Best of the Coffee Region (Zona Cafeteria)

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Zona Cafetera (Coffee Region)

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Zona Cafetera (Coffee Region) Essentials

How Many Days Should You Spend in Colombia's Coffee Region?

Colombia is world-renowned for its coffee, and most travelers want to spend at least a day or two getting to know the region where this delicacy is grown and produced. Although a single overnight is enough to get a glimpse at the Zona Cafetera, an in-depth visit of up to five days can be even more rewarding. That way, you won’t just see the plantations that take the world’s favorite drink from bean to cup—you’ll also be able to spend the night on a coffee farm, hike the verdant hills, and meet the people who make the magic happen.

Ultimate Guide to Colombia's Coffee Region

Colombia's coffee region set amidst the rugged hills between Medellin, Cali and Ibague produces some of the finest coffee in the world. Besides learning how the coffee is made, you can experience stunning national parks, vibrant cities, and quiet pueblos. We're spilling the beans with some expert tips on getting around the region and the best places to visit.

10 Best Places To Go in Colombia's Coffee Region

10 Best Places to Visit in Colombia's Coffee Region

Colombia's Coffee Region is dotted with small pueblos where life has changed little over the past century. Towns like Salento, Pijao, and Filandia still retain the same colonial air of yesteryear, when coffee farmers brought their product to market along old country roads. This list includes the best towns to visit, plus vibrant cities and also backcountry areas where you can experience Colombia's stunning landscapes.

Colorful balconies in Saltento, the heart of Colombia's Coffee Region.

Where to Stay in Colombia's Coffee Region - The Best Boutique Hotels

Colombia's Coffee region is full of great accommodation options, from haciendas on coffee plantations to small hostels and boutique hotels in towns and cities. Use this list to find the best places to stay after a long day of biking, hiking and coffee tasting.

Best Things to Do In Colombia's Coffee Region

Coffee tasting tours and visits to coffee farms rank high in any visit to this region. But Colombia's Coffee Region also offers a number of exciting activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking, horse riding, and mountain biking. When it's time to slow down you can relax in thermal baths. This list highlights the best things to do in the caffeine capital of Colombia.

5 Hidden Towns Near Medellín

Tucked neatly in a valley at the base of towering Andean mountains, Medellín is a city where the scent of freshly-cooked empanadas wafts down palm tree-lined streets, where graffiti art transforms neighborhoods into open-air museums and where the peaks that overlook the city offer a lush, flowery landscape and impeccable views from above.

Zona Cafetera (Coffee Region) Itineraries

A view over the lush coffee-growing country of Colombia.

Coffee & Culture: Explore Colombia's Zona Cafetera - 6 Days

This six-day itinerary takes you deep into the lush, mountainous landscape of Colombia's Zona Cafetera or "coffee triangle." Start with a trip to an organic coffee "finca" (farm) where you'll follow the bean-to-cup process and sample the high-quality brews. After you're fully caffeinated, set off to discover the rest of the region's highlights—hiking through the towering palms of the Valle de Cocora, birdwatching in the Rio Blanco Nature Reserve, exploring traditional villages, and soaking in the thermal waters of Santa Rosa de Cabal.

Explore Zona Cafetera - 5 Days

Experience a taste of Colombian culture on this 5-day trip to the Coffee Triangle. You'll go to the heart of the country's coffee region in charming Salento for an overnight at a working farm and hike through the picturesque green mountains of the Cocora Valley (and the famous wax palms). Then, head to Manizales, the most adventurous of the three cities that make up Colombia's coffee triangle, where you'll visit the Rio Blanco Nature reserve. Like the coffee this region is known for, this trip is designed to awaken all of your senses.

Colombian Coffee & Colonial Towns: Bogotá & Zona Cafetera - 6 Days

This trip starts in the capital, where you'll discover colorful neighborhoods and museums on a walking tour, along with famous restaurants and nightlife. Then, fly into the heart of the Zona Cafetera and spend the night at a working coffee farm. Visit nearby Salento, a colonial town that wears its exuberance on its sleeve. While here, hike the unspoiled green mountains of the Cocora Valley, dotted with towering wax palms.

