The Coffee Triangle is the region termed as such by the trio of departments, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío, but actually unified under the geographical traits of fertile mountainous valleys sewn with rolling coffee plantations, tropical Andean forests, terraced slopes and wax palms distinguished by a rustic pace of life, pre-Colombian origins and some very friendly locals.

Aside from the coffee culture and its plantations, the area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its natural and cultural beauty: trek through endless bamboo forests, visit the communities of the pre-Colombian Quimbayan people, stay at colourful haciendas, hike the cloud forests of the Cocora Valley to see rare orchids and hovering hummingbirds, and then there’s the beautiful architecture of the towns of Saliento and Filandia.

Be under no illusions this is Colombian life at its most rural and languid but it also at its most characteristic and charming.