A coffee farm tour from Medellín

Colombian coffee is known around the world, and Antioquia, the department around Medellín, is one of the country's important growing regions. A day on a working farm is one of the most rewarding things you can do here, even if you don't drink much coffee.

Where to go

You don't have to travel far. There are working farms within about one to two hours of the city, on the green slopes around the Aburrá Valley and in southwest Antioquia. These make an easy day trip.

The famous Coffee Triangle (Eje Cafetero) of Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío is further, around five to six hours by road. It's worth an overnight stay, especially to see the giant wax palms of the Cocora Valley near Salento. A helicopter turns it into a long day trip.

From cherry to cup

A good farm tour walks you through the whole process:

1. Growing. Coffee grows on shrubs on steep, shaded hillsides. You'll learn why altitude and shade matter for flavor.
2. Picking. Ripe cherries are bright red and picked by hand, often one at a time. You'll try it yourself.
3. Processing. Most Colombian coffee is washed: the fruit is removed, the beans ferment and are rinsed, then dried in the sun.
4. Roasting. The green beans are roasted, which develops the aroma and flavor.
5. Tasting. You'll finish with a cupping, the way professionals compare coffees, and usually a cup brewed the traditional way.

When to go

Coffee farms are worth visiting year-round. Colombia has two harvests a year, a main one and a smaller one called the mitaca. Come during harvest and you'll see the farm at its busiest, with pickers on the slopes and beans drying everywhere.

Make it a full day

Most of our guests pair a farm visit with lunch in the countryside, a stop at a viewpoint or a chocolate tasting. Families love it because there's room to explore and plenty to touch and taste. Wear closed shoes, bring a light jacket and expect some walking on slopes.

We arrange private farm visits with a driver and bilingual guide, timed to avoid the busiest hours.