Manizales is known as the “city of open doors” because of its welcoming people. It is is located in the heart of the Colombian Andes mountains in the central region of Colombia.
Manizales sits at an altitude of approximately 2,160 meters (7,085 feet) above sea level which offers picturesque mountainous landscapes and contributes to its cool and pleasant climate. The average temperature in Manizales is around 18°C (64°F), making it a refreshing escape from the heat of lower elevations in Colombia.
Manizales has a rich cultural heritage and its residents take great pride in their traditions. The city is renowned for its coffee culture and coffee production is a significant part of the local economy.
The city is home to several universities and educational institutions, making it a prominent academic center in the country. The presence of these institutions gives Manizales a vibrant and youthful atmosphere, with many students contributing to the city’s dynamic culture.
One of the city’s unique features is its architecture. Given its mountainous location, Manizales is characterized by steep and narrow streets that climb up the hillsides and its beautiful Gothic architecture has given it the nickname of the “Gothic City”.
Visitors come to explore its natural beauty, such as the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, hot springs and nearby national parks. The city also offers historical landmarks and beautiful churches. The Cable aéreo de Manizales, a cable car system, is a popular attraction that offers breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings.
The top attractions for Manizales are:
- The Los Nevados Mountains
- The Manizales Cathedral
- The Hot Spring Baths
- The Chipre Sunsets
- El Recinto del Pensamiento Park
- The Cable Car
- Restaurants
Los Nevados National Nature Park
Los Nevados National Natural Park is a stunning mountainous area. The park’s name, “Los Nevados,” translates to “The Snowy Mountains” in English, which highlights its snow-capped peaks. Key features of Los Nevados Mountains are:
Breathtaking Scenery: The landscape of Los Nevados is characterized by dramatic mountain ranges, deep valleys, glaciers, and high-altitude paramo ecosystems. The snow-capped peaks create a picturesque scene and serve as a unique contrast to the tropical environment typically associated with Colombia.
Volcanoes: The region is home to several active volcanoes, such as Nevado del Ruiz, Nevado del Tolima, Nevado de Santa Isabel, and Nevado del Quindío. These volcanoes, along with their surrounding areas, have been designated as national parks or protected areas.
Ecological Diversity: The park’s varying altitudes support a wide range of ecosystems, from Andean forests to high-altitude grasslands and paramo. The diverse habitats sustain an impressive array of flora and fauna, making it an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts and researchers alike.
Adventure and Hiking: Los Nevados is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers seeking challenging trails and expeditions. Visitors can find routes of varying difficulties that lead to breathtaking viewpoints, glacial lakes, and encounters with unique wildlife.
Cultural Heritage: The region surrounding Los Nevados is also known for its cultural heritage. Local indigenous communities have lived in these mountains for centuries, and their traditions and customs are integral to the area’s identity.
When visiting Los Nevados, it’s essential to respect and protect its fragile ecosystems. Due to the area’s environmental significance, some areas might have restrictions on access, and it’s advisable to check with local authorities or park rangers for updated information before planning a trip.
For more information on the National Park see: Los Nevados National Nature Park.
Mañizales Cathedral
The Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Manizales, commonly known as the Manizales Cathedral, is a prominent religious landmark.
The cathedral is an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of the city’s heritage and faith. It was designed by the Colombian architect, Octavio Villegas, and construction began in 1927. The cathedral was completed and inauguraurated in 1939, making it one of the most important religious buildings in the region.
The Manizales Cathedral features a neo-Gothic style, which is characterized by its pointed arches, flying buttresses, and intricate ornamentation. The façade is adorned with sculptures and carvings, showcasing religious figures and biblical scenes. The cathedral’s tall spires and imposing presence dominate the city’s skyline, making it a visually striking and recognizable landmark.
Inside the cathedral, visitors can admire beautiful stained glass windows that depict religious themes and events. The grand altar and interior decorations add to the overall sense of awe and reverence. The cathedral can accommodate a large number of worshipers and hosts regular religious services and ceremonies.
