Colombia has unfortunately received a lot of negative press coverage over the years considering that overall the country is safe. The State Department reports that violent crime has continued to trend downward over the past few years. Like any major city in the world, Bogota has its share of crime and there are certain parts of the city where you wouldn’t want to go as a tourist.

Manizales on the other hand is a fraction of the size of Bogota and located in the center of the country’s coffee producing areas, far away from any of these crime centers. The lifestyle is serene and peaceful. People are often surprised about how calm and tranquil life is and how relaxed the people are in this part of the country. Once you arrive in Manizales, your preconceptions of Colombia will quickly change in this quiet, coffee paradise.