Salento
Home » Colombia: A guide to travel smarter » Best Places To Visit in Colombia » Visit Colombia’s Zona Cafetera » Salento
Salento is one of those charming colonial villages in the coffee region. The facades of the houses are colorful, jeeps drive around and men with hats are everywhere. The shopping street leads to a viewpoint that offers a superb view of the valley and the surrounding mountains.
With the “Valle de Cocora” nearby, Salento has become famous and therefore extremely popular with tourists. Unfortunately, most of the inhabitants have left the village for economic reasons and/or nuisance. This municipality has lost some of its authenticity. Avoid going there during the high season. If the sight of Valle De Cocora is a must on your tour in Colombia, you don’t have to sleep in Salento. Choose to stay in Filandia. You can easily plan a day trip to discover the giant wax palms.
In Salento there are 3 main activities:
- Visit Valle de Cocora
- Hiking for several days in the mountains of Los Nevados
- Take a coffee tour
The coffee towers are very different from each other. Choose your tour according to what you are looking for. A simple tour of a family coffee farm, an in-depth explanation of the coffee-making process followed by a coffee tasting…
“Valle de Cocora” is one of the Colombian sites where you can observe the highest palm trees in the world (40 – 60m). The village of Salamina with “Valle de Samaria” may be an excellent alternative if you are looking for a less touristy place.
When you are in Valle de Cocora, take the path on your right and enter through the blue door. Walking in this direction, you will end up in the valley and enjoy incredible views.
Essential things to know about Valle de Cocora:
- It’s an easy-medium 5 hours hike, and you won’t find shops on the way. You can order a sandwich to take away at Brunch in the morning.
- Start early as the weather is often better. The first jeep leaves at 5h30 am | 20 min drive
- The last jeep leaves at 6 pm
- Take some money with you. Entrance + Jeep + Acaime
- Acaime is a hummingbird sanctuary. It’s 100% worth it. Going down from Acaime, don’t turn right after the wood fence! It’s a path leading to Los Nevados. Just go straight.
Articles to read before coming to Salento:
- The best treks you can organize in Los Nevados National Park
- Our analysis of the best hotels in Salento
Getting to Salento?
From Filandia to Salento:
- There are Willy jeeps leaving every 1-2 hours from the main square. Ask the departure times to your hotel. | 30 min.
From Pereira to Salento:
- Buses every hour from 6 am to 6 pm from the terminal | Expreso Alcala | 1 hour
From Armenia to Salento:
- Buses leave every 20 mins from the terminal | 1 hour
From Medellin to Salento:
- Direct buses leaving from the South Terminal: 8am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm. Double-check the schedule with the bus company. | Flota Occidental | 7-8 hours
From Jardin to Salento:
- Take the Chiva Bus to Rio Sucio that leaves at 8 am. Schedule. Double-check with your hotel. | Cootransrio | 3 hours
- A direct bus should leave around 12h30 pm to Salento | 4h30
If you miss it, you can still take one of the many buses going to Pereira and then a bus to Salento.
Where's the terminal?
The bus terminal of Salento is at the entrance of the village, 10min walk from the main square.
Be careful, jeeps for Valle de Cocora leave from the main square.
Table of Contents
Click on the orange links below ⬇️ and scroll down ⬇️ to read the chosen section.
- Stay in Salento?
- Stay outside Salento?
- Things to do?
- Our articles
- Bars & Restaurants
- Nearby places?
- Map of Colombia
Where to stay within Salento
There are many accommodation options in Salento and for every budget. The town isn't big, and you won't need a taxi to move around. However, be aware that Salento can be a bit noisy because of the tourists and vehicles. Avoid staying on the main square or in Camino Real street.
-
Hostel - $
Casa de Lili
Casa de Lili is a small hostel located in a quiet street. The host is friendly and gives tons of tips. Delicious Breakfast.Get the best price -
Hostel - $$
Tree boutique
Coffee tree boutique is a lovely house, with gardens and trees. Cool design. Excellent value for money.Get the best price -
Hotel - $$
Terrazas S.
Located in a quiet street. There is a lovely patio with spacious and beautiful rooms. The staff is welcoming.Get the best price -
Hotel - $$$
Mirador del C.
Comfy bedrooms with a fantastic view of the valley. Delicious breakfast and friendly staff. You will love it.Get the best price -
Upscale hotel - $$$
Terasu
Fantastique hotel in the outskirt of Salento. Spacious bedrooms, delicious breakfast, and good facilities.Get the best price
Where to stay outside Salento
It's easy and cheap to pay for a taxi or a jeep and reach the hotels outside Salento. Some of them are quite incredible! It's the perfect option if you want to stay in a peaceful place, surrounded by birds and trees. Check out the untypical options I found for you.
-
Hostel - $
Yambolombia
35 min walk. The rooms are basic, but the atmosphere is fantastic! A great option for backpackers.Get the best price -
Hostel | $$
Refugio Puente E.
Fantastic hostel, 10 min drive from Salento. Peaceful, beautiful outdoors and environment. Glamping option.Get the best prices -
Eco lodge - $$
Kasaguadua
Ecolodge with cabins made of bamboo. It's the place to be if you want to embrace nature. You must walk. Economic.Get the best price -
Upscale hotel - $$$
Mon. Gueshouse
20 min walk. Excellent hotel with a fantastic view. Great facilities to linger in the afternoons. Comfy bedrooms.Get the best price -
Glamping - $$$$
Montana Glamping
Bring your loved one and enjoy a romantic starry night. Excellent staff and great facilities. Peaceful.Get the best price -
Glamping - $$$$
Lumbre Glamorous
Located near Valle de Cocora, the experience of staying in these comfy tents is amazing. Romantic and peaceful.Get the best price
Things to do in Salento
There are not tons of activities to do around Salento. Pick a good Coffee tour and wake up early to hike to Valle de Cocora.
-
7 - 8 hours | $
Valle de Cocora
Jeeps leave from the main square. It takes 20 min. It's an easy-medium 5h hike to see tall wax palm trees.Learn more -
1 hour | $
Acaime
Acaime is a hummingbird sanctuary on the way to Valle de Cocora. It's 5000 COP. You got chocolate with cheese too.Learn more -
7 -8 hours | $$$
Mountain bike
Explore the surroundings on your mountain bike. Many different routes and good bikes. Be ready. Lots of fun!Get the best prices -
2 - 7 days | $$$
Los Nevados
Los Nevados is a famous national park. There are many multi-day treks through the paramos.Learn more -
1 hour | Free
El Mirador
Climb the stairs at the end of the street "Calle real". There is a lovely viewpoint to contemplate the surroundings.Google Map -
3 - 4 hours | $$
Horse riding
If you don't like hiking, you can organize a horse riding trip through the Valle de Cocora. There are many agencies.Get the best price -
Culture
Coffee tours
There are many coffee tours in Salento. Finca Ocaso, Don Elias and Don Eduardo are the most famous ones.Get the best price -
1 - 2 hours | $
Tejo
Tejo is a Colombian game where you have to throw metal disks in a box filled with clay and gunpowders. It's fun!Learn more
Our articles about Salento
We went 2 times in Salento and wrote about our travel experiences.
Where to eat & drink?
For us, good restaurants and exciting nightlife are important when traveling. We gathered our favorite picks on an interactive Map. Download the APP "Mapstr" and look for "Colombia Insider"!
More places in the Coffee Region
Click to get back to the table of contents
Where to sleep? What to do? Where to eat? How do you get from one place to another?
Take Smart Decisions
The best Colombia travel guidebook you’ll find on the internet. We answer all your traveler’s concerns. 100% interactive. FREE.