Colombia’s Andean Region – Coffee Region

Overview

Also known as the ‘Coffee Triangle’ or the ‘Gold Triangle’; coffee plantations have existed in the Central mountain range of the Colombian Andes since the beginning of the 19th century and has since developed into one of the most important export products for the country. The high quality and distinctive taste of the famous smooth aromatic coffee owes much to the fertile green highlands of the Andes region where the beans are harvested, and then processed under the rolling foothills of the mountains.
The three main coffee producing cities in the region are Armenia, Manizales and Pereira and many plantations in these centres have renovated their old fincas to accommodate the surge in tourism to the region where travellers can learn about the coffee procedure in the settings of typical hacienda architecture with a backdrop of the beautiful surroundings

Map of Coffee Region

Highlights

Coffee Haciendas
Also known as the ‘Coffee Triangle’ or the ‘Gold Triangle’; coffee plantations have existed in the Central mountain range of the Colombian Andes from the 19th century and has since developed into one of the most important export products for the country.
The three main coffee producing cities in the region are Armenia, Manizales and Pereira and many haciendas have renovated their old fincas to accommodate the surge in tourism to the region, where travellers can learn about coffee production in the settings of typical finca architecture and with a backdrop of the Andes Mountains to complete the experience
Chinchina
Chinchiná municipality has the best experimental coffee plantations of the Colombian Federation of Coffee Growers; of which the brand image as Juan Valdez with his mule Conchita and the Andean Mountains in the background. Home to the Buendía coffee factory and Cenicafé coffee research centre, the plantations take the rich nutrients in its soil from the neighbouring volcanoes which makes coffee growing so favourable in this region. A tour of this area, known as Colombia’s coffee heart, will enlighten the visitor to the coffee culture that is so important to the nation. Soon to be declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the area is a must see for the connoisseur
Cocora Valley
The Cocora valley which is tucked into the foothills of the central Andean range is the home of the Wax Palm Tree, the National symbol of Colombia. The importance lain on the tree has rendered Cocora a sanctuary by the Colombian Government. The valley, which is also wildlife sanctuary, is part of the bigger Parque Nacional de los Nevados and boasts a menagerie of wildlife including the Speckled Bear and the Andean Guan, a fowl species. Navigating along the valley on horseback, which is recommended, the regal Wax Palm trees can be seen standing tall and proud, as if guarding over this most stunning of valleys

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