Manizales

ciscokid says on May 26, 2005, 07:31:

Manizales How much dose food cost in Manizales for 6 months?

ciscokid says on May 26, 2005, 07:34:

Manizales How much is apartment in Manizales cost with all utilities and included furnished and AC

Colombiche says on May 26, 2005, 07:37:

Cisco I am originally from Manizales, although I no longer live there. I know my aunts rent an apartment in Barrio La Estrella (a nice, clean, decent middle class neighborhood) for 350,000 pesos a month. That is like 140 dollars American of something like that. Housing is cheap there (their apartment is not furnished though).

I don't know much about food, but I know in Manizales you can buy a pack of 5 arepas for $750 pesos (a few cents). It is ridiculously cheap.

Manizales is lovely, you are going to fall in love with it.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

sandramoreno80 says on May 26, 2005, 07:38:

I dont think that you will find air conditioning in Manizales, as it is quite chilly there.

Colombiche says on May 26, 2005, 07:39:

Oh cisco about the AC Trust me, you do not need AC in Manizales. The weather there is extremely pleasant during the day, a bit on the cool side at nights. (Manizales is at an elevation of 2200 meters, it is considered a very mild to cold climate, eventhough it has warmed up lots lately).

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Colombiche says on May 26, 2005, 07:40:

Sandra.... It is much less chilly than Bogota, and I hear it has warmed up lots lately. Can't wait, cause I am going back there in September!!! Yeah!!!

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Colombiche says on May 26, 2005, 07:43:

Cisco I forgot to mention that the apartment that my aunts are renting is a 2 bedroom with a little bedroom in the kitchen (for the live in maid), which by the way is quite commonplace back home.
I know their electrical bill is about 40,000 pesos a month (like 15 dollars).

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

sandramoreno80 says on May 26, 2005, 07:45:

Colombiche, yeah defin. Bogota is colder than Manizales, its just that I go to Armenia every year and have lived there too, so anything colder than 24 degrees for me is freezing!

BYW, I thought you were from Medellin, or did I get the wrong end of the stick? I'm from England, my parents are from Armenia and Ibague.

Colombiche says on May 26, 2005, 07:52:

Sandra you mean me? From Medellin? I lived there when I was a child, but I consider myself Manizaleña. Paisa above all.

I am not into cold weather myself, which is why I am glad that Manizales is becoming balmier these days :)

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

caulfield2 says on May 26, 2005, 09:06:

How would you describe the climate of Armenia?

Same as Manizales and Pereira, I would assume...?

I'm sure it will be better for my dog than Cartagena, as I will be living and teaching in Armenia for at least two years.

Any places in Armenia that are "must visits" for me to check out? I'm sure that I will learn over time.

litost says on May 26, 2005, 10:03:

Armenia climate is about the same as Pereira, warm sometimes hot days, usually mild nights... considerably warmer and somewhat drier than Manizales.

sandramoreno80 says on May 26, 2005, 10:37:

Armenia is warmer than Manizales and shares about the temps. as Pereira. I would say that this could vary between 21-24C, indeed I have always found the temps. to be lovely.

My family have informed me that even though most of Colombia is in the midst of "invierno" -which for them means rain, with flooding affecting the country, Armenia has been really hot and sunny. Armenia has a windy month usually in August- Los vientos de Agosto- with really strong winds.

Armenia is divided in three parts, North, Centre and South and as a rule the south is warmer than the north, with the south being on the way to the low plains of Valle del Cauca and the north being the exit to Risaralda (Pereira).

poco says on May 26, 2005, 11:00:

Colombia Drug Areas - Overview 2002 circa Maps

A glance will show where the Poppy fields are located. Manizales is toooo close, the girl I’m with has recommend there is NO reason for me to go there. Having not lost anything in Manizales I’ll see this nice city at some future date. Armenia and Pereira no problem and we go there often,, jungle walks not recommended,, but I have visted remote Guadua research and farming centers in the hills of Armenia.

