Salento is a small town nestled in the department of Quindío. I chose to visit the area for two reasons: the coffee and to explore the Cocora Valley.

Once in Salento you realize that it is actually really small, peaceful yet lively, and with many travelers that usually end up staying longer than planned-which happened to me, too.

What makes it so special? It might be the fact that it has retained its historical charm and the peacefulness that it seems to come with it. This easygoing vibe is not commonly found in Colombia and therefore Colombians love to visit as tourists themselves.

Besides historical looking buildings and friendly locals what else could you expect? A great tourist destination jam-packed with fun things to do, incredible places to visit and genuine Colombian culture. If you want to know everything this beautiful town has to offer, stick with me!

PIN for Later

Here I share my favorite memories of my  visit to Salento and my top recommendations including information on why you should go, the best things to do, how to get there, where to stay and more!

What and Where is Salento

Salento is an Andean town west of Colombia smack in the middle of the coffee zone (eje cafetero) and surrounded by lush landscapes. It's the base town from which to explore Cocora Valley with it's famous wax palms, and the gateway to Los Nevados National Park.

Top Things to do in Salento Colombia

As small as Salento may be, there is quite a bit to do if you like the outdoors and enjoy taking things slowly. There are also some day trips to enjoy nearby, which will also teach you quite a bit about on of Colombia's most famous areas.

Stroll Down Calle Real and Plaza de Bolívar

Calle Real can't be overlooked when deciding what to do in Salento. It is the main thoroughfare for visitors and the perfect place for some photo taking. It has plenty of souvenir shops and almuerzos where you can buy gifts and fill up your hungry stomach for around 2 USD.

Here you'll also find the most beautiful buildings in town, cute cafes and bars where you can drink something and chill out. Combine your visit to Calle Real with a stroll at the nearby Plaza de Bolivar and the humble church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. 

Then Walk Up to the Mirador

The Mirador is a simple and short little trip where you'll be rewarded with truly lovely views over the tiled roofs of Salento. It’s an easy climb up a colored staircase at the very end of Calle Real.

Much more than a photo opportunity, they lead up to a viewpoint over the Valley - Mirador Alto de La Cruz.

Take a Short Hike to Santa Rita Waterfall

If the sun is shining, this is an excellent option to stretch your legs and will allow you to see one of the lesser explored attractions in Salento. While the waterfall itself is impressive, the walk takes you through beautiful scenery.

Play Tejo

Tejo is Colombia’s national sport and a must-do activity for foreign visitors. It basically involves throwing a heavy metal disc at gunpowder stuffed envelopes until they literally explode.

Yes, you read it right – you’ll be playing with EXPLOSIVES! The game is usually played in a bar while drinking copious amounts of local beer.

You might think Tejo is a recipe for disaster, and you’re probably right. It can be crazy and is something that surely only Colombians could have come up with, but is really fun and absolutely worth playing.

Cancha de Tejo Los Amigos is probably the best place in Salento to play Tejo. The staff is tourist-friendly and has introduced thousands of foreigners into the game’s dynamic over the years.

Los Amigos is just two streets north of Calle Real and there’s no entrance fee, so if you want to play you just need to buy a beer. But if you don’t see yourself playing this unusual sport, you can just chill with your drink and then watch the locals play.

Visit the Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary

This is definitely one of the most special things to do in Cocora Valley and can be reached on a 45-minute detour from the main hiking loop.

I highly recommend the Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary to anyone visiting the coffee region in Colombia. Why? It does add an additional 2 hours to your already demanding 5-6 hours Valle de Cocora hike, but it also gives you the unique opportunity of admire the friendliest hummingbirds you'll ever see while you sip on some of the best local coffee.

The entrance fee is just 6,000 COP and the staff is always willing to give information about the different species of hummingbird living there.

The trails are well-maintained and there are also a large number of feeders for the birds so you can be mesmerized by them whizzing around your head.

Take a Coffee Tour

The Colombian coffee is world-famous, and Salento is set smack in the middle of Colombia’s coffee triangle, specifically in the Quindío, which is arguably the best coffee region in the country.

That being said, you’re kind of required to visit a coffee plantation or finca that specializes in growing coffee plants.

There are several coffee farms nearby, most of which include a guided tour and coffee tasting workshops, ranging from 5 to 20 USD per person. I was lucky though because I was walking with a couple of Colombian travelers and we found a plantation where two workers kindly explained everything to us for free.

By visiting a coffee farm you get a necessary insight into the coffee growing and manufacturing process, not to mention the opportunity to try and buy high-quality coffee directly from the producers.

Coffee Farms in Salento

One of the most recognized is Don Elias, a family-run coffee hacienda where all the production is done by hand. It offers a fantastic introduction to Colombia’s coffee without the use of sophisticated infrastructure or large scale production. The tour cost 12,000 COP per person and last around one hour.

Hike the Cocora Valley

Hiking the Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora in Spanish) is definitely one of the best things to do in Salento Colombia, and should be included in any Colombia itinerary.

