After leaving Bogota, our first base in the Andean region of west-central Colombia was the little town of Filandia, a prettier and more authentic alternative to the backpacker hotspot of Salento nearby. Filandia has plenty of shops and restaurants and small hotels, mainly to serve the coffee and cattle farmers in the surrounding countryside, who come into town by jeep or on horseback to shop and socialize.
Filandia’s 7,000 residents seem to be in a competition to paint their balconied townhouses in the brightest possible colors, making this a beautiful place to stroll and take pictures.
Colombia’s central Andean region is an area of amazing natural beauty. From our base in Filandia, we took day trips to two places that showcased that beauty. In the Val de Corcora, we went horseback riding among the world’s tallest palm trees: the endangered wax palm, Colombia’s national tree.
At the Quindio Botanical Garden, we walked through forests of native bamboo, admired brilliant tropical flowers, and got close-up views of hummingbirds and butterflies.
Wow! What a beautiful town and an amazing adventure!