The Lens
Eje Cafetero in Colombia - Santuario and Tatama National Park
The Municipality of Santuario, known as a jewel of the region's heritage, belongs to the Risaralda department in Colombia and was founded the 20th of July 1886. It is a place full of charm because of its colonial architecture, its houses full of color and its squares and monuments; for example la calle real, el Palacio Municipal, el Arco de Nuestra Señora del Carmen and the temple of Inmaculada Concepción.
There are humid forests at the base of the mountain, where the temperature is between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius. The cultivation of coffee, sugar cane, granadilla, and plantain banana are the major agricultural activities of the area.
It is the perfect place to get to know more about Colombian culture and history. The inhabitants profoundly respect religious beliefs. They are known as kind, helpful, and hard working.
In this same region is the Tatamá National Natural Park, A very important park because of its biodiversity and the beauty of its landscapes. It surface is 51900 hectares. It is protected land of huge scientific interest. There is a perfectly conserved paramo, and a very large quantity of animal species (spectacled bears, mountain mice, porcupines, pumas, hummingbirds, frogs, mountain toucan…) and vegetal species (Naranjuelo, carob tree, cedrillo, and peach-palm).
It is an ideal place for ecotourism. Visit Tatama parc, following the Sendero de las Cascadas trail is a unique experience and a great way to enjoy its extraordinary plant life.