As the bustling hub of Colombia’s coffee-growing region, Pereira is a business-minded city with an enviable perch in the Andean foothills. Its central location makes the city a prime jumping-off point for exploring everything from lush coffee farms to towering volcanoes. That said, popular things to do in Pereira include day trips to Santa Isobel Volcano, coffee tours, and outings to natural hot springs—but within the city limits, you’ll find shopping and rooftop restaurants surrounding Plaza Bolívar, as well as a handful of great parks.
Year-round rain keeps the coffee country lush, but the December through March dry season brings the most sunny days. To see the nearby coffee farms buzzing with energy, consider a trip during one of the two annual harvest seasons: spring (April through June) and fall (October through December). During Pereira’s annual harvest festival, generally held during the second half of August, the city fills with music, dancing, and revelry.
Many locals get around Pereira using the city’s network of public buses, which link to the intercity Pereira Transportation Terminal (Terminal de Transportes de Pereira). To go farther afield in the coffee zone, it helps to have a 4WD vehicle, as the dirt roads can sometimes be muddy and rough. Many tours and day trips use modified jeeps, called Willys, for this reason.
Given the many coffee farms located near Pereira, it’s no surprise that the city has great cafés—but not all of the shops use fine, export-quality beans. To try the best of what’s local, check out Café Aroma, Café Palermo, or Uganda Café. Local chain El Barista Ruta del Café also has locations across the city and in the coffee region.
