How to plan a trip to the Eje Cafetero of Colombia

The Eje Cafetero is a region of Colombia famous for its high-quality coffee production, and a popular tourist destination as it encompasses natural parks such as the Coffee National Park and the Cocora Valley, and offers beautiful mountain scenery and the opportunity to learn more about coffee growing. Such is the beauty of the place that it has been declared a World Heritage Site as a “Paisaje Cultural Cafetero”. It is definitely a stop worth making during your trip to Colombia, which is why we have prepared this post to help you plan your trip to the Eje Cafetero.

If you read on you’ll discover key facts to help you organise your trip, such as the best time to travel is between December and July, during the dry season, and that the best places to stay are Salento and Filandia. We also tell you about the documentation you need to travel to Colombia, the best way to get to and around the area, the most typical dishes and many other travel tips that will be of great help to you during your stay. Are you ready to explore the Eje Cafetero with Passporter?

1. Prepare the documentation to travel to the Eje Cafetero

Depending on where you’re travelling from, you’ll need a visa or just your passport to enter the country. Here are the two most common options, but we recommend that you read up on the specific details for travellers from your country.

Citizens of many Latin American and EU countries, among others, do not need to apply for a visa for short tourist stays of up to 90 days, which can be extended to 180 days once in the country. To enter the country, you will need to present these documents:

• Current passport with an expiry date of more than 6 months
• Return ticket
• Proof of financial solvency (in some cases).
• Letter of invitation or hotel reservations.

If you are travelling from a country other than those listed above, you will need to apply for your visa through the Colombian embassies or consulates, or through their online form, which is the easiest and quickest way. The process can take a couple of weeks, so it is advisable to start the process early. The maximum stay generally allowed is 180 days per year, which can be divided into periods of up to 90 days per entry. These are the documents you will need to present when applying for a visa:

• Valid passport valid for at least six months
• Filled visa application form, available online
• Recent passport photo
• Documents proving the purpose of the trip (such as letters of invitation, hotel reservations, etc.)
• Proof of financial solvency (such as bank statements)
• Return ticket or travel itinerary
• Payment of the consular fee (€40 for citizens of Europe and Cuba, €82 for all other nationalities)

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to the Eje Cafetero

The best time to travel to the Eje Cafetero is during the months of December to March and July to August, when the weather is drier. During your trip, it is in your best interest to avoid the rainy season so you can explore the coffee plantations and enjoy outdoor activities more comfortably.

Also bear in mind that these months tend to be busier and accommodation prices can be more expensive. So we recommend that you start your preparations as soon as possible so that you have time to compare and choose the best options.

And if you want an authentic local experience, we encourage you to travel during the National Coffee Festival in Calarcá, which takes place at the end of June. This festival offers an immersion into coffee culture with parades, concerts and cultural displays.

3. Find out how to get to the Eje Cafetero

The Eje Cafetero is a fairly touristy area, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting there. Even so, we recommend you to be well informed and book your tickets in advance to find better prices. These are all the options available to get here, as you’ll see, the most common is to fly to Bogota or Medellin before travelling to the Eje Cafetero.

• By Car: You can hire a car on arrival in Bogotá or Medellín and follow road 29, which connects Manizales, Pereira and Armenia, making it easy to get there by road.
• By Bus: Several buses make the journey from Bogotá in approximately 9-10 hours for around 85,000 COP. From Medellín the journey takes 6 hours and costs around 45,000 COP.
• By Plane: To reach the Eje Cafetero by plane you can fly to Matecaña International Airport in Pereira (PEI), El Edén in Armenia (AXM) and La Nubia in Manizales (MZL). Several airlines, including LATAM, Avianca, Viva Air and EasyFly, operate regular flights to these airports. Ticket prices range from around 80,000 COP from Bogotá and 150,000 COP from Medellín, with flight times of around one hour from both main cities.

The most common way to get from the airports to your accommodation is by taxi. The price ranges between 20,000 and 25,000 COP, but you will have to negotiate the price beforehand. If you prefer a cheaper option, there are also buses that cost around 2,000 COP per trip.

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you’ll find moving around the Eje Cafetero is easy thanks to a good public transport network and car rental options. Buses and colectivos connect the main cities and towns, with prices ranging from COP2,500 to COP10,000 depending on the distance. In Salento, Willys (Jeeps) are a popular option for getting to the Cocora Valley, costing around COP4,000 each way. For those looking for greater flexibility, renting a car is an excellent option, with companies such as Localiza, Hertz and Avis offering services from COP120,000 per day.

