Medellin CoffeeRegion
5
Day Itinerary •
Colombia
Five days in Medellin and the Colombian Coffee Region gives you the full extraordinary depth of one of Latin America's finest travel experiences, from two full days exploring the remarkable urban transformation of the City of Eternal Spring to the extraordinary wax palm valleys of Cocora, the finest coffee farm tours in the world, the remarkable colonial coffee towns of Salento and Filandia, and the extraordinary Guatape rock and reservoir landscape an hour from Medellin. This extended route covers Medellin and the Coffee Region completely. Two full Medellin days including the Metrocable, Comuna 13 street art, Botero Plaza, the extraordinary Guatape day trip, then the Cocora Valley wax palms, two coffee finca tours in the Quindio highlands, the hidden coffee town of Filandia, the Quimbaya gold museum and the finest bandeja paisa, trout and freshly roasted Colombian coffee at every meal.
Best Time To Visit
December to March or July to August, dry seasons
Getting There
Fly into Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE), Medellin
Getting Around
Metro in Medellin, bus to Coffee Region, jeep willys in Salento
Budget Per Day
Approx 50 to 130 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some walking at altitude in the coffee hills
DAY 1
MEDELLIN
MORNING
METROCABLE LINE K AND SANTO DOMINGO
The extraordinary Metrocable Line K rising from Acevedo metro station to the hillside barrio of Santo Domingo, giving the finest aerial view over the Medellin valley with the remarkable cable car gondolas as the centrepiece of the city's famous urban transformation programme. Santo Domingo was once one of Medellin's most violent comunas. The extraordinary park, library and public spaces at the cable car terminus are the finest example of urban social architecture in Latin America. Metro plus cable approx 2,950 COP. 20 min metro
MIDDAY
COMUNA 13 STREET ART AND OPEN-AIR ESCALATORS
The extraordinary street art district of Comuna 13, the former epicentre of Medellin's violence in the 1990s that transformed itself into the finest open-air art gallery in Colombia. The remarkable outdoor escalators installed by the city in 2011 connect the steep hillside barrio to the city below, and the extraordinary murals covering every available surface tell the remarkable story of the community's transformation. Guided tours from San Javier metro approx 20,000 COP. 30 min metro
AFTERNOON
BOTERO PLAZA AND EL POBLADO
The extraordinary Plaza Botero with its 23 monumental bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero, Colombia's most celebrated living artist. The remarkable Museo de Antioquia adjacent contains the finest Botero collection in Colombia. Then El Poblado, Medellin's finest neighbourhood, for the extraordinary concentration of specialty coffee shops, craft beer bars and outstanding restaurants around Parque Lleras. Entry to museum approx 18,000 COP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Parque Arvi on the Metrocable Line L above Santa Elena, reached by changing cables at Santo Domingo, is a remarkable highland cloud forest park covering 1,750 hectares of extraordinary Andean ecology. Almost no tourists take the second cable. The extraordinary woodland trails, artisan craft market and fresh highland air are the finest escape from Medellin.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pergamino, El Poblado The finest specialty coffee shop in Medellin. Extraordinary single-origin Colombian coffee and fresh arepas. | Lunch: El Medellin, Laureles Outstanding traditional Antioquian restaurant. Extraordinary bandeja paisa and sancocho antioqueno. | Dinner: Carmen, El Poblado The finest contemporary Colombian restaurant in Medellin. Extraordinary modern Antioquian tasting menu.
