In brief
Get ready for a unique adventure by visiting Salento (in Colombia, not Italy!), a little corner of paradise nestled in the heart of Colombia’s coffee-growing zone. This colorful village is much more than just a stopover. It offers total immersion in the country’s coffee culture. Imagine cobbled streets lined with brightly-faced houses, impressive mountain backdrops and lush coffee plantations as far as the eye can see. Here, you’ll discover the soul of Colombia, exploring local traditions, tasting freshly harvested coffee, and exploring the natural wonders of the Colombian Andes. Ready to dive into this unique Colombian escape? Let’s visit Salento!
Salento
- County: Quindío
- Founded: 1842
- Altitude: 1,895 m
- Urban population: 4,011 (2023)
- Safety: very safe
- Length of stay: 2-4 nights
- Direct access: Armenia and Pereira
Our opinion: A must-see! ★★
Salento is a small village that can be visited quite quickly, and is very touristy. But the atmosphere is peaceful and it’s the perfect place to explore and discover a bit of Andean nature and culture. A classic stopover, but one that offers a variety of possibilities to suit everyone’s tastes, and it’s not a complicated destination to reach (on a Colombian scale). Only the frequent showers could be a spoilsport, but that’s what adventure is all about! A final reminder: although Salento is in theEje Cafetero, the coffee-growing zone, it is not the leading producer of this much-loved bean, but the department of Huila in southern Colombia.
When should you travel to Salento?
Salento is a perfect destination at any time of year.
If you want to enjoy the serenity of Salento , opt for weekdays. Avoid the end-of-year period, Holy Week, weekends and public holidays, which are generally busier.
Climate in Salento: the climate in Salento is mild and moderate, being classified as Cfb according to the Köppen-Geiger classification. Daytime temperatures are generally pleasant, with averages ranging from 15°C to 25°C. Nights can be cooler, with temperatures sometimes dipping below 10°C. Rainfall is regular.
Major events in Salento :
– Second week in January: fiestas aniversarias de Salento.
Legend: Blue: transport terminal – Yellow: activities & visits – Green: accommodation – Orange: restaurants
History of Salento
The municipality of Salento, founded in 1842 and officially established in 1908 by figures such as Ramón Elías Palau, Simón Castaño, Vicente Buitrago, Cornelio Marín and Teodoro Ocampo, shares cultural traditions with other Quindío municipalities. However, Salento stands out for its affiliation with the Paisa and arriería cultures, which played a key role in the colonization of the former Caldas. Salento is also considered the cradle of Quindío, as the first municipality to emerge in the region. Over time, Salento has become a place of passage and rest for national and international historical figures, including José Celestino Mutis in 1873, Francisco José de Caldas in 1795 and 1802, Alejandro von Humboldt in 1801, Simón Bolívar on January 5, 1830, Isaac F. Holton in 1850, among others.
Influence of Simon Bolivar, the Liberator of Colombia
Salento’s history is inextricably linked with the Quindío Pass, an essential part of Colombia’s national highway. One of the most significant moments dates back to January 5, 1830, when the liberator Simón Bolívar stayed in Boquia and Barcinales. It was here that he drafted and promulgated a decree on January 25 of that year, aimed at populating the region and organizing the Quindío National Road. The decree stipulated that the bridleway would be opened in the Andes pass known as Quindío, linking the town of Cartago to Ibagué. In addition, the government undertook to promote the construction of national roads, emigration and the colonization of agricultural frontiers, paying off the debts contracted with the armies by granting them land adjacent to the roads. An executive decree was promulgated on September 26, 1833, modifying the policy of granting vacant land to encourage self-settlement, including the founding of towns such as Boquia, thus breathing new life into Salento.
