15 Awesome things to do in Salento, Colombia (2024)
From Medellín, we took a bus to the wonderful small town of Salento in the middle of Colombia’s coffee region. We were very happy to arrive after a trip that took way longer than it was supposed to thanks to traffic jams, road works and a very crazy bus driver. Although, it’s not the easiest place to get to, quite a bit of tourists visit because of the famous Valle de Cocora – a valley with huge palm trees and one of the main sights in Colombia. However, there are plenty of other things to do in Salento, Colombia! It’s a great idea to spend at least a couple of days here when you’re travelling Colombia with kids or without.
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Salento, Colombia map
As you can see on the map of Salento, the village is situated to the West of Bogotá in what’s been called the Zona Cafetera or Coffee Region. It’s a small village up in the mountains and therefore, it’s not easily reached from the bigger cities Bogotá and Medellín. If you would like to know more about how to reach Salento, Quindio, Colombia, you can find our transport guide at the bottom of this article. But first, more on what to do in Salento!
Things to do in Salento, Colombia
#1 Ride a Willy
Willy’s are the passenger jeeps you see in the town square Plaza Bolivar. Trips start as early as 6 a.m, until around 6 p.m depending on the month in which you visit. These colorful rides are the transport of choice for tourists looking to visit the Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora) which you ABSOLUTELY cannot miss if you’re visiting Salento, Colombia! Oh, and the best part? The Willy’s are loaded until full, which means three or four people get to hang from the back (Kath had so much fun doing this and would name it as one of the top things to do in Salento!).
A round-trip costs around 4,000 to 8,000 Colombian Pesos (COP), which is about $1.30 to $2.15 as of this writing.
PRO TIP: There are no taxis in Salento. The Willies function in the same way but with the big difference that they’re not driving at night! Keep this in mind if you’re arriving in town in the evening. Due to traffic jams, we only got there around 8 p.m. and had some trouble finding transport to our accommodation (which was about 30min on foot – but with luggage, a 2-year-old and after a very long and tiring 8-hour bus ride, that sounded more like climbing Mount Everest).
#2 Experience the surreal beauty of the Cocora Valley
In Salento, the Valle de Cocora, as it is known to locals, is similar to running up the Rocky Steps in Philadelphia and jumping around triumphantly with your arms raised… you can’t not do it! It’s one of the most famous hikes in Colombia and it should definitely be on your Colombia itinerary!
This lush, green valley, is one of the best sights in Salento; nay, the world! We have the Salento weather to thank for the sublime view. It rains fairly regularly, all year round — keeping the greenery well-nourished.
From Salento, you can take a 30-minute Willy jeep ride to the foot of the Cocora Valley where refreshment stalls and horses for rent are situated.
The entire hiking trip takes about 5 to 6 hours, so make sure to bring plenty of water, and perhaps a snack or two.
Extra tip: Most hotels and hostels and give out free maps of Salento, so make sure to grab one before you leave your base. This is a big help, especially if you’re not travelling with a guide.
The length of the hike may sound a little intimidating, but after going through serene water forests, beautiful valleys, waterfalls, and peaceful streams, you’ll understand that it was well worth the effort. Additionally, you can do a quick stopover at the Acaime Foundation’s Natural Reserve and say hi to the hummingbirds!
The Cocoro valley is also home to some of the tallest, and most picturesque trees you’ll ever see… the Salento Quindio wax palms.
#3 Take pictures of (and with!) the Quindio wax palms!
If you’re wondering what to do in Salento, Colombia, taking a selfie with a huge palm tree should be on the top of your list! Truth be told, probably about half of all of your photos by the end of your trip will involve the iconic Quindio wax palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense). These trees can reach heights upwards of 60 meters tall, which is about 1 Godzilla from the 1998 Matthew Broderick blockbuster film “Godzilla”. It is easily one of the tallest trees in the world! It takes time though… around 80 to 90 years for the trees to reach their maximum height.
Once you arrive at the Cocoro Valley, you’ll have two options to see these majestic palm trees. You can take the long trip and the short trip.
If you want to get right to it to take snapshots of the trees because say, for example, you arrived late, you can go for the short trip. If you want to see everything the Valle de Cocora has to offer, which, of course, I highly recommend, embark on the full 5-to-6-hour hiking trail. More information about this hike can be found in thing-to-do-nr-2.