Learn all about Colombia's famous coffee and chocolate

Discover Colombia's Coffee Region - 6 Days

Learn all about Colombian coffee and enjoy some of the most exclusive coffee in the world on this six-day tour. You can look forward to many coffee tastings and visits to local Colombian coffee farms where you will interact with local farmers and coffee experts from around the country.

Iconic wax palm trees in the Cocora Valley

Medellín, Bogotá and the Zona Cafetera - 7 Days

On this fun and fast-paced 7-day tour, you'll experience two of Latin America’s most exciting cities, stay overnight on a working coffee farm, and hike the Andean foothills. The trip starts in Medellín, the scenic metropolis fast on the rise after a turbulent past. You’ll then head into the heart of Colombia's coffee triangle, where you’ll explore the charming town of Salento and tour a working finca (coffee farm) — an industry that has embraced tourism with open arms. You’ll also hike the jaw-dropping green mountains in Valle de Cocora before finishing the trip in Colombia’s sophisticated urban capital.

Colombia Nature and Culture Tour - 10 Days

This all-encompassing itinerary combines Colombia's popular attractions with some roads less traveled. You'll begin your journey in the "city of the eternal spring," Medellín, and visit El Peñon de Guatape, a landmark granite rock jutting hundreds of feet out of the ground. If you're a caffeine lover, get ready to visit Colombia's mountainous Coffee Region. You'll embark from this area and hike, mountain bike, and birdwatch through the adjacent sub-Andean forests. Next it's off to the indigenous archeological site of Tierradentro, with its ancient underground burial chambers. Learn about the civilization who built them, then end your stay in the southern colonial town of Popayán.

Zona Cafetera and the Caribbean Coast - 8 Days

Begin your adventure in Colombia's Zona Cafetera coffee region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Cocorá Valley and its towering wax palms await. Then make your way to the Caribbean coast and the beaches of Parque Nacional Tayrona and learn about the Kogi people, who have lived in harmony with their environment for four centuries.

Medellín & Los Nevados Trek - 7 Days

Enjoy the natural beauty of Colombia on this 7-day itinerary which takes you through the mountains and valleys of Colombia's famous coffee region. You'll undertake a multi-day trek in the Andes, relax in the peaceful city of Manizales, and then finish with some urban culture and great museums in the city of Medellin.

A mountainous plantation in Colombia's Coffee Triangle

Bogotá, Coffee Triangle & Caribbean Coast - 7 Days

Colombia is a nation of vibrant cities, sleepy pueblos, and extraordinary landscapes: this action-packed 7-day tour gives you a taste of the true diversity of this country. Within the span of a week you'll visit the superb museums of Bogotá, savor freshly roasted coffee near Salento and gaze at the sea from Cartagena's glorious ramparts.

Iconic skinny wax palms in Colombia's coffee region

Colombia's Best Cities & Coffee Region - 10 Days

Check off three unforgettable cities on this whirlwind 10-day tour starting with Bogotá's Spanish colonial sites and buzzing nightlife. You'll then fly to the heart of Colombia's Zona Cafetera for an overnight at a coffee farm where you'll hike the green mountains of Cocora Valley, dotted with towering palm trees. From here, head to Medellín—a city with outdoor art and spring-like weather—before ending on the Caribbean coast where you'll explore the romantic streets of Cartagena's Old Town.

Los Nevados Trek - 3 Days

Enjoy the beautiful coffee region of Colombia with a 3-day hike through a forest of local palms. With 3 snowy peaks that rise higher than 4,800 meters above sea level, Los Nevados National Park extends over 58,300 hectares (more than 143,000 acres, or about as big as the city of Chicago) in the central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. This region has an extraordinary ecosystem of flora and fauna because of the high elevation. Perpetual snow provides water here, which is essential to the preservation of life. This trek is great for adventurers looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

Finish your trip in romantic Cartagena, with rooftop bars and Caribbean sunsets.

Medellín, Zona Cafetera & Cartagena - 7 Days

This classic itinerary covers Colombia's Zona Cafetera (coffee zone), bookended by two of Latin America’s most exciting cities. The adventure starts in striking Medellín, where you'll explore this up-and-coming metropolis with a local guide. You'll then drive to the heart of the coffee region and stay overnight at a working farm. Enjoy a day in Salento with a guided hike through stunning green mountains before flying north to Cartagena, where you'll have time to hit the narrow streets of this colonial inner-walled city. Conclude your week with a free day on the coast — perhaps a speedboat ride to the Rosario Islands for white-sand beaches.

