San Sebastian del Poniente

The municipality of La Plata was an important and strategic settlement in the colonial times thanks to its easy access to important cities such as Popayan and Pasto. The small city was established in the valley of La Plata River and was originally called San Sebastian de La Plata due to a conquitador called Sebastian de Belalcazar. This town is known for being the folkloric capital of Huila, as well as for the silver found in the region.

The main economic activities revolve around agriculture with coffee, plantain, rice, and cacao being some of the main crops. It is a region with good biodiversity located in the western side part of the central mountain range of Colombia and traversed by the Aguacatal, La Plata and Paez rivers. Other aspects that affect the agroclimatic conditions and help with its biodiversity are its proximity to the the Huila Nevado (snow-caped mountain) and the Purace National Natural Park. It has a clay loam soil ideal for coffee, with temperatures ranging from 17oC to 28oC in the areas coffee is found.

Between 2007 and 2008 Caravela started purchasing coffee in this municipality which is the fourth in population of Huila. We have dedicated to work alongside coffee farmers with the PECA educators and the quality analysts. Since starting those relationships in the early 2000’s, Caravela continues working closely with most of these farmers.

“This coffee is a great example of a balanced, round and sweet Colombian cup, with notes of dark chocolate, citrus peel, red cherries and caramel.”