If you’re travelling with young children and/or your condition isn’t in the best place (yes, we tick both boxes), walk straight ahead when you’ve been dropped off by the Willy. In about 15 to 20 (or 30 or 60 depending on your kid’s mood) minutes, you’ll enter the valley and be rewarded with the glorious sight of the huge palm trees. Calculate enough time for photo fun and a picnic before making your way back to catch a Willy into town.
#4 Have some delicious freshwater trout
If you take the long trip across Cocora Valley, it’s very likely that you’ll be famished afterwards. You’re in luck, because the Quindio region (where Salento is located) is home to numerous trout farms, and it boasts some of THE best trout dishes your taste buds will ever encounter.
Trucha (pronounced troo-kuh, in Spanish) is a famous delicacy in Colombia. Pretty much all restaurants in Salento serve it, cooked in different ways. Fried trucha, trucha with sauce, oven-baked trucha, grilled trucha… you can even find food trucks in Plaza Bolivar that sell even more varieties of trucha!
Hands down, some of the best trout you’ll ever have in your life, will have been in Salento. So do yourself a favour and try as many trucha dishes as you can!
#5 Explore the Los Nevados National Park
The Los Nevados National Park may not be as famous or as frequented as other tourist destinations on the Salento things to do list, but that only qualifies it for hidden gem status!
In the Parque Nacional de los Nevados, you’ll see more of the beautiful Quindio wax palms on the horizon, as well as the active volcano peculiar for its glacier-covered summit, Nevado del Ruiz. The park actually surrounds five other volcanoes that are part of the northern volcanic complex.
From Salento, you can take a Willy jeep to the Cocora Valley. Upon arriving, your next step will depend on whether you plan on only for one day, or several.
Extra tip: This park is HUGE, so don’t expect to cover everything if you’re planning on just doing a day hike — if you have the time and resources, a 3-day hike (or maybe even more) is recommended
Day Hike
This consists of hiking to the Estrella de Agua, which is about 7 kilometers from your original starting point, then back to the Cocora Valley. I recommend asking for a map from where you’re staying in Salento to avoid getting lost! Though you’re not explicitly required to hire a guide for day hikes, I would still recommend getting one for safety reasons.
On this path, you can also visit the Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary (More on this in a bit!)for a small entrance fee of 5,000 COP, which is about $1.36 as of this writing.There are dorm beds for rent here, as well as meals in case you need to rest and recharge before returning to the Cocora Valley.
On a day hike, you’ll be able to see more of the signature wax palm trees, beautiful birds, and a drink of agua panela (sugar cane water) when you arrive at the park’s entrance.
Multi-day Hike
For overnight hikes, travellers have to register in the visitor’s book. While hiring an authorized guide is not officially required, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Remember, this place is HUGE. There’s also a scarcity of signposts, not to mention weather fluctuations which can quickly introduce thick fog that reduces the visibility; you can imagine just how easy it is to get lost.
Expect your senses to be spoiled with beautiful plant life, the view of icy volcanic peaks, mountains, and natural lakes. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot some rare animals such as the spectacled bear, the mountain tapir, or even a mountain lion. These animals tend to live deep in the forests, however, so seeing them is quite the treat!
If you really want an experience you won’t soon forget, you can even climb the Nevado Santa Isabel. This is a serious climb, complete with crampons and ice axes and all! If you’re currently planning your trip and you haven’t been to the gym in a while, it might be a good idea to shape up a bit before this undertaking.
#6 Do a little birdwatching at the Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary
Another “must” in your things to do Salento list is to go birdwatching! The Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary is home to some of the most beautiful exotic birds in the planet. You can sign up for guided birdwatching tours at the Acaime house in Cocora Valley.
To get to the sanctuary, you must hike from the Cocora Valley, taking the long loop (starting counterclockwise). After about 2 hours at a steady pace, you will arrive at a crossroads. Go right, and you should arrive at the Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary after about an hour.
Extra tip: The Cocora Valley’s long loop takes about 6 hours to complete by itself. Visiting the Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary is an additional 2 hours. I know it sounds tiring, but the experience is well worth the effort!
#7 Walk the colourful streets of Calle Real
Being one of the more popular tourist destinations in Colombia, Salento has certainly made an effort to maintain its status. This is evident in the always vibrant, always Instagram-ready, Calle Real.
