Salento
Salento is a tiny town, 8 hours west of Bogotá. It is known for its coffee and right next to Cocora Valley where you can find the world’s largest palm trees.
From Bogotá it is best to take a 7 hour bus ride to Armenia. From here busses leave for Salento every 30 minutes, starting at 5 in the morning. I would recommend leaving Bogotá in the evening (21h or 22h) to arrive early in the morning in Armenia. Bogotá to Armenia will cost around 10 euro. Armenia to Salento will cost less than one euro.
From Medellin, it is a 5 to 6 hour bus ride straight to Salento.
What to do in Salento
Cocora Valley is known for its Palmas de Cera, Wax Palms. These palms are Colombia’s national tree and can reach a height of up to 60 meters!
It is very easy to get to the valley from Salento. Go to the Central Plaza where you will find Jeeps in all colours. Just book a two way ticket at the little ticket stand, the trip takes about 30 min.
Jeeps leave between 5h30 and 18h30 every 30 minutes. If you are adventurous, ask if you can stand on the back bumper of the Jeep while driving!
Once at the entrance of Cocora Valley, there will be a small entrance fee to be paid, no more than 1 or two euro.
To discover this area, there are two routes available, a short one and a long one. The short one is just walking through the palmtrees until you get to the view point and take the same route back. This won’t take longer than one hour.
I would definitely recommend taking the long one. It is a 5 to 6 hour hike and is about a 12 km loop. The first part is through the palmtrees, the second part is through the jungle and the third part is following the path next to the river, crossing seven jungle bridges!
Make sure to bring enough water, a snack and a sweater. There are only shops and restaurants in front of the entrance, not in the valley itself!
Salento is located in the Cordillera Central of the Colombian Andes, in the Quindío Department, a very well known coffee region. To book a coffee tour, go to the Central Plaza and ask there for more information. There are a lot of options and different kinds of tours in small or big coffee farms. A perfect activity for in the morning or in the afternoon!
J
At the very end of the tourist shopping street, Carrera 5, right next to the Central Plaza, you can see steep stairs going up the hill. Once you are up there, you will have an amazing view over the town and surrounding nature. Perfect place to enjoy the sunset!
Play Tejo
Tejo is a popular game in Colombia. The goal is to throw an iron ball on a circle with gunpowder which will give a little explosion once you hit it.
The best place to go play this game is Los Amigos Bar, open every night of the week!
Where to eat
Cumana Bistro Food
This little Venezuelan place is one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in South America. Make sure to get there in time, it is very small!
Where to stay
Viajero Hostel Salento
Super fun hostel, good activities like free Spanish lessons, soccer, salsa,… Clean dorms or private rooms with an amazing view! Definitely recommended! Also a good place to meet people.
J
