The National Coffee Park is located in Montenegro, Quindío, about 160 miles north of Bogotá in the “axis” of the coffee region of Colombia.

This park is an alternative amusement park to American style theme parks. It was founded in 1995 by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia and the Committee of Coffee Growers of Quindío. The mission of the nonprofit organization that manages the park is to preserve the cultural heritage and history of coffee in Colombia.

What makes this park different from any others? What has made it a success as a local and national attraction?

• The park is located in a small and beautiful valley. To reach the park, visitors take a cable car offering a magnificent view of the entire area.
• The rolling hills are planted with coffee, bananas, fruit trees, flowers and other local plants.
• The farmers in the area have developed the best techniques of coffee cultivation, harvesting and processing.
• They have also kept the lifestyle and traditions of the early settlers that Juan Valdez represents with authenticity.
• Visitors can walk along a trail that allows them to touch, smell and feel up close all the varieties of coffee plants grown in Colombia plus many others from many countries around the world. The trail splits at the end. One way leads to the auditorium where twice a day a dance troupe performs the typical dances of the region. The other way leads to several stations where visitors learn all about coffee cultivation.
• Both directions eventually converge on a big colonial square featuring many statues and stores.
• At different times of the year, the square is where celebrations for different festivities take place.
• Christmas time is a beautiful time in the park, including live Nativity scenes and lights everywhere.
• As is customary with any amusement park, each section has different names.
• The “Zona Cafetera section” (the coffee zone) features a Coffee Show, Ecological Trail and the Coffee Museum.
• The folkloric “Show del Café” has lively, talented and colorful dancers who portray the history and cultural traditions of coffee.It is heartwarming to see the crowds react with enthusiasm, pride and patriotism during the show.

Coffee is a very important part of the economy in Colombia and a positive contributor to social growth:

• The ecological attractions include shady bamboo forests and tiny coffee nurseries where visitors learn how beans go from the seed to the cup.
• Visitors are directly exposed to coffee growing, picking, de-pulping, drying, de-husking and export preparations.
• Colombian and international tourists walk trails reading signs and learning all about the coffee beans. There are extensive and varied flower gardens everywhere.
• The museum has several rooms with very complete information and displays about the coffee culture and trade.
• The museum also showcases a very good 3D movie about the daily life of a Colombian coffee grower. This is a unique way to feel like a Juan Valdez in the pictures, if only for a short while!
• Of course, what would an amusement park be without the rides?
• The Coffee Park features all the expected rides and attractions for those adults seeking thrills and for children as well.
• For example, the Cyclone rollercoaster ride is a very exciting.
• There are carrousels, bumper boats, bumper cars, single go-karts, double go-karts and the “Cumbre” free fall rides.
• There is also a train ride which is very appropriate since train transportation was a principal means and transportation for coffee development.
• The panoramic gondola lift is a great way to view the entire park and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding mountains and valley region.
• There are children’s attractions with usual mascots wearing costumes of popular television and show characters.
• One interesting musical show has colorful animatronic orchids. The orchid is the national flower of Colombia.
• The “lake of the legends” is a where visitors can enjoy boat rides and water thrillers.
• This is also an interesting area to learn about the myths and legends associated with coffee plantations, many of which are part of local story telling.

Of course, any visit to the park includes stopping to enjoy one of the many coffee houses scattered all over the park.