Plan a Trip to Colombia’s Coffee Axis With These Itinerary Tips & Ideas
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If you’re planning a trip to Colombia’s Coffee Axis or Eje Cafetero, I’m here to help. I’m breaking down my full three-day itinerary here to give you itinerary inspiration. Pair this with the detailed Coffee Axis Destination Guide, and you’ll be set. And if you want to feel expertly prepared, listen to the immersive Globocurious episode about the region. You’ll feel like you’ve been there even before you go.
OK, let’s dive in!
To start, we flew into Pereira from Medellín. The flight was short and sweet, about 35 minutes, and the airport in Pereira made for an easy car rental experience. Renting a car is something I highly recommend when visiting el Eje Cafetero, as public transportation options are limited, and taxis or Ubers aren’t as widely available as they are in larger cities. Plus, having a car gives you the freedom to explore this beautiful region at your own pace.
One thing to note is that even though the distances between destinations in this area seem short, the winding mountain roads mean it’ll take longer to get from place to place than you might expect. So plan your travel times accordingly.
We originally booked an Airbnb in Circasia but had to pivot last minute due to a water outage in the area. Instead, we stayed in Filandia, and it turned out to be the happiest accident of the trip. Filandia is hands-down one of the most picturesque villages I’ve ever seen, with its colorful colonial architecture and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, thanks to having the highest altitude in the area.
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We started our trip with a visit to Valle de Cocora, and let me tell you, this is a can’t-miss destination. This iconic valley is famous for its rolling green hills and towering wax palm trees, which are Colombia’s national tree. The landscape is like something out of a fantasy novel.
There’s plenty to do in Valle de Cocora, from long hikes to shorter trails like the one we took to Bosque de las Palmas. It’s worth noting that this area is at an even higher altitude, so you’ll feel the climb if you’re coming from a low-altitude city like me. But the effort is more than worth it for the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere.
After Valle de Cocora, we headed to the nearby town of Salento for lunch at a restaurant called Donde Laurita. The food was traditional paisa cuisine—hearty, delicious, and full of flavor. Think platters of grilled meats, beans, arepas, and plantains. The menu featured a local lens with a wide variety of fried trout dishes, which is how I learned that trout was brought to Salento from Canada and has since became a culinary staple. Shout out to our very kind server, Felipe, who made us feel so welcome.
Day two was dedicated to coffee and cacao. We spent the full day at Recuca, which stands for “Recorrido por la Cultura Cafetera” or “Tour of Coffee Culture.” This immersive coffee farm and cultural park is a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn about Colombia’s traditions and coffee-making process, from planting to harvesting to roasting.
We opted for a three-hour coffee tour with an incredible guide named Juan Pablo – or JuanPa for short – who spoke both Spanish and English. We paid 45,000 pesos extra for the English tour, and it was well worth it for my sister-in-law Kerry to get the best experience alongside us Spanish-speakers. JuanPa’s passion and knowledge brought the entire experience to life. After dressing up and taking photos in traditional Colombian dresses, we had a delicious bandeja paisa lunch at the farm, followed by a three-hour cacao tour to learn about Colombia’s lesser-known chocolate production.
As we headed back to Filandia that evening, the town was already dressed up for the holidays with twinkling Christmas lights and decorations. It was magical to walk through the village square, soaking in the festive atmosphere. Wherever you travel, I always recommend checking out local festivals or events—they add such a special dimension to any trip.
For our final day, we wanted to take it slow before heading back to the Pereira airport to catch our flight to Bogota. We started the morning at one of Filandia’s two lookout towers, the Mirador Colina Iluminada, which offers sweeping views of the region. It’s the perfect place to reflect on the beauty of el Eje Cafetero.
After taking in the views, we wandered into an artisan shop directly across the street that was filled with artesanías—handmade crafts, jewelry, and decor, and these specifically featured indigenous designs. It was such a special place to visit, and we all ended up buying handmade jewelry and goods to take home. Shopping local is one of my favorite ways to support the communities I visit, which is why I rarely negotiate down prices when they are already affordable for me.
That was our trip to Colombia’s Coffee Axis, a region that perfectly blends natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. I hope this carry-on episode helps you plan your own journey to this stunning part of the world. Visit globocurious.com for a detailed itinerary, photos, and more travel tips. And don’t forget to tune in to the immersive episode for more stories and insights from my time in el Eje Cafetero.
Dive deeper into Colombia’s Coffee Axis with this immersive episode of Globocurious.
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