A coca growing area map is included. Explains why the region south of Cali is a no go for eco-tours and hiking.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

Colombiche says on May 26, 2005, 11:28:

Poco Manizales is actually one of the safer cities in Colombia (by colombian standards). I have about 200 relatives (no joke) living there right now, and I actually know a few foreigners who have lived there and loved it.

I feel much safer in Manizales than I do in bogota, pereira and definitely Cali. Once you start going to the rural areas in the vicinity things can get a bit more dangerous.

If you live in one of the nice Manizaleño neighborhoods (Belen, Palermo, La Estrella, Chipre) you will be fine.

Just don't forget on Sundays, you have to go to Chipre to have Obleas con Arequipe. If you didn't do that, then you really didn't experience Manizales.

:) Have fun and take care

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Colombiche says on May 26, 2005, 11:30:

If you have any problems while you are in Manila .... give me a shout. Send me a PM, and I will hook you up with somebody that can help you. I will also be there for the entire month of September.

Manizales rocks.

Colombiche.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

litost says on May 26, 2005, 16:30:

poco: I can understand you try to guide yourself by maps, which is generally a good idea, but in this case your interpretation can be very misleading... the way you see it, one would have to avoid pretty much the whole Eje Cafetero because it's "too close" to drug crops, not to mention ever going near Ibague or the surrounding towns, when in fact it is one of the safest regions in Colombia to travel.

You mention you've been to Armenia and Pereira and noticed it's ok... it seems unbelievable to me that you would still think that a city which is only about an hour away would be too dangerous to even consider visiting. "Why go to Manizales?" you ask... well, it's the most interesting of the cities in the region IMHO, has a very high percentage of university students thus plenty of bars, cafes, night clubs, cultural events. It's has some of the most educated, polite and friendly people in Colombia, nice weather, a gorgeous view of the Nevado del Ruiz o one side and of an enormous valley from another. It has one of the main, if not the best, popular festivals in Colombia: La Feria de Manizales. There is the enormous Cathedral in the center, el Once Caldas, the nearby Parque Natural de los Nevados....... I could go on and on...

cali373 says on May 26, 2005, 20:05:

Your information is incorrect, you will not find any large Coca fields too near to Cali, Depending on the distance, south of any where in Colombia,ecuador,Peru,Bolivia you will run into coca fields. Manizales is great and while you may have lost anything there, you will lose out on the great experience of being there.

Smile if you are a thinker!

go2pr says on May 28, 2005, 01:37:

Litost "It has one of the main, if not the best, popular festivals in Colombia: La Feria de Manizales".


Could you please elaborate about the Feria de Manizales, is it really that good ?

Do you think it's difficult to find accomodation during this périod, and what's the best hotel in town ?

Thanks.

quindioman says on May 28, 2005, 04:23:

go2pr litost's statement was bang on the money....i'm originally from Armenia....passed by Manizales many years ago, but I have a few close friends who are from Manizales.
That city is famous for their particular festival, and I have heard from various reliable sources that their festival is indeed one of the best in Colombia.....maybe Litost or Colombiche could elaborate....
Caulfield.....you will find Armenia to be a small city with (in my opinion) the optimum climate (average temperature is 26-27degrees celsius).
Places to visit: El Parque del Cafe - on the way to Montenegro
Penas Blancas - a nice mount to climb which looms above Calarca
Armenia itself is indeed divided into 3 parts North (for the rich ones) Centro (mainly shops & bars) & the south (for poor pipol like me)
Be sure to catch a match....Quindio are the local team....matches are on Sundays at 3:30pm, and the view from the stadium to the mountains in the background is beautiful (i sometimes forget there's a match going on)
There are plenty of smaller towns in Quindio you could go for a sancocho on a Sunday....Filandia, Tebaida, Salento & Barcelona to name a few
If you're into sports there's Confenalco (a few miles south of Armenia)
I haven't been for a few years, but I've swam, played football, tennis, table tennis and basketball in this place...very nice....even if it's only to walk the premises (it's pretty big)

Hope a gram of this info helps
Ps I have some friends that might help you out when in Armenia...if you need help with anything gimme a shout...

