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. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in El Rosario.
El Rosario is a town in the Colombian mountains near Manizales. Manizales is in the mountains about halfway between Medellin and Cali; El Rosario is twenty minutes beyond Manizales. You can get to El Rosario from the La Nubia Airport terminal jeeps. Be sure to agree on a price with the driver before you get in.
This region of Colombia is known for its coffee plantations, trekking, and thermal springs. Coffee production is by far the most important industry in this tiny Colombian province; the fertile soils of the Andes Mountains consistently produce wonderfully fragrant coffee. El Rosario has a hostel that is also a relaxing coffee plantation. In addition to accommodation, they offer tours of the plantation during your stay at the hostel. El Rosario might be a remote mountain village, but there is no shortage of things to do around. Your hostel can recommend excellent hiking trails nearby in the Los Nevados de Ruiz Mountains, or you could try your hand at glacier climbing or paragliding. If you choose to relax instead, you can enjoy the local pool while sipping fresh coffee, and what can be better than that?
Don’t forget that when staying at a hostel in the mountains, its best to bring what you need with you, or you’ll need to head back to Manizales to shop. If you would like to experience the culture of the Colombian mountain towns, head to Manizales for a city break. Manizales is the second most important university town in Colombia and as a result has many interesting museums. You can visit the cathedral, the third tallest in Latin America, before visiting some of the natural history and art museums on the university campuses.
Lastly, don’t miss the chance to soak in thermal springs. The Colombian Andes are volcanic and the El Rosario area is near to some hot pools, which are often considered healing waters.
Written by local enthusiast for El Rosario hostels
Jakob Lombardi