Learn more about our experiences in Colombia, or continue reading to discover the best things to do in Salento, Colombia.
Salento was our last destination through Colombia's stunning coffee region. Following a stop in the quaint, local town of Jericho and the equally beautiful and inviting town of Jardin, it had some really big shoes to fill. The journey to Salento took us through the busy cities of Manizales and Pereira, and we thought that maybe the quiet local life we had become accustomed to over the past couple of weeks would be a distant memory.
Fortunately, only 30 minutes after leaving Pereira, the traffic fumes and congestion of the larger cities again gave way to rolling fields and cloud-drenched hilltops. Large tourist buses were replaced with 4x4 adventure jeeps, and the trotting sounds of horseshoes on the tarmac were once again audible.
Solento is a small town with a population of only around 7,000 people. While it initially felt a bit more touristy than the aforementioned towns, we knew we were back with the locals and that country life had resumed. We only had five days to explore the area, but every day was full of adventure and a few welcomed surprises.
Hike the Valle De Cocora (Cocora Valley)
If you haven’t been told to go to Salento by a personal referral or been enticed by the exceptional coffee, then you’re probably heading here for the Valle de Cocora hike. Famous for its towering Wax Palms and breathtaking landscapes, this hike will take you through lush rainforests, past raging waterfalls, rickety cable bridges, and ultimately, amongst a forest of Palm Trees that reach up to 60 metres tall.
It is easily one of the best things to do in Salento, and its spectacular Colombian landscapes are a paradise for Instagram-worthy shots.
We loved it so much that we have written an entire article on the hike alone. In it, you will find all the different routes you can take, information on how to get there, and our insights and recommendations.
A Quick Overview
To get to Valle De Cocora, you must take on one of the colourful jeeps from Plaza de Bolívar in the town centre. The journey will take just over 20 minutes and is $10,000 COP ($2.60) for a return trip.
On the hike, you’ll need to pay two park fees, once when you enter the park and again when you exit. This isn’t a scam; it is just that the hiking trail goes through two areas of private land. These are $10,000 COP ($2.60 USD) and $6,000 COP ($1.60 USD), and in what order you pay them will depend on which way round you complete the loop.
Find the best tours and tickets to explore the stunning Cocora Valley in the heart of Colombia's UNESCO-listed “Coffee Cultural Landscape”
Stroll Down Calle Real
Calle Real is a pedestrian street lined with restaurants and shops with colourfully painted facades and ornate decorations. These features are synonymous with small Colombian country towns and what set them apart from every other town we’ve ever visited throughout the world.
Whilst Calle Real is one of the more touristy streets we encountered on the coffee triangle, it’s no less impressive, and the evening crowds provided a welcome atmosphere.
We highly recommend visiting Calle Real at least once early in the morning to really appreciate it. This way, you’ll beat the crowds, and with all the shutters and shop doors closed, you can see the true ocean of colour along the street.
Enjoy Sunset at Mirador de Salento
At the end of Calle Real, you’ll find a set of colourful steps leading up to Mirador de Salento (Salento Viewpoint). With a bit of grit and maybe a stop or two, you’ll reach the top and enjoy a stunning view over the whole town of Salento.
While the view of the town is nice, even if it is a little distracting from the overgrowth, the real gem is hidden a bit further around the corner. Follow the path to the right of the steps, past a few cafes and street vendors, and you’ll find another viewpoint.
This one looks over the valley that leads into town and is far more impressive than the first.
As far as the eye can see, you’ll see an expansive view of rolling green hills framed by mountains on either side.
Mirador de Salento is an excellent location for sunset, and it is even better if you take a beer or two with you.
Relax in Plaza de Bolivar
The town centre is notably marked by Plaza de Bolivar and its nest of palm trees. This is where all the action occurs, from tourists congregating before heading out on their daily adventures to people enjoying their morning cup of Tinto. It’s a great place to blend in with local life, get your morning coffee, and watch the world go by.
When night falls, the music starts playing, and the cafes turn from selling coffee to something stronger. The whole square has a great atmosphere in the evening and is a great place to hang out and meet new people.
This is also where you will find the start of Calle Real and the brightly coloured jeeps that take people to Valle De Cocora.
Play Tejo at Los Amigos
Even though we didn’t actually do this, as we were pretty much exhausted most nights following days of hiking, we have to include this as a must-do as it sounds like so much fun. Tejo is quite simply a game of throwing rocks at gunpowder whilst drinking beer! How would that not be fun?
Los Amigos seems to be the place to be for this. Entry is $10,000 COP ($2.60 USD), which includes a beer, and as long as you continue drinking, you can continue playing as long as you like.
Find Flights to Pereira (PEI)
Visit A Coffee Finca
You can’t come to the coffee triangle and not visit a coffee finca (coffee farm). One of the best things to do in Colombia is visit a coffee finca, and Salento is as good of a place to take a tour as any. Colombia is one of the biggest exporters of coffee, but coffee in Colombia is unlike what you usually drink back home. The “real” coffee here is light and aromatic, and in some cases, such as with Geisha coffee, it more closely resembles a dark tea. It’s a far cry from a Tinto, which you’ll find all around Colombia, and if you are a coffee lover, it is well worth the experience. April isn’t a coffee drinker, and even she had a go. In addition, the landscapes of the coffee farms are truly spectacular and worth seeing on their own.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the best coffee in Colombia is produced with a full-day coffee tour through the Cocora Valley.
