Santa Rosa de Cabal Thermal Hot Springs

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There are several thermal baths in the coffee region, but the natural setting of the Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal is hard to match. From the baths, you overlook the waterfall, which is surrounded by tropical plants and flowers. When you see this place for the first time, it’s guaranteed to give you pause!

The Termales are located in a nature reserve, at an altitude of over 1,900 meters, in the province of Risaralda. 10 kilometers away is the town of Santa Rosa de Cabal. The Termales are not on the well-known tourist route and are therefore often skipped when visiting the coffee triangle. If you want to spend a few days relaxing in beautiful, green surroundings, this part of the coffee triangle is definitely worth a detour. Here you can read more information about the thermal baths, such as prices and packages, the best time to go and the best hotels to stay near Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal.

The baths

There are 3 pools and 1 children’s pool with natural, warm water. From all the pools you have a beautiful view of the 95-meter high waterfall, under which you can take a cold shower.

The spa

There are various spa treatments at the San Miguel Termal Spa, from a mud mask to scrubs and full body treatments.

Hiking trails

If you arrive early, you will have the trails almost to yourself and can photograph the waterfall in peace. You can also do an organized hike, the Expedición Termal. Tijdens deze hike van ongeveer 2 uur, ga je met een gids hiken naar de “oorsprong” van de waterval.

Plan your trip

Opening hours

365 days a year from 9:00 a.m. to midnight. (Box office closes at 10 p.m.)

Since Covid-19, there are modified opening hours. There are 3 timeslots on which you can come and you may stay up to 4 hours.

From 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
From 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
From 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

updated March 2024

Prices

Prices for admission + access thermal baths (pasaporte termal) start at COP36,000/€9 for adults and COP26,000 €6.50 for children (up to 1.20m). Children up to 90 cm. are free.
Booking online is cheaper
Prices vary by day and time of day. You pay the highest price for your ticket during holidays and in the wehttps://termales.com.co/spa/ekendfor the timeslot from 11:30am to 5pm. (COP51,000/€12.75 for an online ticket)
Expedición Termal hike from COP21,500/€5.50, for a 2h guided tour
Spa treatments, from facial mask to full body massages. Check here for more info.

updated March 2024

Facilities

Showers
Toilets
Locker Rooms
Free storage service of your belongings: You get a big plastic bag where you can put all your stuff. The bag will be taped off and before you leave the premises, you pick up your stuff again
Lockers (for a fee)
Souvenir shop
2 restaurants serving local and international cuisine

How to get there

From St. Rosa de Cabal
By bus, Willy jeep, Chiva or cab (45 min.) A Willy jeep and Chiva cost 2000COP/€1, the bus costs 1600COP/0.40€.

Bus departure times
A bus runs every 2 hours, according to the schedule below:
Departure from square St. Rosa de Cabal: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.
Departure from Termales Balneario: 8.50u, 10.50u, 12.50u, 14.50u, 16.50u, 18.50u.

Tip: Check current bus schedules with your hotel as they may change.

Are you coming from Salento?
Then first take the bus to Pereira 1.5h, COP 7500/€2. From there, go to Santa Rosa de Cabal. (45 min., COP 2200/ €0.55). After that, see above.

Coming from Manizales
Take the bus to St. Rosa de Cabal (60 min., COP7000/€1.75). After that, see above.

Own transport
If you come with your own transport, you can park in the spacious parking lot.

Best time to go

During the week in the early morning hours. On weekends it can get very busy with families, especially later in the morning.

Packing List

Swimwear
Towels (not provided!)
Bathing slippers
Cash for food, drinks, locker and souvenirs
Change, for any tips

plan your trip_Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal_Coffee Triangle_Colombia

Facilities Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal_Coffee Triangle_Colombia

Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal_Coffee Triangle_Colombia

Hotels and Accommodations

On the road between Termales and Santa Rosa de Cabal, there are several nice little hotels for every budget, often with beautiful gardens and a “private” river.

#ColombiaMyWay Tips

# Tip 1

Hotel Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal
You can’t get closer to the thermal baths! This is a popular hotel with Colombian tourists. It can be especially crowded on weekends and during vacations and vacations.

