Caldas

CULTURE

Manizales: Museums and culture

Discover Manizales, a vibrant city in the Eje Cafetero that combines history, culture and unique landscapes. Walk through its Historic Center, the Plaza de Bolivar and the imposing Cathedral Basilica Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora del Rosario of neo-Gothic style with its panoramic viewpoint. Admire the Palace of the Government and visit the Gold Museum of Manizales, where pre-Hispanic pieces of great cultural value are preserved. Experience the city from the air on its aerial cable, a different way to connect with its geography and architecture. Manizales awaits you with authentic and memorable experiences.

Coffee Cultural Landscape: Patrimonial Treasures

Discover Caldas, part of the Coffee Cultural Landscape, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can live unique experiences such as touring traditional coffee haciendas, participating in coffee tours from the plant to the cup, walking through mountain coffee plantations and enjoying viewpoints with spectacular landscapes in Manizales, Belalcázar and Chinchiná. Caldas invites you to connect with the history, the flavor and the authenticity of the coffee heart of Colombia. As well as to know the processes of genetic improvement and transformation of coffee from the research present in the laboratories of CENICAFE in Chinchin.á

NATURE

Los Nevados National Natural Park: Mountains, Volcanoes and Snow-capped Peaks

Live an unforgettable experience in Los Nevados National Natural Park, surrounded by stunning landscapes and traces of glacial retreat. Enjoy the sighting of birds such as the Nevados Parakeet, the Andean Condor, the Crested Eagle, among others. Contemplate the snowy summit of the imposing Nevado del Ruiz volcano, an emblematic attraction of this paradise. natural. And appreciate the snow-capped volcanoes of Tolima and Santa Isabel. Ideal for lovers of hiking, photography and connection with the mountains.

Caldas: Exploration and birdwatching trails

The department of Caldas has 802 species of birds., 38 of them are in some category of threat and 22 are endemic to Colombia, which makes it a privileged destination for the aviturismo. Visit the Alcázares Arenillo Ecopark and observe the Spectacled Owl or the Red-headed Barbet. Near Manizales, the Rio Blanco Natural Reserve, with more than 4,000 hectares, allows the sighting of the Toroi or Miller's Toroi dwarf, This reserve is essential for the conservation of the water that the inhabitants of Manizales drink. And if you are looking for an authentic experience, the Condor Route in Villamaría, operated by a campesino association, will allow you to see the condor and other species in their natural environment. Dare to discover the natural wealth of the heart of the Eje Cafetero.

ANCESTRAL COMMUNITIES AND RURALITY

In Caldas, the Emberá Chamí people preserve a ancestral culture live in municipalities such as Riosucio and Supía. This people guard their traditional knowledge transmitted between generations in the San Lorenzo, Cañamomo and Lomaprieta reserves, among others. The Emberá Chamí, a community that enriches the landscape of Caldas.

GASTRONOMY

Traditional cuisine:

Caldas invites you to enjoy a cuisine full of tradition and flavor. Try the sancocho triphasic, a robust soup with three types of meat, ideal for sharing with the family. Delight yourself with the bandeja paisa caldense, served with beans, rice, pork rinds, ground beef, egg, plantain and avocado. Don't miss the tamal manizaleño, wrapped in banana leaves and full of homemade flavors. And to close, arepas de choclo con queso (corn and cheese arepas), freshly grilled, sweet and golden.

Colombian Coffee: Flavors of Origin and Tradition

Come to Caldas and enjoy the authentic coffee of Caldas. Colombia, with denomination of origin recognized worldwide for its quality and flavor. Here you can travel the Route of the Coffee Axis, Visiting traditional farms in Chinchiná, Palestina and Manizales, where you will learn about the entire process of the bean, from planting to the cup. Live immersive experiences, guided tastings and spectacular landscapes in the coffee heart of the country.

CRAFTS

Sombrero Aguadeño: Andean natural fiber hats. 

Discover the aguadeño hat, a traditional garment hand-woven with iraca palm fiber by craftsmen from Aguadas, Caldas. Recognized as a symbol of regional and national identity, this unique hat reflects the skill and dedication passed down through generations. Lightweight, resistant and with fine finishes, this hat reflects the cultural identity of the region. Visit Caldas and learn about the elaboration process of this heritage symbol full of history and style.