Manizales is one of Colombia’s most underrated destinations. Tucked deep in the Andes Mountains in the heart of the country’s coffee-producing region, it’s an excellent base for visiting coffee farms and quaint colonial towns.
Most travelers reach Manizales from larger Colombian cities like Medellín or Bogotá, or from nearby coffee-region hubs such as Pereira and Salento.
Below is a breakdown of the most common routes.
How to Get From Medellin to Manizales
While there are rare direct flights from Medellin to Manizales, they are not reliable. The Manizales La Nubia Airport is notorious for very poor, foggy weather conditions, so flights tend to get delayed or canceled.
Most choose to get from Medellin to Manizales by bus. By bus, it typically takes about 5 hours. Most buses depart from the Terminal del Sur in Medellín, with plenty of daily departures available. It’s mostly a very scenic drive, passing through lush mountains and endless coffee farms. A one-way ticket tends to cost around $20 USD.
Driving is another option if you prefer more flexibility. The trip by car takes 4 to 5 hours, though the winding mountain roads can slow travel, especially if landslides block the road.
I traveled around Colombia by bus and had no issues, so I don’t think a car is necessary for this route.
How to Get From Bogota to Manizales
There are rare direct flights from Bogota to the small Manizales airstrip as well. But again, flights to Manizales generally aren’t too reliable due to weather conditions. For that reason, bus or car is the safer option, despite the length of the journey.
Taking the bus is a cheaper alternative and a popular choice among travelers. Buses between Bogota and Manizales typically take around 8 hours, depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions. Tickets cost around 75,000 COP ($20 USD) and can be purchased either in-person at Terminal de Transporte Salitre or Terminal de Transporte Salitre in Bogota, where buses depart. There are overnight buses available, which might be more practical if you don’t want to waste a day traveling.
How to Get From Pereira to Manizales
The trip from Pereira to Manizales is short and easy. Pereira is just 30 miles and a little more than one hour from Manizales, with numerous buses running throughout the day to and from the cities.
Most buses depart from the Terminal de Transportes in Pereira. If you prefer a more direct option, you can catch a ride via a private driver, taxi, or Uber. Just make sure to have an agreed-upon price before the trip (don’t just hop in a taxi and assume the price). Even then, the bus route is so easy that there’s really no reason to not take the bus.
How to Get From Salento to Manizales
Traveling from Salento to Manizales requires a transfer in Pereira, since there are typically no direct buses between the two destinations. It takes right around an hour to get from Salento to Pereira. From there, head to the main bus terminal and catch a bus to Manizales. In total, the trip usually takes around 2.5 hours depending on connection times.
Even though it requires a transfer, the route is easy and commonly used by travelers exploring the coffee region. Salento is one of the most popular day trips from Manizales, since it’s a much easier colonial town to get to than others, such as Jardin (my favorite town in Colombia). Filandio is another beautiful mountain town about two hours from Manizales.
