The mountain formerly had glaciers, which disappeared in the second half of the 20th century due to changing climatic conditions associated with global warming. Presently there is no permanent ice, only intermittent snow. The mountain's alternative designation as "paramillo" (like paramo, a high-elevation area of sparse vegetation exposed to wind, rain, and cold) reflects this new reality, whereas the term "nevado" inaccurately implies continuous snow cover.
The mountain area offers beautiful landscapes, attracting touristic visits all the year. The lower part is a cloud forest habitat, rich in endemic species.
The postal service of Colombia, AdPostal, released a postal stamp featuring the Nevado del Quindío and Von Humboldt, to celebrate the anniversary of his visit. It is a stratovolcano or composite volcano, evidenced by geological studies.