4. Find the accommodation that meets your expectations to enjoy the Eje Cafetero

The Eje Cafetero offers a range of accommodation options, from cosy hotels in colourful villages to charming coffee farms. Even so, before you book your accommodation you should consider how you are going to get around the area. If you have your own vehicle, our recommendation is to look for accommodation in the middle of nature. If you’re dependent on public transport or organised excursions, the best places to stay are these cities:

• Salento: is a lively and colourful town, ideal for exploring the Cocora Valley. It is one of the more touristy areas, so prices are not particularly cheap.
• Philandia: is quiet and picturesque, perfect for a relaxing stay. Generally cheaper than Salento.
• Santa Rosa de Cabal: known for its hot springs and chorizos, excellent for short stays. Prices are varied, with budget and luxury options.

As we have already seen, the Eje Cafetero is quite a touristy area, so we encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible to find the best options. We remind you that with the Passporter App you can make your reservations directly through Booking and always have all your information at hand.

5. Where and what to eat in the Eje Cafetero of Colombia?

The gastronomy of the Eje Cafetero is characterised by its hearty dishes and use of ingredients such as plantains, rice, beans and various meats. Many dishes have a strong Antioquian influence, with recipes passed down from generation to generation, offering a blend of traditional and nutritious flavours. These are the dishes not to be missed during your visit:

1. Bandeja Paisa: beans, rice, ground beef, chicharrón, chorizo, fried egg, arepa, fried plantain, avocado
2. Mondongo: beef offal soup (tripe), potatoes, pork, carrots and peas.
3. Sancocho: broth with beef, chicken, pork, plantain, potatoes, cassava and other vegetables.
4. Trout: fish prepared fried, grilled or with garlic, served with rice or patacones.
5. Calentado Paisa: leftover food from the previous day heated and served with arepa, egg and beans.

A characteristic drink of the region is aguapanela, a panela infusion with water that can be served hot or cold, often accompanied by cheese. However, the most widely consumed and famous drink in the area is the high-quality coffee, one of the best in the world.

6. Choose the activities you want to do in the Eje Cafetero of Colombia

To explore Colombia’s Eje Cafetero and fully enjoy its attractions, it is recommended that you spend at least 3 days, although if you can spend 5 days, all the better. This region, known for its mountainous landscapes and coffee plantations, offers a variety of activities and emblematic places, such as the following:

1. Valle de Cocora: it’s famous for its tall Quindio wax palms. Transport by jeep from Salento costs 4,000 COP. Read more about the valley in this post: What to see and do in Valle del Cocora
2. Salento: colourful town with traditional architecture, artisan shops and viewpoints. Read more details in this post: What to see and do in Salento Colombia?
3. Finca Cafetera: visit to learn about coffee growing. Guided tours from 50,000 COP.
4. Filandia: another picturesque village with colourful houses and the Colina Iluminada viewpoint. Entrance to the viewpoint 10,000 COP.
5. Pijao: a village known for its tranquillity and coffee. Tastings at local cafes for 15,000 COP.
6. Termales Santa Rosa de Cabal: this is a thermal spa with medicinal properties. Entrance fee from 47,000 COP.
7. Botanical Garden of Quindio: tour through a forest with a butterfly garden and bird watching. Admission 35,000 COP.
8. Córdoba: rural village with waterfalls and coffee plantations, perfect for an authentic experience. Free admission.
9. Circasia: Known for its free cemetery and hiking trails in the Bremen Reserve. Free admission.
10. Los Nevados National Natural Park: Hiking and trekking in a volcanic landscape. Tours from 150,000 COP.

In this post you can read more about the Eje Cafetero and its charms: Things to do on a trip to Eje cafetero of Colombia

7. Organise a trip with friends to the Eje Cafetero of Colombia

After many trips, it is clear to us that travelling with friends is not always easy and on many occasions conflicts and disagreements can arise about what to see, when, the budget or schedules. That’s why our recommendation is that there should be good communication at all times and that all members of the group should be present during the organisation of the trip. In this post you can read many tips to help you plan your trip: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to the Eje Cafetero of Colombia

• The currency in Colombia is the Colombian peso (COP).
• Although many establishments accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry some cash, especially for small purchases or in rural areas.
• Colombia uses A and B plugs, with a voltage of 110V and a frequency of 60Hz. Be sure to bring an adapter if your devices have different specifications.
• The official language is Spanish. Learning some basic Spanish phrases can improve your travel experience, especially outside of major cities.
• It’s advisable to book flights and accommodation in advance, especially if you plan to visit during the high tourist season (December-January and Easter).
• During high season, activities and excursions can fill up quickly, so consider booking in advance.
• If you decide to rent a car, remember to always check local traffic regulations and road conditions, especially in rural areas.
• As with any tourist destination, it’s wise to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places and on public transport. Avoid carrying visible valuables.
• Colombia’s climate can vary significantly depending on region and altitude. Wear clothing suitable for warmer climates on the coast and cooler in mountainous areas.
• If you wish to have mobile internet during your stay we recommend getting a Holafly eSIM with unlimited data
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to the Eje Cafetero of Colombia?

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents.
• Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to the Eje Cafetero.

If you have any doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to the Eje Cafetero