Salento, Colombia

When you think of Colombia, coffee likely comes to mind. In Salento, Colombia, you can enjoy it straight from the source. Aside from providing the perfect conditions for growing world-class coffee, the area around Salento is home to the tallest palms trees in the world, the wax palms of Cocora Valley. On top of that, Salento’s colorful colonial town is also worthy of a day of exploration.

Salento was one of my favorite places in Colombia. I loved that anywhere I wandered through town, there was a spectacular view of both colonial architecture and green mountains. In this travel guide to Salento, Colombia, I’ll share information that will help you plan your trip. I’ll also summarize how I spent my time in Salento.

For more Colombia travel tips and destination guides, head to my Colombia page.

Salento, Colombia History

The town that is today Salento was officially founded in 1842. Its first inhabitants were prisoners of war from nearby regions, who were sent to work on a major road passing through the area. After completing their sentences, the prisoners were allocated plots of land, where they built houses and farms. The main transit route passing through Salento was later diverted, isolating the town and preserving its rural and colonial characteristics. 

Similar to many rural areas, Salento and its surroundings were once afflicted by the presence of guerrilla factions, paramilitaries, and drug trafficking organizations. These groups battled for control over territory and drug supply, often at the expense of innocent civilians who found themselves caught in the crossfire. Fortunately, in recent years, peace has been restored to the region.

Today, Salento, Colombia is safe to visit, with an economy dominated by tourism and followed by farming. Its unique climate provides the perfect environment for coffee cultivation. Coffee was introduced into Colombia in the 1700s, and today Colombia is the third largest producer of coffee in the world.

My Visit to Salento, Colombia

Getting to Salento

My night bus from Medellín arrived in Armenia around 5 AM, and I slept neither well nor long enough. The road was windy and I kept waking up from the movement of my backpack sliding from side to side on the floor. Despite the early hour, the Armenia bus station bustled with activity, and I quickly found a shuttle to Salento. 

I arrived in Salento early in the morning, and I made the peaceful yet challenging uphill walk to my hostel. To add to the already stunning views, horses were running freely along the street in front of my hostel.

I dropped off my bags at the hostel, where the receptionist welcomed me to sleep on the couches or hammocks until check-in time. Instead, I decided to wake myself up with a coffee tour. I almost didn’t go because the entrance fee of ~$8 seemed steep (note to self: stop being cheap), but after doing the tour I can wholeheartedly say the experience was worth it.

Visiting the Salento, Colombia Coffee Farms

I decide to walk to Finca el Ocaso, getting some strange looks from tourists passing me on jeeps. However, I didn’t regret my decision to walk because the scenery was beautiful–lush green hills with vibrant flowers. 

During the coffee tour, we harvested coffee beans and witnessed coffee production from start to finish. The process was thoughtfully planned out; for example, the farm used the shell peelings as fuel for the bean drying process to avoid introducing foreign flavors.

Upon sampling the coffee, I was surprised to find it slightly sour and mild (I prefer my coffee bitter). Our guide explained that Colombians generally favor milder flavors, attributing this to the country’s historical lack of indigenous coffee culture. Coffee is native to Africa and was brought to Colombia in the 1700s. The medium elevation and climate of places like Salento provided the perfect conditions for cultivation.

After the tour I walked around the farm’s cafe and viewpoint area, where I spotted several tropical birds. I then returned to my hostel, checked into my dorm room, then left just as quickly as I arrived. I’m not sure how this was possible, but I was sharing the 6-bed dorm with a European-American family of 5, including 3 young and misbehaved children. 

Playing Tejo

Later in the evening, I joined some staff from the coffee farm to play Tejo. Tejo is a traditional Colombian sport where players throw metal discs at a target embedded with small explosives. While the official objective is to hit the target, triggering an explosion and scoring points, most locals see the game as an entertaining excuse to drink with friends.

During the game, I earned the nickname “abuela” (grandma) because, at 33, I was older than everyone else in their 20s. We each had a few beers, and by the end of the night one of the Colombians was walking around with a bottle of aguardiente (Colombian hard liquor), pouring it directly into the mouths of friends and random tourists. Needless to say, I slept well and woke up surprisingly rested for my hike in Valle de Cocora the next day.

Leaving Salento

On my last day in Salento, I walked up to the two miradors overlooking the city. On the way there, I passed by the shops on the main street. Their colorful doors and window shutters were still closed, making for perfect photo opportunities. Lastly, I got a hearty breakfast from one of the food trucks in the main square–a delicious arepa with cheese, beans and rice, and a fried egg.

As I reluctantly made my way to the bus station to begin my journey to Cali, my last stop in Colombia, I couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to stay longer. This feeling was just the beginning of a difficult cycle of goodbyes that I’d go through during a year of travel. Unfortunately, saying goodbye never got easier even with time and felt especially intense as a solo traveler. Saying goodbye to places that had captured my heart and the wonderful people I had encountered always felt bittersweet, knowing I might never cross paths with them again.