Travelers come here from all over the world just to see the iconic postcard views of the world’s tallest wax palm trees – they can grow up to 60m (200 feet), the height of a 14-story building!

Between the incredibly green landscape, the cloud forests, the enormous palm trees and the invigorating hiking trails, Cocora Valley is nothing else than breathtaking.

You could either walk to the entrance of the Valle or take one of the colorful jeeps that constantly leave from Plaza de Bolivar (the first departure happens at 6:10 a.m.)

A timetable does theoretically exists, due to the increasing popularity of the hike, but the jeeps only leave once they fill up, which is usually every half hour. Just show up, buy a ticket (4,000 COP) and wait your turn.

Though you can rent horses to ride out to the best of the palm trees viewpoints, I highly recommend making the hike yourselves (it takes between 5 and 6 hours, depending on how many photo stops and picnic breaks you do)

Not only does ensure a whole bunch of extra views, but you also get to enjoy the forested part of the hike, home to a beautiful river and a few waterfalls.

If you’re doing the long loop pack some snacks, lots of water and make sure not to miss the Cocora Valley Hummingbird Reserve’s side-trip, which I previously mentioned in this post.

But if you just want photos of the impressive palm trees or you’ve unfortunately arrived later in the afternoon, take the short path straight to the valley – it’s only an hour or so round-trip and you’ll be able to see the trees at the beginning of this hike, one of the best hikes in Colombia.

How to Get to Salento

Getting to Salento is faily easy, but how much time it takes will depend on how you want to get here. These are your best options from the main cities:

From Bogota

There are no direct buses operating the Bogota-Salento route. Instead, you'll need to catch a bus from Bogota's Terminal De Transporte Salitre to Armenia (if you zoom in the map below you'll note that it is conveniently located near Salento, 24km to be precise).

The journey takes 9hrs and cost 45k-50k COP. Once in Armenia you'll need to catch a bus in order to reach your final destination.

However, this is not the only option, you can also fly to Salento from Bogota with the national airline of your preference. If you do so, you have 3 airport options to choose from Pereira, Armenia and Manizales.

From each of these you need to take a bus into Salento, or a taxi if you want to save time and energy.

From Medellin

Salento is only 248km (154 miles) away from Medellin, making it an easy trip that takes 6 to 7 hours by bus and under 1 hour via direct flight to one of the nearby cities (Pereira, Armenia or Manizales).

To travel by bus, travellers need to transit either via Pereira or Armenia, as there are no truly direct connections to Salento. Buses depart daily from Medellin’s Terminal De Transportes del Sur and make the long 6-7hrs journey in relative comfort.

Other passengers will get on/off during the trip but you won’t be required to disembark the bus at any stage. Tickets (54,000 COP) don’t need to be purchased in advance, but if in doubt, go to the bus station beforehand to secure your spots.

From Cali

The cheapest and most convenient way to get from Cali to Salento is by bus, travelling via Armenia. There are two bus companies that cover this route: Bolivariano and Coomotor.

Services depart hourly from Cali’s Vias Internas Terminal and operate every day.

The bus ride takes about 3.5 hours (with some very enjoyable views along the way I must say) and tickets can be booked online or at the station in advance. Once you arrive in Armenia you can catch a bus or a mini-van to Salento – this journey takes 50minutes and cost 4,500 COP ($1.5).

Where to Stay in Salento

Budget 

International Food

Widely popular between foreign visitors, Brunch is the hippest restaurant in Salento. The owner is an American expat who knows exactly what backpackers desire when they are on the road. This place is known for their vast menu and massive portions, which are perfect for a post-hike meal.

They serve everything from Colombian staples to classics like wings, burgers, pasta and salads. Did I mention their soft, chocolaty brownies, topped with vanilla ice cream, and drizzled with chocolate and a creamy home-made peanut butter sauce? They’re out of this world!

Best Cheap Eats 

Look no further than El Rincon de Luci. This authentic little place ranks high on every ‘Best restaurants in Salento’ list, and for good reason. It’s located right along the main street and serves some of the most delicious food in town.

There’s no menu, you’re simply given a few choices. First, you pick your meat: pork, chicken or trout. Next, your sides: mashed potatoes, vegetables, beans or lentils. That’s it, now you wait.

Within a couple of minutes your feast arrives. Along with the choices you made, your meal comes with an arepa, corn fritter, fried plantain, salad, soup of the day and a glass of juice.

The whole thing cost around 8,000 COP or roughly $3 USD (unbelievable!). They not only have one of the simplest concepts you’ve ever seen, but also some of the tastiest and cheapest.

Veggie/Vegan Food – Coco Bowl

Coco Bowl is considered one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Salento. It’s a bright, colorful café that specializes in vegetarian and vegan food with a focus on using organic, locally grown products only. From smoothies and coffee drinks to veggie bowls and burgers, if you’re looking for something healthy and delicious, this is the place to go.