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Recinto del Pensamiento is one of the best attractions in Manizales. It’s a peaceful nature park with a very relaxed and easy guided walk that can be done by people of all ages. Recinto del Pensamiento is located within the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.
Visiting
Recinto del Pensamiento doesn’t lie inside the city, but instead is on the outskirts. It’s located about 10 minutes from the city. A taxi is the quickest way to get there. The bus can take up to an hour but is much cheaper. For those who want to stay longer, there’s a hotel on the grounds.
When you reach the gates, the security guard can point you in the right direction to get to the gift shop. Guided tours are required and last two hours. They’re done in Spanish. Adult admission is COP$35,000 for foreigners and COP$26,000 for Colombians and residents (as of July 2023). Recinto del Pensamiento is open daily except Mondays and tours run from 9am to 3pm. Tickets are sold in the gift shop.
Herb Garden
The tour begins in an herb garden where the guide talks about several local medicinal plants, including coca, stevia, and more. We were able to pick the leaves off some of them to smell or taste.
Telesilla
We were then led to the telesilla for an exciting 12 minute ride over the tree tops and up a steep hill. Others in the group chose to walk the path and we met them at the top.
Hummingbirds
Next, we were served fresh coffee and sat quietly to watch local hummingbirds feed. The guide talked about the life of the hummingbirds and their importance to the balance of nature.
Bonsai Garden
From there we visited a beautiful bonsai garden. There was a small bridge with a pond full of fish and a rock garden. The guide explained the significance of each element of the gardens.
Butterfly House
The Butterfly House (Mariposario), was just up the hill. There were several species of butterflies living inside, including a few interesting ones with transparent wings. Again, the guide did a wonderful job explaining the life cycle of butterflies and some myths about them.
End of the Tour
The tour ended with a 30 minute walk through the forest, ending back at the gift shop where our tickets were first purchased. We really enjoyed the tour and were very relaxed the whole time. Other attractions include pens that hold deer, ostrich, sheep, and other animals.
