Colombia's Coffee Region: Things to Do & Places to Visit
With its culture and scenery, the Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero) has become one of Colombia's leading travel destinations.
Travel to the Coffee Region and discover beautiful landscapes and the warmth of its people.
The Eje Cafetero is the Colombian region where coffee growing dominates, with its plantations, farms and roasters. World-famous Colombian coffee has its origin here.
The Coffee Region is made up of the departments of Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda. UNESCO declared the Coffee Cultural Landscape a World Heritage Site.
Tourism in the Coffee Region has grown sharply in recent years, and many coffee farms began offering accommodation, turning their estates into genuine hotels. Theme parks, hot-spring resorts, nature reserves, good roads and the urban renewal of the main cities have all been key to the region's tourism growth.
The main cities and true gateways to coffee country are Armenia, Pereira and Manizales, each known for its drive and for blending the modern with the traditions of the past.
Coffee Region Colombia: destinations and where to go
The Coffee Region is one of Colombia's most important travel areas, famous for its scenery, its coffee and its traditional towns. Below are its most recommended destinations.
Armenia: tourism in the heart of the Coffee Region
Capital of Quindío and gateway to the Coffee Cultural Landscape.
Pereira: things to do and attractions
A modern city with hot springs and nature nearby.
Manizales: tourism and Coffee Region scenery
A mountain city with views of the Nevado del Ruiz.
Things to do in the Coffee Region
The Coffee Region offers unique experiences blending nature, culture and adventure.
Cocora Valley
One of Colombia's most iconic landscapes, home to the towering wax palm. Near the town of Salento and Armenia.
National Coffee Park
A theme park in Quindío, ideal for the whole family.
Santa Rosa de Cabal Hot Springs
One of the most visited hot-spring resorts in Colombia, near Pereira.
Panaca
An agricultural theme park where you experience the rural culture behind Colombian coffee.
Los Arrieros Park
A cultural experience about the coffee tradition and the muleteers (arrieros).
More of the Coffee Region and nearby
- Armenia: capital of Quindío and hub of coffee tourism.
- Pereira: the main city of the Coffee Region, with hot springs.
- Manizales: a mountain city with access to the Nevado del Ruiz.
- Salento: a classic town and gateway to the Cocora Valley.
- National Parks: protected nature across Colombia.
- Cali: a nearby city connecting to the south of the Coffee Region.
Explore more of central Colombia
From the Coffee Region you can easily travel to Bogotá or Medellín, two of the country's main cities. You can also extend your route toward the Colombian Pacific or the south.
Frequently asked questions about Coffee Region
It is formed by Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda, whose capitals — Manizales, Armenia and Pereira — are the main gateways to the region.
Because UNESCO declared the Coffee Cultural Landscape a World Heritage Site for its natural and cultural value tied to coffee production.
Visit the Cocora Valley and its wax palms, the National Coffee Park, the Santa Rosa de Cabal hot springs, and tour coffee farms and towns such as Salento and Filandia.
By air to the airports of Pereira, Armenia or Manizales, or by road from Bogotá, Medellín or Cali. The region has good roads and is well connected.
The classic choice is a coffee farm converted into a hotel, as well as the cities (Armenia, Pereira, Manizales) and towns such as Salento.
It has a mild mountain climate year-round, so it can be visited any season; it's best to avoid the rainiest spells to enjoy the scenery and hikes.