Coffee Tour La Palma — Attraction in Quindío

Highly Recommend - MUST DO TOUR in Filandia.

I recently experienced an intimate, three-person tour of Julian’s fourth-generation family coffee farm in Filandia, Quindío, Colombia. Julian personally picked us up in town, driving through scenic roads rich with vibrant birds and stunning landscapes, leading to their secluded farm.

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted with a cup of their signature coffee sweetened with panela, a traditional unrefined cane sugar. Julian guided us through the entire coffee bean lifecycle, from flower to green bean, as we explored the farm’s steep hills adorned with diverse fruit trees like bananas, oranges, limes, and papayas.

Julian also shared his natural pest control methods within the farm’s ecosystem. He explained how the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei), a beetle that infests coffee beans, poses a significant threat to crops. To combat this, Julian utilizes natural predators such as frogs and ants, which inhabit the banana trees and help control pest populations. This approach reduces the need for chemical pesticides, promoting a healthier environment.

Julian further discussed the economic challenges small-scale coffee farmers face, emphasizing the industry’s low prices due to large corporate dominance. To sustain his family’s livelihood, he has diversified into agrotourism, offering personalized farm tours that educate visitors and generate additional income. This approach has been vital for the farm’s survival, especially considering that many coffee farmers in Colombia earn meager wages, sometimes as low as $15 per week.

After the insightful tour, Julian invited us to taste and compare various coffee brewing methods using beans cultivated entirely on his farm. Experiencing the rich flavors and purest form of caffeine directly at the source was truly remarkable. This comprehensive experience, including the tour and tasting, was offered at a price of 90,000 Colombian pesos.

This experience deepened my appreciation for the dedication and hard work involved in producing quality coffee. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone interested in understanding the art and science of coffee cultivation. Supporting Julian’s farm means contributing to the preservation of traditional farming practices and the livelihood of a passionate family committed to sustainable agriculture.

For those seeking an authentic, non-commercial experience that benefits both the local community and conscious travelers, this tour offers a meaningful opportunity to engage in...

If you’re looking for a super nice coffee trip this is the best place! Attending the coffee tour was an absolute delight! From the moment we got into the car Julian started with some great infos about Colombia in general, then Finlandia and the bridge to his family business - a lot of knowledge combined with passion for his job. The tour itself was incredibly informative, shedding light on every step of the coffee-making process, from bean to cup. Tasting the freshly brewed varieties was a highlight, each sip offering a nuanced understanding of the craft and care that goes into every batch. The passion for quality and sustainability was palpable throughout, leaving me not only caffeinated but truly inspired. Thank you for an unforgettable journey through the world of coffee, Julian! It was super nice to meet you!! All...

We‘ve had the pleasure of visiting the La Palma coffee farm near Filandia. Because we were the only ones we got a private tour in the English language. This is a rather small farm in a beautiful landscape about 20 minutes drive from Filandia. Since we didn’t know much about coffee we got absolutely fascinated. We loved every minute of it and in the end we’ve learned so much. Our guide Julian was absolutely wonderful, very patient and he answered all our many questions. We can really recommend this tour for all people who love coffee but also for people who don’t. And this coffee is just fantastic and nothing like what we drink back home. Make sure you have some space in your suitcase to take a...