Quimbaya: Festival of Lights, Culture and Nature

Quimbaya combines a cultural event held on fixed dates with experiences rooted in the municipality’s rural character. When planning a stay, it is worth considering both: When would you like to travel, and what kind of excursion interests you? The Festival de Velas y Faroles takes place in town in December; PANACA, a farm and a cultural park each offer a different focus. The locations also differ—a useful point to keep in mind when looking for hotels in Quimbaya and planning your excursions.

The Festival de Velas y Faroles in December

The Festival de Velas y Faroles takes place on December 7 and 8 in Quimbaya and is associated with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Elaborately designed, colorful lanterns shape the Christmas season, and their designs change from year to year. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, these two days provide a specific time frame. The program may vary, so it is advisable to check the latest dates and program information before traveling.

Agriculture and nature at PANACA

Nearby is PANACA, an agricultural theme park in Vereda Kerman, 7 kilometers from the town center. At themed stations, visitors can experience animals, rural life and nature. The stations introduce rural activities and showcase the keeping of domestic animals. Agriculture and wildlife are therefore explicitly at the heart of this excursion. Details of the visitor experience may change, so check the latest information before traveling.

Cocoa, rainwater and guadua

La Pequeña Granja de Mamá Lulú is located in Vereda Palermo in the municipality of Quimbaya. Visitors can see rainwater harvesting systems in operation, turn cocoa beans into chocolate and experience chocotherapy. The offerings also include a guadua craft experience, where pieces are made under the guidance of master craftsman Alexander Castro. Here, hands-on activities with cocoa and guadua are paired with an insight into rainwater use. This sets the focus of the visit apart from PANACA’s themed stations. Experiences on offer may change; check which ones are currently available before your trip.

Arriería and performances at Parque Los Arrieros

Parque Los Arrieros is located in Vereda Santana, also in the municipality of Quimbaya. Its recreational and educational offerings focus on arriería, the traditional practice of muleteering. Performances include traditional dances and theater pieces depicting customs from times gone by. The visitor pass includes admission, a walk along trails through the guadua grove and coffee plantation, six artistic performances and ten activities. The park thus combines portrayals of cultural traditions with a walk and several activities. Its focus differs from both PANACA’s agricultural themes and the hands-on experiences at the farm.

Balsaje on the Río La Vieja

Another option in the municipality is balsaje on the Río La Vieja. Small rafts made of guadua are used for leisure trips and to take in the scenery. The route runs from Puerto Alejandría in Quimbaya to Piedras de Moler in Cartago. Unlike activities based at a single location, this experience covers a river route with named starting and ending points. As routes and arrangements for the activity may change, it is advisable to check the latest details before traveling.

Keep locations in mind when planning your trip

The experiences range from the festival in Quimbaya to PANACA, located 7 kilometers from the town center, to places in the veredas of Palermo and Santana and the river route starting at Puerto Alejandría. These different location details can help you align your excursion plans with the focus of your trip. If you are looking for a hotel in Quimbaya, compare the location of a specific property with the places you want to visit. A reference to the municipality does not necessarily mean that a property is in the town center.

Discover more destinations: Circasia, Pijao, Filandia, Montenegro, Santa Rita, Salento, Armenia, Calarcá.

For the broader travel overview: Quindío.