Manizales is located on the top of central mountain range up to 2160 meters over sea level. It is characterized for its mountain landscapes and coffee farms. Manizales is part of the coffee region of Colombia and welcome annually a lot of tourists thanks to the Reinado Internacional del Café (January every year). Manizales was founded by settlers from Antioquia. From them we learned their strength, kindness and inherited our typical dish: beans and “Bandeja paisa”
“One always returns to the old places where the life was loved” Chavela Vargas
Manizales is recognized due to its beautiful sunsets which you can enjoy from Chipre sector. There is a monument to the Antioquia settlers (free entrance) that you can admire while eating oblea or enjoying an ice cream or a cholado.
It is also possible to do some extreme activities like swing or walking around the “tower to the sky”.
Another interesting activity is going to the “corredor polaco“, located in the Cathedral Basilica, which is one of the most known symbols of the city. It has a cost of 10.000 COP (near 3.3 USD). The “corredor polaco” is the highest point of the city and from there you will be able to see the city and mountains around in a 360º view.
Near the Cathedral, there is a cafe called “La Terraza“, located in the 23rd floor of Atlas building. I recommend you to drink a good coffee while enjoy the view.
Finally, after a long day walking around, you can get relax in the thermal waters of Tierra Viva. To arrive, take a bus from downtown to “la Enea” sector and next from “la Enea” to Gallinazo sector. The cost depends on the day of the week, during weekend it cost 20.000 COP (6.6 USD aprox.).
By Sandra Milena López Zamora