# Tip 2

Mamatina hotel
This colorful hotel is close to the Termales, 1km away. The bus to the Termales stops right in front of it!

Below you will find more hotels and hostels. For your convenience, we have listed the distance from Termales with each accommodation.

$ price range up to $35

$$ price range $35 – $65

$$$ price range above $65

€

€€

€€€

Hotel Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal
(0 km)
Finca del café (20 km)
Glamping la Herradura (1km)
Hotel Jade Spa (16km)
Lagos de Venecia (9km)

More hotels in Santa Rosa de Cabal

Additional tips

Helpful (and tasty) tips

1. Go for lunch instead of dinner

Most of the hotels between Termales and Santa Rosa de Cabal are rural and there is not much to do in the evening. Also, not all hotels have their own restaurant. Therefore, go for dinner in the afternoon so you don’t have to look for a restaurant nearby in the evening.

2. Taste the chorizo santarrossano

If you tell a Colombian you’re going to Santa Rosa de Cabal, 9 times out of 10 he won’t mention the thermal baths, but the chorizo santarrossano. Deze ambachtelijk gemaakte worst is een lokale specialiteit, die beroemd is tot in de verre omgeving.

3. Eat a delicious cake at El Parisino

The French cakes are made with a Colombian touch. Especially try the yummie Cheesecake con Arequipe (caramel) or the Cheesecake con (mucho) chocolate. Que riiico! Café el Parisino is located in hacienda Santa Clara, Via Termales de Santa Rosa km 1.

4. Discover even more thermal baths

If you can’t get enough of the wonderful hot water, check out San Vicente Reserva Termal, 17 km from the town of Santa Rosa de Cabal. If you go here by rental car, keep in mind that the last 12 km of the road are unpaved.

All about Pijao-What to do and tips

Eje Cafetero, Travel guide to the Colombian coffee triangle

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About Pijao

Pijao is an authentic coffee village in the Colombian coffee region, an hour’s drive from Armenia in the district of Quindío. The colorful village was founded in 1902 and is home to over 7,000 people, some 4,000 of whom live in the countryside. Pijao is at an altitude of 2,600 meters and the air is pure and fresh.

Pijao is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has another special title in addition to this status. The village has been recognized by the ” Cittaslow” organization namely designated a “slow village.” In a slow village, the local government and the community work together to promote sustainability and quality of life. And with the quality of life, we believe there is nothing wrong with Pijao.

This is a village where you can enjoy the tranquility and observe local life, without the crowds of villages on the tourist route such as Salento and to a lesser extent Filandia. So if you love nature and traditional villages, this village is definitely worth a detour. It is also one of the best places in the coffee region for bird watching. Special accommodation can be found on one of the fincas outside the village. In the village itself there are a few hostels and hotels. Transportation between Pijao and the fincas is by Willy Jeep “cab.”

Can you see yourself chilling out in this traditional coffee village? Then read our travel guide with information and tips on activities and fun things to do, transportation, restaurants and the best hotels in Pijao.

Our tips

What to do in and outside of Pijao

Pijao is off the beaten track and so are some of the activities you can do around Pijao, such as hiking in the paramo scenery. There are also a number of fun things to do in the village itself and in nearby Buenavista. Here are our tips for the best things to do in Pijao.

1. Explore the colorful city center

It’s great fun to take your time exploring the village, starting with the Plaza Principal. The red church San José de Pijao is the focal point of the central plaza and around the plaza you will see beautifully renovated houses in colonial style.

From a terrace you can best observe local life: jeeps and trucks passing with bags of coffee beans and “campesinos” who come there to eat or drink after hard work in the fields. In the side streets you will find quaint stores and businesses where you can have a cup of coffee, fresh juice or craft beer. A nice little store to look around is El Portón on Calle 11 #5-42. Here you will find beautiful books and natural products produced locally.

It also sells clothing by local designers. Tip: head to the village during the morning and stay for lunch. Check here the nicest restaurants and cafes in Pijao.

