Coffee region/salento, Colombia

[Anonymous]

Looking for any recs or suggestions….thanks!!

[Anonymous]

I have been. The highlight of the trip was river rafting, and the hot springs. Parque Nac. de Cafe was fun for the kids for one day. Great food. I can’t imagine doing it if you don’t speak decent Spanish, though.

[Anonymous]

PS — if you are actually looking to drink amazing coffee, Costa Rica is 100x better. Colombia doesn’t really have a strong coffee culture. Most of what they produce is, like, Folger’s/Maxwell House grade; and they really don’t know how to prepare it well. Café is like 1/4 coffee 3/4 milk; and tinto is basically brown water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PS — if you are actually looking to drink amazing coffee, Costa Rica is 100x better. Colombia doesn’t really have a strong coffee culture. Most of what they produce is, like, Folger’s/Maxwell House grade; and they really don’t know how to prepare it well. Café is like 1/4 coffee 3/4 milk; and tinto is basically brown water.

Nope, going for the scenery, cocora valley etc. and I speak fluent Spanish

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been. The highlight of the trip was river rafting, and the hot springs. Parque Nac. de Cafe was fun for the kids for one day. Great food. I can’t imagine doing it if you don’t speak decent Spanish, though.

Do you recommend renting a car?

[Anonymous]

Hmm we flew and then did bus or taxi and stayed in hostels like 10 years ago so no recommendations, but loved it - very beautiful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been. The highlight of the trip was river rafting, and the hot springs. Parque Nac. de Cafe was fun for the kids for one day. Great food. I can’t imagine doing it if you don’t speak decent Spanish, though.

Do you recommend renting a car?

Absolutely. Renting a car is the best way to move around. There are many beautiful towns nearby, including Filandia and Buenavista.
My only recommendation is not to go between mid-December and mid-January if possible. Tourism is sadly killing these towns, try to go off-season.
“La zona cafetera” in Colombia, particularly El Quindío, is a great destination..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been. The highlight of the trip was river rafting, and the hot springs. Parque Nac. de Cafe was fun for the kids for one day. Great food. I can’t imagine doing it if you don’t speak decent Spanish, though.

Do you recommend renting a car?

Absolutely. Renting a car is the best way to move around. There are many beautiful towns nearby, including Filandia and Buenavista.
My only recommendation is not to go between mid-December and mid-January if possible. Tourism is sadly killing these towns, try to go off-season.
“La zona cafetera” in Colombia, particularly El Quindío, is a great destination..

Are you sure? Where do you even rent a car in Colombia? None of my international school friends ever did. I did have access to a car myself, but I just never knew anyone to rent a car because taxis are so cheap and you can just take buses or fly.

[Anonymous]

Also unless you are an extremely experienced driver - used to driving in narrow roads on mountains or in chaotic city traffic - it seems more hassle than its worth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been. The highlight of the trip was river rafting, and the hot springs. Parque Nac. de Cafe was fun for the kids for one day. Great food. I can’t imagine doing it if you don’t speak decent Spanish, though.

Do you recommend renting a car?

Absolutely. Renting a car is the best way to move around. There are many beautiful towns nearby, including Filandia and Buenavista.
My only recommendation is not to go between mid-December and mid-January if possible. Tourism is sadly killing these towns, try to go off-season.
“La zona cafetera” in Colombia, particularly El Quindío, is a great destination..

Thinking of going in 2 weeks...based in south florida, so it's a short flight. And yes, Filandia is on the list to visit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also unless you are an extremely experienced driver - used to driving in narrow roads on mountains or in chaotic city traffic - it seems more hassle than its worth.

We flew into Pereira and rented a car at the airport. No hassle and the roads were fine. Seriously no issues driving there at all! You really need a car to be able to explore independently. The area is beautiful and Filandia and Salento are lovely towns. The Cocora valley is gorgeous. We loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also unless you are an extremely experienced driver - used to driving in narrow roads on mountains or in chaotic city traffic - it seems more hassle than its worth.

We flew into Pereira and rented a car at the airport. No hassle and the roads were fine. Seriously no issues driving there at all! You really need a car to be able to explore independently. The area is beautiful and Filandia and Salento are lovely towns. The Cocora valley is gorgeous. We loved it.

What year was this trip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also unless you are an extremely experienced driver - used to driving in narrow roads on mountains or in chaotic city traffic - it seems more hassle than its worth.

We flew into Pereira and rented a car at the airport. No hassle and the roads were fine. Seriously no issues driving there at all! You really need a car to be able to explore independently. The area is beautiful and Filandia and Salento are lovely towns. The Cocora valley is gorgeous. We loved it.

What year was this trip?

Winter 2020 - right before the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also unless you are an extremely experienced driver - used to driving in narrow roads on mountains or in chaotic city traffic - it seems more hassle than its worth.

We flew into Pereira and rented a car at the airport. No hassle and the roads were fine. Seriously no issues driving there at all! You really need a car to be able to explore independently. The area is beautiful and Filandia and Salento are lovely towns. The Cocora valley is gorgeous. We loved it.

This is exactly what we will be doing- into pereira and staying in salento. filandia is on my list as a day trip! anywhere else you recommend.
Thanks!