Ancient and Modern Cultures in Colombia - 11 Days

This all-encompassing itinerary combines Colombia's popular attractions with some roads less traveled. You'll begin your journey on the Caribbean coast. This leg will take you to Tayrona National Park, and the colonial fortress of Cartagena. Then fly to Medellín, and visit El Peñon de Guatape before heading to Colombia's mountainous Coffee Region. Here you'll hike, mountain bike, and birdwatch through sub-Andean forests. Next, it's off to the archeological site of Tierradentro, with its ancient underground burial chambers before ending your stay in the colonial town of Popayán.

Colombia's Cities & Coffee Region - 11 Days

Travelers who like to be on the move can check off three cities on this whirlwind 11-day tour starting with Bogotá's Spanish colonial sites and buzzing nightlife. You'll then fly to the heart of Colombia's Zona Cafetera for an overnight at a coffee farm and hiking through the famous Cocora Valley. From here, head to Medellín—a city with a rising culinary and art scene, as well as constant spring-like weather. End the trip on the Caribbean coast where you'll take a day trip to the Rosario Islands and explore the narrow streets of Cartagena's inner-walled city.

Ancient and Modern Cultures in Colombia - 12 Days

With this itinerary, you'll see the best of Colombia in 12 days. Begin on the Caribbean coast with a visit to Tayrona National Park, where you'll snorkel and hike to your heart's content. From there, hop a flight to the Coffee Region for mountain biking, birdwatching in sub-Andean forests, and a tour of a working coffee farm. End your journey in colonial Popayán and Tierradentro, an archeological site famous for its underground burial chambers.

The Real Colombia - 9-Day Adventure

In nine days, explore the ice-capped summits of the Sierra Nevada to the white sand beaches of the tropical Caribbean coast to discover a range of indigenous and contemporary cultures, as well as astounding biodiversity. Drive across city centres and take scenic mountain roads through the famous coffee region. Experience Colombia’s warm climate and culture by river and sea on rafting and sailing expeditions.  

Highlights of Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and the Zona Cafetera - 13 Days

Start your highlights tour in Bogotá, Colombia's Andean capital. From there, head to the Cocora Valley, where you'll sleep in a typical hacienda and tour a working coffee farm. Feel the country moving ahead in vibrant Medellin and experience the contrast between the city's modern downtown and traditional surrounding villages. End your trip in romantic, colonial Cartagena, enjoying a cocktail on the famous wall surrounding the old city.

Sky and trees reflected in the Amazon River

Colombia Andes, Amazon & Caribbean - 14-Day Itinerary

This tour takes you off the beaten path and truly epitomizes the diversity that runs through Colombia and its people. Colombia's mountains, jungles, Caribbean beaches, Spanish colonial architecture, rural and indigenous cultures combine to offer a quite unforgettable tour in one of the world's great (and yet uncharted) destinations.

Colombia's Culture & Archaeology Tour - 14 Days

From the up-and-coming city of Medellín to the lush green mountains of Colombia's coffee region and world-class archaeological sites, this fascinating two-week journey covers major highlights and off-the-beaten-path destinations of Colombia's rich interior. This trip is ideal for travellers who don’t mind skipping the coast and instead want a mix of outdoor and cultural adventures, like hiking in the Andes, salsa dancing with locals, and horseback riding in the desert, to name a few.

Discover Colombia's Great Cities - 14 Days

From the buzzing nightlife of Bogotá to the up-and-coming neighborhoods of Medellín and romance of Cartagena's Old Town, this well-rounded journey covers Colombia's best urban highlights, and yet breaks it up with outdoorsy adventures along the way. Starting in the capital, the two-week adventure is ideal for travelers who want to experience culture and historic sights, but who are also enticed by hiking in coffee fields, exploring a rainforest on the Caribbean Coast, and relaxing on white-sand beaches.

Colombia Adventure: Zona Cafetera to the Caribbean Coast - 15 Days

Your journey starts in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Region, where you'll overnight on a working coffee farm. From there, head to the reborn metropolis of Medellín, a city whose reputation as a global hotspot is enhanced by its rising culinary and art scene. Then, it's time for a bit of nature as you embark on a rafting trip down the Río Verde and end your adventure on the Caribbean coast where you'll explore Cartagena and nearby islands.

