Tucked away in the towering peaks of the Colombian coffee region, Manizales is a city where modernity meets tradition. With its beautiful landscapes, cultural festivals, and warm, welcoming locals, Manizales invites you to indulge in Colombia’s rich coffee heritage. With its charming streets, colorful homes, and soothing thermal springs, this city provides a refreshing escape from the bustle of larger Colombian metropolises. If you’re looking for the best areas to stay in Manizales, you’ve come to the right place.
Accommodation Options in Manizales, Colombia
But the magic of Manizales reaches far beyond its aromatic coffee scents. You can explore its Neo-Gothic Cathedral, one of the tallest cathedrals in Latin America, offering breathtaking views from its tower. Likewise, to get in touch with the city’s cultural movement, you can visit the Caldas Art Museum. However, most people visit Manizales for its natural attractions, like its already-mentioned thermal hot springs, or places like Los Yarumos Ecopark, which are ideal for hiking. And, as more tourists discover this Colombian town, its accommodation options expand, including luxury boutique hotels and budget-friendly guesthouses.
The atmosphere in Manizales is a captivating fusion. The city is an educational hub by day, with many university students frequenting cozy bookstores and cafes. But, when the night comes, salsa rhythms fill the air in vibrant dance clubs and bars. The city also hosts festivals throughout the year, like the Manizales Fair, with live music and parades.
Meanwhile, in terms of architecture, Manizales mixes Art Deco houses and Colonial structures that offer a visual journey through diverse eras. Keep reading to dive deep into the best areas to stay in Manizales, Colombia.
What’s the best area to stay in Manizales, Colombia?
The best area to stay in Manizales is in the city’s eastern part. This district hosts the Zona Rosa, where you will find the best hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops in Manizales. Moreover, this part of town is the closest to the airport.
Find available accommodation in Eastern Manizales.
Best Hotels in Eastern Manizales
- Best 5-star hotel: Quo Quality Hotel
- Best 3-star hotel: Hotel Portal de Milán
- Best budget hotel: Ayenda Portal del Cable
- Best serviced apartments: Estar Apartaestudios
Best Areas to Stay in Manizales: District by District
1. East Manizales (Zona Rosa)
The safest area for tourists in Manizales
East Manizales is home to the city’s Zona Rosa, where you can find the top restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, and hotels.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Manizales:
- Best-rated hotels in Manizales
- Cafés and restaurants
- Closer to the airport
- Safest area to stay
- Excellent area for nightlife
- Great for shopping
- Ecoparque Los Yarumos
The east part of Manizales stands out for being the most upscale district in the city. For the same reason, you will find the Zona Rosa (‘Pink Zone’), a common term in Colombia for the area with the best restaurants, shops, and nightlife within a city. Hence, this part of Manizales is home to excellent restaurants, bars, and clubs. Moreover, some of the city’s biggest malls, like Centro Comercial Plaza, are in the district.
Although this small city is among the least dangerous in Colombia, this neighborhood stands out for being the safest area to stay in Manizales. So, for the most part, you can do bar hopping along the Avenida Santander without worrying.
Regarding tourist attractions, the Ecoparque Los Yarumos is nearby. This park has stunning views of Manizales and is excellent for trekking. To get to the park, you must get on the city’s cableway system called Cable Aéreo, a must when visiting the city. In addition, there are beautiful waterfalls and several trails within Ecoparque Los Yarumos.
Likewise, another advantage of staying in East Manizales is that it is the closest part of the city to the airport. So, if you have an early flight to continue your Colobiam route, you will be there in no time. But please remember that there are only flights to Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena from Manizales.
Manizales’ Zona Rosa accommodation includes budget-friendly options, top-rated 5-star hotels, and charming guesthouses. Furthermore, most hotels organize tours of the thermal springs and coffee plantations in the city. So, you can still move to other city areas and get to know its culture quickly.
Best Hotels in Manizales’ Zona Rosa
Quo Quality Hotel
Quo Quality Hotel features a fitness center, shared lounge, a terrace, and a restaurant in Manizales. The property has a bar and is within 2.8 miles of Manizales Cable Car Station. The hotel has a sauna, room service, and free WiFi.
Hotel Portal de Milán
Strategically located in the Cable and Batallon area, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi and cable TV rooms. On-site private parking is free.
Ayenda Portal del Cable
Ayenda Portal del Cable is offering accommodations in Manizales. This 2-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a tour desk. The property is non-smoking and located 2.7 miles from Manizales Cable Car Station.
Estar Apartaestudios
Estar Apartaestudios features accommodations in Manizales. This recently renovated apartment features a building dating back to 2023, 2 miles from the Manizales Cable Car Station. The accommodation offers a public bath, free Wifi throughout the property, and family rooms.
2. Manizales City Center
Home to the most important tourist attractions in the city
The center of Manizales houses the city’s must-see attractions, including the Bolívar Square and the Cathedral of Manizales.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Manizales:
- Manizales Cathedral
- Charming accommodations
- Salsa and traditional Colombian music clubs
- Cheap hotels and hostels
- Bolívar Square
The city center is the beating heart of Manizales. This area hosts most of the city’s main attractions, including the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary. This neo-gothic building is 377 feet (115 meters) tall, making it the tallest cathedral in Latin America. Also, the church features a tower with an observation deck that offers stunning views of Manizales.
Moreover, the Plaza de Bolivar, the city’s main square, is also in the center of Manizales. This square stands out for its unique statue representing Colombia’s liberator, Simon Bolívar, as a condor. This sculpture was particularly controversial after its completion in 1991.
But Manizales City Center is more than just sightseeing. You will find many more authentic sides of the city’s nightlife in this district. Hence, the neighborhood hosts salsa and traditional Colombian music clubs. These venues coexist with more modern rooftops and all kinds of restaurants. However, this is not the safest area to stay in Manizales, so be careful and avoid walking through dark streets alone at night.
On the other hand, the center hosts several hostels located inside charming and colorful Colonial buildings. You will also find hotels, tourist apartments, and B&Bs in this part of town.
So, the city center is the best location in Manizales for tourists looking to know a more genuine side of Colombian culture. In addition, many cafés in this area serve high-quality coffee and offer tastings for visitors. Thus, you can learn a lot about the coffee culture in Colombia while staying in this area.
Best Hotels in Manizales City Center
Pop Art Hotel Manizales Centro Histórico
Pop Art Hotel Manizales Centro Histórico offers spacious accommodations with free WiFi and free parking in Manizales. It features a bar specializing in coffee.
HOTEL LA REPUBLICA MANIZALES
Located within an 8-minute walk of Manizales Cable Car Station and 30 miles of Viaduct between Pereira and Dosquebradas, HOTEL LA REPUBLICA MANIZALES provides rooms in Manizales. This 1-star hotel offers a shared lounge, room service, and free WiFi. The property has a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service and organizes guest tours.
Golden Frog Manizales
Located in Manizales, Golden Frog Manizales has a shared lounge, terrace, BBQ area, and free WiFi throughout the property. The property is around an 11-minute walk from Manizales Cable Car Station, 30 miles from Viaduct between Pereira and Dosquebradas, and 31 miles from Pereira’s Bolivar Square.
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