explore the incredible coffee cultural landscape!
The coffee axis is a region of central Colombia that mainly occupies the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío, which are respectively represented by the capital cities of Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia. These three departments make up the "Coffee Triangle" that runs along a line from north to south following the central mountain range and the snow-capped peaks of the Nevados Natural Park, on the eastern flank of the three. Colombia is concentrated in the fertile valleys of this region, for what is called the "coffee zone". Traveling through these generous and prosperous valleys, one can observe endless coffee plantations and their colorful wooden houses with balconies of wood and flowers, which make it a very picturesque landscape.
The wealth of tourism in Colombia is patented in the Coffee Region, countless parks, botanical gardens, hot springs and even snowy parks are the attractions that cannot be missed. It is a territory with a special natural charm, with impressive green landscapes and with a model of agricultural exploitation that coexists and takes care of the environment, which has led it to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 as "Coffee Cultural Landscape".
colombia tours including the coffee region
top places to visit in in the coffee region of colombia
valle del cocora
The Valle de Cocora, in Colombia's Coffee Triangle, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, featuring the world's tallest wax palms. A natural paradise, it offers scenic hiking trails, lush cloud forests, and spectacular views, embodying Colombia's vibrant biodiversity.
salento and filandia
Salento and Filandia, located in Colombia's Coffee Triangle, are picturesque towns known for their vibrant colonial architecture, lush landscapes, and coffee culture. Both serve as gateways to the Cocora Valley, offering stunning views, towering wax palms, and rich local traditions
natural park Los nevados
Its extension covers part of the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and Tolima. Among its main attractions are the volcanic system, the varied ecosystems, landscapes, lagoons and the perpetual snow of the different snowy peaks.
santa rosa thermals
Located in a privileged place for recreation and relaxation, with a unique ecological environment. The Thermal Spa Santa Rosa de Cabal, offers its visitors waterfalls of cold water, pools of thermal water, ecological routes to better know our nature, source of beauty and natural peace.
salamina
Salamina, Caldas, is a charming Colombian town known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and vibrant cultural heritage. Nestled in the Andes, it offers picturesque views, traditional coffee farms, and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a hidden gem in the Coffee Triangle
botanical garden
The Quindío Botanical Garden in Colombia is a lush oasis showcasing diverse native flora, including a stunning butterfly house. Known for its rich biodiversity, the garden offers a peaceful retreat with walking trails, towering palms, and educational exhibits on regional ecosystems.
more things to do in the coffee region
- Coffee Farm Tour: Visit a traditional coffee farm and learn the whole coffee production process – from plant to a steaming cup of fresh coffee. Many coffee farms will facilitate coffee tastings and teach participants how to distinguish between flavors, notes, and origins. Check out our Coffee Region Tour here.
- Valle de Cocora Tour: Dotted with towering wax palm trees, Cocora Valley is located about 13km from a small town called Salento. The whole loop takes 5-6 hours to hike, but people can turn back if the trail gets too challenging. Some of the trail is accessible on horseback and is a truly stunning experience.
- Visit Traditional Towns: The small colorful towns in the Coffee Region, such as Salento, Filandia and Salamina, are a treat for anyone who appreciates quaint, colorful pueblos bursting with tradition and culture. Visitors can stay overnight or visit various towns in one day. Be sure to see the main squares in each of the towns.
- Trek Through Los Nevados National Park – Spanning across several departments, Los Nevados Park is a 582 square kilometer conservation center in the Coffee Region. It has glaciers, páramos, lakes, and forests. It is also home to several volcanoes, including the 5,300-metre-high Nevado del Ruiz. Note that it’s prohibited to climb Nevado del Ruiz because it is an active volcano.
- Birding in Colombia's Coffee Region offers a remarkable experience, with diverse habitats teeming with colorful species like the Andean cock-of-the-rock and hummingbirds. The region's cloud forests and coffee farms provide prime spots for birdwatching, attracting enthusiasts worldwide.
Local
gastronomy
The delicious typical food of the Coffee Axis is nothing else than the peasant food of centuries ago that decided to stay at home forever. The Paisa gastronomic menu, in turn debtor to the Spanish colony inherited centuries ago and transmitted from family to family, leads the daily preparations.
Let's look at the most representative dishes of the coffee region, which clearly denote a strong Antioqueña influence!
Trout: The rainbow trout, grilled or garlic, is a culinary institution in Quindío, this fish is consumed in incredible quantities. A thin layer of patacón under the crispy trout is a vision that pays any cost.
Sancocho: It is a broth well loaded with carbohydrates and is the extraordinary combination of potatoes, yucca, banana and meats of all kinds. And all in generous portions. Now, the plate is completed by a portion of rice, salad and avocado.
Sudados: Its composition is the best of the local market: potatoes, yucca, plantain, 'hogado' to taste and some dams of beef, chicken and even fish. Always accompanied by a rich salad and a slice of avocado.