Due to its elevated location in the Andes mountains, the Manizales Cathedral provides breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding landscapes, making it a popular destination for both religious and sightseeing purposes.
In front of the Cathedral is the beautiful Condor-Man statue (see top cover photo), a tribute to revolutionary leader, Simon Bolivar.
Hot Spring Baths
As Manizales is in a volcanic region there are a number of hot spring baths (‘termales”). You can find these both in the Los Nevados National Park and some near the city.
A wonderful hot spring close to the city is El Otono Trembles which is about 20 minutes outside the city.
The thermal bath costs COP 40,000 to get in and you can rent a locker for COP 2000 (you give them COP 7000 cop and get COP 5000 back when you return the key). There are 3 baths here with the top one being the hottest. The thermal has beautiful views of the mountains. and nice facilites; a good restaurant, a shop to buy things and changing room.
On my tour of the Los Nevados (about 1 /2 hours outside the city) I stopped at the Thermals Sifon, a beautiful hot spring, The top part is extremely hot so I could only dip my feet a little bit, but lower down the stream I could get in. You can go without a tour but just get your wrist band to get into the hot spring at the restaurant which is a the head of the trail leading down to it (COP 15,000).
El Recinto del Pensamiento Park
Cable Car ("La Fundadore")
The Cable Car known as “La Fundadore” is a nice ride to see good views of the city. There are only 3 stops with one downtown and one at the bus station. You need to buy a card at the entrance to ride the cable car but its very cheap and easy to get it there.
Chipre Sunsets
Manizales has been colloquially known as the factory of sunsets within Colombia due to the astounding sunsets seen from the city on a daily basis. The best way to enjoy a Manizales sunset is from the Chipre neighborhood – a part of town that’s popular with locals and higher up than most of the city, giving it unobstructed views. It’s best on a Sunday when local families visit and food vendors sell traditional snacks. There are a number of bars in front of the Chipre viewpoint to sit and have a cocktail and wait for the sunset.
One of the most beloved statues in Manizales, right behind the sunset viewing point, is the Monumento a los Colonizadores (Monument to the Colonists) done by local artist Luis Guillermo Vallejo. This giant bronze tribute to the hardy first settlers of the region is an aesthetically beautiful piece of work – as well as an important reminder of the pioneering history of the region.
Restaurants
There are many great restaurants in Manizales although not a lot of high end ones. For high quality cuisine in a nice atmosphere I would recommend L’AngeVin and Dauntaun:
L’AngeVin is top quality French cuisine with a Colombian twist in a nice setting.
This is in the Milan neighborhood of Manizales which has a number of good restaurant options.
Dauntaun has excellent international cuisines, a great atmosphere and a great view of the city’s central square downtown in front of Manizales Cathedral.
Where to Stay
I recommend staying in the Cable neighborhood of Manizels. It is a central, safe neighborhood with a number of restaurant, bar and shopping options. The Chipre neighborhood was also nice with a lively restaurant and bar scene. Please note downtown Manizales gets a bit unsafe after 9pm so I would not stay there or be there after 9pm.
Conclusion
Manizales is a cute modern city with a number of things to do. I would allocate about 3 days to see it or longer if you want to use it as a base to visit other nearby places like Salento or Armenia which are smaller more traditional towns.
While there is an airport, most visitors will get there by car or bus from nearby cities, Pereira (1 hour), Medellin ( 4 1/2 hours) or Cali (4 1/2 hours).
Some points of note:
1. This is the one city in Colombia where Uber does not work so you will need to hail down a cab or ask someone to call one for you.
2. The temperature here changes quickly during the day from cool to warm so I would have a light jacket or other light outerwear that you can take off and on as it varies.
3. The people here speak very quickly so do not think you Spanish comprehension just got real bad.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions and feel free to leave comments or suggestions if you have been there.
