Thermal Baths, Traditional Cuisine, Handicrafts and Viewpoints

After a good breakfast, start the day early to make the most of it!

The first stop of the day is the Santa Rosa hot springs, where you can take a two-hour walk on a so-called "thermal expedition". You will walk through the mountain range, discover where the hot springs are born and see some beautiful waterfalls.
The hike takes place inside a bathing area, so it is also necessary to pay the entrance fee to the place. Afterwards, you can stay and use the pools. If you choose this option, take into account the timetables to organize the rest of the day.
For reservations and more information, see the website.
The activity starts at 10:00

After the walk and relaxation, it is time for lunch. You can go to the town of Santa Rosa de Cabal and try one of its specialities: the chorizo Santarrosano. It is so famous that it even has a monument.
One of the best known places to try it is in Choripaco.
In general, chorizo can be served with arepas, rice, tomatoes or beans. Vegetarians can also eat here.
If this place is too crowded, the next door, Parador Don Julio, also sells chorizo. Throughout the Eje Cafetero, you'll find many options for chorizo dishes.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 – 20:00 Friday – Saturday: 10:00 – 21:00

Welcome to Filandia! One of the most beautiful villages of the Eje Cafetero. The proposal is to spend the afternoon in this town, walk around, visit its viewpoints, buy handicrafts, have something to eat and take lots of pictures of its colorful houses.
The first place to visit is the main square or Parque Bolivar (this is the name of all the main squares in Colombia). Opposite the park is the Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción, which will catch your eye with its white walls and light blue details.
You can take a stroll through the park and its surroundings. You will immediately fall in love with the typical houses of the town, with their balconies, doors, windows and grilles painted in bright colors. Have your camera ready!
You can leave your car parked around the square.

Very close to the main square, you can visit this museum to learn about the art of making baskets and other products out of bejuco. This is a manual technique typical of this part of Colombia.
It is worth the guided tour of less than an hour where you will learn the uses of bejuco and the steps for its transformation into different types of baskets, such as those used in coffee harvesting.
In addition, the site has a very nice shop where you can buy some handicrafts made with this material.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:30 – 18:00

After the museum, come back to pick up the car for a 5-minute drive to the Mirador de Filandia, a 27-metre-high construction with 360-degree views of the beautiful green surroundings of Filandia.
You can leave your car parked right there, buy your ticket on the spot and walk up. As you go up, you can stop and look around. There are signs indicating what you can see. You will be amazed by the green hills of the coffee belt. Enjoy it!
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 09:00 – 18:00

Then return to the city centre, leave the car near the main square and get ready for a colourful walk.

The next suggestion is that you take a walk along the 7th Street, known as the Calle del Tiempo Detenido (Street of Stopped Time). There, pay attention to the details and colors of each house, discover the handicrafts and souvenirs, smell the aroma of coffee coming out of the different bars and choose one of them to taste.
One place where the coffee is very good and there are delicious sweet cakes is Mocafé, it closes every day at 19:00.
Another option is to continue on foot along the 7th Street, turn into Carrera 9 (before you turn you'll see a viewpoint called "Mirador del Tiempo detenido" which you can approach) and visit the Casa Encanto (I'll tell you what it's all about in the next point).

If you like the Disney movie Encanto or if you love to take pictures in spots designed for that purpose, this is the place for you: a café/bar where you can taste a delicious Colombian coffee and take hundreds of pictures.
You have to pay an entrance fee (even if you consume on the spot) and you can wear hats and ponchos for the photos. Among the places to take pictures there is an artisan hand, a moon, a bicycle and the window similar to the one in the film. You'll have to be patient, though, as it's often very crowded.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 20:00 Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 – 21:00
Another option is to choose another café on Calle 7 or Carrera 9. There are several options and from their terraces you have similar views.
Then return to the main square along Calle 6 and get ready to drive to your next destination for the night.

Welcome to Salento! Another of the most beautiful villages of the Eje Cafetero. The idea is to spend two nights in this town.
You can park the car at the hotel, leave your things and get ready to go out for dinner.

Many traditional restaurants in Salento close early, so Camino Real Parrilla Bar is one of the recommended restaurants for this time of day because it stays open longer and has quality food.
It is a restaurant where there is usually live music and where you can eat trucha, which is one of Salento's typical dishes.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12:00 – 23:30 Friday – Saturday: 12:00 – 01:30

After a good dinner it's time to rest, recharge your energy and enjoy the second day of the route through the Eje Cafetero!