Plantation House
Salento, Quindio, Colombia
The department of Quindío lies in the "La Zona Cafetera", and the evidence is on the hills all around Salento.
Coffee has been grown in the region for decades, and there are many coffee farms, or fincas, producing coffee both for local consumption, and for export, and you can take a tour of a working finca for a small fee (approx 3000 pesos).
From Salento it is a short trip by jeep (or walking, if you prefer) to one or other of the local farms, where you can see coffee close up, in its various stages from coffee cherries (cafe cerezas) on the plants themselves, through to the dried and roasted beans, and then sample the final product, of which the farmers are justly proud.
Instead of taking a kickback from the farmers for sending visitors, Plantation House has negotiated a discount on the tour price, so don’t forget to mention where you are staying!