This “main street” is lined with all kinds of colourful doors and buildings that house souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafés and one of the best things to do in Salento is just wander around this wonderful street.
Aside from experiencing the best Salento has to offer, this is also the place where you can simply watch people and observe how the locals go about their daily routines. It’s a chance to soak up the spirit of this small, busy town.
In the town’s main square named Plaza de Bolivar, you can also visit the historic Church of Our Lady of Carmen. Originally built in 1850, it has been moved more than once. Several earthquakes later, the decision was made to build it with only one tower, whereas originally it stood with two.
#8 Witness the view from atop the Mirador
Once you’ve had your fill of the busy Calle Real, you can experience more of Salento from a distance by walking to the far end of its colourful streets. Here you will see colourful steps (of course, you’re still in Salento!) that lead up to a hill. Once you reach the top, you’re treated to an uninterrupted aerial view of Salento the busy town on one side, and the mountains and lush greens that surround it on the other.
#9 Enjoy Aguapanela hot, or cold
With a name that basically translates to “sugar water”, you already know what to expect from the Aguapanela.
Hardened sugar cane (panela) is boiled in water and stirred until it dissolves completely. Aguapanela can be served hot or cold, plain or with lemon or lime. You can also add milk or chunks of cheese when ordering hot aguapanela for a unique twist!
In some Colombian restaurants and households, people even use aguapanela to prepare black coffee instead of using water and adding sugar afterwards.
#10 Salento coffee tours!
Regardless of which country you live in, chances are you’ve come across coffee shop advertisements claiming to use only the best coffee beans sourced from Colombia. There is a reason for this. The reason being the coffee in Colombia is really, really, good.
If you love coffee, you will enjoy a coffee tour in Salento. If you pride yourself to be somewhat of a coffee connoisseur, then a coffee tour in Salento may even be one of your primary motivations to visit!
There are several coffee ranches (fincas) you can visit in Salento. Finca El Ocaso gets great reviews, but we chose to go to Finca Las Acacias and couldn’t have been happier.
Finca el Ocaso
Located just a few kilometres from Plaza de Bolivar, you can visit this particular finca via our favourite Willy jeeps. One of the most famous fincas in Salento is also one of its oldest; originally established more than a century ago. Like in most fincas, tours here are available in Spanish and English,
The coffee experts will take you through the entire process of planting, growing, and harvesting. They’ll also provide tips on spotting coffee cherries that are ready for picking, and your own wicker basket, so you can experience collecting them first hand.
At the conclusion of the tour, guests are provided with a freshly brewed cup of coffee made from Finca el Ocaso beans. Due to their unique method of drying coffee beans (dubbed “cafe natural”), the final brew comes with a hint of natural sweetness. Trust me when I say you do not need to add any sugar, or milk to this cup. It’s already perfect!
Finca Las Acacias
If you would like to visit a smaller coffee farm, head over to Finca Las Acacias. This is the one we visited and we absolutely loved that is was a small family business where the grandchildren did the tours and grandma was full-time living on the farm.
We chose a tour in Spanish, but I’m sure there are English ones available as well. Other than the whole production process of the coffee beans, we were also treated to heaps of information on other plants that were grown at the farm. Add to that some glorious views and a delicious freshly brewed coffee and you can understand why we loved this tour!
#11 Make a day trip to Filandia
It’s super convenient that one of the best places to visit in Colombia is just an hour away from Salento! The fact that the town’s historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 should be enough reason to give it a peek.
The beauty of Filandia comes from the perfect merging of its urban and natural areas. You can have fresh Colombian coffee in a modern café while looking at the abundant fields of green, and the awe-inspiring mountains of the Los Nevados National Park on the horizon.
While most of the structures and architecture are reminiscent of Salento (buildings painted in bright colours), it doesn’t get quite as busy as its more famous neighbour. If you want to know what Salento is like minus the busy crowds, Filandia is definitely the place to be.
One more thing; if you feel like seeing more of Filandia’s “natural” side, you can visit the famed Cascadas Doble (Double Waterfall). Unlike your hikes in Salento, this one is only a short 40-minute hike from Filandia. The double waterfall is actually located inside private property, but the owners allow visitors to tour the area. On your way, it’s not uncommon to see cows, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which really add to the already serene vibe of the place.
