What to See and Do in Zona Cafetera, Colombia
Zona Cafetera, or Eje Cafetero, is one of the most diverse regions in Colombia, featuring mountains, wax palms, colonial towns, vibrant culture, and of course, coffee. What are the best things to see and do in Zona Cafetera? Let's find out.
Eje Cafetero, also known as Zona Cafetera. Even without basic knowledge of Spanish, you can probably guess what to expect in one of the most renowned regions of Colombia.
Coffee.
It is a vital part of everyday life in Zona Cafetera, a breathtaking region, that according to many, is home to the finest beans in the whole country.
This region has many flavors, and also many names. From Zona Cafetera, Eje Cafetero, to Coffee Triangle, Coffee Axis, or simply Coffee Region.
And why should you make sure Zona Cafetera is on your Colombia travel itinerary?
Sure, the coffee we've mentioned is an obvious reason, but you might object that it is surely possible to buy a cup of similarly good beverage elsewhere.
And you might be right. But this destination has so much more to offer.
The vibrant culture is captivating, the same as colorful colonial towns where you can wander around with the camera in hand.
Another highlight is Cocora Valley, a lush green hilly landscape, that is home to wax palms, one of the most photographed natural attractions in Colombia.
We cannot fail to mention hiking opportunities in Los Nevados, which is a wonderful national park famous for 5000 meters high peaks and unique paramo ecosystem.
As you can see, there are so many things to see and do in Zona Cafetera, that to explore it all, you would need weeks if not months.
On the other hand, we know that an average traveler does not have that much time.
That's why we've handpicked must-visit places and tips on what to do in Zona Cafetera that we think are worth your time and money.
Be ready that your days in this destination will be packed to the brim, but we can promise that you'll be leaving the area super-excited, and the reason won't be the level of caffeine in your body.
This travel guide includes the best things to do in Zona Cafetera.
We also share here tips on when to visit the coffee region, where to stay, how many days you need and many more practical tips.
So grab a cup of coffee and start planning your ultimate trip to Zona Cafetera, Colombia.
BEST THINGS TO DO
We really enjoyed our time in Zona Cafetera, because it offered a perfect mix of adventure activities and laidback moments, which is exactly what we needed on our long-term journey around South America.
After visiting large cities such as Medellin, Cartagena de Indias, and Bogota, arriving in small towns that still keep their charm and atmosphere felt just right.
Also, the lush green landscape and misty mountains suggested that our hiking boots will be happy here.
What can you look forward to in Zona Cafetera?
COFFEE FARM
Fincas, also know as coffee farms, allow you to take a peek under the hood.
We think that the visit to this region wouldn't be complete without at least one trip to a coffee farm.
Farmers in the region are truly proud of their work and final product, and tourism is one of the side hustles that help them finance the run of the farm, so they will happily show you around.
Many people around the world, yourself included, probably know the habit of making a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.
Here, in Zona Cafetera, you have a unique chance to see up close the whole process from a seed to the bean in your cup.
And we have to say, it is truly impressive, especially if you, like us, visit a small, family-run farm, where every step in the process is made by people, not by automatized machines.
As we've mentioned, there are quite a lot of farms in the region, we have opted for Finca Momota in Salento.
There were more reasons why we visited this one.
First of all, we spent more days in Salento as we were preparing for a multi-day trek in Los Nevados National Park.
Secondly, we found this farm sympathetic because of their values and endless effort for their land to thrive.
Of course, no tour around a coffee farm wouldn't be complete without tasting several freshly brewed cups, which is a very pleasant ending to this activity that will take you behind the scenes.
COCORA VALLEY
If there's one thing in Zona Cafetera that attracts crowds, it is the Cocora Valley alias Valle de Cocora.
We are pretty confident that when planning a trip to Colombia, you've already stumbled upon photos of giant wax palms, national trees of the country.
Cocora Valley, except for the giant trees, features hilly farmland, many activities such as hiking or horseback riding, picturesque landscape, and because of the proximity to Salento, it is one of the most popular day-trips in the whole country.
It is possible to take a jeepney from Salento, photograph a few wax palms, and then return back.
But we can strongly recommend you to make a whole loop in the area, that except for the palms provides adventure travelers with amazing views.
The trail indeed takes approximately five hours to finish, but the moderately challenging profile is suitable for every type of traveler, and we think it is one of those activities you should not miss in the region.
LOS NEVADOS NATIONAL PARK
If you love hiking, Zona Cafetera has another ace in the pocket. And it is a huge one.
Los Nevados National Park is one of the most beautiful places in South America we've visited, and as avid hikers, we could not miss the hiking opportunities the park offers.
The most common access points to the national park are towns Manizales and Salento.
As you can see, Salento is a perfect place where you can base yourself for a while and make many trips from here, in case you do not want to travel from one place to another every day.
What can you expect from Los Nevados National Park?
First of all, you need to decide how long you would like to stay in the park.
It is possible to make a one-day hike, although we highly recommend enjoying at least one night, a two-day hike that will allow you to go deeper.
We did the four-day, three-night trek in Los Nevados, and if you have enough time, we can only encourage you to do the same.
During this time we explored the unique paramo ecosystem, we slept in the farms far away from civilization, and the cherry on the top was hiking to a glacier above 5000 meters.