Tamal: Meat, egg, and an exquisite stew covered with corn dough ... it is tasty and leaves you wanting to repeat it, it is cooked in a bijao leaf and that's where it should be devoured.
Santarrosano chorizo: One of the tastiest chorizos in Colombia. It is a small work of art, and people, locals as visitors, know it very well.
The parva: Is a collection of small bakery delicacies. We have the buñuelos, the pandebonos, the pandeyucas, the pandequesos, the toasts, the classic breads, etc.
Best time to go
when is the best time to visit the coffee region?
Weather
- This area has a wealth of biodiversity, a variety of climates from the temperate in the Cauca River Valley, to the paramo climate in the Nevado del Ruiz. From Calarcá, most of its municipalities have a stable climate of approximately 18-24°C (64-75°F), during the day
- The area experiences frequent rainfall, especially in April and October, keeping the landscapes lush and ideal for coffee cultivation
Festivals
- Festivities of La Cosecha (Pereira): They take place in Pereira during August, a great month of fun, concerts, typical food ... and again, a lot, but a lot of parties in the squares, parks, main streets and other famous places.
- Fiestas del Progreso (Dosquebradas): You will find a lot of color in these dates, either for the upcoming Christmas holidays or for the preparation of the festivities. Waiting for you reigns, sports events, comparsas, artistic and gastronomic exhibitions and concerts with distinguished guests.
- Festival of the Araucarias (Santa Rosa de Cabal): There will be fireworks, contests of "jeepaos", colorful comparsas, dance competitions, plays, outdoor films, lots of music and partying and a great commitment to exhibit an Amazing variety of succulent dishes.
- Carnival of the Devil (Riosucio): it is every two years and the lovers of the party wait with evident anxiety. The truth is that it is one of the most acclaimed, popular and fun events on the coffee agenda.
- National Festival of the Hall (Aguadas): In August there takes place one of the most native dances of the Coffee Axis. There are still contests, dances, songs, and laughter; the one who comes for good food also finds, goes 'happy and full', as the grandparents say. It only lasts three days.
- Fiestas Cuyabras (Armenia): The anniversary of the founding of the city is celebrated with the most typical events, among which the dance contests, peasant music duets, the unmissable Reign of the Chapolera and the picturesque contest of "yipaos" stand out. ", which turns out to be a singular contest where the famous Willys jeeps do acrobatics with people or products of the field loaded up in the hood.
- Celebrations of the Palm of Wax (Salento): one of the most beautiful towns of the Coffee Axis carries out its anniversary celebrations as soon as the year begins. What you can find, yes or yes, is incredible attention from the locals, delicious trouts in unimaginable variants, craft fairs and a lot of people from every corner of the world.
- National Candle and Lantern Competition (Quimbaya): The Night of the Candles is simply unforgettable in Quimbaya, the lights go out and the reflections of hundreds of thousands of lanterns give color to this family party. No house, street, or business is left without being well "lit", starts every December 7 and ends on the 8th of the same month.
Transport
how to get there?
To visit the Coffee Region you will have to reach one of the three department capitals: Manizales (capital of Caldas, La Nubia MZL airport), Pereira (capital of Risaralda, Matecaña PEI international airport), or Armenia (capital of Quindío) , El Edén International Airport AXM). By plane, there are direct flights to the airports of Manizales and Armenia both from Bogota and from Medellin. In addition to these two destinations, Pereira also has connection with Cartagena and Santa Marta.
Moving around
The best thing without a doubt to move is to rent a car, the roads are in good condition, it is a safe area and traffic is not a big impediment. But if you do not decide to drive, there is also the option of public transport. There are bus lines that connect the main towns of the Eje Cafetero, and to get to places of interest, such as the coffee farm, the Cocora Valley, etc, there are the so-called Willys, old Jeeps that act as urban buses.
Safety
is it safe to travel to the coffee region
Security
Many people are worried about safety in Colombia because of the country’s dark past. There is no denying Colombia used to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world because of drug trafficking, kidnappings and an internal conflict that raged for more than 50 years. Fortunately, the safety situation has improved drastically in Colombia over the past decade, resulting in more international visitors discovering the beauty of Colombia that has been hidden from the world for so long. People no longer have to be afraid to visit Colombia and can enjoy everything this fascinating country has to offer in peace.
These are some simple tips that should keep you out of trouble:
- Don’t flash large amounts of money in public
- Look out for pickpockets on public transportation
- Call or use a smartphone app to arrange for a taxi instead of hailing it on the street
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Keep your phones and cameras out of sight
- Don’t wear flashy jewellery
- Avoid taking cards or passports out with you
more travel tips to visit the coffee region
 |
Want to know more?get in touchAll our tours are private and can be customised. Just complete our tailor-made tour form or give us a call. We’re flexible and happy to design the most suitable Colombia tour for you!
|