Pro tip: if you feel like staying in a more authentic village, choose Filandia rather than Salento. The distance to the Cocora Valley is about the same and you can still make a day trip to the touristic town to see what all the fuss is about.
#12 Go for a bike, or a horseback ride (or both!)
When exploring the best natural assets of Salento, it’s common to hike the whole way through. But if your legs are sore, or you just want an entirely unique experience, you can choose to rent bikes or horses as you go!
Horseback riding through the Cocora Valley is arguably one of the most fun things you can do in Salento. Plenty offer bike tours in Salento, but there are also bike trails you can take on your own if you prefer to ride independently.
#13 Revel in the beauty of the Santa Rita Waterfall
While we’re on the topic of horseback riding, you can actually ride all the way to the sublime Cascada Santa Rita (Santa Rita Waterfall). Maybe it’s the location being fairly secluded, or maybe it’s just my imagination thinking the water looks like a holographic maiden wearing a white dress waiting to give me a quest… either way, this place gave off a vibe of otherworldly magic. Check it out to see what I mean, it’s one of the best things to do near Salento, Colombia!
#14 Buy some souvenirs at Aldea del Artesano
Before heading back home, you may want to check out Aldea del Artesano for souvenirs. While Calle Real does have its own boutiques, they tend to be a bit overpriced compared to the stuff in Aldea del Artesano. Aside from selling handicrafts, some shops even let you create your own for a small fee – which is a great idea for worldschooling families or other visitors who would love to know more about creating art and handicrafts.
#15 Try Paragliding for the ultimate view!
So you’ve walked, hiked, and experienced the beautiful greenery of Salento up close… what else is there to do? How about getting a drone’s-eye view of the entire landscape by paragliding? There are a bunch of local tour companies you can sign up with. Deals include having a professional paraglider strap in with you, as well as a complete safety briefing before you take to the skies.
I think this is the perfect way to cap your Salento trip.
Where to stay in Salento, Colombia
Salento hotels and hostels come at different price points. For this section, we will look at some of your possible options depending on your budget.
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed at La Serrana Eco Farm and Hostel when we were travelling Colombia in 2017. We fell very much in love with the place and ended up staying 7 nights! They used to have a main location, about 45min on foot from Plaza Bolivar that also included camping grounds and the restaurant for breakfast and dinner. However, they also had a villa available with 3 rooms. We chose one of these rooms and had a lovely time together with a Portuguese family living in our own house. The best part was the absolutely incredible view! We couldn’t get enough. We would recommend anyone to stay at La Serrana, but unfortunately, the hostel closed its doors in 2019.
Casa La Eliana (Budget Option)
Carrera 2, #6-45, 631020 Salento, Colombia
Sitting just at the edge of Salento, this budget option has its own restaurant, bar, and free WiFi, and you can avail rooms with private or shared bathrooms. It can be pretty quiet and serene thanks to its location, but it also only takes a few minutes to walk all the way to the town square which makes it really convenient. The owner is also super friendly and helpful with giving tips and information on everything a tourist needs to know in Salento. There are also rooms with double beds, perfect if you’re travelling with your kids. Check price and availability here.
Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel (Midrange Option)
CR 9 #9-06 Salento, Colombia
Possibly the best luxury hotel in Salento Colombia, the Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel can be one of your favourite parts of staying in Salento. Similar to Casa La Eliana, it is situated a good distance away from the main square but is still close enough to easily stride back into the heart of the town. The place is beautiful, and you get a magnificent view of Salento’s mountains from the balcony. The staff is great, the food is delicious, and the dogs are super friendly! (they always greet guests, tails-a-wagging!)They have private rooms with beds for up to 4 people, so this is also a good option for bringing your kids along. Check price and availability here!
Hotel El Mirador del Cocora (Luxury Option)
Calle 1, #3-01, Salento, Colombia
For the ultimate luxury experience, book a stay in the whirlpool room of the Salento hotel El Mirador del Cocora! Even though all their rooms have gorgeous views, the deluxe room comes with a private terrace and a spa bath. Honestly, we would book this in an instant! The hotel is located only 500m from Plaza Bolivar, so it’s definitely within walking distance. However, keep in mind that it’s sitting on top of the hill, so be ready to climb a fair bit. An excellent breakfast is also included in the price. Check prices and availability here!
