Where else would there be an entire theme park dedicated to coffee? In Colombia’s coffee region, of course! With roller coasters, a museum, and rides for every age, this needs to be on every family’s Colombia itinerary!
The first time I visited Parque del Café was in 2015, pre-kids and terrified of roller coasters. Here we are 10 years and two kids later, still equally as scared of roller coasters but I ended up having so much fun! Let’s take a ride, shall we?
What is Parque del Café?
Parque del Café is an amusement park founded by Colombia’s National Federation of Coffee Growers, located in Montenegro, Quindío right in the heart of the Eje Cafetero. It’s been open since 1995 and it does something no other amusement park has: it combines real thrills with Colombia’s coffee culture and history.
The park is split into two main areas. Near the entrance, you’ll find museum exhibits, coffee history displays, and educational demonstrations about how coffee is grown and processed. The museum is completely free and I suggest ending your day walking around and learning the detailed history.
There’s also a large Juan Valdez coffee shop, because of course, so fuel up before you start your adventure. Next, take the teleférico or walk down into the park and you hit the valley where all the rides are. I suggest the teleférico, always!
The Rides
Let’s dive into the real reason to visit, the rides! Parque del Café has over 35 of them, and they range from gentle enough for toddlers to thrilling enough for adults. Including Colombia’s most extreme coaster, El Krater with a vertical 30 meter drop!
I was way too scared to even try, but Patrick did every coaster with no hesitation! Our 6 year old even rode, Yippe, a play on the Colombian Jeeps, and loved it!
There are also water rides (bring a change of clothes or embrace being wet). Honestly, there’s genuinely something for every age and every comfort level.
The Coffee Culture Side
This is what makes Parque del Café different from any other amusement park. The museum section tells the story of Colombia’s relationship with coffee — how it shaped the economy, the culture, the people. There are exhibits and shows on coffee production, from seed to cup, and demonstrations you can watch throughout the day.
As someone who has now been on multiple coffee farm tours in Colombia (if you haven’t read about our Finca El Ocaso experience, go do that), I loved seeing the cultural and historical side presented in a way that was accessible for kids. Our older one connected the dots between what we learned on the farm tour and what the museum was showing. That’s the beauty of experiential learning — the pieces start fitting together on their own.
I really recommend El Show del Café which happens once a day. It is a hike up either by stairs or a ramp, so be prepared. But it tells the story of coffee’s history in Colombia as a whole through traditional music and dances.
For the Little Ones
If you’re traveling with babies or toddlers, here’s the good news: kids under 90 cm tall enter the park for free. And they still have access to rides like the teleférico, train, Ferris wheel, carousel, and a designated play zone made just for them, called Cafeteritos.
Our kids had extra fun on the bumper cars, so much so we were there for close to 30 minutes as they rode again and again. Lucky for us, it was a weekday so there were less people!
There’s plenty to keep everyone busy, no matter the age.
Practical Info
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Open Wednesday through Sunday during low season, and daily during high season and holidays.
Tickets: Kids under 90 cm enter free. Adults and children over 90 cm pay standard admission. Seniors (70+) get a special discounted rate. Buy tickets online the day before for a 10% discount — this is a must.
Location: About 4 km southwest of Montenegro, Quindío, and roughly 11 km west of Armenia. Easy to reach by taxi or car from Salento or Armenia.
How long to plan: A full day. We arrived at opening and stayed until about 4:30 p.m. and it felt right. You could do a half-day if you’re just doing rides, but the museum is worth your time too.
Tips for Families
Go on a weekday. I say this for every attraction in the coffee region and I will keep saying it. The weekend crowds are no joke, especially during Colombian holidays. Weekdays mean shorter lines, more space, and a much more chill experience.
Buy tickets online. That 10% discount adds up, especially for a family. Just make sure to purchase by the day before your visit.
Bring sunscreen, hats, and water. The park is mostly outdoors and the sun at this altitude doesn’t play. Proteja esa piel.
Pack snacks. The food inside is typical amusement park pricing. Not terrible, but bringing your own snacks will save you money and keep the hangry meltdowns at bay. (The kids’ meltdowns, obviously. Not mine. Okay, maybe mine too.)
Start with the rides, end with the museum. This worked perfectly for us. The kids burned off all their energy during the day. As is the weather in the coffee region, later afternoon had rain, so hiding away in the museum was the perfect way to end our day.
Bring a change of clothes. If your kids go on the water rides (and they will), you’ll thank me later.
Final Thoughts
Parque del Café is one of those rare places that manages to be genuinely educational AND genuinely fun. The kids talked about the park for days, and they also remembered facts about coffee production that came out at random moments for weeks after.
If you’re in the Eje Cafetero with your family, this is a must. Pair it with a coffee farm tour at Finca El Ocaso and a hike in Valle de Cocora and you’ve got yourself one unforgettable week. Check out our full Family-Friendly Guide to Colombia’s Coffee Region for the complete itinerary.
Or check our our full YouTube vlog of the park:
Follow us on Instagram and YouTube for more Colombian travel adventures. Have you been to Parque del Café? What was your favorite ride? Cuéntame en los comentarios! 👇
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