Armenia

About

Armenia was originally founded in 1889 as “Villa Holguín”, but changed its name in the early 20th century in solidarity with the Armenian genocide victims. The Armenia rapidly expanded as one of the country’s main coffee producers, but a major earthquake in 1999 destroyed much of the city, and it never quite recovered. While that means there are no historic monuments to seek out, the friendly, laid-back locals and village-like atmosphere make hunting for the perfect cafe a pleasant experience in itself (hint: they’re all good). For a bit of local history, it’s well worth visiting the Museo del Oro Quimbaya to see the work of pre-Columbian goldsmiths, as well as ceramics and ceremonial items. At the Quindio Botanical Gardens, you can immerse yourself in the lush ecology of the Coffee Triangle and learn about the background and use of native species on a guided tour of the lush jungle.