Travel Guide Armenia

" Bien pueda... mejor dicho! " as they say here! The capital of the department of Quindío, one of the smallest departments in Colombia, underwent a serious facelift after the terrible earthquake of 1999. It is known as the "miracle city", because its development has taken place at a dizzying speed. Indeed, the climate and the content of its ground make it favorable to the intensive culture of the coffee. No place has been spared by the machetes, axes and hoes of the pioneers. The landscapes are soft and harmonious, and the surroundings are a true rural paradise. The region has developed an extensive rural tourism network, and one can stay in old fincas, among banana, coffee and mandarin trees.The main events are the Coffee Festival (September) and the Fiestas Cuyabras (October) which celebrate the foundation of Armenia on October 14 with gastronomic contests, exhibitions, concerts and horse parades that bring together the most beautiful horses from the local haciendas. With the exception of these two highlights, life in the region and its capital is rarely disturbed by the sudden surge in coffee prices. So, the gambling is wild and theaguardiente parties are endless!