Cultural diversity, natural landscapes with beaches and mountains, its cities and its gastronomy, all make Colombia one of the most attractive tourist destinations in South America. One of the most important attractions is coffee, a flagship beverage that frames a particular culture and that makes Colombians proud. That's why whenever you arrive at a Colombian home, you'll be invited to try an authentic cup of coffee. Today, October 1st, International Coffee Day is celebrated to promote fair practices in coffee production and to recognize the noble work of coffee growers. Despite the fact that in South America there are coffee producers like Brazil and Peru that deserve to be highlighted, Daytours4u chooses for today the best tours and tourist attractions of the coffee region of Colombia, for its authenticity and its marvelous landscapes considered cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. Dare to discover the culture of Colombian coffee!  
The trees of coffee or coffee plantations, are taken advantage of for 3 or 4 years generally / Source

1. Huila

Located in the Andean region, the department of Huila is part of Colombia’s main coffee region and is the area where more beans are produced, characterized by its medium to high body of fragrance and pretty intense aroma.  At 84 kilometers from Neiva, the capital of Huila, is Gigante’s municipality with numerous coffee crops open to tourists who wish to learn about the production process of the bean. This particular area is recognized for its harvest of specialty coffees. In Huila you will find two important tourist sites, the Tatacoa desert and the San Agustín archeological park, both must-see places that will surely leave you amazed. The Tatacoa desert is in the municipality of Villavieja, about 40 kilometers from Neiva and is actually a tropical dry forest. Thanks to its geographical location, it does not receive any visual or noise pollution and makes it a perfect place to carry-out astronomy-related activities; for example, to observe the 88 constellations and, if you are lucky, observe meteor showers. The San Agustín archeological park is one of the most important in Colombia and in 1995 it was declared cultural heritage for humanity by UNESCO, being the largest necropolis in the world. During your visit of this interesting park, you can take in the incredible landscape and a series of statues carved in stone that were part of the pre-Columbian culture. During your tour, you will find 130 statues and pieces such as a sarcophagi and jewels on display in the park's museum for you to admire.  
 This archaeological park is still the subject of important research that seeks to reveal more information about the culture of the communities that lived there / Source: Pilar Cerisola
 

2. Antioquia 

This area is a national and international reference thanks to its excellent coffee production, the second largest in the country. The crops’ fresh climate, the vegetation and the treatment of its coffee growers, give coffee beans a unique flavor and make it acclaimed by experts and coffee lovers from around the world. In Antioquia the renowned character Juan Valdez was created more than 60 years ago, which represents the noble work of all coffee growers, making it a representative image abroad, accompanied by typical accessories such as poncho, carriel (leather satchel) and a light hat, widely used among "Antioqueños" settlers.  
The iconic representation of the Colombian peasant accompanied by his so-called carriel, the Poncho, the Hat Light, and the mule, the ideal animal to complete the work in agriculture / Source
  So that you can get to know an excellent sample of the culture "Antioqueña", a very good alternative is to spend a day in Santa Fe de Antioquia, a beautiful municipality that stands out for its colonial architecture, its beauty, its pleasant climate and for keeping its traditions alive. Similarly, visiting Medellin, the capital of Antioquia, and its surroundings should be part of your itinerary.  
Santafé de Antioquia was initially the capital of Antioquia / Source
  In Medellin you find multiple cultural attractions and despite having jumped to fame for the painful history of violence and drug trafficking that marked for generations to Colombia as a whole, the city of Medellin has managed, thanks to its great vision of city and the thrust of its people, detach itself from its violent past and consecrate itself as the most innovative city in the world  in front of cities like New York or even Tel Aviv. To enjoy a complete visit to Antioquia, don't miss the one-day tours from Medellín such as the day at Guatapé and El Peñol, to enjoy a beautiful landscape and an approach to Paisa culture. Trip Tip: While in Medellin you can be part of a Café tour, ideal for living an experience in a coffee farm next to the premises! If you are planning your trip through this city, we recommend to be prepared with these 4 ways to discover the best of Medellín.  

