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If you find yourself in Pereira with extra time to kill, head across the bridge to the suburb of Dosquebradas. This city is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.
Introduction to Dosquebradas
Dosquebradas is a working class city just north of Pereira. It was founded in 1844 and originally belonged to Santa Rosa de Cabal. It became its own municipality on December 6, 1972. The city originally served as an industrial zone beginning in the 1940s, but the construction of low-income housing in the 1970s caused a population boom. Many residents commute to Pereira for work.
Dosquebradas is named for two creeks in the ravines separating it from Pereira. It’s still very heavily industrial, with many textile and food factories scattered throughout the city, but there are also coffee farms in the hills outside town.
Getting to Dosquebradas
A taxi is the easiest way to get to Dosquebradas from Pereira. It’s a short ride over the bridge. When you need to get back to Pereira from one of the restaurants listed below, they’ll be able to call a taxi for you.
Where to Eat in Dosquebradas
There are some decent places to grab a bite in the city while enjoying views of Pereira.
El Columpio Parrilla
El Columpio Parrilla is an oasis in the middle of an industrial park. They serve steaks and traditional Colombian dishes in a peaceful laid-back atmosphere. We stopped in for lunch one afternoon and had a seat on the patio, where there are fantastic views of Pereira.
Our meal started off with a complimentary arepa and guiso. We also ordered a portion of patacones. As a main course, I had the personal sized tomahawk ribeye. While the menu says “personal”, it could easily feed two or even three people! Anyway, it’s very thick and juicy and a bargain for the price. Marisol had a churrasco, which is much more manageable for one. We really enjoyed our meal and the service was excellent.
Mirador Las Camelias
Mirador Las Camelias is located on a hill on the outskirts of town and has great views of Pereira and the surrounding areas. Our meal was very filling. A picada for two is big enough for three people to share and contains a variety of different grilled meats.
Nightlife in Dosquebradas
Dosquebradas is sometimes referred to as the entertainment zone of Pereira. There are several bars and nightclubs that get packed on weekends.
Paradise
Paradise is one of the most famous nightclubs in Dosquebradas. It features all kinds of theme parties and concerts. Doors open around 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. We got there at 10pm and were told it would be about a 2-hour wait to get in. It’s best to get there as early as possible.
Único Outlets
You’ll find some good deals at Único Outlets, a shopping mall in Dosquebradas. There are several stores from major international brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Colombian brands like Gino Passcalli, KOAJ, and ELA. Prices are much better than what you’ll find at the malls in Pereira.
Parque Lago de la Pradera
In Dosquebradas, you’ll find a nice park surrounding a small lake with plenty of activities to keep busy. It’s great for families and couples alike. The pleasant Parque Lago de la Pradera only costs COP$2,000 to enter (as of April 2024), with extra activities at an additional cost. It’s possible to ride paddleboats, go swimming, play basketball, tennis, or football, go rollerblading, play paintball, or even ride horses. There are vendors selling fresh fruits and drinks and a few small cafeterias on the grounds.
A few small islands in the lake have chickens and rabbits. Feeding the ducks and fish is popular with kids, and you can buy food from small vending machines on the bridge. Another couple small ponds have giant lily pads and bamboo near their shores.
