Traveling from Bogota' to Risaralda or "coffee park" (Panaca)

mad_lion says on Nov 20, 2004, 16:37:

I just finished doing the same itinerary in October. First, people who are from Bogota are called "Rolos", so the proper term for your fiance if she is from Bogota is a "Rola" or affectionately called "Rolita" - not Bogotana ;-)

Anywho...the trip by bus/car is rather safe, of course always travel by daylight! However, I chose to take a flight form Bogota to Armenia which is only a mere $70USD R/T for 2 people on Avianca at the time in October!!!

You WILL LOVE the coffee park, there is a cool Roller Coaster operated by Bellsouth in the park that reminded of my younger days when I visited Coney Island in New York as 9 year-old kid (long time ago)! Alos,do not miss the Orchid show (known as Orchidias).

Panaca is not what I expected it to be, however you may like it. It consists of animal shows that you sit and just watch from a distance and participate as audience member, however there is NO interaction with many of teh animals as one may think.


One other thing to note. Panaca and the coffe park ARE NOT the same thing, and are not close to each other at all.

Panaca is located in Quimbaya about 1 hour from Armenia, the coffe park is located about 25 minutes from downtown Armenia. However, do not confuse the 2 as being the same thing, they are 2 totally seperate parks!

Also, you may want to check out the Armenia Hotel as they have a terrific plan for 2 people that includes lodging/breakfeast & Dinner; entrance to all 3 parks (Coffe Park, Panaca and parque de la vida/Mariposero) call for rates as they may have changed. This is a very nice hotel compared to a 4-star Hyatt Hotel in the states.

Av. Bolivar # 8N Esquina Armenia Colombia
Tel: (57-6)7460099 Fax:(57-6)7450200
Reservations in Bogotá Tel:(57-1)2747868 Toll Free:018000-514000 Fax:(57-1)6147434
E-Mail: reservas at hotelesestelar.com

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ColombiaBoard says on Nov 20, 2004, 16:56:

A quick note on "Rolos" Some people from Bogota, correctly named Bogotanos/as, don´t like to be called Rolos/as so be careful when you use that nickname.

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mad_lion says on Nov 20, 2004, 17:01:

really???? Geez, I have never heard that one. I know a whole flock of people from Bogota, and they all have never mentioned not liking being called Rolos - teh whole country of Colombia calls people from Bogota Rolos actually.

I guess you may say that some people from Medellin don't like to be called "paisas" but, hey I never heard that one either.

Thanks for the info.

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litost says on Nov 20, 2004, 18:39:

It is a safe road crime-wise if done by day, not to mention an incredible change of scenery and landscape each hour... be careful with the drive though, especially the narrow winding roads high in the mountains between Ibague and Armenia, you have to share the road with some very slow trucks and some very fast Montoya-wanabees. Also be careful on the plains between Girardot and Ibague, everyone gets a little carried away with speed. Be sure to stop along the roads for traditional sweets, and fill your car with the fresh picked fruits available.

As for the "rolo" issue, it's definitely not the polite way of calling people from Bogota, but I think it's also not as offensive as it used to be... let's say the bogotanos have resigned themselves to the term. On the other hand, the paisas have always been proud of being paisas... too proud at times.

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Gator says on Nov 21, 2004, 08:30:

My wife says... The people born in Bogotá are called "rolos." People who live in Bogotá are Bogotaños.

For a great ride, and safe, take the bus, about eight hours.. The Parque National del Café and the surrounding country side is a must see, IMHO. Later, you might want to include Villa de Leyva and the hot springs at Paipa (kinda near Villa de Leyva. Places to stay, Villa de Leyva, Molino La Mesopotamia, a 440 year-old sugar cane mill converted into a hotel. Very romantic. The original mill stream still runs through the lounge/dining room. My wife will stay no place else when we go-she loves it. Paipa stay at Casona del Salitre, a colonial hotel. Simon Bolivar stayed here befor the Battle of Boyaca. Both places about 3 or 31/2 hours out of Bogotá

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Erik says on Nov 24, 2004, 07:28:

Panaca and Park National del Cafe While travelling in Colombia for some time I was told by many Colombians that I should visit Park national del Cafe and so I did unfortunately.
I thought it would be mostly about the famous colombian coffee but it was nothing more than a child park which can be fun if you have childeren or if you are a child yourself but for my part I didn't know how fast I could get out of there after paying the huge entrance fees.
I think Panaca is even worse. It looks like a big animal farm which is made for families with kids... Colombians love it ofcourse but for me there are defenitely more highlights thats really vale la pena. In Armenia you have the butterfly park and park the bioversidad and just out side Salento you have Valle de Cocora which is just stunning. Beautiful for a day out just to enjoy the scenery or go walking or horseriding.
Colombia has so much more to offer but the problem is that most people don't know the country, not even Colombians....
For the ones who are interested to see things in Colombia that really vale la pena check out my site:
www.deunacolombia.com
I am happy to guide people around or give them good advices!!
Cheers,
Erik

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DiegoDelNorte says on Nov 24, 2004, 11:08:

Broad Brush "First, people who are from Bogota are called "Rolos", so the proper term for your fiance if she is from Bogota is a "Rola" or affectionately called "Rolita" - not Bogotana ;-)"

"teh whole country of Colombia calls people from Bogota Rolos actually."

Actually, no, and bogotanos is perfectly normal and correct. If you want to call them rolos, great, but it is slang.

"People who live in Bogotá are Bogotaños."

Almost. Bogotanos is the correct form.

Headmaster Diego

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