Filandia is a sleepy little treasure 50 minutes from Armenia dropped tenderly in the middle of Colombia’s coffee country. Despite its colorful facades, colonial architecture, fantastic shopping opportunities, rolling cafetera hills, warm locals and great restaurants, it is often upstaged by its touristic coffee sister of Salento and mostly undiscovered by travelers. It felt like a true local’s town…a bit similar to Jerico. We only went for a day trip, but would definitely enjoy spending a lot more time there in the future.
The Main Street and the blue and white main church, Iglesia Maria Inmaculada.
A closer image of Iglesia Maria Inmaculada, the colors resembling a Greek Orthodox Church.
Little touches of Christmas. Jesus looks like a peanut, and Mary doesn’t look the least bit like she’s been exerting herself.
What looks like a house for a candy corn family.
Need a ride? Kids and families get the opportunity to cruise around the square in mini Willy’s for $4000 pesos ($1.)
I think we found the Easter Bunny’s house. Greg strolls by to see if he can get any candy.
One thing that Filandia has is tons of great shopping. And not crappy keychains and knick knacks, but wonderful artisan crafts and jewelry.
They are especially known for weaving spectacular baskets and lampshades. Sadly, they’re not too backpackable. Or, get a poncho and a hat for $15000 pesos!!! ($3.75)
A vendor in the main square selling fried crunchy wheels.
The architecture of the main square.
One of the hotels in town. There aren’t many here, which is what makes it all the more appealing to stay for awhile.
This one was so inviting it lured us in for lunch at Cafe Filandia. Unfortunately the inside wasn’t nearly as vibrant as the out. Although the chicken curry menu del dia was excellent. ($3.50)
The red and white one especially caught our eye.
Awww. Doesn’t Greg make a cute ‘lil bird?!
Endless bursts of color! The last one looks like a color palette I would have chosen as a kid, inspired by a wild berry Skittles pack.
This one even asked the ceiling to the party.
Every step has to be a little perkier when walking down this sidewalk!
Los Tres amigos
Living in this environment must make your life so bright. Not to mention, the town is big enough to have access to most services.
Even this service…if you’re in the market!
Mandy’s favorite color eye candy. Same palate bedecked our wedding day.
We loved that there was no parking allowed on the main street
Gazing out over the surrounding coffee country.
This little girl has no idea what it’s like to live in a black, white, brown or gray house.
I wonder if neighbors consult with each other when they paint their houses? Do you think they bicker? ? Love how the one on the left has added extra little touches of nature to the scene.
A row of neatly manicured homes.
Almost everything in this country has felt like an amazing value to us. That is, until we caved and bought a San Jerónimo ice cream pop not knowing how much it cost. For two, it was $16000 pesos or $2/each. Considering ice cream is usually $.50-$1.25, this was quite the rare rip-off in Colombia.
It looks like it could be a garage door, but it was just a prismatic wall.
Filandia also had some nice hiking options including the Camino del Quindio. It was supposed to take us south down this lovely path to a hidden waterfall but instead it took us to an impassable pit of mud. ?
Cobblestoned sidewalk
Boys playing soccer. No girls 🙁
An artist at work
Snow in Colombia!! Speaking of, it is possible to see in the country. On the peaks of the nearby Las Nevadas Mountains.
Now that’s a proper sized coffee cup!!
We stopped at the funny-looking tree-house (sin tree) mirador. We decided not to go up in it because we’d blown our wad on popsicles and it really didn’t look very exciting. It did, however, offer a weird contrast from the neighboring cemetery.
Heading out of town
