Last updated on .
Arauca is a small coffee town in the department of Caldas, Colombia. It belongs to the municipality of Palestina, which is in the Coffee Region.
Introduction to Arauca, Caldas
Arauca is situated along the Cauca River and belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia. In the 1940s and 50s, it experienced a minor economic boom because it sat on the train route to Valle del Cauca. Today, it’s a small agricultural town with coffee and cacao as the main crops.
Before the highway was built, you’d pass through town if traveling between Manizales and the towns of Risaralda, San José, and Anserma. It’s pretty much the one main road running through a few blocks of the town and that’s about it. There’s absolutely no reason to stop and see it. In fact, you’re better off staying in the bus or your car. Can you tell this is one my least favorite places in the entire country? I’m actually thrilled I don’t have to pass through there anymore.
Plaza
The town plaza is surrounded by a few restaurants and has a hill towering behind it. The nicest part of the plaza is the tree with ARAUCA spelled out in front of it.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Across the street is the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Nuestra Señora de Perpetuo Socorro). It’s a simple building and probably the nicest place we visited.
Plaza de Mercado
Finally, about a block from the plaza is the Plaza de Mercado where you’ll find a few shops and restaurants. It’s filthy. Don’t ever use the bathrooms there. You’ll probably get an infection. The Plaza de Mercado is next to the Cultural Center (Casa de la Cultura), which was closed when we passed through town.
