As a leading destination in the coffee belt, this area's gastronomic customs revolve around the local culture. This offers the chance to enjoy delicious dishes such as beans with pork and served with meat, rice, tostones, avocado, egg, chorizo, crackling and banana.

Mazamorra de maíz (a milky maize pudding) with cane sugar or aguapanela (panela water) with cheese are typical drinks, in addition to aguardiente.

Corn cakes with cheese, custard fritters, solteritas, wafers with cream, strawberry and soursop puffs, and figs with cheese will treat your taste buds.

Pereira is also known for its night life thanks to the diversity of bars and clubs it possesses.

In the centre of the region you will find Ukmarí Theme Park, Lake Otún and the shield volcano of Santa Isabel, which offer perfect places for leisure activities ranging from adventure sports to ecotourism.

You can also visit Matecaña Zoo, which is one of the best in South America and in which species live in their natural habitat.

Other recommendations are:

Santa Rosa de Cabal Thermal Waters
La Granja de Noé Eco-Park
Marsella Botanic Garden
Los Nevados National Park
Lake Otún
Ucumari Reserve
Lineal Egoyá Park

The history of this place dates back to the Pre-Columbian Era when the land where the city stands today was occupied by the Quimbaya and Pijao tribes, both of which were famed for their work with precious metals. The mix of cultures and the development of their history provided the city with a unique and distinctive character.

Within cultural tourism, points of interest include Nuestra Señora de la Pobreza Cathedral, which is an important example of the city's religious architectural heritage, along with Nuestra Señora de Fátima Shrine.

With regards to festivities, Easter Week in Pereira, the Harvest Festival and the Festival del Despecho are highlights on the calendar.