From Fear to Fascination: Travel Colombia with kids
When our plane touched down in Bogotá, I couldn’t help but feel a knot of anxiety in my stomach. The stories about Colombia’s troubled past echoed in my mind as I clutched my children’s hands tightly. Was I making a terrible mistake bringing my family here? Those fears now seem laughable as I reflect on what turned into one of our most magical family adventures ever. Over the course of a month, Colombia captivated us with its warm people, breathtaking landscapes, and rich culture that embraces children with open arms.
If we had to choose just one region to visit in this diverse country, the Coffee Valley (Eje Cafetero) would win hands down. This verdant region with its rolling hills, coffee plantations, colorful towns, and perfect climate became our family’s happy place. Here’s our comprehensive guide to exploring Colombia’s Coffee Valley with kids. Travel Colombia with kids turned out to be a great idea! below you can find the summary of our trip to the coffee Valley, Colombia with kids.
Bogotá: Worth Skipping for First-Time Family Travelers
Despite being Colombia’s capital, Bogotá turned out to be less intimidating than we had feared but ultimately less interesting than we had hoped. While the city has its cultural merits with museums like the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) and the Sunday Ciclovía when streets transform into pedestrian zones, we found it lacked the charm and family-friendly appeal of Colombia’s other destinations or even cities like Medellin.
For families with limited time, we’d honestly recommend flying directly to Pereira from Bogotá, which puts you right in the heart of coffee country. This allows you to maximize your time in the truly magical regions of Colombia .
If you do spend time in Bogotá, Monserrate provides good views and the Usaquén neighborhood offers a more relaxed atmosphere with its Sunday market. However, our children were far more enchanted by the experiences that awaited us in the Coffee Valley.
we stayed in Bogota 4 nights, it could be even less.
Salento: The Heart of Coffee Country
Salento is where Colombia’s coffee magic happens! this small, colorful town is super kid friendly and packed with fun activities.
What can you do in Salento with kids? First, don’t miss Valle de Cocora – home to the world’s tallest palm trees! Families can hike easy portions of the trail or rent horses for a more relaxed experience. one of our best experience in Salento was a ranger field trip all around Salento secret spots.
Coffee farm tours are a popular family activity in Salento. Many farms welcome children and let them get hands-on with the coffee process – from picking the bright red coffee cherries to watching how beans are processed.
you cant visit Salento with children without spending a day at the charming amusement park , Parque del Cafe.
we spent an amazing week in Salento , which included lots of attractions, nature and wonderful food. we suggest to stay in Salento at list 3-4 nights. you can read about our trip to Salento here: Travel Salento with kids
Hot Springs in Colombia: Why San Vicente Beats Santa Rosa
In the Coffee valley region, Colombia , you can find several hot springs that are worth a visit. While Santa Rosa de Cabal’s thermal springs are heavily promoted in guidebooks and social media – particularly the photogenic pools situated beneath a waterfall – the reality was somewhat disappointing. Despite the Instagram-worthy scenery, we found Santa Rosa overwhelmingly crowded, with tourists lining up for photos and little space to actually relax and enjoy the waters.
The unexpected highlight turned out to be Termales San Vicente, located about an hour from Santa Rosa. These lesser-known hot springs provided a far more authentic and enjoyable experience. Set within a lush rainforest conservation area, San Vicente offers multiple pools of varying temperatures connected by natural stone pathways.
San Vicente’s facilities were also superior for families – clean changing areas, proper restaurants serving local cuisine, and even optional guided nature walks between soaking sessions. The children delighted in discovering tiny frogs along the paths and spotting colorful birds from the pools. Definitely recommended.
Los Nevados: Colombia's Breathtaking Mountain Paradise
Los Nevados National Park was one of the most amazing natural places we visited in Colombia. Located in the Coffee Region, this park offers incredible landscapes that range from cloud forests to unique páramo ecosystems with strange, giant plants you won’t see anywhere else.
