Don’t miss the Armenia and Salento regions in the center of the country, where you can explore their coffee production. Fincas are an integral part of the Colombian landscape, so make the most of this green moment.
Salento is a charming, colorful town not far from Armenia. Here, in the heart of Colombia, you’ll find authenticity, lush green landscapes and friendly people. The town of Salento is surrounded by nature, and people come here to enjoy the superb landscapes of the Cocora Valley as well as to discover the region’s black gold, the coffee. So it’s up to Plantation House, an organic finca (finca being the name of a farm producing coffee) where we put down our suitcases for 2 nights, as the establishment offers its own coffee. coffee tours in English and Spanish.
I invite you to read all our other articles on Colombia to help you prepare for your trip:
- Charming villages: Salento, Cocora Valley, Villa de Leyva and Raquira
- Medellin, what to do and where to stay in this city
- Cartagena, what to do in this city
- Santa Marta and Tayron Park, all our practical advice
- Playa blanca, why we are disappointed with this beach
- Budget and 3-week itinerary
- Guatapé, an unusual hotel in Colombia
- Discover Guajira and the Wayuu people
- Homestay cooking classes in Cartagena
| DISCOVER AN ORGANIC FINCA IN SALENTO
This finca has the advantage of being just 5 minutes’ walk from the town center, which means you can combine a visit to the finca in the heart of nature with a tour of the town.Salento. For a more immersive experience, you can spend a night in the production building. (50,000 COP/2 persons per night) right in the heart of the forest, a 15-minute walk from the reception desk, where you’ll have the chance to meet the farmers and find out more about their work (provided you speak Spanish). That’s what we did the first night, and despite the rustic facilities, you’ll love the traditional ambience of this finca. The view you’ll have of the plantations is absolutely splendid.
The coffee tour, sold to 20 000 COP/pers, starts here. It is run in English in the mornings by Timothy, and in Spanish by Raoul in the afternoons. The tour begins with a short walk through the plantations, followed by an explanation of the cultivation and manufacturing process, then the roasting and tasting of the coffee. It was a great time, immersing us in what for us is the heart of Colombia.
| LA FINCA LA SONORA D’ARMENIA
Have you ever dreamed of sleeping in a beautiful coffee finca? Here’s a place that’s sure to delight you if you travel to the Quindio region of Colombia. This region and the Cocora Valley are among our favorites, so take the time to discover them! The finca “La Sonora” located in the village of Tapao in the province of Quindio, not far fromArmenia. This former coffee plant has been converted into a Colombian-style country house hotel. On the three-hectare property, the family has converted several small houses into family dwellings where you can settle down to enjoy the region or just relax.
They are colorful (Colombian-style), with a living room opening onto a large terrace and garden, a fully equipped kitchen, and 3 bedrooms that can accommodate up to 10 people. If there are 6 of you, accommodation will cost you 90€/night. Not a bad plan, is it? Here, you’ll be in the green and feel the peaceful side of country life in Colombia. The owners are incredibly kind and will help you organize your visits.
They will also prepare your breakfasts with a good Colombian coffee from a nearby production as well as good fruit juices, homemade with passion fruit from the garden unless you prefer pineapples or bananas! That’s the charm of this property. We feed on local produce from the garden and the region. You can also stroll through the bamboo grove to discover local plants such as the magnificent paradise birds that grow through the region’s immense bamboos. A real bucolic delight, with a South American feel. For the kids, there’s a large soccer pitch where they can let off steam before joining you by the pool for a moment of relaxation.
| PARC DEL CAFE, A GREAT PLACE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
For your days out, for example, you’ll be a stone’s throw from the “Parc del Café” about a 15-minute walk from the Finca. We had some preconceived ideas about this park, but we were enchanted by the place. This theme park, which is located in the province of Quindio, offers shows and 40 attractions for young and old. It’s a great way to spend a fun-filled day with your children while learning more about the history of coffee in the region. It’s worth noting that you can also buy coffee and go home with the local bean (for better conservation) or ground and ready-to-use. Take advantage of this finca to do as we did and spend a few days at this beautiful property in the middle of your journey before continuing your stay in this beautiful country that we loved so much.
PRACTICAL INFO | Salento and Armenia
- E-mail address and telephone number: fincalasonora@yahoo.es/Tel: +057 310 4517801
- Armenia distance: Cali is 147km away, Bogota and Medellin 190km.
- Parque del cafe is only 2km from the finca, which we reached on foot.
- Finca La Sonora: COP 100,000 for 2 people, COP 200,000 (€60) for 4 people and COP 50,000 (€15) for each additional person.
- Park del Cafe entrance fee: COP 59,000 (€17.8) for unlimited access to all attractions.
Before you leave, don’t forget to read all our other articles on Colombia to help you prepare for your trip:
- Charming villages: Salento, Cocora Valley, Villa de Leyva and Raquira
- Medellin, what to do and where to stay in this city
- Cartagena, what to do in this city
- Santa Marta and Tayron Park, all our practical advice
- Playa blanca, why we are disappointed with this beach
- Budget and 3-week itinerary
- Guatapé, an unusual hotel in Colombia
- Discover Guajira and the Wayuu people
- Homestay cooking classes in Cartagena
