Manizales: City Under the Volcano's Shadow
Manizales is the capital of Caldas — the northernmost department of the Eje Cafetero; it sits at 2,153m under the gaze of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano; its coffee culture, its Andean setting, and its university life make it Colombia's most intellectually active mid-sized city
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Nevado del Ruiz Nearby
Nevado del Ruiz - the most active volcano in Colombia, 30 km from Manizales - is visible from the city on clear days; the 1985 eruption that killed 23,000 people in Armero is within living memory; the volcano remains active and monitored 24/7
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Cable car (Cable Aéreo)
Manizales' cable car – which connects the city to the suburb of Villamaría and the coffee farms beyond – is one of Colombia's most scenic urban transport systems; the cable car's view of the Andean valleys and the coffee landscape is outstanding
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Parque Los Yarumos
Parque de los Yarumos - an urban forest park on the outskirts of Manizales - has cloud forest paths, a canopy walkway and outstanding views of the city and Nevado del Ruiz; the park is an urban ecological reserve with excellent birding
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Termales El Otoño
The El Otoño hot springs — near the entrance to Los Nevados National Park — are heated by the Ruiz volcano; the pools at 3,000m altitude, surrounded by cloud forest and páramo, with the volcano visible, is one of Colombia's most dramatic thermal experiences
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Manizales at 2,153 m altitude
Manizales' altitude (2,153 m) gives the city a climate of eternal spring — the temperature rarely exceeds 22°C or drops below 12°C; the cool air, the fog rolling through the city at night and the panoramic views of the mountains are the quintessential sensory experience
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University town
Manizales has eight universities for a city of 400,000 – Universidad de Caldas, Universidad Nacional and Universidad Autónoma all have campuses in the city; the university population gives Manizales an intellectual energy and cultural activity exceptional for its size