Belén de Umbría is my home in Colombia. It’s a small coffee producing town in the mountains with some good hiking and other recreational activities nearby.
My Posts on Belén de Umbría
General Info:
Areas:
Attractions:
Events:
- My new life in Colombia
- My day at a rural school
- Fiestas in Belén
- Forces of Nature
- Teaching in Belén
- Belén’s parade and Science Fair
- Derecho a la Vida (Right to Life) Walk from Taparcal to Belén
- My last week of school
- Helping a Colombian School: Part 1
- Helping a Colombian School: Part 2
- Helping a Colombian School: Part 3
- Helping a Colombian School: Donations and Budget
- Bags for Belén
Introduction to Belén de Umbría
Belén de Umbría is a small town in Colombia’s Coffee Region. It was founded on August 10, 1890, by Antonio María Hoyos Gómez, José María Londoño, Isidro Flórez, and others. It has been named Higueronal, Arenalas, Belén, Mocatán, and finally Belén de Umbría since 1902.
The economy of Belén is based on agriculture and livestock, with coffee, plantains, avocado, lulo, and other crops. It’s one of the top coffee producing towns on a national level, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.
Getting to Belén de Umbría
Belén de Umbría is located about two hours from the bus terminal in Pereira. Two companies have frequent direct service – Cootransbel and Flota Occidental. I’ve always taken Cootransbel. Once in the mountains, the ride can get bumpy and uncomfortable. Motion sickness pills might be necessary!
The two ways to get to Belén de Umbría by bus are “por Remolinos” and “por La Isla”. The best way to go is “por Remolinos”. The road is much smoother and the ride is shorter.
Where to Stay in Belén de Umbría
There are a few hotels in Belén and all provide simple accommodation.
Hotel Belén Real
The best option in town is Hotel Belén Real. It’s away from the main plaza, which means less noise at night, and has spacious and comfortable rooms at a great value. Our guests are always very happy with the quality of sleep they get.
Hotel Belén Plaza
Another hotel I know well is Hotel Belén Plaza (formerly Hotel Guayacán Plaza). When I first moved to the town, I lived there for a month until I found an apartment. It’s changed for the worse since I stayed there so I wouldn’t recommend it anymore. It’s located directly on the main plaza, so noise can be an issue late at night.
Entertainment in Belén
Belén may be a small town, but don’t be fooled – there is no shortage of nightlife there. From the more traditional bars around the main plaza such as La Pucha and Nebraska to the modern clubs like La Kazona and Latinos, it’s possible to dance and drink until 2am. La Taberna is also a great place but different from the rest because they play more rock, hip hop, and reggae, and have karaoke nights.
SkyClub
For entertainment, SkyClub is a hotel, restaurant, and club with a swimming pool that’s heated on Thursdays. It’s located on the outskirts of town and a great place to unwind.