Matecaña Airport serves Pereira, another major city in Colombia's Coffee Axis, approximately 5 km from the center.
It is an alternative gateway to Armenia for accessing the region, with regular domestic connections.
How to get to Matecaña International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to PEI
Parking near Matecaña International Airport
Near the terminal is a parking area of limited size.
There is no direct security staff, replaced by video surveillance; rates remain modest.
How to get to Pereira from PEI
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Arrival or Departure Transfer to or from Matecaña International Airport
Private Pereira Airport Transfer: To/From Salento
El Éden International Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer
Car rental at Matecaña International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the Coffee Axis, including Valle del Cocora.
Rental requires a driver's license, passport, and credit card, plus the IDP in most cases.
Hotels near Matecaña International Airport
Avenida 30 de Agosto (facing the airport)
On foot or a few minutes by car, as the building stands right across from the airport.
Best for: Short layovers, early morning departures and those who don't want to depend on a taxi to reach the terminal.
- The terminal is reached on foot or in just a few minutes, regardless of traffic
- The building has a hotel-style reception, round-the-clock security and covered parking, unlike many private apartments in the city
- Ratings vary a lot from unit to unit, even though it's the same building and the same operator
- Only the airport and Avenida 30 de Agosto nearby: for dinner or evening life you need to go downtown
Recommended hotels
- Epic Suite 303 Luxury Loft Airport Loft in the Epic Suite building on Avenida 30 de Agosto, right across from the Matecaña terminal; reception, round-the-clock security and covered parking shared with the other units in the building. View availability
- Epic Suite 502 Exclusive Airport Another unit in the same Epic Suite complex, a few floors higher; the same shared security and parking amenities as the rest of the building. View availability
City Centre
10-15 minutes from the airport, by car or taxi.
Best for: Those who want downtown, Parque Olaya Herrera and the Museo del Oro just steps from the hotel.
- The region's only chain hotel, 200 metres from downtown and ten minutes on foot from Parque Olaya Herrera
- Full spa and a gym open round the clock, rare for a hotel in this price bracket in Pereira
- Reviews note that the block around the hotel is not pleasant in the evening
- Outside the hotel, Pereira's downtown dining scene is more limited than in Medellín or Cali
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The journey from check-in to gate requires approximately 10 minutes in this modest terminal.
Security is generally quick; however, arriving 2-3 hours early for international flights is still recommended.
Map of Matecaña International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Armenia or Pereira for the Coffee Axis: which is better?
Both airports serve the same region: the choice depends on available flights and proximity to your specific destination (Salento, Filandia, the Cocora Valley).
Q. What is the Cocora Valley?
A valley famous for its wax palms, Colombia's national palm and the tallest in the world, reachable by car or organized tour from the Coffee Axis.
Q. Is it worth bringing cash to visit the coffee farms near Pereira?
Yes, many small family-run farms in the rural areas of the Coffee Axis only accept cash: withdraw pesos in the city before heading to the plantations.
Q. Is it worth staying at a coffee farm?
Yes, for a more immersive experience among the plantations; the centre of Pereira or Armenia still remains a practical base for those who prefer city services.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
