Colombia: Hot Springs in San Vicente near Pereira, 2007

From the city of Pereira, in the middle of coffee country in central Colombia, one can take a day trip to some hot springs in the mountains. San Vicente was one of these hot springs or "termales." This was an 1-1/2 hour drive from Pereira, where one would pick up the microbus. After leaving Pereira and going north to Santa Rosa, the bus quickly leaves the paved road and meanders deep into the countryside before stopping in an area completely enclosed by mountains, with the hot water coming down the sides of one of the mountains and channeling through several of the pools. Aside from bathing in the waters or spending some time in a sauna, there are opportunities to get massages or take nature hikes. The presence of soldiers at the site and along the road indicates that this is a remote area that requires protection for its employees and visitors.

See my webpage on Colombia at http://www.latinandcaribbeantravel.com/colombia.html

Other websites:

Caribbean Folk Arts Network (Caribfolk) - Caribbean cultural network: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/caribfolk/

Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas (Latin American Cultural Roots) - a nonprofit organization I founded in 1991 that presents Latin American cultural shows, exhibits, and workshops: http://www.raicesculturales.org/

Raicesnews - Latin cultural events in the Philadelphia area: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/raicesnews