You should also know that hiring a guide is essential because it is easy to get lost on poorly marked trails in often misty mountains.
BEST TOWNS IN ZONA CAFETERA
Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, and Ibague are the main big cities in Zona Cafetera. However, if you want to truly experience the best of Eje Cafetero and soak in the vibrant atmosphere, we suggest leaving these busy hubs behind.
Take your time and travel a little bit deeper into the heart of the region, soon you will find yourself in a completely different world.
The most famous pueblo is Salento, famous for nearby wax palms, great coffee, superb hiking trails, and especially for the town itself because colorful houses are simply splendid.
However, most of the travelers are heading to Salento, so in the high season, it might feel a bit crowded.
But as we have already mentioned, Zona Cafetera is huge, and you have many opportunities to escape the crowds.
The list of the small tranquil villages and towns is almost endless, and there is only one tiny problem.
You probably won't have time to visit them all.
Places such as Filandia, Marsella, Buenavista, Genova, or Pijao are all great alternatives to busy Salento, and you are limited only by the time you have for Colombia.
Our final tip is a small pueblo on the borders of Zona Cafetera called Jardin.
If you are arriving from Medellin, this charming village is a detour on the way to Pereira, but it's well worth the trip.
WHERE TO STAY IN ZONA CAFETERA
Zona Cafetera is a quite big region, but as you can see, during the years a few towns became natural transportation hubs, where it is worth it to spend a night and start exploring the area.
It is good to know that the coffee region of Colombia is high on the bucket lists of many travelers, that's why it is worth it to book your stay at your earliest convenience.
In this paragraph, we would like to give you tips on the best hotels in several locations across Zona Cafetera, that you might find helpful when looking for an overnight stay.
Most of the towns are easy to navigate on foot, so it is worth it to spend a night in the center, to get the most from the atmosphere.
Salento | Hotel El Mirador del Cocora - Salento is a super-popular destination set in a wonderful place. Therefore, when looking for a hotel, take advantage of the surrounding hills, and choose this property, which offers stunning views.
Armenia | Mocawa Plaza Hotel - This hotel features modernly decorated rooms, a great restaurant, and an amazing rooftop pool overlooking the city and nearby hills.
Manizales | Hotel Belén Boutique - Comfortable hotel, spotless rooms, and location close to the cable car are the main reason why to spend a night here. Manizales is an overlooked city on many itineraries, do not make the same mistake.
Pereira | Movich Hotel de Pereira - Excellent hotel right in the center of Pereira features an outdoor swimming pool, and you can also rely on well-informed front desk staff.
Filandia | Selina Quindio - If you are looking for a place where you can feel like a part of nature, this place might be the right fit. This hotel has a great vibe, and you will likely meet here same-minded travelers.
Pijao | Hostal Casa Victoria Pijao - If you are looking for an authentic experience, this beautifully decorated hostel will keep you satisfied.
HOW TO GET TO ZONA CAFETERA
Getting to Zona Cafetera is super-easy as the area is located roughly between major Colombia's cities such as Cali, Bogota, and Medellin.
It is not very usual (yet) to rent a car in this country, and according to our experience, we think the best way how to get around is by public transport.
All towns in Zona Cafetera are accessible by frequent buses, but not all buses are direct, so you will very likely have to switch buses in Manizales or other bigger cities, but it all depends on from what destination you travel to the coffee region.
Once you are in the triangle of towns such as Armenia, Filanfia, and Salento, you can travel by regular buses or hop on a jeep, that usually leaves when full.
Roads in the region are winding, so expect that even if the distance does not look too long, it takes time.
We traveled to Zona Cafetera from Medellin, but we made a stop in Jardin first, so then from Jardin, we traveled to Manizales, here we took a bus to Salento, where we spent the majority of our time.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Zona Cafetera is between December and March, followed by July to September.
These months should provide you with dry conditions, sunny sky, and pleasant temperatures.
It is necessary to say that mountains and volcanoes are often shrouded in clouds, and you can experience short showers even during the supposedly dry season.
One thing we would pack for a trip to Zona Cafetera is rain jacket.
The rest of the year is still fine to visit in terms of temperature, but you can expect more rainy and misty days.
On the other hand, this time of the year is less busy, and the towns are less crowded.
Colombia has lately become a popular travel destination, and some travelers think that, for example, Salento is more crowded than it should be, so consider traveling offseason for a better experience.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW MANY DAYS FOR ZONA CAFETERA
First, you should know that Zona Cafetera is an enormous region in Colombia, and there is not a single answer to this question.
This is not only a coffee region, it's also a cultural and economic zone that spreads over three departments - Quindío, Caldas, and Risaralda.
How many days you should spend in Eje Cafetero depends on your itinerary.
We would say you need at least three days to see the best Zona Cafetera has to offer, such as wax palms, taste coffee, do at least one hike, and explore one of the colonial towns.
Three days will give you all that.
Your days will be quite long, but you won't have to hurry.
If you plan on hiking more extensively in Los Nevados National Park, then you have to add a three or four days, depending on which tour did you choose.
To fully appreciate the area, we think one week is sufficient.
In case your itinerary is packed, and you want to see all the top places in Colombia, we recommend you having for Zona Cafetera at least two days.
Base yourself in Salento, walk around the town, taste a coffee on a coffee farm, and do not miss Cocora Valley.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
