Eje Cafetero is one of the must-see places in the country, both for foreigners and Colombians. Its landscapes and amazing views of valleys and mountains dazzle even its own inhabitants.
As its name indicates, this zone became popular for being one of the pioneer regions in the production of Colombian coffee. It is made up of the departments of Quindio, Risaralda and Caldas and its capital cities: Armenia, Pereira and Manizales.
The natural and cultural richness of the Coffee Axis allowed UNESCO in 2011 to declare the Coffee Cultural Landscape as a World Heritage Site. Which is nothing more than its extensive coffee plantations, valleys and mountains, fertile land and variety of plants and flowers, among which is our national tree: the Quindio wax palm.
In addition, it has such a pleasant climate that makes the area a perfect place for many activities of all kinds, but mainly nature. And, yes, we know that many like to go in search of less touristy and more authentic experiences. But in this place everything you do will always be a valuable and memorable experience.
For this reason, in this blog we propose 4 perfect plans to make the most of your trip to the Coffee Region.
Discover the charm of Coffee farms:
Of course, we will start with the most obvious: coffee farms. Whether you are a coffee lover or not it would not make much sense to visit this area without learning and knowing the process behind one of the products for which Colombia has its worldwide fame.
Remember that the Coffee Axis is not the only area of the country that grows coffee. In fact, today 22 of the 32 departments in Colombia grow coffee. However, this place was one of the first to become an exporter.
For this reason, along the Coffee Axis or Eje cafetero, one of the plans that you can make is to visit coffee farms. Thus, coffee growers themselves can tell you the story. From planting to harvesting and roasting, the whole process. Tour the crops and harvest some cherries with your own hands. Learn about the manual process that makes it so high quality. And, of course, tasting a cup of fresh coffee.
There you will also learn about the importance of this product in the history. The agricultural tradition and the customs of our country.
Enjoy the nature wealth of Santa Rosa de Cabal
This place within the Eje Cafetero is perfect for a plan of relaxation and connection with the goodness of nature. Here, in the middle of the mountains, you will find Santa Rosa de Cabal hot springs. They are springs of water with high temperatures. The minerals in the hot springs help cleanse the body of toxins and improve oxygenation and blood flow.
Therefore, the plan is the best way to take a break from the trip to enjoy the relaxing experience. And the best thing is that to get there you must make small excursions and immerse yourself in nature, so you will continue to discover the landscapes of the Eje Cafetero.
The awe-inspiring Cocora Valley
As you already know, our national tree is the Wax Palm of Quindio, so why not coming to the Coffee Axis is to visit its home. And one of the best places to do so is in the Cocora Valley.
The Cocora Valley is a natural landscape in the central mountain range of the Andes in Colombia. It is located in the area of Los Nevados National Natural Park and its altitude ranges between 1800 and 2400 meters above sea level.
This is probably one of the most amazing tours in the Eje Cafetero and Colombia. It is a perfect plan to have contact with nature in all its splendor. As well as seeing the imposing palm trees in a hilly and sometimes misty landscape. It definitely gives it a mystical and magical air.
In the Cocora Valley is not only the Wax Palm but other protected species, which makes it a natural sanctuary.
Here you can make excursions and hikes, horseback riding. Or visit its viewpoints and take rides around in the famous jeep willys, the traditional vehicles where coffee was transported and that today are an emblem of the coffee culture in the region.
Visit lovely pueblitos (small towns)
There is another perfect plan around Eje Cafetero. In addition to its landscapes, its cultural legacy is evident in its small coffee growing and farming towns. For this reason, visiting them is something you just will do.
We recommend you go to some of the towns and let themselves surprise you. Their magical streets, their squares and old buildings. And the kindness of the people who will welcome you and show you their home.
By visiting villages, you will also get to know some of the traditions of the people who live there, listen to their stories, taste their dishes, and learn about life in this region.
There are many “pueblitos” that are worth visiting. Some that we recommend are:
- Salento
- Filandia
- Calarca
- Buenavista
- Pijao
Activities and tours in Eje Cafetero can be very varied. But most of them revolve around discovering its cultural and environmental importance through its best lens: one of the best coffees in the world.
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