Villamaría

Villamaría is a municipality in the Centro Sur region of Caldas department, spanning mountainous terrain. The area sits at approximately 1,900 meters elevation and is characterized by rolling green hills mixed with urban and rural settlements.

The municipality was founded in 1852 and grew from a small settlement into a structured administrative center. Coffee cultivation later became the driving force of economic development and permanently shaped the region's character.

The municipality is part of the UNESCO-recognized Coffee Cultural Landscape, where coffee farming shapes daily life and the local economy. You can see coffee plantations and processing facilities throughout the area, forming the backbone of community identity.

The area sits at around 1,900 meters elevation, so visitors should be prepared for cooler temperatures and possible altitude effects. The best time to explore is during drier months when roads and plantations are easier to access.

The area shows stark differences between its densely populated urban core and sparsely populated rural zones just kilometers away. These contrasts stem from how coffee plantations and traditional settlement patterns are distributed across the mountainous terrain.

Location: Centro Sur

Inception: October 19, 1852

Elevation above the sea: 1,920 m

Website: http://villamaria-caldas.gov.co

GPS coordinates: 5.04556,-75.51528

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:08