This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Manizales is a beautiful city located in the Department of Caldas in Colombia. There are many universities within the city, which means there are many student activities, such as salsa clubs, nightlife, bars with live music, as well as shops. The city is definitely a young and hip place to visit, which is why you'll find so many hostels in Manizales. It also has an European influence, which can be noted in the buildings and plazas. There are also many beautiful parks and agendas (avenues) to explore. Nearby there are many plantations, including coffee plantations, which offer cheap and tasty coffee. Many people that visit Manizales also pay a visit to the Cordillera, a large mountain range, which offers good hiking and vistas.
There are a number of different accommodation options here, including Manizales hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts. There are even options for staying in a coffee plantation or farm stay. The most popular accommodation options are the Manizales hostels and guesthouses, as they offer entertainment and tourist information and are great places to experience local life as well as meeting like-minded travelers. All accommodation offers linens, Wi-Fi, hot showers, lockers (if in dorm rooms), private and/or dorm rooms, sometimes with breakfast, or a communal kitchen for use.
There are also plenty of good and cheap restaurants and mini markets in the city. Parking is not usually available, however there are plenty of information on transit routes and generally accommodation staff can help with these arrangements, as well as providing information on other tours around the area. Most people speak some English, however it's always handy to learn some basic Spanish -- this will be greatly appreciated by the locals.
Written by local expertz for Manizales
Kelly Sheldrick