2. Stroll down the Calle del Cafe

Pijao “breathes” coffee and at the cafes you can order a -made with care- cup of coffee. In the Calle del Café (Calle 11) is café La Floresta. Local, organic coffee has been produced here for 30 years. La Tienda del buen vivir is next to La Floresta and here they sell coffee produced exclusively by women. The Calle del Café is a cozy little street, full of color and beautiful murals.

If you want to know more about coffee -from bean to cup-, do a coffee tour in the village of Buenavista which is near Pijao (see tip 7)

3. Take a walk in the forest around Pijao

From our hotel Finca Tradicional El Otoño we made a short hike to a small waterfall in the tropical rainforest. The first part of the hike was over the plantation with coffee plants and banana trees, then the landscape changed to tropical rainforest. Nature was beautiful: huge ferns, meter-long lianas and ancient trees. If you want to do more extensive hikes, check tips 9 and 10.

4. Spot the colorful birds

From the hammock of our finca, we could already spot many beautiful birds, but with a tour with a specialized guide you have the best chance to spot birds. Tour operator Bio-Onda tours is an expert in this field. Check their Instagram for more info. A good place in Pijao for bird watching is Casa Solaz, see tip 5.

5. Pay a visit to Doña Olga at Casa Solaz

Cra. 4 #9-15

Here you can discover a whole other world without leaving Pijao. Owner Olga welcomes you with open arms in her traditional -more than 100 years old- house, which she has restored. Each room in the house has its own story, which the owner is happy to tell you. Besides learning about local traditions and culture, you can also enjoy the beautiful garden, which is home to 70 different species of birds. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling +573108491829. More info can be found on Casa Solaz’s Instagram page or Bio-Onda tours.

6. Learn all about medicinal plants at El Patio

At Vivero El Patio on Cl. 10#10-22 Doña Ligia grows and sells medicinal plants and herbs and she is happy to tell you all about their use. On the cozy terrace you can taste one of the different kinds of herbal teas that are prepared for you with love.

7. Take a side trip to Buenavista

Buenavista is a small traditional village located 12 kilometers from Pijao. A Willy Jeep will get you there in half an hour. Buenavista is mainly put on the map by Hacienda San Alberto. The coffee beans from their plantation are among the best in Colombia, which is why many coffee lovers like to make a detour to Buenavista. Here find more information about Buenavista and Terraza San Alberto.

9. Visit a palm grove (without the many tourists)

Almost everyone who goes to the coffee region knows the Valle Cocora, the valley with the famous palmas de cera, the national tree of Colombia. Pijao has its own palm forest, which you can visit with a guide, including Kevin, of ecotours Pijao. Kevin can be reached at +573197750694.

8. Go paragliding

It’s not just coffee that rings the bell in Buenavista. You can also paraglide there, for example. We did not do this, but the driver who took us to Buenavista could heartily recommend this tour operator.

10.Hike to the Paramo de Chile

This paramo is located above Pijao, at an altitude of 3,700 meters. At this altitude you will find a special landscape, with the iconic Frailejones trees. You can also do a tour to the paramo de Chile -Tierra Fría as the locals call it-, with Kevin. Check out Kevin’s Instagram for more information.

Here’s how to plan your trip to Pijao

How to get there.

How to get to Pijoa?

1) The cheapest way: by bus
There is a direct bus from Armenia to Pijao. The ride takes over 1 hour. (COP10,000/€2.50).

If you’re staying in Salento or Filandia, you’ll catch 2 buses: first the bus to Armenia 50 min / COP6800/€1.70, then the bus to Pijao. If you arrive in Pijao, you can catch a Willy Jeep for transportation to your hotel if you stay outside the village. The trip from Salento/Filandia takes a total of about 3 hours including transfers.

2) The most luxurious way: a car with a private driver
Even though bus transportation is well arranged to and from Pijao, it can also be convenient to hire a car with a private driver, especially if you want to take a different route and stop in the village of Buenavista, for example. We also did this when we went from our prior accommodation –Glamping Entre Rios in Calarcá – went to Pijao via Buenavista. This was ideal because the driver stopped where and how long we wanted. Also, the car was very comfortable, a spacious Duster.

