Experience in Manizales, Colombia by Katherine

What is it like to live in Manizales? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Is a wonderful city, full of college students especially in the Cable zone. The weather is a little cold most of the time, because near there is an inactive volcano full of snow, but there is also some days that are a little hot. People are really nice and helpful with visitors and there is a lot to see, specially the landscapes, it’s called the city of sunsets for a reason.
If you are going to study there I fully recommend it, because you are going to have a great experience and meet lots of young people to study and have fun!

What is the student lifestyle like in Manizales?

Is very good! In Manizales there is a zone called the university or student zone, and there are about 6 or 7 universities and about 10 study centers, which make it be the best place to study. Round that zone are the student houses and buildings allowing people to go to college walking, no need to peak up a bus. Given to the amount of students you have all the needed facilities near you, such as internet, cafes, restaurants, stationer’s shops and even some bars near to just go and grab a bear when you get out of class.

How much does it cost to live in Manizales?

It’s not too expensive. You can live in a good area round or in the student houses for about US $150-250, and that money includes food, accommodation, cleaning, internet, and some others, according to the price you are willing to pay. The transport in a bus is about US$1.20 to go and back, it doesn’t matter where you go in the city, it will always cost the same in a bus. If you are willing to grab a cab it will be round $3 to $8 dollars, depending on how far you go. The food in a restaurant can be from $1.50 to have a good lunch, and it will rise depending on where you go; food it’s actually one of the cheapest things. A bear can cost about $2.50, a glass of wine $3.20, water $1, a soda $0.80.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Manizales? Is there any advice you can give?

It’s very easy because of the amount of students coming every year from different cities in Colombia. The universities are surrounded with houses, buildings and rooms to provide accommodation for new students and it is easy to find a place near any university. An advice I give you is to find a group in facebook called HABITACIONES EN MANIZALES where people put the accommodation offers for students or people just write and say where they need a room and offers appear.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Manizales is a very active city that receives plenty of tourists, so there are a lot of restaurants to choose. I like the food in Manizales, specially the bandeja paisa (rice, beans, sausage, avocado, meat, egg, pork rind), chuleta (breaded pork meat), ajiaco (chicken soup with potatoes and milk cream), frijoles (beans soup), and some others that you’ll just have to give it a try in the restaurant. The cost goes from $1.50 to $3 for simple lunch, and it will rise depending on the restaurant you go.

What places would you recommend visiting in Manizales?

The Cable Plaza, Parque del Agua (Water Park), Plaza de Toros, Plaza de los estudiantes (Students Plaza), Los Yarumos (Ecological Park), El Nevado (Inactive volcano with a little snow), The historical center, and specially Chipre, where you can go to the Sky tower and watch the best views of the city.

Is it good to eat out in Manizales? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

It’s very good. My favorite spots are Las Palmas, Las cuatro estaciones, El Cable, Sándwich Cubano, Frisby and El Corral.

Is the nightlife good in Manizales? Where is good to go?

The nightlife is not great but … good. Maybe it’s the cold nights that kind of get in the way of having more fun, but mostly they are good. The bars are close to the university zone and most days are full. The best ones are Simon Dice, Milagros, Bar C.

What advice would you give future students heading to Manizales?

You should enjoy the most of your journey, have fun, meet new people, new places, always watch the sunsets because they are the most beautiful that you are going to see, don’t be afraid to walk or take a bike just to have a trip and meet the city by your own means.
Enjoy!!