This is a guest post by Hannah Parker, writer for the blog trekbible (find out more about Hannah down below)
The area of Zona Cafetera is bursting with activities to do and sites to see. A weekend may not seem like a lot of time to explore Zona Cafetera. But you can make the most of your time there by checking out some of these sites.
Location: The Cocora Valley in Quindío
When: Any time
Price: Free
One of the first activities you should do on your weekend trip to Zona Cafetera is hike the popular Cocora Valley Trail.
Along the trail you’ll see towering wax palm trees that cover the grounds of the valley. These trees are an endangered type of palm tree called the Quindío wax palm.
They are a popular attraction in Zona Cafetera because they are the largest palm trees in the world.
A hike through the Cocora Valley could take you anywhere from an hour to an entire day. You can spend hours upon hours exploring the different trails, or spend less than an hour admiring the giant palm trees. The valley trails are open to anyone, so how long you stay is up to you. Either way, you definitely want to carve time out of your schedule to journey through the Cocora Valley.
Location: Risaralda
When: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Price: $25.000-$40.000 (Approx $7USD -$15.90USD)
Credit-Triángulo del Café Travel – Flickr
You must experience the incredible springs at the Termales de Santa Rosa during your weekend trip. There are two types of underground thermal springs you can experience: the Magmatic Springs and the Telluric and Alkaline Springs.
Both natural springs are infused with natural minerals that will relax your entire body. If you’re feeling adventurous, try out the Magmatic Springs which are made from the lava from volcanoes.
Want to play it safe? The Te2lluric and Alkaline Springs are just as awe-inspiring and perfect for stress management. Both springs are kept at slightly over 60 ºC and obtain their water supply from waterfalls and rainwater. You can let the natural minerals relax your body as you swim underneath towering trees and flowing waterfalls. The underground springs at the Termales de Santa Rosa are the perfect addition to a weekend getaway at Zona Cafetera.
Location: Manizales
When: Any time
Price: Free
Credit-EnBrazosDeLaFiebre
The Monumento a Los Colonizadores is a famous monument dedicated to the founding of the city of Manizales. The statue encapsulates the history of the Antioquia colonization which was an important time period in Colombian history.
During this time, Colombia’s culture, economy and social issues changed drastically. The monument sits on top of a hill and can be seen throughout the city. After viewing the prominent statue up close, explore the city and learn about the history that led to the creation of the Monumento a Los Colonizadores.
Location: Pijao, Quindío
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price:
RECUCA $22.000 pp (Approx. $7USD)
WAKEUP COFFEE Group of 6: $120.000 pp (Approx. $40USD) / Group of 7: $90.000 pp (Approx. $30USD)
You can’t travel to Zona Cafetera, the coffee region of Colombia, without going on at least one coffee tour. The region is full of coffee tours for different budgets. They all basically offer the same thing. You’ll travel to a coffee farm and watch a coffee bean farmer produce a delicious cup of joe. You’ll also get to speak with coffee producers about their knowledge of the coffee industry in Colombia.
If you’re looking for something in English, the WakeCup Coffee tour is great for visitors who want to explore a coffee farm and its production process.
If you DO speak Spanish, I personally recommend RECUCA, Recorrido de la Cultura Cafetera for a fraction of the price. It’s a lovely authentic experience in a sublime coffee farm.
You’ll get to wear traditional local clothes and learn the dance of the region. You’ll of course walk through the entire farm and learn about coffee production even get a chance to pick coffee beans from the plant!
If you are a coffee addict, then your heart should already be racing with excitement. Coffee is a vital aspect of Colombian culture, and it truly wouldn’t be a trip to Colombia without tasting it. After all, Colombian coffee is deemed some of the best coffee in the world. This is your chance to see if it’s true.
Location: Border of the Caldas and Tolima departments
When: Any time
Price: Free
Credit-Edgar from IbaguéCOFF
During your weekend trip to Zona Cafetera, you need to explore the famous volcano, Nevado del Ruiz. The volcano is an important part of Colombian history for many years. It has erupted multiple times and caused thousands of deaths.
It’s been active for two million years, but is still open for visitation. The Nevado del Ruiz is a large threat to neighboring towns and cities, but right now it’s safe for touring.
It is located in Los Nevados National Natural Park where it’s surrounded by other volcanoes. Since your trip will be short, put a visit to this volcano at the top of your list—the rest can wait. It is the most significant to the history of Colombia and one of the most recognizable sites for tourists.
So next time you visit Colombia, don’t skip over this incredible place. Head to Zona Cafetera for your weekend adventure, and make sure to check out these sites to make the most of your stay!
Hannah is a writer for trekbible and dreams of being an investigative journalist, or maybe a world traveling videographer, or perhaps the next voice of NPR; basically Hannah wants to be a multimedia journalist. Her voice is too big for her small body so she likes to stand on tall surfaces and shout very, very loudly. Hannah has many passions (some including poetry and the occasional chicken nugget or two) but is always searching for her next hobby.
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Recuca also has tours in English, and people have told me the level of English is good. Of course, the tour is more about culture than coffee, but that's a mix that many visitors like to see.