that attracts the attention of thousands of locals and foreigners, paying homage to Colombia’s natural richness through an exhibition of more than 3,000 flowers.
The entrance fee was 28,000 Colombian pesos (7$ USD) for the general public. For some locals affiliated with the Comfama family compensation fund, depending on a categorization, the entrance fee ranged from 5,000 Colombian pesos (1,25$ USD.) A truly minimal contribution, as 80% of the proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the research and conservation of these beautiful specimens.
The bonsai trees exhibited there stood out beautifully, remarkable for their beauty and peculiar natural size, before which people posed and took photos. Likewise, we found 3 beautiful images of dark-skinned women, where an intrinsic homage was paid to curly hair, as their hair was replaced by enormous displays of sunflowers, roses, and multi-colored flowers that impressed, softened, and even fulfilled a much-needed social-cultural function for this type of hair.
We find ourselves amidst great artistic works decorated with multiple flowers, with beautiful colors and shades, such as a giant iguana, a tiple and a guitar, as well as giant flowers that looked like robust carpets, which also gave off a fascinating scent. There, we could see chrysanthemums, birds of paradise, calla lilies, carnations, succulents, and more than 350 varieties of orchids gathered in a display of color, shapes, and aromas that were impossible to ignore.
It’s impossible not to mention that aesthetically it’s something not to be missed, but there’s no point in attending these types of events if there isn’t a deep sense of conservation in the attendees, just as its organizers intended. Generating environmental awareness should always be the greatest and most important memory, acquisition, learning, recollection, and teaching that Florecer with its orchids, nature, and traditions should leave us, and surely, from our part, it has left us.
Do you know what a perfect complement is? After seeing the beautiful flower exhibition in the Orquideorama, the Botanical Garden was perfectly set up to provide a complete, robust and wonderful experience. We found gastronomic, cultural, and international offerings; imagine there was traditional Arab clothing, beautiful items brought from Egypt, and even ceramics from Middle Eastern countries!
There was so much to do, many places for entertainment, along with bookstores, souvenir shops, and if that weren’t enough, access to the Botanical Garden’s nursery and for only an additional 8,000 COP (2$ USD) the ability to enter the Butterfly House, to observe them, contemplate them closely and see that beautiful display of colors and sizes that are sheltered there.
Those who were fortunate enough to visit Medellín had the opportunity to discover one of the most representative plants in the country: the orchid. This plant was not only a national symbol but also became a gateway to understanding the incredible biodiversity that makes Colombia unique. We hope that next year you can join this wonderful exhibition and experience this for yourself!
How to Get to Jardín Botánico
Jardín Botanico is considered one of the main tourist attractions in Medellín. It is easy to get to, since it is located next to the Universidad metro station (Line A). Furthermore, any taxi driver in the city will know where Jardín Botanico is located.
The botanical gardens are located in a very popular area for tourists. In addition, you’ll find several other tourist attractions nearby including Parque Explora, Parque Norte, the Medellín planetarium and Parque de Los Deseos.
Medellin Guru's comprehensive Colombian culture series
In Medellin Guru, we love Colombia, and we usually write many blogs about Colombian culture, places to visit, and other tips for all expats to have a reliable guide and valuable and relevant information about Colombia. Read our blogs about Colombian Culture here:
- Top Tourist Attractions in Colombia: Top Things to Do
- Top Things to Do in Medellín and Nearby: Top Tourist Attractions
- How to be an Expat in Colombia: 12 Tips to be a Successful Expat
- Top Things to Do in Cali and Nearby: Top Tourist Attractions
- Celebrating July 20th: Colombia Independence Day
- Norte de Santander: 5 Escapes for a Weekend Adventure
- Unlock Ipiales in 24 Hours: Your Essential Adventure Blueprint!
