Pereira is the capital city of the department of Risaralda. It is located in a small valley that descends from a part of the western Andes mountain chain. Its strategic location in the coffee producing area makes the city an urban centre in Colombia, as does its proximity to Bogotá, Cali and Medellín – and to the sea and the biggest airport in the whole area.

Tourist Offices
The tourist information centre is in the Palacio Municipal on Carrera 7.

Sightseeing
Plaza de Bolívar is very famous because of the "Bolívar Desnudo" – Naked Bolívar monument. It is located in the main square in the centre of the city in front of the cathedral, between 7th and 8th street. The area is the focus of commercial and financial activities. The most important activities in the city take place here. The city zoo is the largest in Colombia and one of the largest in South America; it is internationally recognized for leading investigations in the preservation of animal life. There is a Natural History Museum inside the zoo.

Getting there
You can fly here from Bogotá or come by bus from Armenia, Medellín, Cali, Marsell, Manizales and Bogotá.