This landscape combines the human, family and generational efforts of coffee growers and constitutes an example of human adaptation to difficult geographical conditions on which mountain coffee farming developed.
It is also known as as the Coffee Route and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
Contents
What is the Coffee Axis?
The coffee region has numerous farms that offer guided tours where we can learn about the coffee production process and taste it.
There are also theme parks and tourist attractions related to coffee culture. In the region you can visit cities and towns with rich colonial architecture and a varied and delicious gastronomic offer. The coffee axis mainly comprises three regions: Risalda, Quindío, Caldas and some areas of the Cauca Valley.
They are areas of mild temperatures, wonderful landscapes, green mountains, hot springs, snow-capped peaks and fantastic people.
Cocora Valley
It is surrounded by mountains, in the Quindío region. The landscape is characterized by green mountains, rivers and hills covered with wax trees, which can reach more than 60 meters in height.
You can also take walks and trekking of varying difficulty along the trails that cross the valley. A particular phenomenon that you can enjoy is the magical landscape of the fog forest with low clouds and lush vegetation In addition to hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, and jeep rides are possible.
Without a doubt, the most important attraction is that you can visit the nearby farms to learn more about the production of coffee, one of the most important crops in the region.
Salento
It is a small town located in the department of Quindío. It is a popular tourist destination due to its colonial architecture, mountainous landscape and proximity to the Cocora Valley. Salento’s historic center features brightly painted colonial houses, cobblestone streets, and a neo-Gothic church.
In the town’s main square, tourists can find craft shops, cafes and restaurants offering typical dishes from the region. Organized excursions to the coffee farms leave from Salento.
There are also options for hiking in the nearby forests, visiting waterfalls and rivers, and practicing adventure sports such as rafting and paragliding.
Filandia
It is considered one of the most picturesque and best preserved towns in Colombia so you can enjoy its tranquility and natural beauty.
Like Salento, it is also located in the department of Quindío, with a privileged location on a hill surrounded by mountains and impressive landscapes.
It is characteristic for its carved wooden balconies, its main square, where the church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is located, and for its production of wicker and fique crafts, which are highly valued throughout the country. Its gastronomy, and in particular its traditional sweets such as panelitas, cocadas and arequipeñas, are highly appreciated.
Visit to a coffee farm
It is one of the most popular activities in the coffee region and surely if you visit Colombia you cannot miss it.
In these farms it is possible to learn about the coffee production process, from planting to roasting, and of course, taste different varieties of coffee.
Santa Rosa Hot Springs
Ideal for relaxing and enjoying nature, there is a complex of hot springs located in the department of Risaralda. The waters come from the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, which is located about 60 kilometers away.
They are rich in minerals, which gives them therapeutic and relaxing properties. There is a thermal complex located in the municipality of Santa Rosa de Cabal, in the department of Risaralda.
The natural environment of the Santa Rosa Hot Springs is impressive, with a panoramic view of the nearby mountains and waterfalls. In addition to the thermal facilities, the resort has a spa that offers various body treatments.
Theme parks
There are also theme parks such as:
Los Arrieros Park:
Dedicated to preserving and disseminating the culture and traditions of the muleteers, who were in charge of transporting products and merchandise in the Andes region. The park covers an area of 20 hectares and offers a wide variety of attractions and activities for the whole family. It is located in the city of Pereira, Department of Risaralda. If you want to get to Pereira from other cities in Colombia, you can do so by plane through the Matecaña International Airport, which offers direct flights to several cities in the country. You can also arrive by bus from nearby cities such as Armenia, Manizales and Medellín, among others.
National Coffee Park:
This is one of the most popular theme parks in the Eje Cafetero area. It has several attractions such as roller coasters, carousels, and activities related to the region’s coffee culture. There are also horse shows and live music shows. It is located in Montenegro, department of Quindío, about 20 minutes by car from the city of Armenia, capital of the department.
Panaca:
It is a theme park that combines education and entertainment. In this place you can learn about the diversity of animal and plant species found in the region and the world, in addition to enjoying attractions such as the aviary and the farm. It is located in Quimbaya, department of Quindío, about 20 minutes by car from the city of Armenia, the capital of the department.
Recuca:
This is a theme park that focuses on the coffee culture of the region. Here you can learn about the history and production process of coffee, in addition to enjoying activities such as coffee harvesting and tasting different varieties of the drink. The park is in Calarcá, Quindío department. about 25 minutes by car from the city of Armenia, the capital of the department. Ukumarí Biopark: Located in the city of Pereira, Department of Risaralda. previously called Matecaña Zoo, which was one of the most important zoos in Colombia and South America.
Tatamá National Natural Park
It is a protected area located in the western Andes of Colombia, in the departments of Risaralda, Chocó and Valle del Cauca. It is a place of great biodiversity and scenic beauty, covering an area of 55,000 hectares. It is a national park that covers several regions of the coffee region and is an ideal destination for nature and ecotourism lovers. In the Tatamá National Natural Park you can find different types of ecosystems, such as cloud forests, tropical humid forests, paramos and sub-paramos, among others. The flora is very varied, with species such as oak, wax palm, myrtle and cedar.
The fauna is also abundant, with species such as the spectacled bear, the puma, the deer, the tapir, the howler monkey and a wide variety of birds, including the Andean condor. If you like nature and ecotourism, the Tatamá National Natural Park offers you many options. There are hiking trails, bird watching, camping activities and expert-guided excursions.
There are also a large number of rivers and waterfalls, which are ideal for activities such as rafting and kayaking.
