As Manizales is in the department of Caldas on the western coast of the central Andes Cordillera, it is easy to visit a wide variety of climatic areas determined by the altitude above sea-level. By road, 45 kms away, you can reach high altitudes (4800m) with temperatures below 0°C and can see splendid glaciers. Going down from Manizales, 20 kms away, you can admire the River Cauca where the temperatures are as high as 30°C! These climates remain stable all year round. Whilst you climb towards the National Natural Park “Los Nevados”, one of the largest nature reserves in the country, you can enjoy breathtaking views and the beauty of the Andean tropical forest. We are speaking here of a unique place on earth, composed of a luxuriant vegetation in spite of it being 3000m above sea-level.
A five minute drive from the city going down the Cordillera to altitudes
between 1000m to 2000m will take you to the coffee growing area where
the best coffee is grown with plantations covering most of these mountains.
This area makes Colombia the top world producer of mild coffee with more
than one million tons exported each year. The coffee industry is supported
by many small-scale producers, operating in cooperatives, groups and a
national federation. New varieties of coffee have been obtained discovered
at the National Investigation Centre (CENICAFE) which has made it possible
to obtain new flavours, different plant sizes and a few disease immunities.
The two annual crops are harvested in March-April and October-November.
This careful selection and the uniqueness of the soil ensure the high
quality of coffee from Colombia. In the preparation process, firstly,
the husk is removed and the beans washed. They are then dried in a traditional
or industrial way in ovens, and finally transported to be roasted ready
for consumption.
90km from Manizales, you will find the National Coffee Park (http:/www.parquenacionaldelcafe.com),
a place which, par excellence, attracts many tourists in the area and
the country. The visitor will find the coffee museum and will be able
to take a walk in the plantations and visit the replica of a typical village
of the area. At the end of this great adventure, the visitor can have
something to eat and buy regional and hand-crafted goods.
The information provided here is probably not complete and therefore we invite visitors to send suggestions that allows supplement and update the site using the link "Contact Us"
