Before you go

Your trip to Pereira.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Pereira – Risaralda Destination Eixo Cafeeiro Capital

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional Matecaña (PEI) 5 km
Terminal de Transportes de Pereira 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Aeropuerto Internacional Matecaña is about 5 km from downtown, with flights from Bogotá, Medellín and other cities; a taxi takes 10–20 minutes. Pereira's bus terminal has buses to Salento, Filandia, Armenia, Manizales, Santa Rosa de Cabal and Medellín. Within the city, the Megabús and taxis handle local transport.

How many days

One day for the center and the Santa Rosa hot springs, in the afternoon and evening. A second day can be for Parque del Café. Many people use Pereira only as an arrival point and continue the same day to Salento or Filandia.

When to go

The climate is mild to warm, around 21 °C, with frequent afternoon rain. April, May, October and November are usually the rainiest months. The hot springs are cooler, at higher altitude; bring a jacket.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not for the city center. For the hot springs, villages and farms there are buses and vans, but a car helps to combine several places in one day. Mountain roads are narrow and winding.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Pereira

Morning
Centro de Pereira
Plaza de Bolívar, the Bolívar Desnudo and the cathedral; coffee at one of the downtown cafés.
Afternoon
Santa Rosa de Cabal
Head to Santa Rosa de Cabal and have chorizo with arepa in the plaza.
Late afternoon
Termas
Go up to the Termales de Santa Rosa and take a dip in the pools at the end of the day, with the waterfall beside them.
Evening
Return or overnight stay
Sleep at the thermal hotel or return to Pereira to dine on Avenida Circunvalar.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Does Pereira have flights to Bogotá and Medellín?

Yes, Aeropuerto Matecaña has frequent domestic flights to Bogotá and Medellín, as well as to other cities.

How long is it from Pereira to Salento?

About an hour by bus or car. There are direct buses leaving from Pereira's terminal.

What to eat in Pereira?

Paisa food, such as bandeja paisa and beans, sancocho, arepas and, in Santa Rosa de Cabal, chorizo santarrosano. And regional coffee.

Is it worth staying in Pereira?

For those arriving or departing by plane and wanting the hot springs and Parque del Café. For Cocora and the villages, Salento and Filandia are better bases.

Back to Pereira