Highlights of Colombia: Cities, Caribbean Coast, & Tayrona National Park - 15 Days

Perfect for first-timers, this classic Colombian itinerary starts in the cosmopolitan capital of Bogotá and then travels north to the Caribbean Sea. Along the route, you'll visit the rolling green hills and colorful colonial houses of the coffee region. Once you reach the coast, you'll spend a few days exploring Tayrona National Park before heading to the romantic inner-walled city of Cartagena and jetting off to the San Bernardo Islands.

From the colonial architecture to the stunning mountain views, this itinerary showcases Columbia's more colorful side.

Colombian Andes to the Caribbean: 10-Day Itinerary

This 10-day excursion is perfect for an adventurous visitor seeking full immersion into Colombia's landscape and culture. Travel between colorful cities and tropical island retreats, mountain biking some parts in between. Along the way you'll discover colorful art, high peaks, soaring palm trees and delectable coffee. Cap your journey with salsa lessons in romantic Cartagena.

Trekking in Colombia's Zona Cafetera - 6 Days

In this itinerary, you'll embark on a high-altitude 4-day trek into Los Nevados National Park. You'll visit a working coffee farm and enjoy the unique scenery of the Páramo Eco-system here. While many travelers only see the Cocora Valley and Salento on a quick day trip, you'll get to know Colombia's Zona Cafetera from an in-depth perspective over the course of your 6 days in the region.

Explore Colombia's Amazon, Andes, and Caribbean Coast - 12 Days

This 12-day adventure will take you through the best of Colombia. You'll travel from Bogotá to the Amazon, the rolling hills of the Zona Cafetera (coffee region), the beaches of Tayrona National Park, and the colonial fortress city of Cartagena. The most exciting part of your trip? A visit to the little-known region of Guaviare, with its mixture of jungle, indigenous communities, red rivers, and ancient rock art that dates back 20,000 years.

Colombia's Cities and Nature - 12 Days

This robust 12-day itinerary eliminates the hard choices travelers often face regarding a visit to a country as diverse as Colombia. The journey begins by enjoying Bogotá's Spanish colonial plazas and pulsing nightlife. Then jet to the heart of Colombia's Zona Cafetera for an overnight stay on a working coffee farm. Then it's off to the reinvented city of Medellín and its rising culinary and art scene. End the trip on the Caribbean coast where you'll explore the beaches and mountains of Tayrona National Park and the narrow streets of Cartagena's walled city.

Colombia's Coffee, Whitewater, and Caribbean Islands Adventure - 13 Days

With 13 days you can experience all of the highlights Colombia is renowned for throughout the world. Your journey starts in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Region, where you'll overnight on a working coffee farm. From there, head to the reborn metropolis of Medellín, a city whose reputation as a global hotspot is enhanced by its rising culinary and art scene. Then, it's time for a bit of nature as you embark on a rafting trip down the Río Verde and end your adventure on the Caribbean coast where you'll explore Cartagena and nearby islands.

Colombia Highlights: Bogotá, Coffee Region, Medellín & Cartagena - 14 Days

This journey begins in Bogotá, a melting pot of people from around the country. You'll then head to a nearby small town to witness a spectacular salt cathedral, one of Colombia's most visited attractions. Afterward, head east to the Coffee Region where you'll tour small towns, visit a coffee farm, and see the tallest wax palm trees in the world. The adventure continues in Medellín, Tayrona National Park, and Cartagena.

Colombia Adventure: Zona Cafetera, Tayrona Park, & Caribbean Coast - 15 Days

Depending on personal preference, some folks like rugged activity on their vacation while others prefer relaxing on white-sand beaches fronting crystalline waters. Others opt for the museums and nightlife found in more cosmopolitan destinations. We wonder why not enjoy it all? That's just what this itinerary offers: city life, culture, the great outdoors and plenty of time to relax.

Medellín & the Los Nevados Trek - 8 Days

Colombia Outdoor Adventure: Medellín & Los Nevados Trek - 8 Days

This active Colombian adventure includes three days of trekking in the snowy mountains of Los Nevados National Park, which sprawls across 143,000 acres of the Colombian Andes. Enjoy hiking through a unique high-elevation ecosystem, where rare species of flora and fauna thrive. You will also have time to explore the charming colonial town of Salento, the coffee region hub of Manizales, and the revitalized city of Medellín—the best of both worlds.