Salento today
Today, the commune carefully preserves a set of natural, ecological, cultural, social, architectural and historical values throughout its social evolution process, constantly seeking to improve and maintain its identity over time. Salento has become the department’s leading tourist destination, attracting visitors in search of its magnificent landscapes, crafts and local cuisine. The Los Nevados National Park area and its buffer zone encompass a variety of sites, including the Morrogacho hill, the Nevado Paramillo del Quindío, the Cocora valley, the La Cubierta and El Encanto lagoons, the Pata de Cabra, Bocatoma and Las Mirlas waterfalls, the Estrella de Agua biological station, the Acaime nature reserve, as well as the southern part of the Los Nevados National Nature Park.
What to see and do in Salento
In Salento
In the village of Salento, there are many places of interest, and we’ve put together a list of the main places to visit.
Plaza de Bolivar
The village’s main square, with a statue of Simon Bolivar in the center, and colorful colonial buildings all around. A lively place, with restaurants, occasional street entertainment and fruit stands. It’s also the starting point for Jeep Willis tours of the surrounding area.
Free
Open 24 hours a day
Calle real
Salento’s main shopping street. Here you’ll find a wide variety of stores and craft workshops selling woodwork, guadua, natural fibers, fabrics, jewelry and more. Some stores also offer coffee-based food products and typical restaurants.
Free
Open 24 hours a day (except stores, of course)
Mirador Alto de la Cruz
Not far from Plaza de Bolivar is the Mirador Alto de la Cruz for a panoramic view of the Andes on one side, and the village of Salento on the other. Very beautiful, especially in fog/clouds. But to get there, you’ll first have to climb 200-250 steps!
Free
Open 24 hours a day
Mirador de Salento
Right next to the Mirador Alto de la Cruz is the Mirador de Salento, where you can contemplate the green Andean mountains from a different angle, particularly through the use of telescopic views (for a fee). And since it’s right next door, why not go?
Free
Open 24 hours a day
Playing in the Tejo (at Los Amigos)
Discover a typically Colombian sport, tejo, a kind of petanque played with metal discs thrown at explosive targets, embodying conviviality in a festive setting. Los Amigos is the only place in Salento where you can play and drink Colombian beer (or any other type of beverage).
Free
Mer. to Sun.15h-01h / Mon. 12h-00h / Tue. closed
Around Salento
Other exciting places to discover around Salento include the following destinations.
Fincas de café (find out more)
Many coffee fincas offer 1 to 3-hour tours to learn about the coffee production process, varieties and more. Fincas cafeteras such as El Ocaso, Las Acacias and Don Elias offer interesting tours in Spanish or English.
25,000 – 100,000 COP / person
Generally between 09:00 and 16:00, visits at fixed times
Trek to Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados
From Salento, it’s possible to trek (loop) for 2-3-4 days through Los Nevados National Nature Park, dotted with volcanoes, mountains, valleys and high-altitude forests. It’s also possible to do a route that starts in Salento and ends in Manizales.
500,000 – 1,000,000 COP / pers. (lower if more people)
Generally 2 to 4 days, all-inclusive
The main attraction in the area, the famous wax palms in the heart of the Andes, can be contemplated without “too much” effort. A hike is a loop that lasts about 5 hours. Easily done on your own. Departures from Salento’s Plaza de Bolivar in a Willis Jeep.
Approx. 50,000 COP / pers. (return transport + entrance fees)
First Jeeps from 06:30
La Carbonera Valley
The Carbonera Valley is similar to the Cocora Valley, but less touristy and larger, with more wax palms because it’s more isolated. It is usually visited as part of an all-inclusive 1-day guided tour, as it is not served by public transport.
120,000 – 250,000 COP / pers. (lower if more people)
Guided tour
Cascada Santa Rita
Nearby Salento is a magnificent park filled with waterfalls, including the Santa Rita waterfall, the main one, and natural pools. The trails are easy to follow and not very difficult. Allow 2-3 hours on site, or more if you decide to walk from Salento.