- Pasto: Discover the wonders of the Surprise City
- Top Popular Colombian Drinks to Try When You Visit Colombia
- Villa de Leyva: A Colonial Gem in the Colombian Andes
- Traditional Colombian Food Dishes You Must Try in Colombia
- Medellin Guru Launch 2023: Gentrification, Tourism and Investment
- Popular Colombian Desserts You Must Try While in Colombia
- Exotic Tropical Fruits of Colombia a Fruit Lovers Paradise
- Popular Colombian Soups to Try When You Visit Colombia
- Día de las Velitas: Day of Candles Tradition in Colombia on December 7
- Things in Colombia That May Be Strange for Foreigners
- Things Colombians Do That Foreigners May Find Weird
- Popayán: A Well-Preserved Colonial Gem in Colombia Worth Visiting
- Tejo: A Colombian Game That Rewards You for Explosions
Other things to see and do in Colombia
- Caño Cristales – the most beautiful river in Colombia, which has also been called the most beautiful river in the world by some people.
- Carnival in Barranquilla – the second largest carnival in the world.
- Cartagena – Oozing history, romance and sun-drenched beaches, the allure of historical Cartagena is hard to resist.
- Ciudad Perdida – the site of an ancient city in Colombia that is older than Machu Picchu in Peru.
- Colombia’s Pacific coast – often overlooked by tourists visiting Colombia but offering untamed nature and undiscovered beauty that is off the beaten path for most foreign tourists.
- Desierto de la Tatacoa – the second largest arid zone in Colombia is Tatacoa Desert, which has surreal desert landscapes and some of the best stargazing in Colombia.
- Guatapé – a picturesque pueblo near Medellín known for its huge rock and lake. And it’s likely the most visited pueblo in Colombia by foreigners.
- La Guajira Peninsula – one of the most visually stunning places in South America, which is located on the northern tip of Colombia where the desert meets the sea.
- Las Lajas Sanctuary – the most beautiful church in Colombia, which has also been called the most beautiful church in the world.
- Medellín’s Christmas lights – Medellín’s annual world-class Christmas lights known as Alumbrados Navideños.
- Feria de Las Flores Medellin – Medellín’s world-famous flower festival each year.
- Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados – a popular national park in Colombia located in the heart of the Colombian coffee region.
- Parque Tayrona – known for its beautiful beaches and the world’s highest coastal mountain range.
- Popayán – a colonial gem in Colombia best known for its white buildings and churches, it’s a city off the beaten path for foreign tourists but is definitely worth visiting.
- Rio Claro Nature Reserve – located about three hours from Medellín, Rio Claro is the perfect place to unplug from hectic daily life and enjoy a picturesque crystal-clear river, canyon and tropical rainforest.
- Salento and the Cocora Valley – Salento is a picturesque pueblo in Colombia’s coffee region and the nearby Cocora Valley is one of the most striking landscapes found in Colombia.
- San Agustín Archaeological Park – the largest group of pre-Columbian monuments and megalithic statues in South America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- San Andrés – Colombia’s Caribbean island which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve featuring many beaches, islets and coral reefs that are filled with flora and fauna.
- San Gil – Colombia’s adventure capital that is full of things to do including white water rafting, paragliding, caving, rappelling, hiking and much more.
- San Jose del Guaviare – a hidden gem and eco-tourism location off the beaten path and offering wildlife watching, jungle trekking and delving into Colombia’s prehistoric past.
The Bottom Line: Florecer - Orquideas, Naturaleza y Tradiciones
Florecer: Orquídeas, Naturaleza y Tradiciones (Orchids, Nature, and Traditions) was an unmissable floral event that transformed the Medellín Botanical Garden. Attendees immersed themselves in a world of exquisite orchids, Colombian biodiversity, and unique handicrafts. Organized by the Medellín Botanical Garden and the Colombian Orchid Society, this annual festival celebrated Colombia’s natural and cultural richness, promoting conservation and environmental awareness. It was an unforgettable experience. We look forward to sharing these beautiful moments with you in the 2026 edition!
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2 thoughts on “Florecer: Orquideas, Naturaleza y Tradiciones”
Nice post, we went to see the beautiful flowers today at the botanical gardens after the car parade.
We went to the flower display at Jardin Botanico yesterday and it was amazing. Highly recommend going to see this.