A cultural landscape unique in the world

The Eje Cafetero (Coffee Axis) stretches across the departments of Quindío, Risaralda and Caldas, in the heart of the Colombian Andes. This region, where coffee has been grown since the mid-19th century on steep slopes above 1,500 meters of altitude, was declared a UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site in 2011, in recognition of the human effort required to grow coffee on such difficult terrain.

Haciendas and coffee tradition

Many fincas cafeteras (coffee haciendas) welcome visitors for guided tours that follow the entire production process, from hand-picking the beans to the cup, often staying in historic houses surrounded by plantations and postcard-perfect hilly landscapes. On the coffee axis it is common to take tours aboard colorful Jeep Willys that will lead you through the coffee plantations.

Salento and the colorful towns

Salento, one of the oldest villages in the department of Quindío, founded in 1850, with its brightly colored houses and the typical Jeep Willys that carry visitors around the surroundings, is the region’s most iconic town, dedicated to coffee production, trout farming and tourism, and attracts visitors with its picturesque streets and traditional “paisa” houses. Nearby, the town of Filandia offers a quieter, more authentic atmosphere, with well-preserved architecture, nature reserves such as the Barbas River Canyon, and a scenic viewpoint over the valley.

The Cocora Valley

Not far from Salento opens the spectacular Cocora Valley, home to the wax palms, Colombia’s national tree and the tallest palm trees in the world, capable of exceeding 60 meters in height. A trek among these palms wrapped in Andean mist is one of the most striking experiences in all of Colombia.

If you’re considering a trip to Colombia, the Eje Cafetero is the ideal stop for lovers of green landscapes and good coffee!