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I would also like to recommend our Colombia travel guide, which provides a perfect overview of the tourist attractions in Colombia. Enjoy reading it!
At the epicenter of the most exquisite aromas and flavors, the Coffee Axis in Colombia stands as a true coffee paradise. In this blog, we take you to discover the most outstanding farms in the region.
Get ready for a sensory and emotional journey through this iconic corner of Colombia!
What is the Coffee Axis in Colombia?
The Coffee Axis or Eje Cafetero in Colombia is a geographical region located in the central-western part of the country, renowned as the epicenter of high-quality coffee production. This Axis comprises three departments: Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda.
The altitude, climate, and topography of this area create ideal conditions for cultivating Arabica coffee, known for its smooth and complex flavors. Beyond its recognition for coffee excellence, the Coffee Axis draws visitors with its mountainous landscapes, coffee culture, and charming colonial towns.
Coffee Farms in the Coffee Axis, Colombia
Hacienda San Alberto
Location: Buenavista, Quindío
Hacienda San Alberto is a coffee-producing place located in Buenavista, Quindío, famed for producing some of Colombia’s most awarded coffees.
The hacienda sits on a 40-hectare land amidst the mountains of the Central Range. It features a vast house painted in white, blue, and orange, surrounded by flowers and, of course, coffee plantations. From a lookout on the hacienda, you can behold the impressive view of this land, 1,500 meters above sea level.
Hacienda San Alberto boasts over forty years of history in coffee cultivation. San Alberto coffee is a blend of Arabica Caturra, Castillo Paraguaicito, and other varieties. The result is a coffee with notes of red fruits and caramel.
Services and Activities
- Coffee Plantation Tour: Embark on a captivating journey through the hacienda coffee plantations. Guided by expert hosts, you’ll discover the complete process of coffee cultivation, harvesting, and processing, from the plantation to the cup.
- Tasting Laboratory: Dive into the intriguing world of coffee tasting at Hacienda San Alberto’s specialized laboratory. Here, you can taste a variety of flavor profiles, understanding the complexities that define each batch.
- Barista Experience: Become a coffee master by participating in barista workshops. You’ll learn to prepare and appreciate different extraction methods, from the classic espresso to the latest trends in specialty coffee.
Access:
While entry to the hacienda is free, specific activities, such as guided tours and workshops, may have an additional cost. This access allows visitors to explore the grounds and enjoy the surroundings without restrictions.
How to get there?
From Armenia, follow the signs to the municipality of Buenavista. Hacienda San Alberto is strategically signposted, facilitating a hassle-free journey from the heart of the coffee region.
Hacienda Venecia
Location: Manizales, Caldas
Nestled in the idyllic coffee landscape of Caldas, Hacienda Venecia stands as a gem that blends history, nature, and coffee. With over 140 years of coffee legacy, this place encapsulates the very essence of Colombian coffee-growing tradition. Its imposing colonial architectures, surrounded by lush coffee plantations, tell a fascinating tale of coffee’s evolution in the region.
The coffee produced on this place merges the most outstanding practices in cultivation, harvesting, processing, drying, milling, roasting, and grinding, resulting in an exceptional Arabica coffee with a smooth profile.
At Hacienda Venecia, visitors have the option to stay in the Main House, a space steeped in rich family tradition. Alternatively, they can choose the Coffee Lodge, a more contemporary accommodation option nestled in the beautiful coffee crop surroundings. Additionally, the cozy Hostel and an Overlanders Site are available.
Book your stay today at Hacienda Venecia
Services and Activities:
- Historical Tour: Embark on a journey through time with a tour of the hacienda’s historical facilities. Uncover the secrets held by the ancient processing machines and warehouses that have witnessed generations of harvests.
- Integral Coffee Experience: From plantation to cup, Hacienda Venecia offers a complete experience. Participate in the harvest, learn about the processing, and finish with a tasting of exceptional coffees, each with its unique flavor profile.
- Coffee Hiking Trail: Immerse yourself in the nature surrounding the hacienda through hiking trails among coffee plantations. Breathe the fresh mountain air as you explore lands that have been home to coffee for over a century.
- Artisanal Chocolate Workshop: Gain insights into the process that dry and fermented cacao beans undergo, transforming fascinatingly into the delight of chocolate. During the activity, you’ll have the chance to roast and grind your own cacao beans, exploring each stage of the chocolate creation process in detail.
Access:
Entry to Hacienda Venecia may require a fee for certain activities, such as specialized tours and premium tastings. However, general access to the hacienda and its open areas is complimentary.
How to get there?
From Manizales, take the road through the coffee hills towards Chinchiná. Signs for Hacienda Venecia will guide you along a picturesque path to the heart of the plantation.
Finca El Ocaso
Location: Salento, Quindío
With over a century of coffee tradition, Finca El Ocaso stands as a living testament to the passion and dedication that coffee growers have invested in each bean. Surrounded by the majesty of the Andes Mountains, El Ocaso offers an immersive experience in the fascinating world of coffee.
The estate features expansive gardens with a wide variety of flowers and native trees, and several hectares of coffee. It also has trails leading to a bamboo forest, a lookout point, a water spring, and the Quindío River, where you can birdwatch and learn about the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest.
Finca El Ocaso offers a spacious lounge with a fireplace that integrates the living room and dining area, boasting a beautiful view of the mountains of the Coffee Cultural Landscape. It also provides accommodation services for up to 10 people. All rooms have a private bathroom with hot water, WIFI connection, TV with over 30 national and international channels, a set of towels and 300-thread count linens, amenities, as well as a safe and minibar for a fee.
In the garden, there’s a cozy kiosk with BBQ and hammocks to enjoy the landscape.
Services and Activities
- Jeep Plantation Tours: Discover the secrets of the coffee fields on a guided tour in a vintage Jeep Willys. Expert coffee growers will take you through intricate paths among the plantations, sharing knowledge about the cultivation and harvesting process.
- Coffee Tasting Workshop: Dive into the art of coffee tasting. Participate in workshops where you can taste and learn to appreciate the subtleties of the beans grown at El Ocaso.
- Harvesting Experiences: Become a coffee grower for a day by participating in the manual collection of ripe beans. Learn about the meticulousness of this task and its impact on the quality of the coffee.
Access:
Entry to Finca El Ocaso is free, allowing visitors to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the farm. However, specific activities, such as Jeep tours or tasting workshops, may have an additional cost.
How to get there?
From Armenia, the department’s capital, take the road to Montenegro and continue towards Salento. Then, follow the signage that will lead you to the Finca El Ocaso.
More Nature Tourism Experiences in Colombia
Here is a list of incredible destinations for hiking and other nature activities in Colombia:
- The Best Hiking Routes in Colombia.
- The Most Representative Flowers in Colombia.
- Cacao Guide in Colombia.
- 33 Colombian Nature Travel Destinations
- 16 Hot Springs in Colombia You Should Know
- 7 Great National Parks in Colombia to Visit
- 7 Undiscovered Destinations in Colombia
- 21 Incredible Colombian Waterfalls
- 19 Caves to Discover in Colombia
- 7 Deserts in Colombia – Everything you should know
- Astrotourism in Colombia: Explore 4 Unmissable Stargazing Destinations
