Manizales, often regarded as one of the safest cities in Colombia, is quickly gaining popularity among adventurous travelers looking for unique and exciting experiences. If you’re planning a visit, here are TEN fun things to do in Manizales that you won’t want to miss!

Explore the Eco-Parks

Manizales is home to five different eco-parks, each offering a distinct outdoor experience:

• Alcázares Arenillo (near El Centro) features a birdwatching tower and feeders where you can spot colorful tropical birds, even without special equipment. It also has 3.9 km of hiking trails and a large meadow for picnicking.
• Recinto del Pensamiento offers a guided three-hour hike through a hummingbird garden, a bonsai garden, and a butterfly house, providing an immersive lesson in local biodiversity. Be sure to enjoy lunch at Origen restaurant before heading back to the city.
• Río Blanco requires a prior reservation, but the road leading to it is worth walking, with beautiful forested areas and creek access.
• Bosque Popular del Prado is a sports complex featuring a skate park, pool, tennis courts, football fields, and expansive green spaces for outdoor activities.
• Los Yarumos is a family-friendly park with a biodiversity and science museum, short walking trails, a butterfly house, and a variety of rotating activities and events.

Learn to Dance Tango

Did you know Manizales has the only “Calle del Tango” in the world? This street near Plaza de Bolívar is home to five tango-related businesses, where you can watch dance classes and practice sessions in the afternoons. By night, the area transforms into a vibrant tango scene where locals and visitors alike dance the night away.

For a complete experience, join our nightlife tour, which includes a beginner’s tango workshop, dinner at an iconic rooftop restaurant, and a night out dancing with an English-speaking instructor who can help you master the basic steps and cultural nuances of tango in Colombia.

Play Mini-Tejo in Milan

Looking for a fun and unique activity in Manizales, Colombia? How about throwing a rock at a gunpowder pouch that explodes upon contact. Try mini-tejo! Located across from the Ayacucho Military Base at the big roundabout in the Milan neighborhood, this spot offers a reduced-distance version of Colombia’s traditional tejo game. It opens after 6 PM and provides a laid-back way to experience this native sport, which is typically played by men across the country. If you’re not quite ready for a full-scale neighborhood tejo tournament, mini-tejo is a great way to test your skills—especially if you were a shot put star back in high school! The venue also serves food and drinks, making it a great place to spend an evening.

We haven’t visited yet, but it definitely looks like a fun addition to your Manizales itinerary. We’ll update this segment once we check it out firsthand!

Let me know if we need any more adjustments! coffeeaxistravel@gmail.com

Take a Cathedral Tour

Manizales’ Catedral Basílica Nuestra Señora del Rosario is the tallest cathedral in Colombia. A guided tour takes you to the top cupola of the main tower, where you’ll learn about the city’s history, including the great fire and its reconstruction. The panoramic 360-degree views from the top are breathtaking. Before your tour, grab a coffee at the second-story café overlooking Plaza de Bolívar.

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Enjoy Cultural Events at the Theater

Manizales boasts a variety of theaters, from intimate 50-seat venues to the grand Teatro Fundadores, which hosts world-class performances with top-notch acoustics. Notable theaters include:

• Confamiliar
• El Escondite
• Casa de Cultura San José
• Rogelio Salmona (at Universidad de Caldas)

Every January, the Feria de Manizales brings parades, concerts, artisan markets, and cultural exhibitions. Stay updated on cultural events by joining our exclusive WhatsApp group (for Patreon members), where we provide English translations and recommendations for the best upcoming shows and activities.

Experience Coffee Culture

Manizales is a coffee lover’s paradise, offering some of the best coffee experiences in Colombia. Visit specialty coffee shops like Caferatto, Boreal Coffee Shop, and Specialty Coffee Boutique, where you can enjoy expertly brewed coffee and unique tasting experiences.

For a deeper dive into coffee culture, visit Café Tío Conejo in Milan, which is connected to a working coffee farm offering guided tours.

Dine at Secret Restaurants

Discover closed-door restaurants, an emerging culinary trend in Manizales:

• La Beautiful Cocina Inusual offers a multi-course dining experience with seasonal menus. Reservations are required via Instagram.
• Karacol Cocina Clandestina, near Alcázares-Arenillo Eco-Park, specializes in Colombian fusion cuisine and occasionally hosts workshops and themed dinners. Contact them on Instagram for details and reservations.

Explore La Galería

For an authentic local experience, visit La Galería, an open-air market selling fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even animals. It’s best to go in the morning when the market is at its busiest and safest. Wander the food stalls, sample exotic fruits, or enjoy a traditional meal at an inexpensive local restaurant. Stay vigilant, as the area can be crowded.

Visit Chipre for Scenic Views

Chipre is one of the best spots in Manizales for stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Here, you can:

• Take selfies at the Monumento a los Colonizadores
• Enjoy a coffee or a local beer in an open-air setting
• Explore parks and green spaces where street performers and live entertainment often take place, especially on weekends.

Relax at the Hot Springs

Just outside Manizales in nearby Villamaría, you’ll find several hot springs and water parks:

• Tierra Viva offers an affordable day pass, including access to pools, a sauna, and a restaurant. Their boutique hotel provides rooms with forest views.
• Termales del Otoño is a more luxurious option, featuring a spa, hotel, and hot spring pools with an on-site restaurant.
• Otoño Water Park has a unique poolside bar, heated pools, and waterslides for a fun and relaxing day.

Conclusion

Manizales may not be the most obvious tourist destination, but for those willing to explore, it offers incredible cultural, natural, and culinary experiences. Whether you’re interested in eco-parks, coffee culture, or vibrant nightlife, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Manizales, Colombia.

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