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The small coffee producing town of La Celia is located in the mountains of Colombia’s department of Risaralda. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.

La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
La Celia

 

Introduction to La Celia

On my first visit to La Celia in March 2015, I was completely unimpressed. It was drab and boring, and I stuck around no more than 15 minutes. On my most recent visit in December 2020, I noticed several wonderful changes and improvements, and they completely changed my opinion. It’s definitely not a must-see for tourists, but it’s a friendly coffee town with an authentic atmosphere.

La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
La Celia

La Celia was founded on November 25, 1915, as Barcelona. It became a municipality on November 30, 1959, and changed its name to La Celia. The main economic activity is agriculture, especially coffee production.

A street through the town
A street through the town


 

Getting to La Celia

To get to La Celia, the bus terminal in Pereira has a couple services. Flota Occidental has a few departures throughout the day, but Transportadores de la Virginia has buses every hour on the hour from 8am to 7pm. The trip takes about two hours. To leave town, buses line up on the main square.

 

Entering the Town

La Celia is nestled perfectly between two mountains. The approach to the town has spectacular views, so try to make a quick stop on your way in or out.

View of La Celia
View of La Celia

 

Town Square

The town square is large and beautiful with many different types of trees and flowers, and there’s a fountain in the middle. Of all the squares I’ve seen in the department of Risaralda, it’s definitely one of the most beautiful.

View of the square
View of the square
Square in March 2015 in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Square in March 2015
Square in March 2015 in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Square in March 2015

Unfortunately, it’s the one feature of the town that has gone downhill between my visits. I thought the square was more nicely decorated in 2015.

Square in December 2020
Square in December 2020
Square in December 2020
Square in December 2020

On the north side of the square are a few booths built like colorful traditional Colombian homes. Many weren’t open at the time of our most recent visit.

Booths in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Booths

The buildings surrounding the square aren’t that impressive other than the town’s library. They contain shops and a few restaurants and cafés, and there are a couple interesting murals as well. Jeeps and buses line the eastern end of the square.

Library
Library
Mural on a restaurant in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Mural on a restaurant
Mural on a café in the square
Mural on a café in the square
Jeeps in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Jeeps in La Celia

 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

On west side of the square is the church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nuestra Señora del Carmen). It’s not the most beautiful church I’ve seen.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Our Lady of Mount Carmel


 

Scenic Road in La Celia

The road on the northwest corner of the square contains the most colorful buildings in town. One of them is listed as the historic theatre on the map, but it wasn’t marked when we visited. I’m taking a guess as to which building it is in the photo below.

Scenic road in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Scenic road
Scenic road in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Scenic road
Balcony in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Balcony
Historic theatre
Historic theatre

 

Founders Park

At the end of the road, if you turn left and walk a block uphill you’ll come to Founders Park (Parque Los Fundadores). As the name indicates, it’s a small park dedicated to the town’s founders. There’s a nice mural painted on the day care center on one end of the park.

Founders Park
Founders Park
Founders Park
Founders Park
Mural on a day care center
Mural on a day care center


 

Where to Eat in La Celia

We’ve had one meal in La Celia and enjoy visiting one of our favorite cafés in the Coffee Region.

 

Dulce de Leche Café Gourmet

Dulce de Leche Café Gourmet, which is located on the square next to the church, is a decent place to grab lunch. They have daily lunch specials or you can order off the menu.

Dulce de Leche Café Gourmet
Dulce de Leche Café Gourmet
Dulce de Leche Café Gourmet in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Dulce de Leche Café Gourmet

We decided to have the lunch special, which consisted of a choice of lentils or vegetable soup, and either chicken or beef served with a side of rice, pasta, plantain, and a salad. They also have decent coffee.

Lentils at Dulce de Leche Café Gourmet
Lentils
Lunch special at Dulce de Leche Café Gourmet
Lunch special

 

Donde Obdulio

If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to Donde Obdulio. It sits on the north side of the square and has a huge menu full of creative ice cream dishes.

Donde Obdulio in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Donde Obdulio
Ice cream at Donde Obdulio in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Ice Cream
Ice cream at Donde Obdulio
Ice Cream


 

Mirador San Antonio

Mirador San Antonio sits high above the town with spectacular views of La Celia and the surrounding areas. You can’t find a much better setting to drink a cup of hot brew.

Mirador San Antonio in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Mirador San Antonio
Mirador San Antonio
Mirador San Antonio
View of La Celia from Mirador San Antonio
View of La Celia

They serve excellent coffee from a small family-owned coffee farm. In fact, it’s one of the best coffees I’ve tasted in Colombia. There’s also a full menu as well as delicious desserts, but since we had just eaten lunch, we decided on the desserts only.

Chemex at Mirador San Antonio in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Chemex
Chocolate cake at Mirador San Antonio
Chocolate cake
Carrot cake at Mirador San Antonio in La Celia, Risaralda, Colombia
Carrot cake

In addition to coffee with a view, Mirador San Antonio offers a coffee tour. When I have a chance to experience it, I’ll update this post.

 

Map of La Celia

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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