DAY 2
GUATAPE
MORNING
PIEDRA DEL PENOL, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ROCK IN COLOMBIA
The most extraordinary natural landmark near Medellin, a 200-metre monolithic granite rock rising improbably from the Guatape reservoir landscape, with 740 extraordinary zigzag steps carved into a vertical crack running up its face. The extraordinary view from the summit over the Guatape reservoir, with its thousands of extraordinary islands and peninsulas spreading in every direction, is the finest panorama in Antioquia. Entry approx 22,000 COP. Go early before the extraordinary crowds build. 20 min bus
MIDDAY
GUATAPE COLOURFUL COLONIAL TOWN
The most extraordinary small town in Antioquia, where every house is decorated from ground to window level with extraordinary three-dimensional relief panels called zocalos depicting animals, flowers, traditional scenes and abstract patterns in vivid colour. The extraordinary Plaza de los Zocalos is the finest example of this remarkable folk art tradition in Colombia. The lakeside malacon with extraordinary views over the Guatape reservoir is the finest afternoon walk in the region. Free to explore. 2 hours bus back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO MEDELLIN AND EVENING
Return to Medellin on the extraordinary bus journey back through the Antioquian hills, arriving in the city as the afternoon light turns golden over the Andean valley. A final evening in Medellin's extraordinary El Poblado neighbourhood for dinner at one of the finest restaurants in the city before the early bus south to the Coffee Region the following morning.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Guatape reservoir, created by flooding the valley in 1970 to build the Penol-Guatape hydroelectric dam, submerged several entire towns. On very clear days the extraordinary submerged church steeple of the flooded town of El Penol is still visible rising from the reservoir. The extraordinary local boat tour takes you directly over the original town. Approx 15,000 COP.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before Guatape bus Good breakfast before the 7am bus from Terminal del Norte to Guatape. Takes 1.5 hours. | Lunch: Restaurante El Penol, Guatape Outstanding fresh trout and traditional Antioquian food at the foot of the extraordinary rock. | Dinner: El Cielo, Medellin The most celebrated molecular gastronomy restaurant in Medellin. Extraordinary cocoa-based tasting menu.
DAY 3
SALENTO AND COCORA VALLEY
MORNING
SALENTO COLONIAL COFFEE TOWN AND PLAZA
The most extraordinary colonial coffee town in Colombia, where the extraordinary Plaza Mayor is lined with vivid-coloured balconied Antioquian houses and the surrounding streets are the finest example of traditional Quindio architecture in the Coffee Region. The extraordinary Calle Real leading to the Mirador viewpoint is the finest street in the Coffee Region. The Sunday market fills the plaza with local coffee farmers and artisan craft sellers. The finest bandeja paisa breakfast in Colombia is eaten here. 30 min jeep
MIDDAY
VALLE DE COCORA WAX PALM TREK
The most extraordinary landscape in the Coffee Region, where the Valle de Cocora contains the finest concentration of Colombia's national tree, the Ceroxylon quindiuense wax palm, reaching 60 metres. The extraordinary 12km circular trail through cloud forest and open valley pasture, with the wax palms rising impossibly tall against the extraordinary green Andean hillsides, is the finest walk in the Coffee Region. Go before 9am for the finest light in the palms. Entry free. 30 min jeep back
AFTERNOON
SALENTO AFTERNOON: MIRADOR AND TROUT FARMS
Climb the extraordinary 247 steps of Calle Real to the Salento Mirador for the finest panoramic view over the Cocora Valley and surrounding coffee-covered hills. Then visit one of the remarkable Rio Quindio trout farms below the town where the finest fresh trout in Colombia is raised in extraordinary Andean spring water. The extraordinary combination of the colonial town, the wax palm valley and fresh trout for dinner makes Salento the finest single destination in the Coffee Region.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mirador del Salento reached by climbing Calle Real's 247 steps gives the finest 360-degree view in the entire Coffee Region, over the Cocora Valley, the wax palm silhouettes and the extraordinary coffee-covered Andean hills stretching in every direction. Arrive at sunrise for the finest extraordinary light before cloud rolls into the valleys. Free entry. Worth every step.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Rincon de Lucy, Salento Plaza Outstanding traditional Antioquian breakfast in the colonial plaza. Extraordinary local coffee and fresh bread. | Lunch: Trail snacks in Cocora Packed energy food for the 3.5-hour wax palm walk. Bring more water than you think you need. | Dinner: Donde Miriam, Salento Outstanding fresh trout restaurant in Salento. Extraordinary whole grilled trout with patacon.
