Viajar al Eje Cafetero-Cali-Medillin en Carro - Travel to Coffee Area-Cali-Medellin by car

webmanco says on Nov 15, 2006, 09:35:

I had done it. It is safe It is safe following usual preventions. I you feel better staying near a Batallon, then there are several fincas near Balltallon Cisneros, in Eje Cafetero.

From there you could travel to different places, but still they would be a few hours away.

Near one of the fincas there is Internet in a Telecom office, in Pueblo Tapao.

In some towns men migh point at your car when you are driving, like if you got a flat tire or something is wrong with the car, in any case if you stop you better do it latter and not in that right moment. Just as a prevention.

I had no trouble and in several ocasions I had even picked people on my way to different places.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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litost says on Nov 15, 2006, 09:47:

Great idea, but do bear in mind that Cali and Medellin are several hours away from most places in the coffee region (between 3-5 hours depending where you are exactly) so I suggest you focus on visiting the sites in the region. More than enough to keep you busy and entertained for weeks!

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CachacoNChicago says on Nov 15, 2006, 11:47:

Safe is good Gracias, webmanco. Now, I need to find a finca-casa de campo. I have seen the one in the picture and have send some emails to find out prices. Not one has answer yet. I think I would be better off calling.

Thanks again.

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CachacoNChicago says on Nov 15, 2006, 11:57:

Thanks - Saw kayaking, parques, etc. You are right! Thank you for the tip, litost. I am used to drive long trips, and up to 8 hours is just fine - we may stop by Rio Sucio on the way to Cali for what I believe they call la fiesta del diablo - mucha maizena and aguardientico....I think I need to ask my passengers if their a*ses are up to it. Gracias.

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EMAN says on Nov 15, 2006, 12:29:

Eje Cafetero is amazing!!! There is so much to do and see in Eje Cafetero - Salento/Valle De Cocorra, Parque Cafe, Panaca, Balsaje, Santa Rosa De Cabal/Thermales, Pereira, Manizales, Nevado Del Ruiz are all amazing!! I was there last April and used Claudia at

http://www.turismoquindio.com/

to help organize my trip. I stayed at Posada El Meson which was a real nice finca. She also gave me a great guide - Francisco Ruiz. He is from Armenia and knows the region very well, he was breifly written about in the below NY times article. If you need his direct contact information, I can provide.

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/02/12/travel/12coffee.html

Litost is from Santa Rosa De Cabal and knows this area extemely well and gives very good and accurate advise!! I used his advise for my trip last year and had an amazing time!!!

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litost says on Nov 15, 2006, 13:00:

Thanks for the props EMAN, glad you enjoyed it!

CachaconNChicago, when would your trip be? You mention end of June but the Reinado del Cafe in Manizales and the Fiesta del Diablo in Riosucio are both in early January...

As far as the finca, there are literally tons of choices in all three departments, if it's gonna be your base for several days visits of the region you should choose the location based on your expected itinerary. A finca just for the three of you? Normally most are equipped to recieve several generations of colombian families under the same roof (imagine that...)so that may be a bit wierd, but still probably the best way to enjoy the natural beauty and charm of the region. And I'm sure there have to be options specifically for smaller groups such as your own. Your best bet will probably be in the Pereira-Santa Rosa area because it is at the center of the coffee region (between the Quindio region and Manizales).

Keep me posted!

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CachacoNChicago says on Nov 16, 2006, 10:07:

Thanks - EMAN and Litost My co-worker from Medellin was at Rio Sucio but apparently she was too drunk to find out the time of the year - I would take her advise with a grain of salt (he, he, eh?).

We are thinking of end of June and beginning of July - The reinado is in Calarca - close to Armenia http://www.calarca.net/reinado.html. We just want to get to know the area and we would consider different options. I like fincas-casas de campo because my big family always did that on vacations (12 people in a hotel was out of the question money wise) and divided into 3 is almost as affortable as a nice hotel-hosteria. I just got someone from turismoquindio.com, but we are meeting (partying) this saturday to talk more about the trip, farm or hotel or camping?, etc.

We like to party a lot and my paisa friend says that Pereira is the bailadero place. We (or at least me - I have someone) are not trying to hook-up (like black dudes here say) - just dance, drink, and repeat....a lot. Also, if my friends find someone, we have a finca and plenty of space (if you know what I mean....)

What all of you recommend?

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EMAN says on Nov 16, 2006, 16:28:

There are so many nice fincas in Eje Cafetero When I went to Eje Cafetero, it was only my girlfriend and I, so we stayed at a finca that had 7 other rooms. Since this was my first finca experience, it was great for me as they served a traditional Colombian breakfast and dinner. The people at this finca were very nice and helpful but if I was with two other people who were paying, I would go your route and rent a total finca. Since you will be renting a total finca and have a car, you will have many options. You may want to look at these options as well as they offer some very nice fincas for rent:

http://www.lahaciendaquindio.com

http://www.rancholasoledad.com

Good Luck!!

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EMAN says on Nov 17, 2006, 13:10:

Day trips to different areas of Eje Cafetero!! Santa Rosa De Cabal and the amazing termales are a great day trip. Santa Rosa De Cabal is a wonderful town in Eje Cafetero with a beautiful park and church. Don't miss eating chorizos as these are the specialty of Santa Rosa De Cabal.

The Termales are 20-30 minute ride up the mountain; you can take a chiva, Jeep Willy, Taxi, or your own car. The most economical is the chiva - 2,900 pesos a person. The first Termales up the mountain will be the Parque Balneario and the other is the Hotel Termales, a spectacularly set hotel at the top of this mountain. You could stay there - approximately 150,000 pesos per person during season but includes all meals and entrance to both Termales.

You can opt like I did and use their facilities for the day - entrance is 20,000 pesos per person in season. The secenery is amazing as out of the mountain - hot water comes out and on the other side - cold water. They are open until 11 at night and it is suppose to be spectacular to see at night with all the lights. They have great food and drinks and it is very relaxing. The Parque Balneario has 3 pools but the Hotel Termales had much more natural ambiance for me. If you want to stay close to the Termales, there are more economical choices I can provide.

Nevado Del Ruiz is another natural wonder that you may want to see. Bring warm clothes - ski coat, gloves, and some kind of head protection - it will be cold. There are several tours that go from Manizales to Nevado Del Ruiz - they leave at 7 in the morning and it is all day.

The picture that WEBMANCO provided of the finca - that is the first house - TANAMBI on http://www.lahaciendaquindio.com. Below are some websites that should assist you in your planning:

http://www.hoteltermales.com/index.html

http://www.turiscolombia.andes.com/eje_cafetero_parque_nevados.htm

http://www.santarosadecabalturistica.com/

Good Luck!!!!

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SiV says on Mar 14, 2008, 08:57:

Hi there, does anybody know how much the entrance fee is for the Santa Rosa termales?
And how much is lunch?

Thanks.

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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