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.
Pereira is the capital of the Colombian state of Risaralda; as it's roughly in the centre geographically of the triangle of main cities of Colombia (Bogota, Cali, and Medellín), it is easily reached in around eight hours from each of these locations, meaning that it is an important stop-off point to break up an otherwise long journey.
Yet Pereira is more than just a stop-off -- it's so much more. Its location at the foot of the Andes makes the city a perfect base to explore the surrounding nature, with a number of hikes possible. As it is in the Zona Cafetera of Colombia, you can incorporate a tour of the surrounding nature with a visit to one of the many coffee-producing plantations in the area, learning about how Colombia's world famous export is produced and then shipped to all corners of the world.
Inside the city, there are a few parks that are worthy of attention -- none more so than Parque Boliviar, which features a statue of the famous liberator naked, on horseback. The park is in the shadow of the impressive Cathedral Nuestra Senora La Pobreza, the main religious sight of the city that is adorned in a unique wooden interior. A few blocks down is the impressive circular Parque Lago, which is filled with a giant, circular fountain. Outside of the centre, the middle-class area surrounding Circumvalor street offers restaurants and bars that will cater for all tastes, and you can kick back in the balmy climate and watch the world go by. Pereira hostels can cater to many budgets and tastes; they are a great base if you want to see everything Pereira has to offer.
Written by local expertz for Pereira
Elgrumpygringo