Salento, Colombia Trip Planning Information

Salento, Colombia Things to Do

My top recommendations for things to do in Salento, Colombia are to visit the Cocora Valley, walk around the town center, and visit a coffee farm. Even if you don’t like coffee, the farms themselves are beautiful!

Valle de Cocora

Perhaps the best day trip from Salento, Colombia is visiting Valle de Cocora. Here, you can hike among the tallest palm trees in the world.

Coffee Tours in Salento, Colombia

Finca el Ocaso: I recommend this coffee tour because they have English speaking, friendly staff (they invited me to play Tejo with them in the evening). Finca el Ocaso has frequent tours, so if you’re visiting solo, you won’t have to wait too long for a tour group to form. They also have a beautiful garden and cafe area where you can hang out.

To get to Finca el Ocaso, walk ~1h (3 mi or 4.8 km) along the scenic road. Alternatively, take a Jeep from the main square. It’s 40,000 COP (10 USD) for the coffee tour and tasting. You can reserve and check their schedule online.

Don Elias Coffee Farm: This spot is a few minutes down the road from Finca el Ocaso. Finca de Don Elias is a family-style farm with trails, a river and a small waterfall. It’s 25,000 COP (6.35 USD) for the tour. They are open 9-5 daily, with no set tour schedule.

Plantation House: This coffee tour is right next to town. Tours in English are available Monday – Saturday, at 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM. It’s 50,000 COP (12.70 USD) for a 3-hour tour.

Salento, Colombia City Center

Within the town of Salento, you can walk to two viewpoints (Mirador de Salento and Mirador Alto de la Cruz) for a great view of the town and its surroundings.

At some point you’ll likely find yourself in Salento’s main square, which has a church and vendors selling a variety of products. From here check out Calle Real, the street leading out from the main square. Walk down Calle Real early in the morning, when the shop doors and windows are still closed and their colorful designs are on full display.

If you want to shop for artisanal products, check out la Aldea del Artesano.

Salento, Colombia Nightlife

Salento is a small town, but you’ll still find some lively bars. I recommend playing Tejo at Los Amigos. You’ll drink beer while throwing heavy discs at a board with embedded gunpowder packets. The objective is to set off small explosions when you hit the targets.

Cascadas de Cocora

Cascadas de Cocora, a huge waterfall, is a hidden gem near Salento, Colombia. To get there, ride ~20 min on the Jeep that continues to Cocora Valley. Entrance is 15,000 COP (3.80 USD), and you’ll hike ~30 min to reach the waterfall.

Santa Rita Waterfall

The Santa Rita waterfall is located outside of Salento, inside Finca Santa Rita. You’ll pay an entrance fee of 10,000 COP (2.50 USD) at Finca Santa Rita, which gets you access to ~2.5 mi (4 km) of trails through a cave, tunnel, small suspension bridges, and waterfall. You can get there by taxi, walking, or by horseback riding tours.

To get to Finca Santa Rita by walking, it’s a ~7.7 mi (12.3 km) round trip with 1,200 ft (366 m) elevation gain. To save time, take a taxi leaving in the direction of Boquia for the first ~1.2 mi (1.9 km). Otherwise, take the trail (Sendero Nacional-Trail) starting just down the road from the Plantation House Travelers Hostel. The trail will cross the highway once, and the second time it joins the road and you’ll turn right to walk on the road. After crossing the yellow bridge, turn right on the dirt road and continue 1 mi (1.6 km) to Finca Santa Rita.

Filandia

For more colonial architecture, visit the town of Filandia. You can get there by catching a Jeep from the main square.

Salento, Colombia Tours

If you have more time to spare in Salento, there’s a variety of organized tours you can explore including horseback riding and birdwatching. There’s also places in town to rent bikes.

How Long to Stay

2 full days in Salento, Colombia will allow you to cover the main activities (visiting the city center, a coffee farm, and the nearby Valle de Cocora). An extra day or two will allow you to take things at a slower pace or explore additional activities.

Salento, Colombia Weather and When to Go

Year round, Salento is moderately warm during the day and chilly in the evening. December to March and June to August are the dry seasons. Avoid visiting on weekends and holidays, which will be crowded with local tourists.

Festivals in Salento, Colombia

Salento hosts a variety of festivals, including the following:

• January: concerts and cultural events to commemorate the town’s anniversary 
• March: Easter festivities 
• June: music festival

The towns near Salento also hold festivals worth checking out:

• January: Manziales festival 
• October: Fiestas de Armenia, which includes concerts, arsenal markets, and coffee parades. Don’t miss the desfile de yipao, a parade of Jeeps that are comically loaded with as many objects as possible (everything from agricultural products to entire households) and paraded through town.
• Early December: “alumbrado”, a religious festival in which the streets are decorated with lanterns and candles. The best place to see this is in Quimbaya.

