Manizales

Ticking over to the Colombian samba tunes of its late-night bars and the earthy aromas of its iconic Mesoamerican coffee joints, is the city of Manizales , nestled amidst the mountains of the Columbia’s central highlands.

Draped over a series of precipitous bluffs and hillsides, the town centre here is a wonder to behold. Students dominate its high-perched lanes, strolling through the wide boulevards of Parallela and Santander while sipping strong local coffees and fresh fruit juices sourced straight from the surrounding jungles. The air is clear and fresh, while the spires of the town Cathedral can often be found piercing their way into the clouds of the misty mountain air, keeping watch over the bustling joints of Luker Plaza and the hedonistic clubs of the Rose Zone alike. But for all its charms, many a Manizales tour guide will recommend first-time travellers here break out from the confines of the city; to explore the lush green spaces of the Recinto, the sweeping coffee plantations of the greater region, the wild rainforests of Los Yarumos, or the soaring metamorphic peaks of Nevado del Ruiz.