You can explore Los Nevados two ways – a single-day tour or a multi-day tour. We picked the day trip with our kids and it was perfect! In just one day, we drove through stunning scenery, spotted unique Colombian plants, and best of all, ended at natural hot springs nestled in the wilderness.
Families with older kids might enjoy the multi-day option to reach higher elevations, but the day trip gives you plenty of Los Nevados’ magic without exhausting your children. Pack layers (weather changes quickly) and don’t miss this highlight of Colombia’s Coffee Region – it’s an experience your family will never forget!
Jardín: Colombia's Best-Kept Secret
Jardin is a hidden gem in Colombia’s coffee country that looks like it’s frozen in time. The town center is a plaza where families gather day and night. Here you’ll find amazing food at simple restaurants surrounding the square . The cafes serve some of Colombia’s best coffee right where it’s grown, and prices are much cheaper than in tourist areas. Jardin has beautiful nature around it, several waterfalls , such as Cueva del Esplender and amazing view.
For active families, Jardín offers amazing outdoor adventures. Coffee farm tours let kids see how coffee grows and even pick some beans. Paragliding over the lush green mountains gives brave family members unforgettable views . Horse riding trips are super popular here – local guides can take you along mountain paths to hidden waterfalls or through coffee plantations.
we stayed in Jardin 5 nights, we suggest to stay here at list 3 nights. you can read about our trip to Jardín here: Travel Jardín, Colombia, with kids
Guatapé: More Than Just a Day Trip
Guatapé sits on a beautiful blue lake with the massive El Peñol rock visible from everywhere in town. Many travelers visit Guatapé as a quick day trip from Medellín, but this is a big mistake! This colorful lakeside town deserves at least 2-3 days of your Colombia family vacation. we stayed 5 fun and relaxing nights in Guatape.
you can read about our trip to Guatapé here: Travel Guatapé , Colombia, with kids
Medellín: Colombia's Most Kid-Friendly City
Medellín surprised us as an amazing family destination! This modern city surrounded by green mountains has perfect spring-like weather year-round and countless kid-friendly activities. The transformation from Colombia’s most dangerous city to innovation hub makes it fascinating for parents while offering endless fun for children.
we had a great day at Parque Arví, reached by an exciting cable car ride above the city – it’s like combining transportation with a forest adventure! Our kids loved the interactive exhibits at Explora Science Museum where they could touch everything and learn through play. Comuna 13, once the city’s most dangerous neighborhood, is now famous for colorful street art, outdoor escalators, and amazing city views – even our youngest was impressed by the neighborhood’s powerful story of transformation. Water parks like Parque de las Aguas offer cooling fun on warmer days. Medellín also has Colombia’s best family restaurants, from traditional Colombian food to international options for pickier eaters. With easy public transportation and beautiful parks everywhere, Medellín proves that urban destinations can be just as exciting for families as beaches or jungles. we stayed 4 nights in Medellín and we could stay for more.
you can read about our trip to Jardín here: Travel Medellín , Colombia, with kids
Why Colombia's Coffee Valley Became Our Family's Favorite Destination
What began as an anxiety-filled landing in Bogotá transformed into a month of discovery that changed our perspective on Colombia as family travel. Colombia’s Coffee Valley offered that perfect balance all family travelers seek – authentic cultural experiences, natural beauty, adventure opportunities, and warm human connections, all within a manageable travel infrastructure.
The lasting impression, however, comes from the Colombian people themselves. In a country that has endured difficult times, we found extraordinary resilience, optimism, and genuine warmth, especially toward children. Our family left with far more than photographs and souvenirs; we gained a profound appreciation for Colombia’s complex history and bright future.
If you’re considering venturing beyond typical family destinations, Colombia’s Coffee Valley deserves a prominent place on your list. Sometimes the places that initially intimidate us the most end up offering the richest rewards. Colombia, we miss you, we will come back!