Salento, Colombia Hotels and Where to Stay

The town is small and you should have no problem finding somewhere to stay that is close to the center. I’ve listed my recommendations below.

Budget:
Coffee Tree Hostel. I personally stayed here and highly recommend it as a clean and comfortable option. They have a garden area, beautiful common spaces, and two chill Saint Bernard dogs. Dorms and private rooms available.

Mid-range:
Terrazas de Salento. Private rooms on a spacious and gorgeous property.

Luxury:
Hotel Kawa Mountain Retreat. Beautifully constructed rooms with private balconies overlooking the mountains.

Where to Eat and Drink in Salento

Local specialties in Salento, Colombia are fresh trucha (trout) and patacones (fried plantains). You’ll find a variety of western and traditional restaurants near the historic center. Street food (both snacks and full meals) are available around the main square. I had my best breakfast in all of Colombia there! For a healthy and hearty lunch, head to El Rincon de Lucy, which is also affordable at 15,000 COP (3.80 USD).

There are a few small grocery stores in Salento, but no local market or supermarkets.

Tap water in Salento is safe to drink, but opt for filtered or bottled water if you have a sensitive stomach. Alternatively, bring your own LifeStraw water filter.

Is Salento, Colombia Safe?

Salento is a very safe place to visit that is popular with both local and international tourists. Check out my Colombia safety guide for more tips and make sure you have travel insurance.

Budget and Money

There are several ATMs around the main square. Expect mid-range prices. Salento is not as expensive as large cities like Medellín or Cartagena, but it is still highly touristic, which drives prices up.

What to Bring

For a full list of what to bring, refer to my Colombia packing list. I would stress the following:

• Downloaded maps of Salento and nearby areas you want to visit (use Google Maps or MapsME)
• SIM or eSIM card
• Rain jacket (Women’s, Men’s)
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito spray
• Warm layers for evenings. I like flannel shirts (Women’s, Men’s).
• Good walking shoes

How to Get to Salento, Colombia

Check out my guide to transportation in Colombia for more information.

Whether flying or traveling by bus, most of the time you’ll need to connect Armenia or Pereira, the closest major cities to Salento. The exception would be if you’re taking a direct bus from Medellín to Salento. If you have to connect, I recommend going through Armenia instead of Pereira, since Armenia is slightly closer to Salento and has more frequent buses.

How to get to Salento by Bus

I recommend using BusBud to look up prices and bus routes to Salento.

Please note that buses from Medellín or Bogotá to Salento pass through windy mountain roads. Remember to bring motion sickness medicine if you’re susceptible. Even if you’re not sensitive, you may not sleep well during the night due to sliding around in your seat as the bus turns.

Medellín to Salento: 6 hours, direct buses available with Flota Occidental.

Medellín to Armenia: 6 hours.

Bogotá to Armenia: 8 hours.

Cali to Armenia: 3 hours.

Armenia to Salento: 1 hour. Walk to the end of the Armenia bus terminal and out to where departing buses are. Here, you’ll find a section with smaller buses headed to Salento. You pay on the spot (no reservation) and the buses leave when full. They start early in the morning and run until late evening. 

Pereira to Salento: 1 hour. Buses from the Pereira station run every ~hour and may not run very early in the morning or late in the evening. 

Salento Bus Station to City Center: Salento’s bus station is at most a 15 min (albeit hilly) walk to most places in the historic center. Taxis are also available.

Flights to Salento

From Medellín or Bogotá, you can fly to Armenia or Pereira. To get from the airport to Salento, take a taxi or local bus to the bus station, where you’ll find frequent buses headed to Salento. For a more convenient option, reserve an airport transfer in advance.

How to Get Around

Salento’s city center is walkable. Nearby attractions such as the coffee farms are also walkable, but many tourists opt to take the Jeep taxis. In the main square, you’ll find shared Jeep taxis heading to a variety of destinations.

Where to Go Next

• Medellín
• Bogotá
• Cali
• Nearby coffee towns (Buenavista, Salamina, Pijao, Filandia)
• Los Nevados park: trek through diverse ecosystems, complete with volcanos and tropical glaciers. Multi-day treks can be organized from Salento and the treks start in the area around Valle de Cocora. 
• Santa Rosa de Cabal: Hot springs at the base of a giant waterfall. You can get there on a tour or by taking the bus to Pereira, then taking local buses to the hot springs.

Thanks for reading! I hope this travel guide to Salento, Colombia helps you plan your visit. Do you love Colombian coffee? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments.

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