We paid COP250,000/€62 for this service for two people. If you are interested in this, then driver Angelo is recommended. He is a reliable driver who comes from the region and knows a lot about it. Knowledge of Spanish is handy to communicate with him though, as his knowledge of English is basic. Angelo can be reached via WhatsApp number +573127287120. He can also pick you up from Armenia airport.

3) The most flexible way: eand car hirefrom the airport in Armenia.
The main roads are good in this region. We do recommend a sturdy, higher car to rent such as a Jeep, due to the steep inclines and potholes in the road off the main roads.

4) With an organized tour
During this tour of a full day, you can visit the villages of Pijao and Buenavista. The tour includes a visit to a coffee plantation.

How many days of Pijao?

Pijao is a lot quieter than Salento and Filandia and there is not much to do in the village itself. In 1 day you can explore the village and take a Willy jeep to Buenavista. If you want to do the hike on the paramo and the palm grove, take an extra day for this.

Where to stay in Pijao?

Pijao has a modest choice of hotels and hostels, but there are some fine accommodations to stay a few nights.

#ToColombia hotel tip

We stayed at Finca Tradicional El Otoño

This finca is located in a natural reserve in the mountains one kilometer from Pijao. The finca is beautifully situated and you look out on the village of Pijao from the terrace and the room.

There is a beautiful garden where you can see birds and in the backyard there is a heated pool with jacuzzi. We did not use that because we were too cold -:)

The delicious breakfast was served at the communal dining table and Don Diego -retired doctor and owner of the finca- joined us in the morning.

We exchanged stories about his hometown of Medellín, our hometown of Curaçao and Europe. Breakfast was included in the price (65€ per night for a double room) and for a reasonable amount we could order lunch (COP35,000/€8.75) or or a light dinner (COP25,000/€6.25).

This is not a luxury accommodation, but the room was fine and spacious.

We were the only guests and got a lot of attention from Diego. When he heard me sneezing from a bad cold, he rushed to his room and came back with medicine . He also took us on a walk to a small waterfall. The first part of the hike was about the plantation, where Diego gave a passionate explanation of the coffee plants. After this, the landscape changed to tropical rainforest, where we clambered over the rocks to the small waterfall.

At times it was quite slippery and we held on to the vines and trees. Dog Kiri cozily joined us!

Hike from Finca el Otońo to Pijao
From the finca to the village, it’s an easy, fun walk down past pastures with horses and cows. It was wonderfully quiet! We passed a small river and saw beautiful butterflies and flowers.

Including occasional stops, it took us half an hour. The houses with their many colors in the traditional architectural style were fun to see and people were obviously very creative with the different color combinations.

Upon arriving in the village, we immediately saw the contrast with villages like Salento and Filandia. There was activity in Pijao, but we saw only locals: school children followed by faithful dogs and people on their way to work or the square. When we returned to the finca in the afternoon, we took a Willy Jeep, to avoid the uphill hike. The Willy cost us COP30,000/€7.50. Tip: Are you going to rent a car and want to stay overnight at Finca El Otoño? Then rent a 4 WD. The driver who took us to Pijao had an SUV but no 4WD and he did not manage to get up the little hill to the Finca, after which Don Diego came to pick us up -:)

If you prefer to stay in the village, there are also a number of hostals you can go to, such as Hostal Casa Victoria Pijao. From the hostal you look out on the beautiful nature of Pijao.

€ price range up to €35

€€ price range €35 – €60

€€€ price range above €60

€

€€

€€€

Finca tradicional el Otoño
If you are looking for more luxurious accommodation, there is little choice in Pijao, but you can rent a hotel or villa near Buenavista, which is a half-hour drive from Pijao, such as:
La Cima Eco Hotel, La Font Ecolodge, Finca Tradicional El Balcón, Casamalva villas and Eco glamping Cordillera.