Drink Coffee Exceptional Coffee
Salento is one of the main stops on the infamous Colombian coffee triangle, so as expected, it serves some of the best coffee in Colombia. Many coffee shops serve beans from local farms, so you don’t have to travel to a finca to enjoy them (although you definitely should).
One of the best places we visited that served up local blends was Cafe Jesus Martin. Also, their carrot cake is to die for!
Explore Santa Rita Nature Reserve and Waterfalls
You’ll find many blogs online suggesting hiking to the Santa Rita Waterfall, but the Santa Rita Nature Reserve has so much more to offer. The waterfall isn’t overly spectacular, but the park is beautiful, and there’s more to discover than meets the eye initially.
While the basic there-and-back hike only takes around 1.5 hours, you can easily spend more than half a day exploring the sweeping lush landscapes and jungle, discovering waterfalls, swimming holes, caves, tunnels and nests of Turanculas!
The park is only about 15 minutes outside of town and is easily accessible by bus or one of the coloured jeeps in town. Entry to the park is $10,000 COP ($2.50 USD).
A visit to Santa Rita Nature Reserve is one of the best things to do in Salento, and we loved it so much that we have written an entire article on it. There are all kinds of trails, including waterfalls and caves, and we have included our tips for your visit.
Go Bird Watching
Along with coffee, the entire region is famous for its vast population of exotic birds. This will come as no surprise, as Colombia is home to 83 endemic bird species and nearly 20% of the world's 10,000+ bird species. Making it the ideal place for avid bird spotters and anyone else who wants to experience something new.
Popular tours such as the Endemic Birds Tour take you into the lush jungles and mountainous landscapes of the Santa Rita Nature Reserve in search of the infamous Andean cock-of-the-rock. Along with an expert bird watcher, you might just catch a glimpse of some of the beautifully coloured birds that populate the area and discover a world that may have passed you by.
Take a Day Trip to Filandia
If you’ve heard of Salento, you’ve quite possibly heard of Filandia. Filandia is commonly referred to as the less touristy little brother of Salento. It has access to all the main activities and destinations as Salento, but without as many tourists. The great thing is, it’s only 30 minutes away by car, meaning you don’t actually have to choose between the two, just take a day trip and enjoy both!
The colourful jeeps in town make hourly trips between the two towns from 8 am until 7 pm every day. The price is $8,000 COP ($2.00 USD) each way or $16,000 COP ($4.00 USD) return.
Sleep Under The Colombian Stars
On our last day in Salento, we went on the Santa Rita Waterfall hike through the Santa Rita National Reserve. On our return trip, we came across people camping inside the reserve amongst all the lush greenery and the high mountains surrounding us. It was such an idyllic setting and looked like one of the best camping spots we have ever seen. Unfortunately, as we were leaving Salento the next day, we could not stay, but that does not mean you should miss it. Due to its location in the valley, light pollution would be set to an absolute minimum, meaning that on a clear night, the sky should be a chandelier of stars and should be a night to remember.
We have since contacted Santa Rita Reserve, which has informed us that although they don’t provide camping equipment, anyone is more than welcome to stay.
The price per person per night is $25,000 COP ($6.40 USD), and the area has bathrooms, showers and BBQ facilities. The price includes access to the whole reserve natural reserve (waterfalls, natural pool, tunnels, caves, etc) and parking. If you can’t bring cooking equipment, the farmhouse offers breakfast for $10,000 COP ($2.50 USD) and lunch for $15,000 COP ($3.80 USD).
Where to Eat and Drink in Salento
Bernabé Café & Bistró
This isn’t a budget place, nor is it ridiculously expensive. But it’s probably somewhere you go when craving a decent meal. I’m not doing that blogger thing where everything is the “best I’ve ever had”, but honestly, this was one of the best steaks I have had in a long time. The Fillet Mignon will set you back around $58,000 COP ($14.80 USD) and is worth every cent. Yes, the potatoes could have been a bit hotter, but the steak was cooked to absolute perfection, and the reduction of espresso, blackberry, and red wine was a game-changer!
Google Maps - Bernabé Café & Bistró
Kafé Del Alma
One of our favourite bars in Salento has to be Kafé Del Alma. It is found at the end of Calle Real at the foot of the steps that lead up to the viewpoint. This small rustic street corner bar serves up some amazing cocktails and always seems to have something going on. They had live music each night we were there, and the atmosphere was always a step above anywhere else in town. It’s a great place to relax, drink, and discuss your day's adventures.
Salento was one of our favourite places during our time in Colombia. It maintains its small country town vibe while being easy for travellers to explore. With so much to do in Salento, it's hard to stay only a few days, and if time allows, we recommend staying a little longer than you anticipate to truly relax in the old ways of Colombia.
What's Next?
If planning a trip through Colombia, why not check out some of our other guides?