December in Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, & Cartagena - 16 Days

This festive itinerary begins in Bogotá, where you'll discover museum, restaurants, and nightlife. Next, jet over to Medellín to explore historical sights and see the Christmas lights. From there, drive to the Zona Cafetera to tour the coffee fields and stay on a farm. On your last leg, ring in the New Year in Cartagena and snorkel in Tayrona National Park.

A view of the mountains from Bogota's La Candelaria district.

Colombian Highlands & the Los Nevados Trek - 9 Days

This active South American adventure spotlights trekking in the high, snowy mountains of Los Nevados National Park. A good portion of this 9-day journey will take place in the rugged outdoors before you head towards the charming colonial town of Villa de Leyva in the Colombian Highlands. Start and finish the trip with time to explore the cosmopolitan capital of Bogotá for colorful street art, museums, dining, and nightlife.

Explore Colombia: Medellín & Los Nevados - 9 Days

The core of this adventure includes three days of trekking in the high, snowy mountains of Los Nevados National Park. With ancient ancestral pathways, your journey passes through an extraordinary ecosystem with rare species of flora and fauna that rely on the snow for preservation. You will land in the up-and-coming city of Medellín, along with taking a day trip to a coffee farm to close out your Colombian exploration.

Paramillo del Quindío, PNN Los Nevados, Colombia

Colombia's Urban Cities & Zona Cafetera Trek - 11 Days

This itinerary starts and ends in two of Colombia's most exciting cities, the capital of Bogotá and the "city of the eternal spring," Medellín. In between, you'll embark on a high-altitude trek into Los Nevados National Park. In Bogotá, you'll get to know the food scene of the city before heading to the Coffee Region. You'll visit a working coffee farm and set off on a four-day trek through the central Andes. After your trek, you'll relax in the thermal pools outside of Manizales, with the still-active Nevado del Ruiz volcano as a backdrop. Then it's off to Medellín, where you'll get to know this dynamic city as you ride its Metrocable network of gondolas.

Colombia Summit to the Sea Adventure - 14 Days

This outdoorsy, action-packed itinerary hits the crown jewels near two of Colombia's most exciting cities. Start off in up-and-coming Medellín before driving to the "coffee triangle" where you'll stay in a traditional ranch in the Andes. From here, embark on a three-day hike through some of the last surviving snowcapped peaks in the tropics before rafting in two of Colombia's major rivers. Next, you'll head north to the Caribbean coast for white sand beaches, sailing, and a chance to scuba dive in one of the few coral reefs in Colombia. Finish off the two-week adventure with time to explore the romantic cobbled alleys of Cartagena's Old Town.

Colombia's Cities & Zona Cafetera Trek - 15 Days

This itinerary starts and ends in two of Colombia's most exciting cities, Bogotá and Medellín. In between, you'll visit a working coffee farm and set off on a four-day trek through the Central Andes in Los Nevados National Park. After your trek, relax in the thermal pools outside of Manizales, with the still-active Nevado del Ruiz volcano as a backdrop. Then it's off to Medellín, a dynamic place to finish your trip.

Essential Colombia: Bogotá, Cartagena, & Coffee Country - 9 Days

During this eight-day trip to Colombia, plan to visit some of the best-known parts of the country. First, stroll the capital city of Bogotá before heading to the small, colorful town of Villa de Leyva. Then, visit a coffee farm in Armenia and learn all about the crop. The journey ends with a tour of the historic shipping port of Cartagena, where you can enjoy excellent food and vibrant nightlife.

Authentic Colombia: Cities, Archaeology, & Coffee Country - 16 Days

During this 16-day tour through Colombia, you’ll visit some of the best-known–and some lesser-known–parts of the country. The trip takes you from the capital, Bogotá, to the Archaeological Region in the southwest. You’ll also head into the coffee-growing region to tour a farm and say in a hacienda. Then, you’ll fly over deep valleys and high Andean mountain peaks to arrive at vibrant Cartagena, one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in South America.

Other popular travel destinations in Colombia
Caribbean Coast · Cartagena · Medellín · Bogotá · Tayrona Park · Cali · The Amazon · Rosario Islands · Pacific Coast

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