Do you ever wonder what really goes into making your morning cup of coffee? It’s not something most people think twice about. Living in Colombia, one of the top coffee producers in the world, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to make a simple cup of coffee. For many people, coffee isn’t just a refreshing hot drink. It’s their livelihood, culture, and much more.
The small town of Calarcá, just outside of Armenia, hosts the Quindío Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico del Quindío). It’s one of the best botanical gardens in all of Colombia and a must-see when visiting the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.
If you’re in Guática and feeling adventurous, you can head to the small village of Santa Ana. It’s located down the road from Guática, well off the beaten path. It’s also part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.
Usually involving a big gathering of friends and family, sancocho is one of the most popular Colombian dishes. It’s a stew with a mishmash of meat and vegetable ingredients, so much so that the people cooking it sometimes forget every single ingredient that went into making it.
Chinchiná is a large town located about halfway between the cities of Manizales and Pereira. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.
These two small coffee towns in the department of Caldas, Neira and Aranzazu, are both part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia. Neither one are particularly worth visiting, but they both have beautiful settings and its an enjoyable ride through lush green mountains.
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.
Los Yarumos Ecopark (Ecoparque Los Yarumos) is a nature and recreational park near the city center of Manizales. Admission was free when we visited and there were great views of the city, but the rest of the park was kind of a waste of time. The easiest way to get there is by taxi.
The most important building in Manizales is the Manizales Cathedral (Catedral de Manizales). It’s located on Plaza de Bolívar.