Mauro

litost says on Jun 2, 2005, 08:51:

go2pr,

You will notice that pretty much every town and city in Colombia has some kind of Fiesta, Feria or Carnaval during the year. Some of the most famous are the Feria de Cali, Carnaval de Barranquilla, Feria de las Flores (Medellin), and the Feria de Manizales. Usually, they last a long weekend or up to a whole week of festivities. Each of the celebrations has its own particularities and regional taste, but overall they all include lots of music and dancing in closed streets, heavy drinking, concerts, parades, beauty pageants, fireworks, cultural events... and did I mention A LOT of drinking???

Which is the best??? Well, there will never be a consensus on that question in Colombia... if you're into Salsa and horses Cali's it, for cumbia and a lot of color Barranquilla, for paisa tradition and massive parades with flowers than go to Medellin, etc. Actually, I think some of the best Ferias are those in smaller cities or towns, though I still have many yet to experience myself.

The Feria de Manizales has several features which makes it special. It is a small yet modern city, easy to get around and pretty safe. There are musical events which offer typical colombian rythms such as salsa and vallenato, but the strong spanish influence in the city is also present through the "pasodoble" which is the music associated to Manizales and the bullfighting season during the Feria, very strong tradition in this city in particular (though many of us surely are against this practice). There is also a space for other styles of music, such as the "Tango Via" which is set up throughout the fair, and the usual offer of rock, jazz, electronic establishments and concerts. There is an international beauty pageant to choose the Miss Coffee for the world. There are "cabalgatas" or horse parades, popular tradition in this region of Colombia. Many important streets in different neighborhoods are closed for traffic so food and music tents can be set up and for people to walk around. There is an important crafts exposition with lots of really interesting stuff done by hand. The natural setting in the middle of a mountain range is stunning, and the weather is not too hot and not too cold (just gotta pray it doesn't rain). Finally, an aspect which helps the Feria de Manizales a lot is that it takes place in the middle of the main vacation season in Colombia, in early january right after New Year's, making it easy for people from other cities and regions to attend (the geographic location helps too).

The festivities begin the first weekend of the new year, and go on until the end of the following weekend... the last 3 or 4 days of the Fair are the best. The city gets seriously overcrowded and getting last minute accomodation is near impossible I imagine, I always stay with friends who study or work in the city. I don't remember hotel names, but I'm sure a google search for hotels in manizales will turn up something.

Hope to see you all there in 2006!!!

go2pr says on Jun 2, 2005, 09:32:

Litost Great and very comprehensive report, thanks for it.

Manizales feria is on my to do list for the next Colombian trip. Maybe see you there !

How is the road from/to Medellin, is it safe and are the surroundings worth the trip ?

Cheers

Colombiche says on Jun 2, 2005, 09:54:

Litost's report was quite comprehensive But check out the Manizales website:

http://www.feriademanizales.com.co/

It is in spanish, but there is everything you want to know about beautiful Manizales.

Just to add to Litost's report, you also want to visit El parque de los nevados, las termales. It is a snow capped mountain, beautiful excursion, you don't want to miss out on the hotsprings (straight out of the volcanoe).

Trust me, Manizales is a very charming small city. Very cultured, very traditional, but a lot of partying going on. (the city has less than half a million people yet it is home to more than 8 prestigious univerisities). We also have el festival del teatro (theater from all over the world, la feria de manizales (cabalgatas, procesiones, desfiles, reinados and bullfights if you are into that).

Very Spanish city, right down to the music and the customs of the people.


You won't regret going there, exercice basic precaution, it is one of the cleanest and safest cities in Colombia.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Colombiche says on Jun 2, 2005, 09:56:

The road trip between Manizales and Medellin.. is about 4 hours long. It is very safe if done during the day, you might want to do it with locals. My sister just drove from manizales to medellin 3 weeks ago with her boyfriend, no problem at all.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

go2pr says on Jun 2, 2005, 09:59:

Colombiche Thanks for your comprehensive answers as well.

