Our Colombia Travel Blog has been looking at the FIFA U20s 2011 Colombia World Cup for the last week or so now, trolling through the cities that will be hosting what is arguably Colombia’s biggest footballing event to date. Today we’re looking at Pereira, the final point in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle.
As with Armenia and Manizales, Pereira is surrounded by stunning, varied scenery and boasts incredible natural resources. The city is surrounded by the Otun an Consota Rivers and looming over the horizon are the snow-capped peaks of Los Nevados National Natural Park.
The surrounding region offers ample opportunities for hiking, horse-riding, wildlife spotting and much more. There are also opportunities to relax in the hot springs of Santa Rosa de Cabal and to visit local coffee farms.
One of Pereira’s main attractions is the variety of local and international cuisine on offer, a result of the city being the region’s most commercial developed hub. Again the population of Pereira, like that of Armenia and Manizales, are warm, generous people with an industrious attitude.
The city’s major nightlife centers around the city’s main avenue: Avenida Simon Bolivar. For a good selection of international food, try La Estancia.
As for football, Pereira’s main team is called Deportivo Pereira. They’re fierce rivals of nearby Once Caldes of Manizales, although they’re yet to reach the heights that their rivals achieved in 2004 when they lifted the Copa Libertadores.
Pereira will host only 2 matches from the group stages (Ecuador V Costa Rica and Saudi Arabia V Nigeria) but will host a 2nd Round match, a Quarter Final and a Semi Final.
Paul