3. Coffee Cultural Landscape

This area of ​​Colombia is comprised of the Quindío, Risaralda, Caldas and El Valle del Cauca regions and since 2011, UNESCO made it part of the World Heritage List. The roasted flavor and the strong aroma of the coffee that is harvested in this place, respect a privileged location and climate, as well as the dedicated work of the coffee growers who, with their kindness, receive their visitors and proudly show the value of their lands and the excellent quality of their coffee.  
It is possible to stay in many of the coffee farms and it is a recommended experience for those who like to learn directly from the locals about their culture and traditions. Source: Daytours4u
  The landscapes and villages that make up this area of ​​Colombia also offer an opportunity for adventure activities and ecological tours, tailored to those who want to enjoy alternative experiences. One of the most recommended is boating on the Rio la Vieja, where on board a typical bamboo boat, you can observe the wildlife and enjoy a typical lunch from the coffee region. Travel Tip: The coffee landscape is, without a doubt, a tourist favorite. So you can have a privileged view, take advantage of your visit and make a hot air Balloon Flight over the Coffee Axis!  
It doesn't matter if you travel alone, with your partner, with friends or with your family, this panoramic view is one of the most dazzling in Colombia / Source: Daytours4u
  The Coffee Cultural Landscape offers varied tourist attractions, not only related to coffee growing, but also activities to get in touch with nature and to learn about a bit of the flora and fauna that make up the country. So you can learn more about what to do in the Coffee Axis, we recommend you read our travel guide dedicated to the coffee route in Colombia.  

4. Nariño

The diverse geography enjoyed in the territory of Nariño makes it an exemplary destination for the variety of landscapes found in Colombia. Nariño enjoys the presence of the Pacific Ocean and a mountainous part of the Andes mountain range, giving it an advantage in cultivating coffee, classified as special with an intense flavor in each cup.  The municipalities where there are coffee farms that offer visits to learn more about the cultivation, harvesting, processing, and even coffee tastings are: Arboleda, Buesaco, El Sauce and San Pedro de Cartago, Buesaco being one of the most prominent ones for offering adventure activities, ecotourism and for being just a 1 hour drive from Pasto, the capital of Nariño.  
 Enjoy nature with ecological walks, kayaking, canoeing, river swimming and in the natural pools in the Cañon del Juanambu Park / Source
  Apart from visiting its capital and getting to know its gastronomic and cultural offer, there are other important tourist locations that we recommend you to visit are the Laguna de la Cocha, the Morro beach in Tumaco and the Sanctuary of Las Lajas. La Cocha lagoon is one of the favorite destinations for locals looking to get in touch with nature, since it is possible to watch native birds and do sport fishing. Morro beach is one of the most fascinating landscapes of Nariño, thanks to the presence of a natural stone arch through where it is possible to walk through, feeling the soft sand of the Pacific. Finally, the Sanctuary of Las Lajas is in the municipality of Ipiales, 80 kilometers from Pasto and receives hundreds of visitors per day, who find in this church a combination of architecture, religion and nature. One of the main features is its location, the Guáitara river canyon and its construction style with neo-Gothic influences.  
 Faithful believers make yearly pilgrimages, especially in September, December and on the Thursday of Holy Week / Source
  Travel Tip: Just 20 minutes by car from Ipiales is the city of Tulcán, in Ecuador, where you can visit its striking cemetery, recognized worldwide for its topiary, an art that gives artistic forms to plants. Take advantage of the border’s proximity to visit an interesting place! If you can't travel through a coffee region, don't worry, you have other alternatives to taste coffee in Bogotá, visit Café Mural in Cartagena or take a coffee tour in Cali. Drinking coffee, having the opportunity to visit the crops and interact with dedicated coffee growers is to get closer to the culture of a country like Colombia. It is not the same as being told to live it yourself ... Visit the coffee regions and discover for yourself why this coffee is the best in the world!  
 By: Vanessa Figueroa González, Colombian passionate about digital marketing and the world of tourism. Professional in International Marketing and advertising