Known as the city of open doors, Manizales stands out for its incredible coffee, people, climate and its famous fair. Discover all the things to do in Manizales Colombia and get to know all its unique places. Also known for its natural heritage, Manizales is a city with many different opportunities to enjoy your trip to Colombia. Dare to discover the energy and flavours of Manizales Colombia.
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Things to do in Manizales Colombia
Monument to the colonisers
This is the monument that represents the pride of a people colonised by the Antioqueños. It was built between 1997 and 2002 and nowadays is a symbolic place and mandatory stop to make in Manizales. You can walk around and appreciate this work by the artist Luis Guillermo Vallejo.
Get your camera ready to capture the moments of your trip, including your visit to this place of great historical importance that represents the Colombian culture post-colonisation. Stroll through the streets, sip a fresh fruit juice or go to a local restaurant to try a typical dish.
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary
This impressive building will make you feel immersed in the past, traditions and local pride. Walking through the streets of Manizales is a delight, the warm weather seems to envelop you and the sun illuminates the way, so the best way to get to know the town is to walk through it. In the distance, you will see a large structure that will surely catch your eye. The spires, gothic and Byzantine style and its height of 113 metres stand out among the green of nature and the concrete of the nearby buildings.
Here you will feel like you are in another era. From the moment you walk through the doors you will feel the Colombian culture full of history and tradition. Whether you go to pray or not, the walls, the stained glass windows, the paintings, the sculptures and every inch of the place will draw you in. You can then treat yourself to a fresh fruit juice that you are sure to find on the street.
San Esteban Cemetery
This place looks like something out of a movie. Its structure is incredible and it has become an iconic place in Manizales that you can’t miss. It was built in 1922, being the oldest in the city, which over time has become one of the most visited places in Manizales. Another reason for Colombians to be proud of this place.
It is in front of Santander Avenue and stands out for its oval-shape surrounded by the city. You can take a guided tour or go on your own and walk through these corridors. The sculptures and tombstones contrast with the bright colours of the flowers that rest on the tombs and the ground. Let yourself be carried away by the wind, the stories and the beauty of this place full of charm.
Chipre Viewpoint
For a sunsets you’ll never forget, go to the Chipre viewpoint in Manizales Colombia. In this area of the city there is the Torre al Cielo, a forty-metre high structure built in a water reservoir tank. Here you can enjoy panoramic views of Manizales and also see ten of the Coffee Triangle municipalities.
Tierra Viva Hot Springs
The activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano causes water to gush out at 63°C at a point called Mina de Hierro. From there, at 3,500 metres above sea level, it’s channelled to Termales Tierra Viva, at 2,200 metres above sea level. Here travellers can relax in thermal pools with temperatures between 35 and 41 °C. Massage, restaurant and accommodation services are also available at this site.
Feria de Manizales
Hot on the heels of the Cali Fair, Manizales continues the country’s celebrations with its traditional fair, which has been held since 1951. The Feria de Manizales is part of the country’s National Cultural Heritage and features bullfights, craft exhibitions, parades, orchestral performances and the Reinado Internacional del Café beauty pageant.
Coffee culture in Manizales
In Manizales and its surrounding area, travellers can learn about the culture of coffee by visiting haciendas where they show how coffee is grown, threshed and roasted. In some farms, visitors are shown how to prepare coffee from these lands, whose aroma is appreciated in elegant restaurants in cities such as Bogotá and also in other countries.
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.
What to do around Manizales Colombia?
Los Nevados National Natural Park
It is incredible to think that in Colombia you can find all the thermal floors. Moreover, Manizales is proof of this, because it is possible to go from a warm climate to the cold and snow of this National Natural Park in just a few hours. Get your climbing clothes ready and get ready to walk through a magical place, where the sun and the wind will embrace you and the flora and fauna will surprise you.
Follow the recommendations and let yourself be carried away by the relief of the mountains that look like something out of a painting. Every centimetre of this place must be preserved. In addition to the plants, you are likely to see wild animals such as the Andean condor, the Andean duck and others that call this place their home.
Each of these places has a special charm that makes Colombians and travellers from all over the world proud. From a cemetery to typical restaurants, whether you are with family, friends or alone, Colombia is a country worth exploring and experiencing.
- To get to the park you have to travel by road. You can hire a private transport service or a taxi. The trip is 50 km from Manizales on the Panamerican Highway, approximately one hour and a half.
Recinto del pensamiento
It is located half an hour from the city of Manizales and is one of the most visited places near the city. It is an open space where you can enjoy a quiet, very relaxing day. The feeling will be similar to being in a rainforest. It has a bird lookout, which makes you feel absolute peace when you visit the enclosure.
Travel map to Manizales
What to do in Manizales Colombia in one day?
If you only have one day to visit the city of Manizales Colombia, you will be able to discover the most important points of interest of the city and enjoy its authentic atmosphere. Here is a possible itinerary for a day in Manizales Colombia:
- Monument to the colonizers
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary
- San Esteban Cemetery
- Chipre Viewpoint
- Tierra Viva Hot Springs
What to do in Manizales Colombia in two days?
Day 1:
- Monument to the colonizers
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary
- San Esteban Cemetery
- Chipre Viewpoint
Day 2:
- Los Nevados National Natural Park
- Tierra Viva Hot Springs
- Recinto del pensamiento
Where to eat in Manizales Colombia?
You can’t leave Manizales without trying some of the typical dishes such as bandeja paisa, mondongo, mazamorra, frijolada or pork ribs. Check out this top 4 of the best rated restaurants in Manizales Colombia.
- El Jardín de las Delicias is a Colombian and Latin restaurant restaurant serving typical recipes with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The price range is around €7 – €13.
- Restaurante Los Arrieros is a rotisserie restaurant, which serves local recipes based on high quality and flavourful products, with great value for money. The price range is from €3 – €8.
- Restaurante Los Geranios Manizales is a seafood restaurant with traditional Caribbean recipes. This is a cosy, family-run place that also has gluten-free options, all of which are delicious. The price range is from €20 – €40.
- Don Juaco Snaks, also a local Colombian restaurant, serves typical dishes with a lot of flavour and with a price range of €20 – €40.
Tips for your trip to Manizales Colombia
- Manizales, as well as other cities in the Coffee Cultural Landscape, has exceptional conditions that make it an ideal destination every day of the year.
- If you want to get to know its culture and traditions, the 4 to 12 January is the ideal time to travel and enjoy the Manizales Fair. There you can experience cultural and musical events and witness the Reinado Internacional del Café.
- It’s important to take out travel insurance when travelling to Manizales Colombia.
- Try to promote local produce when buying food and handicrafts.
- Remember to exercise caution and keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times.
- If you take a taxi, it’s best to use the phone numbers and mobile apps of reputable companies such as Easy Taxi or Taxis Libres.
- Listen to the recommendations of tour guides and staff at your accommodation.
How to organise what to do in Manizales Colombia?
Sign up or download the app to discover all of its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Manizales Colombia
The fastest way to get to Manizales Colombia is by plane, as the city has an airport, Manizales Airport (MZL), located 7 km away from the city.
The city of Manizales is known as the City of Open Doors.
Throughout the year, the temperature generally varies from 14 °C to 23 °C and rarely drops below 12 °C or rises above 25 °C.
The best times of the year to visit Manizales for warm weather activities are from mid-June to early September and from late December to early February. Considering the city’s climate, the best month to travel to Manizales is January, as it is one of the mildest months.
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