Cheers

ciscokid says on Jun 13, 2005, 06:11:

Questions I AM GOING TO MANIZALES FROM DECEMBER 2005 TO JUNE 2006 I WOULD LIKE TO RENT THAT APARTMENT WHAT DO I NEED TO DO. HOW FAR IS ESTRADA FROM
LA ESTRELLA I HAVE A FRIEND THAT LIVE THEIR AND I WANT TO VIST HER THANK FOR ALL YOUR HELP

ciscokid says on Jun 13, 2005, 06:14:

COLOMBICHE HOW MUCH IS THE APARTMENT THAT YOUR AUNTS IS RENTING OUT

ciscokid says on Jun 13, 2005, 06:18:

Questions about manizales ONE OF MY BIGGIST PASS TIME IS DANCE WHERE ARE SOME GOOD PLACE TO GO TO DANCE IN MANIZALES

BxUnika says on Feb 11, 2007, 18:40:

Manizales? I am thinking of going there soon. A few questions:

1) What is safety like there in comparison to Bogota (where live), Armenia, and Medellin?

2) In Bogota tourists are cautioned not to go to the south of the city and to generally stay north or east. Is there a certain sector or side of the city which should be avoided?

3) What neighborhoods are sketchy or should best be avoided? According to Colombiche's site from a while ago, there map breaks the city up into 9 sections. Are any of these sections better or worse than the others?

4) Where does one go to catch buses to nearby towns in Caldas and Risaralda? Do you have to go to Teriminal Transporte or are there colectivos that pick up passengers all around the city?

5) For those who have been there, what are the absolutely must-see sites in Manizales?

Muchas gracias.

bickerss says on Feb 12, 2007, 10:09:

Awsome place, I had a hoot there, caught a bus from Bogota to their (night bus) about 7 hrs - dont take it if you are taller than a colombian, it was atight fit in the chair!!!

In Manizales, go to the el Cable area - really nice, very safe and nice cafes and bars. If u want to party go to VIP, if u want to drink cafe go to Juan valdez. There are ecotermales nearby which are a good half or full day trip. U can also trek to the volcano etc.

I really liked this city.

cali373 says on Feb 12, 2007, 10:28:

Climate in Armenia is more like Pereira but warmer than Manizales.

Smile if you are a thinker!

cali373 says on Feb 12, 2007, 10:47:

BxUnika, talk about a whopper of questions. I will attemp #4

4) Where does one go to catch buses to nearby towns in Caldas and Risaralda? Do you have to go to Teriminal Transporte or are there colectivos that pick up passengers all around the city?

Caldas and Risaralda cover large areas, mostly rural. In Risaralda I have been around Pereira and La Virginia. In Periera (capital) there is a bus terminal where you can get a bus to anywhere in Colombia. Yes there are collectivos and "micros" (small vans that fit like 12 people that you can find all over the city. They usually have signs on these which tell you what places they go. The same can be said for Manizales. Depending on where in Caldas you are going Pereira may be closer even though it is in Risaralda.
In both Manizales and Caldas, I would employ caution in rural areas. Ask locals in the nearby cities if it is considered relatively safe to go to certain towns, unless you know someone in that town. The "duros" of some towns can be weary of outsiders. Do not be surprised when in a small pueblo, if you are approached and asked what are you doing there. It happened to me in a pueblo past La Virginia. I simply told them who I was there with and they knew my friends family and everything was good.

I would say that if you want to visit no touristy rural areas, try to make some contacts first. Where exactly do you want to go in these areas?


5) For those who have been there, what are the absolutely must-see sites in Manizales?

Manizales is a great city and one of the safest. I am an outdoors type so I would say go to the nevado del Ruiz volcano tour. In Risaralda go to the eco-termales de Santa Rosa.

Smile if you are a thinker!