We flew to Pereira, and from there, we took a taxi to Salento. The price depended on our negotiating skills, but we managed to agree on a rate of around 20-30 EUR. The ride took us about 40 minutes, and we were excited to start our adventure.
We stayed at the El Mirador del Cocora hotel in a deluxe room with a private terrace and a jacuzzi, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. The jacuzzi was particularly convenient after a full day of walking, hiking, and horse riding. Although there were less expensive rooms available, we were willing to pay for the view, which was simply magical. The service was exquisite, and we really couldn’t have asked for more.
The gorgeous colonial town of Salento in the ‘eje cafetero’ is most famous for its coffee production. The coffee tour is an activity not to be missed, and we were really impressed with our tour of Finca el Ocaso Salento, which we booked based on recommendations. It is a sustainable, organic, and ethical farm that offers classic fast-paced tours and more detailed private ones. We opted for the private tour, and we were extremely satisfied with our awesome guide Jaime. The private tour ended with a tasting of a farm-fresh coffee that was light and medium roasted, and we also received a certificate confirming that we were now knowledgeable coffee drinkers. Going on a coffee tour is a must in Salento, and it would be a huge shame to miss out on a great opportunity to learn from the best.
There is no need to book in advance in Salento since there is only one way to reach all the nearby destinations. The Willy Jeep is the only way to transfer anything, and you can find them parked at Salento’s main plaza. Tickets are sold at the kiosk next to it, and once bought, the fun part of finding the right jeep begins. It is a bit chaotic but super fun. Jeeps are always full, and more adventurous travelers can stand in the back. Willys also supply nearby farms with fresh products and food, so it is quite common to see fresh eggs and other supplies on the roof of the Willy.
On our second day in Salento, we went hiking to the Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora), which is part of the Los Nevados National Park. Again, we took a Willy from the main square, and after a picturesque drive, we reached the valley known for its Quindio wax palms, which are also the tallest palm trees in the world. Cocora can be found on every “what to do in Colombia” list, and now we understand why.
The incredible trail runs through the jungle, farmland, forest, and to top it all off, offers a spectacular view of palms and the valley. The valley is reachable even for non-hikers, so everyone can jump on a Willy and have a nice cup of coffee in the valley and then return with the next available jeep. The hike itself takes about 3-5 hours, depending on the individual’s pace and length of stops to breathe in the views. The counter-clockwise trail is a bit harder, so it may also take a bit longer. The clockwise trail is easier but starts in the valley, so the hike itself is a bit spoiled by already seeing the valley at the beginning. Good hiking boots and a raincoat are recommended since the weather can change dramatically. There are a few options to buy water and snacks, but a light backpack with lunch is recommended since there are so many beautiful spots for a lunch stop in nature.
On day three of our Salento adventure, we were feeling a bit tired after all the hiking. So, we decided to find a tour with horses to explore the surrounding areas. As a big animal lover, I wanted to make sure we found a farm with healthy horses. Luckily, we stumbled upon Cabalgatas San Pablo Salento, located close to the main square, and they had some incredible reviews. We walked over to book our tour and spent the rest of the morning taking in the breathtaking views from Mirador Point and enjoying an easy brunch.
In the afternoon, we met up with our horses and set off on an off-road adventure to a stunning waterfall, crossing rivers and coffee farms along the way. My horse, Saman, was an absolute gem and made sure I felt safe throughout the ride. The other horse, on the other hand, was a bit of a diva and needed some bribing to stay on track. Our guide was gentle with the horses and gave us some great advice on navigating the tricky parts of the trail.
Salento quickly became my favorite town in Colombia. It may be small, but it offers so much! As we rode in a Willy, we met two girls who recommended the Suvia bus transfer from Salento to Medellin, with stops at Santa Rosa hot springs. After looking at the brochure, we decided to take this option and treat ourselves during the long journey. The road from Salento to Medellin was undergoing extensive reconstruction, causing many delays, so our seven-hour journey turned into a ten-hour trip, including a two-hour stop at the spa. Santa Rosa was truly beautiful, with natural thermal pools surrounded by tropical mountains and waterfalls, and the view was breathtaking. For anyone planning to take the bus, I recommend choosing the option with a stop at the spa.