More hotels in Pijao

Eating and drinking in Pijao

At the Plaza Principal de Pijao are several cafes, bars and restaurants. You can also find nice places in the side streets. For example, we previously mentioned Calle 11 (Calle del café), where two nice coffee shops sit next to each other: La Tienda del buen vivir and Café La Floresta. Here are our tips for the best places for drinks and snacks in Pijao.

Our tips

La Tienda del buen vivir

Calle 11 #5-67

Here you can not only drink or buy coffee, they also sell cakes and craft brewed beers. We wanted to try the coffee-flavored beer, but we were advised to have a lighter beer and take the heavier coffee-flavored beer for the evening.

In retrospect, we were glad we took this advice, because the “coffee beer” was tasty but heavy. Too heavy at the beginning of our “sightseeing” trip through Pijao -:)

Cafe Dimonte

# a 11-29 Carrera 4, #111

Perfect spot on the square for “people watching,” on the corner opposite the church. This cafe has a special “coffee of the day” every day, which is written on a board, with all the specifications of the coffee bean.

You get a cup that is one-quarter full of coffee, with a jug of water next to it, so you can make the coffee as weak or strong as you like.

Bodega Pijao

Plaza principal Pijao

Want to escape the bright afternoon sun and have lunch or a drink inside? Then Bodega Pijao is a fine place. The bodega sits on the central square and is tastefully decorated with wine bottles and coffee props.

Here you can go for a traditional Colombian meal, a burger, pasta, a cup of coffee or a cheese board with a glass of wine. There are also vegan and vegetarian options.

Bar Social

Cl. 12 #41
This cafe is a favorite with locals, who come there to drink coffee or play billiards. It is a good place to have a chat and listen to locals’ anecdotes about this historic bar. The coffee is made with a more than 100-year-old coffee machine!

Bar los Recuerdos

Cra. 4 #11-9

This bar was recommended to us, but when we were there on a Monday afternoon, the bar was closed. The owner of the bar, is a fan of movies and old LPs, which shows in the interior.

Asadero El Mana

Insiders tip! You’ll find this restaurant just off the square. It was packed with locals when we were there. Among other things, you can get a cheap menú del día order. Toen wij er waren bestond het dagmenu uit soep met kip, banaan en ei. Het hoofdgerecht was gegrilde kip met spaghetti, rijst, banaan en koolsalade. We kregen een grote portie en de maaltijd smaakte prima!

Including a guava fruit juice, we paid only COP24000/€6 for 2 people! This restaurant is on the little street opposite the Banco Agrario de Colombia, near the mural of the butterfly.

Practical info A-Z

Is Pijao safe? What is the weather and temperature like? What should I bring with me? What about how to withdraw money in Pijao? Check here for practical information and useful tips for your stay in Pijao.

Drinking water

The water from the tap is not drinkable

Cash withdrawals

There are two banks in Pijao, Servibanca and Banco Agrario de Colombia, but we did not see an ATM.

Climate

The temperature in Pijao ranges from 12 to 20 degrees. We did find the wind chill in the evening and at night a lot lower than in Filandia/Salento, especially since our accommodation was in the mountains.

Packing List

Rain jacket
Warm sweater
Thermos for water
Hiking shoes
Sunscreen
Hat or cap

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for Pijao.

Safety

Pijao is a small and friendly village and it is very peaceful and safe. This has not always been so, because In 2001 there was an invasion by the guerrillas which caused the residents to live in fear for 10 years. Fortunately, Pijao has been a peaceful village for years now, where the residents do not have to live in fear and which is also for travelers, very safe. As our Willy jeep took us to the finca, we noticed a police officer on a motorcycle stopping us. He was asked where he was going and it was actually a very friendly conversation. In such a small village like Pijao, we didn’t really expect this, but it was also kind of a good feeling to have a police presence.

Wifi and telephone

At the finca where we stayed, we had good internet. If your accommodation is further into the mountains, coverage may be worse. If you want a data package for your phone, provider Claro has the best coverage in Colombia.

Stores

We did not see large supermarkets, but we did see small stores selling all sorts of things.