DAY 4
COFFEE FINCAS AND FILANDIA
MORNING
MORNING COFFEE FINCA TOUR AND CUPPING
The most extraordinary coffee experience in Colombia, a full half-day tour of a traditional Quindio finca covering the complete arabica production cycle from shaded nursery through cherry harvest, extraordinary wet processing, raised-bed drying, dry milling and a remarkable professional cupping session revealing the extraordinary complexity of Colombian single-origin coffee. The finest fincas in the Salento area include La Victoria and Jesus Martin. Tours approx 30,000 to 50,000 COP. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
FILANDIA, THE HIDDEN COFFEE TOWN
The most extraordinary and least visited colonial coffee town in the Quindio region, smaller and more authentic than Salento, with the finest observation tower in the Coffee Region giving extraordinary 360-degree views over the coffee-covered hills. The remarkable traditional basket weaving workshops of Filandia produce the finest handmade wicker work in Colombia, sold direct from the workshops at extraordinary prices. The extraordinary colonial plaza is virtually tourist-free. Free to explore. 30 min drive back
AFTERNOON
SECOND COFFEE FINCA AND EVENING SALENTO
A second afternoon visit to a different coffee finca focusing on the extraordinary specialty coffee production and direct-trade model that has transformed the Colombian Coffee Region's international reputation. The remarkable difference between the two fincas in production methods, altitude and cup profile is the most extraordinary coffee education available in Colombia. Evening return to Salento for the finest craft beer and trout dinner.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary El Ocaso coffee finca between Salento and Filandia, a 4th-generation family farm producing remarkable specialty micro-lot coffees at 1,700 metres, offers the finest immersive coffee experience in the region including overnight stays and extraordinary multi-day coffee courses. Book through their website. The most extraordinary coffee education available in the Colombian Coffee Region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Salento guesthouse breakfast Fresh Colombian coffee and local bread before the morning finca departure. | Lunch: Finca lunch or Filandia Traditional Antioquian lunch either at the finca or a simple Filandia family restaurant. | Dinner: El Rancho, Salento Outstanding Antioquian grill restaurant in Salento. Extraordinary local beef and the finest Coffee Region craft beer.
DAY 5
QUIMBAYA GOLD AND RETURN
MORNING
MUSEO DEL ORO QUIMBAYA, ARMENIA
The extraordinary Museo del Oro Quimbaya in Armenia, one of the finest pre-Columbian gold museums in Colombia outside Bogota, housing a remarkable collection of Quimbaya gold pieces including extraordinary ceremonial flasks, helmets and figurines from a civilisation that reached its peak between 300 and 1000 CE. The extraordinary Quimbaya treasure of 122 ceremonial gold pieces donated by Colombia to Spain in 1892 is represented here by remarkable replicas. Entry approx 4,000 COP. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
COFFEE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE UNESCO DRIVE
The extraordinary UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape of the Colombian Coffee Region, a living agricultural landscape of extraordinary beauty where coffee-covered hillsides, traditional bahareque farmhouses with their remarkable flower gardens, the extraordinary wax palms and the traditional Antioquian way of life create a cultural heritage recognised as extraordinary by UNESCO in 2011. The drive through the landscape is the finest way to appreciate its extraordinary scale and beauty. 3 hours bus back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO MEDELLIN AND FAREWELL DINNER
RETURN TO MEDELLIN AND FAREWELL DINNER Evening The extraordinary bus journey back to Medellin through the remarkable Andean landscape of Antioquia, arriving into the city as the extraordinary valley lights up at dusk. The remarkable view of eight million people spread across the Andean valley from the freeway descent is the finest arrival in Colombia. A final evening in Medellin's El Poblado for the finest farewell dinner to the City of Eternal Spring.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Parque del Cafe near Montenegro in the Quindio is Colombia's finest theme park, dedicated entirely to the extraordinary coffee culture of the Coffee Region with remarkable rides, an extraordinary coffee museum, traditional Antioquian village and the finest coffee tastings in the park. Entirely overlooked by international visitors who go only to Salento. Entry approx 50,000 COP. An extraordinary full day.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Salento guesthouse before departure Final breakfast in the Coffee Region before the bus to Armenia. | Lunch: Armenia local restaurant Traditional Quindio lunch before the afternoon return journey. Extraordinary fresh fruit and local coffee. | Dinner: Oci.Mde, Medellin Outstanding craft beer restaurant in El Poblado. Extraordinary local Antioquian dishes and the finest Colombian craft beer.
Where To Stay
Medellin, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Dann Carlton or Casa Dann Carlton. El Poblado location. Approx 80 to 200 USD per night. Salento, Nights 3 to 4 Plantation House or Hostal Salento Real. Colonial town. Approx 20 to 80 USD per night. Budget Option Selina Medellin (El Poblado) or La Serrana Hostel (Salento). Approx 15 to 50 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Stay in El Poblado or Laureles in Medellin. Both are safe, well connected and full of great restaurants.
2. The Piedra del Penol at Guatape has 740 steps. Go early before the heat and crowds build.
3. The Cocora Valley walk is 12km return. Start before 9am before cloud rolls into the wax palms.
4. Book coffee finca tours through the Salento tourist office for vetted farms. Avoid random touts.
5. Salento Sunday market is the finest in the Coffee Region. Plan the itinerary around it if possible.
6. Try the bandeja paisa at Hacienda restaurant in Medellin. The full Antioquian platter is extraordinary.
Total Budget
35 to 285 USD/day