Information for where to stay in zona cafetera

miamimike says on Jan 2, 2008, 10:42:

You should do a "Search" here on PBH,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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mrgizmo says on Jan 2, 2008, 10:46:

I've stayed at fincahotelsantana.com it's located about 1 kilometer away from Parque del Cafe and they have some rooms with 3 beds in them and private bath and a refrigerator inside the room. Prices are very reasonable. Checks the pictures on the website. Again I've stayed there several times.

Behind every successful man, there's a nagging woman

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 2, 2008, 11:14:

My two cents: If there is only one child, you might want to think twice about Panaca. I considered it, looked at the brochure and website, and passed. It's not cheap, either. If the youngin' wants to go on some rides - there are amusement park rides at the Coffee Park plus horse rides (real horses, not the sad little ponies tethered to a pole and walking around in a circle).

My quick trip (two and a half days) to the coffee zone included the Coffee Park, the Jardin Botanico, the Mariposario, the municipal park in Armenia and hanging out by the pool. If I go again, I'd like to try rafting, the canopy tour (that wire thing) and an extended horse ride. I also hear good things about Salento. And one of these days I want to see Manizales and the national park at/near the volcano.

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bufalo says on Jan 2, 2008, 12:20:

I live in Armenia and DO NOT KNOW YOUR SITUATION (in case I'm way off base).

Both Panaca and the Coffee Park suck in my opinion. Why come to a different country to go to a theme park? They are also expensive (most locals can't afford it). Mariposario is O.K. and way cheaper, but that depends on what you want. Me, I'm in a different country, would like to see the different people.

Panacá has a lot of animals that aren't always local. Coffee Park is amusment rides.

Salento is real good and you may catch their annual festival, could be good or bad. Good because lot's of fun, bad because good luck getting there (and back) and maybe too many people.

I'll try to see if there are any other events happening. One big hint, if you're planning on going to Armenia on a Sunday - forget it, it is dead as can be. That's the day to hit the dinky towns, they really come to life, all the campesinos ride in on their horses and the places fill up.

Again, don't know your situation nor how the adults and child take to certain things, good luck and have fun.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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billyb says on Jan 2, 2008, 13:23:

I agree with Buf, why go to another country to go see theme parks and malls. Go to Salento or Finlandia

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loarrso says on Jan 2, 2008, 15:44:

Thanks so much for your comments :)

I'll be in Colombia next week for about 10 days (Cali) but promissed my little nice (9 yrs old) that I would take her to the coffee park after visiting Buga. My plan is to do the trip next friday but since I dont know the area I dont know what city I should book a room (Montenegro, Quimbaya or Armenia) in case I decide to take her to Panaca because we'll not be driving to the coffee park.

I thought that since I'll be on the area I should take her to Panaca. However, since I've never been to either park I wasn't sure whether I should book a room for the night and visit Panaca. The thing is that since I don't get to see her that often I really want to leave beautiful memories of my visit.

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billyb says on Jan 2, 2008, 15:45:

I guess, if you have a nine yo in tow, a park is not a bad idea after all.

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JSM says on Jan 3, 2008, 09:45:

I personally enjoyed my day at the Parque del Café. I didn't do any of the rides, that's not my thing, but my boyfriend and I enjoyed walking around the nature paths and they were totally empty b/c everyone else was at the rides. The Bamboo forest is gorgeous, I loved it and wish I could go back and walk through it again.

Unfortunately I stayed with the BFs family on thier finca in Pueblo Tapao but I do know there are a ton of fincas all around that offer accomodations. Enjoy and good luck!

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getting better says on Jan 4, 2008, 16:54:

I went to the cafetero area with a friend and her 4 year old child
All three of us enjoyed Parque del Café very much
I found Panaca crass and was very bored, they both enjoyed it
The two adults enjoyed the Botoanical Garden, and the kid was only slightly bored, the butterfly house there is nice
I am sure most fincas would be happy for your business for one night if it wasnt a Friday or Saturday night. The tourist people in Armenia are pretty on the ball and I'm sure that they'd sort you out.
We had a very vague arrangement with a taxista that took us around for 5 days on the basis that he would give us a good rate, the price was not fixed and I was worried we'd have an argument, but the 235,000 pesos he charged at the end seemed reasonable.
There are much nicer places in Colombia than Armenia in my opinion, but it is easy and safe and for a short time it is OK.

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bufalo says on Jan 5, 2008, 17:09:

235.000COP for five-day taxi is good if the driver is the owner. If you really want a no-hassle day to just spend with your kid, that can be OK, the parks that is. As long as the point is to spend time with your kid, not really know the area. Quimbaya is nicer than Montenegro, but Salento is real nice (although over rated). I just got back with my wife, our 4 yo, sister in law and her 3 kids from the farm we got to - and there were three other kids waiting for us. Nice sancocho (I had to bring the two chickens back myself on a motorcycle), two days on the river and even spent the rest of the day making natilla, we're back now and it's almost story time with Papá and Tío Búfalo.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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chris932 says on Jan 6, 2008, 17:07:

Panaca is a waste of time in my opinion - it's a glorified farm. If you're interested in different sheep and cow breeds you'll find it fascinating, otherwise i doubt it!

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bufalo says on Jan 6, 2008, 18:25:

True, it started as a place for all the mafiosos to keep their exotic animals. Still is.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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