Montana Glamping (Unique Accommodation)
Vereda Palestina 1,5km, Salento, Colombia
If you’re looking for something entirely different, try out this amazing glamping tent! The accommodation is located a little outside of Salento town, but you can book an all-in stay, so why would you want to leave? The views are absolutely incredible! Check prices and availability here!
Where to eat in Salento?
Honestly, there’s a good restaurant in nearly every corner of Salento, so here’s a very short list of my favourites!
OUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANT
We loved going out for lunch or dinner at La Luciernaga, on the outskirts of town (but for us – as we were coming from La Serrana – much closer than the centre). When we visited this place had it all. Good food, good drinks, music, and most importantly, a wonderful view from the back deck. There were plenty of vegetarian and vegan options (I adored the veggie burger with fried plantain and yuca chips!). Unfortunately, the restaurants changed ownership somewhere in 2018 and apparently the food is now horrible.. the view is still great though, so it might be worth it to head over there for a drink.
Brunch de Salento
Delectable dishes, vegan-friendly, and with gluten-free options; if you eat here for brunch, you’ll be skipping snack time and dinner because you are going to be FULL thanks to their giant servings! Aside from local favourites which the staff can easily guide you on, they also offer American-style dishes such as burgers with fries, peanut butter brownie with vanilla ice cream, and pancakes to name a few. Make sure to get an order of their nachos because it will blow your mind!
Restaurante mi Punto Favorito
From the more “high-end” vibe given off by Brunch de Salento, you can also enjoy food at the considerably low-key eatery Restaurante Mi Punto Favorito! This place gives you amazing value for money. The prices are even cheaper than most Salento restaurants, but the servings are just as big and the food is just as tasty as the best of them. Take note though that their staff doesn’t speak fluent English, so you should either brush up on your Spanish or download a translation app.
How to get to Salento?
From Bogota to Armenia to Salento
Since there are currently no direct buses from Bogota to Salento, you will first need to take a bus from Bogota’s Terminal de Transporte Salitre going to Armenia. Look for the bus line called Boliviariano, and check their updated departure times. The journey from Bogota to Armenia takes approximately 9 hours, costing about 50,000 COP (around $14 as of this writing)
From Armenia
Minibuses are available from Armenia going to Salento, and trips depart every 20 minutes between 5 am, and 8 pm. It takes the Armenia to Salento bus about 45 minutes to an hour and it costs about 4500 COP ($1.26 USD).
From Pereira
First, go to Pereira’s Transport Office. From here, a direct bus service runs three trips on weekdays (6:50 am, 1:30 pm, and 4:30 pm), and regular buses go on hourly trips starting 6:50 am, and ending around 5:30 pm on weekends.
From Medellín
Instead of buses, Medellin has express vans going from Terminal del Sur to Salento scheduled at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm. It should take you about 6 hours to make this trip (although we ended up 8 hours on the bus due to traffic problems). If you’re going back to Medellin from Salento, you can also ride their vans from Salento’s Transport Office departing at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm.
From Jardín
You will need to take two bus trips to get from Jardin to Salento. First, ride the bus from Jardin going to Rio Sucio which usually leaves at around 8 am, then, from Rio Sucio, ride another bus going straight to Salento. Both trips take about 4 hours each to complete.
From San Augustín
We took a direct night bus from Salento to San Augustín, but you can also do this route the other way around.
When to visit Salento
For ideal weather conditions, it’s best to visit Salento from the last week of March to the last week of June, or the first week of September up to the third week of November. The hottest months run from July to the start of September, so it’s best to avoid visiting during this time because the heat can get uncomfortable.
We were visiting at the beginning of December and had wonderful weather – not too hot but definitely not too cold either, and hardly any rain.
Final words
Did you enjoy reading all about Salento? Make sure to put the village on your Colombia itinerary as you will definitely love your stay! We absolutely adore this popular Colombian town and we could actually see ourselves living here for a while – who knows, maybe one day!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Babs Rodrigus is the co-founder and main writer of Mums on FlipFlops . She is absolutely crazy about traveling – especially together with her wife and kids. Babs loves animals, chocolate (what did you expect from a Belgian?), reading, and writing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Babs Rodrigus is the co-founder and main writer of Mums on FlipFlops . She is absolutely crazy about traveling – especially together with her wife and kids. Babs loves animals, chocolate (what did you expect from a Belgian?), reading, and writing.