Buenavista Quindío

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Buenavista and Terraza San Alberto

Buenavista is a small traditional village of about 3,000 inhabitants in the Quindío region of Colombia’s Coffee Region. Armenia is 33km away and Salento is 60km away. It is one of those places we have wanted to visit for years. Now Buenavista is not on the beaten path and is a detour if you are going to villages like Salento and Filandia travel. So why this detour you might think? The reason we were curious about Buenavista is that Colombia’s most awarded coffee beans are grown here, namely at the Hacienda San Alberto coffee plantation.

This of course made us coffee lovers very curious. But the coffee was certainly not the only reason, we were especially curious about Terrazza San Alberto. This terrace is known as one of the most beautiful terraces in the entire coffee region, with sweeping views of the landscape with coffee plantations.

Therefore, Buenavista was included in the itinerary of our tour of the Colombian coffee region in September 2024, from Armenia to Calarcá, Pijao, Filandia and Salento. On the way from Glamping Entre Rios in Calarcá to Pijao, Buenavista was a perfect stopover.

It was Sunday and it was a lively crowd, especially around bar El Mirador.

We stopped to take a look around the square. In the middle of a square are the colorful letters “Mirador del Quindío Buenavista.” Also there is the beautiful -white and blue- Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen.

We also saw restaurants offering a cheap daily menu, such as El Social Buenavista Restaurante Bar.

Several people had recommended we have lunch at Restaurante Concorde, which is located between Pijao and Buenavista. Not only for the good food but also for the beautiful view over the green hills.

photo @ Restaurant Concorde

But…we had set our sights on a nice cup of coffee and, after our brief stop in the village, continued on to Terazza San Alberto.

When we got there, the view was indeed beautiful and we chose a table with the best view.

Meanwhile, we were given the menu and could choose from different methods of preparing coffee, using different filters.

We kept it simple because we were in the mood for a cappuccino. Our cappuccino was ok but could have been a little stronger as far as we were concerned.

We stayed a while to enjoy the quiet before getting back into the car.

#Colombia tip: You can also do a coffee tour or workshop at Terrazza San Alberto. You have to book this in advance, though.

How to get to Buenavista?
We arrived by car with driver Angelo, who took us from our glamping in Calarcá to Buenavista and Pijao, where we would stay for 2 nights. The drive took about 45 minutes. If you come from Salento or Filandia, first catch the bus to Armenia and from there travel on to Buenavista. You can walk to Terrazza San Alberto, but this is steep uphill. You can also take a Willy Jeep, for a short ride.

Dhe bus tickets to Buenavista can also be ordered online from the Coomoquin bus company, using this link.

#ColombiaMyWay Tips

Tip #1
If you have a little longer, you could also stay overnight in Buenavista and take day trips to Pijao and other villages in the area.

At Alojamiento Rural Café Yarumo you can stay overnight and do a coffee tour with Don Leo. Don Leo is a colorful, interesting man and a local celebrity! You can find more info about the coffee tour on his Instagram.

Near Buenavista, you will also find accommodations in a higher price range, such as La Cima Eco Hotel, La Font Ecolodge, Finca Tradicional El Balcón, Casamalva villas and Eco glamping Cordillera.

Tip #2
Want to grab lunch or a drink at Terrazza San Alberto and Café Concorde? Then keep in mind that Sunday is a popular day among locals for visiting Buenavista. If you go early in the morning, it’s usually still quiet.

Tip #3
It’s not just coffee that rings the bell in Buenavista. You can also paraglide there, for example. We did not do this, but the driver who took us to Buenavista could heartily recommend this tour operator.

You can also book a paragliding trip from Salento, with transportation there and back to Buenavista. Check the link for more info.

Tip #4
From Buenavista, you can easily travel on to Pijao, which is 12 kilometers away. Explore the colorful town center and observe village life from the square. You get there by Willy jeep (approx. 30 min.).

