GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Capital: Manizales
Altitude: 2150 meters ( Manizales )
Temperature: 18 degrees C
Population:
Economy: Industry, education, agriculture (principally coffee), citrus, sugar cane, casaba, corn, beans, and potato.
Telephone prefix : 6 (096)
Getting there: Land or Air
Distance to Bogotá:
Land: 268 km
Air: 25 minutes

Caldas was founded by J. Osorio in 1849 and got its name in honor of the illustrious Francisco José de Caldas, born in Popayan. In 1905, with the new territorial division of the country, the department of Caldas was created with its capital Manizales. In 1966 the territory of "Old Caldas" was divided into three departments -- Caldas, Quindio and Risaralda.

ATTRACTIONS:

 

HISTORICAL-CULTURAL (Consult our section of attractions in the "Coffee Region" page)

MANIZALES: One of the principal University Centers of the country. Manizales is the capital of the department that boasts having José María Osorio, Joaquín Arango among others as its first founders. The municipal territory is known as one of the strong-holds of the Central Andes Range -- forming an irregular topographic system.

NEIRA: Harmonious architecture of bamboo and bricks with a Roman Temple constructed near the end of the XIX century. Another attraction is the Natural Reserve of the Roble.

AGUADAS: Population founded in 1808 by Antioquian muleteers. Its old-style constructions have given it the honor of being declared a National Monument. Its landscape includes the beautiful Chorrera waterfall, beaches on the Arma, and the cobblestone bridge.

SALAMINA: Magnificent city and product of the Antioquian colonization. It was declared a National Monument for its architecture in which wood and bamboo are used.

MARMATO: Called the Colombian Nativity of Gold for its architecture and gold mines.

VILLAMARÍA: Attractive for its flower cultivations and Las Nereidas Waterfalls, wind mills, and the Lagoon of thermal waters.

NATURALES (Go to our Page on trips in the coffee region)

LOS NEVADOS NATIONAL PARK: National park and natural reserve shared with Quindio and Risaralda.

RUIZ HOT SPRINGS: Hot springs with medicinal properties -- surrounded by an excellent hotel infrastructure.

 

ACTIVITIES

 

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

FAIR OF MANIZALES: Born in 1951 to celebrate Manizales' centennial, this has become one of the most important fairs of the country. It begins with the top names in bull fighting and a Spanish parade in rustic horse-drawn carriages. Due to its popularity, the spectacles of the fair have grown and now include the International Coffee Beauty Queen Pageant, and the second most important craft fair in the country. If you go to Manizales during this festive time, you can see: presentation of folkloric groups, parades, national and international orchestras, musical groups, expositions and more. The fair ends with the crowning of the International Cafe Queen and takes place between January 3 - 11 each year.

INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL: During September, the world of theater comes to Manizales. The presentations take place throughout the city, as well as in the streets so that everyone has access to international theater for a week!

 

GASTRONOMY

 

Pork and beans served with ground meat, rice, fried green plantain, avocado, chorizo, fried pig skin, and sweet plantain create this amazing dish called bandeja paisa.

Corn in milk sweetened with sugar cane or sugarcane water taken with cheese is a typical drink in the Caldas region. Don't forget to try the corn tortillas with cheese, the sancocho (a soup made with potato, plantain, casaba, and three kinds of meat or chicken), cheese donuts and cinnamon pudding.

The Aguardientico from this region is called Cristal and if you want rum, be sure to request Rum Viejo de Caldas.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Air:
Airports
Airport La Nubia: Tel: 874-5451, 874-5438.

Commercial airlines :
Avianca
Satena

Land
Inter municipal Bus Terminal: ( Buses, taxis )
Av. 19 No. 15-04. Tel: 884-9183.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Newspapers:

La Patria
Café 7 días

Regional TV station:

Telecafe

 

HOTELS - LODGING

FOOD - RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

Prices listed on the Website do not include tax or hotel insurance.

 

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