Today at La Tienda del Café, we'll take a tour of the coffee belt and its coffee route . Amidst a beautiful landscape of mountains, coffee plantations, guayacanes, yarumos, bamboo groves, and banana plantations, Colombia offers a route of 62 municipalities that conceal the magic of natural coffee in their essence.
From the legendary Cartagena de Indias to the imposing Bogotá, passing through Medellín or Cali, or remote towns with the Amazon rainforest or mountain ranges as a backdrop, Colombia has more than enough charm for a dream trip. Far from mass tourism, the country is a highly recommended destination for practicing so-called ecotourism, and Colombia's Coffee Region is undoubtedly one of the best places to do so.
But what exactly is Colombia's Coffee Region ? There's much more to this name than just a passion for coffee. The country nestled in the northernmost tip of South America boasts of being one of the world's largest producers. So much so that the region, which primarily encompasses the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío, is a must-visit for coffee lovers. But there's more.
Its natural wealth, which offers stellar landscapes, and the area's agricultural model, which coexists with and protects the environment, earned it recognition by UNESCO as a World Heritage Coffee Cultural Landscape almost a decade ago.
Hundreds of thousands of families make a living from the coffee tradition in Colombia , and many of them offer visitors the opportunity to experience it firsthand. The Coffee Route is located in the central-western part of the Colombian Andes, which comprises three departments: Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío. The three main cities in this area are the capitals: Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia, respectively. They are part of the 62 municipalities of the Coffee Region , where coffee is produced and exported internationally.
The Coffee Region is the most well-known coffee-growing region, spanning three departments (Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda). There are several options for touring, but if you have time, you can visit Armenia, Salento, and the Cocora Valley.
Armenia
Founded on October 14, 1889, they had initially considered naming it “Villa Holguín,” although the settlers who lived there felt it was inappropriate, and so they opted for Armenia.
This welcoming city boasts green panoramas, surrounded by coffee farms, rural areas, and the irresistible aroma of mild Arabica coffee, of which Colombia boasts being the world's leading producer.
Without a doubt, one of the must-see attractions in the historic center is Plaza Bolívar, home to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Monument to the Endeavour, and the Quindío Governor's Office building. There's also the Quimbaya Gold Museum, which offers a glimpse into the goldsmithing of Colombia's indigenous peoples.
Armenia is another major coffee-producing city, whose products travel around the world. It's also a place where you can enjoy the Yipao Festival, held in October, where coffee is the star of the celebrated event.
Salento, one of the most beautiful and picturesque towns in the Axis.
The first Antioquian settlers arrived here in the mid-19th century to begin coffee farming. They brought colonial architecture and began transforming the landscape. To reach the Mirador Alto de la Cruz, you have to climb nearly 300 steps. But the effort is worth it. From up there, you can fully understand what coffee means to the region. The transformed landscape: the remnants of the original forest on the hilltops and the reddish roofs of a pretty town.
The other major attraction near Salento is the Cocora Valley , one of the most beautiful places in all of Colombia. The best way to get to know this unique place is on foot. Willys (1950s jeeps) leave from Plaza de Bolívar and drop you off right at the start of the trail. There are trails for all tastes, but the best option is the circular trail, which will allow you to explore the meadows near the Quindío River, patches of native rainforest, and palm groves. This is a magical place that you absolutely must see and worth spending a whole day in.
Taking this coffee route means discovering postcard-perfect viewpoints, immersing yourself in the culture, visiting and staying on colorful family farms to learn the secrets best kept for generations in the cultivation and preparation of one of the world's finest coffees, and enjoying the warm hospitality of the coffee farmers, who proudly and passionately demonstrate the process that culminates in a delicious cup of coffee.