Colombia My Way

Travel Guide Filandia

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About Filandia

In this travel guide Filandia, you will find everything you need to know about this authentic village in the Colombian coffee region, 20 km from the popular Salento. Filandia is easily accessible by Willy Jeep from Salento or by bus from Armenia or Pereira. The village is 1900 meters high and has about 12,000 inhabitants. The name Filandia translates as “daughter of the Andes.” It is a Unesco World Heritage Site with a rich tradition.

Although the village is a lot less known than Salento, it has built its own reputation, including in the gastronomic field. Indeed, with a number of excellent restaurants, Filandia is known as the gastronomic hotspot of the Colombian coffee triangle.

Despite Filandia being known as the “less popular sister of Salento,” it is certainly not a sleepy village like, for example Pijao. Especially on weekends it is crowded with Colombian tourists.

Filandia has a lively coffee culture, there are a number of small museums and also in terms of nature, there is much to enjoy in the area around Filandia. For example, the village is close to Barbas Bremen Nature Reserve, home to 200 different species of birds and howler monkeys.

In our Travel Guide Filandia tells you how to get there, what is there to do and what are the best areas to stay. We also include tips for the best hostels and hotels, cafes and restaurants and useful practical information and tips for your trip to Filandia. If after reading this travel guide you are in doubt whether to go to Filandia or Salento, read this article comparing the two villages and see which one suits you best.

All about Filandia

How to get to Filandia

What to do in and outside Filandia

Where to stay in Filandia?

The best restaurants in Filandia

Practical information about Filandia

All about Salento Colombia – What to do and tips

Eje Cafetero, Travel Guide Salento

All about Salento Colombia – What to do and tips

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About Salento

Everything about Salento Colombia can be found here: what to do and tips about this beautiful colonial village in the Colombian coffee region.

Salento is by far the most popular village in the coffee region, followed by Filandia, which is 30 kilometers away. Nearest major cities are Armenia (25 km) and Pereira (35 km). Salento is located in the mountains at an altitude of 1895 meters and is home to just under 10,000 people, if you include the countryside surrounding Salento. In 2011, the historic center with its colonial architecture was declared a World Heritage Site. The houses have colorful balconies and facades in the authentic architecture of early 20th century coffee towns.

There is a good reason that Salento is one of the most touristic places in the Eje Cafetero: the location is ideal: near the biggest attraction in Salento, the Valle de Cocora Nature Reserve, a hiker’s paradise. Hikers can also take treks to National Park Los Nevados, and nearby are coffee incas where you can experience the process from “field to cup.”

There is a beautiful and cozy city center and a wide choice of hotels & hostels, cafes and restaurants for every budget and taste.

In this travel guide you will read all about Salento Colombia: how to get there, what to do, what are the best neighborhoods to stay, tips for hostels and hotels, what are the best cafes and restaurants and more. If after reading this guide you are in doubt whether to go to Salento or Filandia, read this article with a comparison of the two coffee villages based on atmosphere, activities, accessibility and more.

All about Salento

How to get to Salento

What to do in and outside Salento

Where to stay in Salento?

The best restaurants in Salento – Food and drink.

Practical information about Salento

A guide to the Colombian coffee triangle

Eje Cafetero

A guide to the Colombian coffee triangle

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The Colombian Coffee Triangle,(Eje Cafetero / Zona Cafetera) is the famous Colombian coffee region, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The coffee triangle is a rolling to mountainous area east of Bogotá and south of Medellín. Besides the many cute coffee villages scattered in the rolling landscape, this area is a paradise for nature lovers, with volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, thermal pools and natural parks. The most touristic coffee village is Salento which is located near the Valle de Cocora, followed by Filandia.

Our favorite experiences in the coffee region include spending the night in a hacienda on a coffee plantation, strolling around idyllic villages where time seems to have stood still, chilling in thermal pools in the middle of nature and hiking in the national parks. Here you will find all our tips for fun things to do.

If you’re going to this region for the first time and aren’t quite sure where to start your tour, check out this information on the different regions, cities and sights. And read our article with comparison of Salento and Filandia.

Here you can read tips for the nicest hotels and hostels, transport + practical information about the climate, the best time to go, how long to stay and other useful information for a round trip in the coffee triangle.