Medellín, the city of eternal spring, is not only known for its year-round pleasant weather and vibrant culture, but it also serves as a gateway to...
Practical information about the coffee triangle
In this guide you will find practical information about the coffee region: how is the climate, how do you pay, what is the best time to travel, how many days do you need and how is the safety in the Colombia’s coffee region. Keep on reading for useful tips about a stay in the coffee triangle.
Climate
The coffee triangle is a hilly to mountainous region, with towns that are more than 2,000 meters above sea level, such as Manizales in Caldas. The climate is tropical, with warm days and nights that can cool off considerably. The average temperature there is around 22 degrees. Caldas is more mountainous, making it colder there than in lower-lying Quindío.
Best travel period
The coffee triangle can be visited year-round. It rains a lot, especially in the months of April/May and September through November. We have been to the Zona Cafetera twice, the first time in March 2019 and the second time in late September 2024. In the month of March, there were brief showers in the afternoon hours. In late September it also rained mostly in the afternoon, but the showers were heavier and lasted longer. We also had conversations with locals about the weather and they told us that the rainy season in Salento is actually no longer a rainy season and the dry season is no longer a dry season. Because of El Niño, everything has changed and the weather is no longer really predictable. Around Christmas and New Year’s period is the high season, from mid-December to mid-January. Easter week and (long) weekends are also very busy in villages like Salento and Filandia, so if possible, avoid these periods. Harvest times for coffee beans are April/May and Oct/Dec. For most action on the coffee plantations, that is the best time to visit the coffee triangle.
Events:
- January: Carnival of Riosucio/Caldas
- March: Risaralda bird festival in Pereira
- June: Fiesta Internacional del café in Calarcá (Quindío).
- October: Fiestas Cuyabras de Armenia, celebration of the anniversary of the city of Armenia
How many days do you need?
This depends entirely on what you want to do. If you are only going to Salento and the Valle de Cocora, then 3-4 days is perfect. If you want to see more of the coffee triangle and maybe also do a multi-day trek in Los Nevados National Park, then you can easily entertain yourself for 2 weeks. Read on for sample itineraries and more information about the coffee triangle.
#ColombiaMyWay tips
#Tip 1
Fly from Bogotá to Armenia and start your journey in the coffee triangle in Quindío, in the south of the coffee triangle. After this, climb up through Risaraldas to Manizales, where you end your journey in the coffee triangle. From here fly back to Bogotá or continue by bus to Medellín
#Tip 2
Click here for a sample route in the coffee triangle
Important info A-Z
Can you use ATMs in the coffee triangle? Are credit cards accepted, is the coffee triangle safe, where can I find a doctor or dentist and what should I bring with me to the Zona Cafetara? You can find this and other useful information about the coffee triangle here.
Drinking water
Water from the tap is not drinkable. If you don’t trust the hygiene anywhere, watch out for ice cubes, salads and uncooked vegetables.
Money
- You can safely use debit cards. In the larger cities, it is best to use (safe) ATMs in shopping malls. Banks all have their own rates for ATM transactions
- Credit and debit cards are accepted in most larger stores and restaurants in the cities. If you travel off the beaten track, you can often only pay in cash
- We could not pay with US$ anywhere. In Salento we exchanged some dollars (at an unfavorable rate). If you withdraw larger amounts, it is more favourable to go to an ATM than exchange dollars or euros
- $1=about 4000COP. Check here for the current exchange rate: exchange rate Colombian peso
Locals & language
Little English is spoken in the coffee triangle, so a basic knowledge of Spanish is very helpful. Still, you can usually get by even if you don’t get beyond a few words of Spanish. The locals are generally very helpful and patient and ready to help you, even if it is in sign language -:)
Medical
Vaccinations
There is no yellow fever or other vaccination required for the coffee triangle. Click here for general medical information in Colombia.
Medical aid
There are services such as Angeles Al Llamado that can come to you if you need a doctor’s consultation in the coffee triangle. Want to know more about this service? Then read here about our own experience with the Angeles Al Llamado.
Hospitals
- Armenia: Hospital San Juan de Dios
- Pereira: Hospital Universitario San Jorge
- Manizales: Hospital Universitario de Caldas
Dentists
- Armenia: Dentisalud Armenia
- Pereira: Sonrident 160
- Manizales: Vive Dental
What to bring
- Clothes in layers! It’s warm during the day, but it can cool off considerably at night. If you are going to Los Nevados National Park, prepare for low temperatures anyway. Bring clothes that you can combine with each other; a t-shirt short sleeve, t-shirt long sleeve, thin sweater and a fleece jacket.
- It rains frequently (especially in the afternoon), so bring a rain jacket or poncho
- Hiking shoes
- Flip flops and possibly a bathrobe for the thermal baths
Supermarkets and drugstores
Opening hours
Supermarkets are generally open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Some drugstores are open 24/7.
Supermarkets
- Éxito, Jumbo and Carulla are popular supermarkets. Carulla is a more expensive supermarket that sells many imported products. In Pereira you will also find the Supermercado Surtifamiliar and in Manizales Mercaldas. Super Inter has several supermarkets in the coffee triangle.
- At the larger supermarkets such as Éxito, medicines are also sold.
- Tienda Olímpica; medicines are also sold here in the Drogerias Olímpica 24/7
Safety
The Coffee Triangle is one of the safest regions of Colombia. In the larger cities, you need to be more cautious, especially in Pereira.
ATM’s
Use ATMs in shopping centers and supermarkets where you can safely withdraw cash
Wifi
Most larger hotels and hostels have wifi, at least in the common areas. If you travel off the beaten track, there is often no or unstable internet.
