Zona Cafetera, Colombia
GENERAL INFO
Recommended stay: 3-4 nights
Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
Tipping: Not necessary, most round up when paying taxis, vendors, nicer restaurants collect a 10% service charge
Transportation: driver, hotel/hacienda transportation
Weather: expect lows in the 60s and highs in the 70s (bring layers and a raincoat)
GETTING THERE
Take a regional flight, or make the beautiful ~5 hour drive from Medellín
STAY
Hacienda Bambusa, Quindio
Hacienda Bambusa is a charming, traditional hacienda-style property in the heart of coffee country. The property has just 8 spacious rooms, each with a private balcony or terrace overlooking a river valley and miles of plantations. Naturally, the hacienda offers an exciting range of activities, such as hiking, ziplining, paragliding, hot air ballooning and horseback riding
Casa Sazagua, Pereira
Hotel Boutique Sazagua’s 10 private suites are beautifully decorated with dark-wood Colombian furniture, handmade tapestry bed throws and comfy hammocks perfect for birdwatching from your room. The hotel offers rafting, horseback riding or guided hiking in the surrounding hills, a plunge pool and a full spa.
SEE + DO
Coffee Tour: WakeCup
The WakeCup Experience by Experiencia Cafetera goes beyond a regular coffee tour to offer an immersive and detailed coffee experience. Visitors have the unique opportunity to spend time with farmers, pickers, and jeep drivers, allowing them to understand the importance of coffee to the culture and way of life of the region. If you plan to take one coffee tour in Colombia, this should be it.
Hot Air Balloon
Take a hot air balloon ride for unparalleled views of distant Andean peaks, fields of coffee, plantain, and bamboo, and the lovely little houses and towns that make up the region. It’s not exactly a budget traveler option, but the flights are a unique experience and always a good time.
Coffee Town: Salento
Set in the lush green mountains of the Zona Cafetera, Pereira survives on coffee production, trout farming and, increasingly, tourists, who are drawn by its quaint streets, typical paisa architecture and its proximity to the spectacular Valle de Cocora. It was founded in 1850, and is one of the oldest towns in Quindío.
Hot Springs: Santa Rosa de Cabal
Just outside the little town of Santa Rosa de Cabal, the termales (hot springs) flow down from the mountain above in a waterfall. Visitors can hike up to the foot of the falls to bathe in a lovely natural thermal pool. Less adventurous types can still enjoy the hot waters at the nearby hotel, where a smaller waterfall feeds several different pools, at a variety of temperatures.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is one of the best ways to explore the region. There are many options, from a short trail ride + picnic from the hotel or a full day trekking across larger stretches of land, such as the Cocora Valley.
Birding: Rio Blanco, Otun Quimbaya and Montezuma
Colombia has more recorded species of bird than any other country in the world, and the Coffee Region boasts more species than practically any other part of the country. Birding enthusiasts will love exploring the Nevados National Park, Otun Quimbaya Reserve, Rio Blanco, Tatama National Park, Cerro Montezuma, among others.
Hiking: Valle de Cocora, Valle de Samaria
The Cocora Valley is home to a huge population of the endangered and endemic Quindio wax palm – the tallest palm tree in the world – which towers over visitors, giving the entire experience a distinctly surreal edge. The hike takes a few hours and takes in lovely cloud forest and farmland scenery, culminating in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of wandering among the mighty giants of Cocora.
EAT + DRINK
Cafe San Alberto
Travel 20 miles from Armenia to the town of Buenavista in the south of Quindío to learn how to grow export quality coffee. Here you can enjoy a coffee tasting, sit and watch the sunset, and relax on a terrace with panoramic views of mountains, whose slopes are full of coffee groves.
Lunch: Helena Adentro
Serving up innovative Colombian fusion food in a chic chill-out space, arty Helena Adentro is considered one of the coolest places to eat in the Zona Cafetera. A focus on farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients means an ever-changing tapas-style menu, but you can expect Colombian classics with a twist.
Lunch: Aprisco La Española
Halfway between Filandia and Montenegro, a local goat-farmer and priest decided to open up his century-old finca to the public. Upon request, the family can prepare an Antioquian feast, complete with meat, plantains, rice, salad, avocado and sancocho, using traditional cooking utensils and methods, including open-fire cooking.
Lunch: Cultivar Cafe Restaurante
With floor-to-ceiling windows, hip Cultivar Café lets you enjoy a delicious cup of Colombian coffee with a panoramic view of Filandia’s rolling green Cafetera hills. But great coffee and gorgeous views aren’t the only draws here. The menu has traditional staples + eccentric dishes (think cow’s intestines).