Admission: 7,000 COP / person
07h00 to 18h00
Village of Filandia (read more)
From Salento, you can also take a Willys Jeep from Plaza de Bolivar to visit the nearby village of Filandia (40 min away). Less touristy, there’s a small park with a viewpoint, a nature reserve and also fincas cafeteras, and a few small museums.
Return trip by Willis Jeep 16,000 COP / pers.
Departures every hour (08:00, 09:00… until 19:00)
Ornithology
Birdwatching in the villages of Boquia and El Agrado with local experts who will take you to explore mountainous landscapes while observing a diversity of birds: around 352 species and 54 families.
Approx. 200,000 COP / pers.
4-hour guided tour
Santa Rosa de Cabal Spa
4 natural pools of thermal water, creating an ideal setting for relaxation. Embellished by a majestic 95-meter waterfall and five rivers winding through the mountain, the site offers an enchanting landscape about 2 hours from Salento.
Admission: 41,000 – 100,000 COP / pers. according to day and formula
Spa open from 06:30 to 23:30
How to get to Salento
Salento is served directly by bus from just two towns: Armenia, 26 km away, and Pereira, 36 km away, as well as from Medellín, 245 km away but with a stop in Pereira. All other bus connections require a changeover at Armenia or Pereira. As a result, there are no direct routes (with no change of bus) from cities such as Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali or Santa Marta.
If you’re on a budget, you can also take a cab from Pereira or Armenia for around 120,000 to 150,000 COP.
The closest airports to Salento are Pereira (Aeropuerto Internacional Matecaña) and Armenia (Aeropuerto Internacional El Edén), 45 and 48 km from the village respectively.
Getting to Salento from Armenia by bus
| Bus company | Cootracir |
| Departure | Armenia, Terminal de Transportes |
| Departure times (from Salitre) | 05:30 to 19:10 – 1 bus approximately every 30 minutes |
| Arrival | Salento, bus terminal |
| Duration | Approx. 1 hour |
| Route type | Direct |
| Price (one-way) | 5,900 COP / person |
Getting to Salento from Pereira by bus
| Bus company | Expreso Alcala |
| Departure | Pereira, Terminal de Transportes |
| Departure times | 06:30 to 18:30 – 1 bus per hour |
| Arrival | Salento, bus terminal |
| Duration | Approx. 1h15 |
| Route type | Direct |
| Price (one-way) | 10,500 COP / person |
Getting to Salento from Medellín by bus
| Bus company | Flota Occidental |
| Departure | Medellín, Terminal del Sur |
| Departure times | 09h00 – 11h00 – 16h00 |
| Arrival | Salento, bus terminal |
| Duration | About 8h |
| Route type | Non-direct (stop at Pereira) |
| Price (one-way) | 83,000 COP / person |
Getting to Salento from Jardín
- Jardín in Riosusio
Company: Cootransrio (chiva, colorful bus)
Departure at 08:00
Duration: 04h00
Price (one-way): 37,000 COP / person
- Riosusio to Salento (stop at Pereira)
Companies: Flota Occidental
Departure at 1:00 p.m.
Duration: 03h00
Price (one-way): 38,000 COP / person
Where to stay in Salento?
Ready to immerse yourself in the welcoming atmosphere of Salento, Colombia? Discover the hidden gems of local accommodation, from charming mountain inns to comfortable hotels, offering authentic immersion in the local culture. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an outdoor adventure, let this roundup of the best accommodations in Salento, to suit all budgets, guide you to an unforgettable stay in the heart of the Colombian Andes.
$ – Economical budgeting
Hostal
Hostal Ciudad de Segorbe
The Hostal Ciudad de Segorbe, in the heart of Salento, a stone’s throw from the main square, is a typical colonial house, offering immersion in regional tradition.
$ – Economical budgeting
Hostal
Elizabetha Hostal
A fairly new hostal in the center of Salento, housed in a colonial building. It feels like a home from home, with a family atmosphere. There’s also a shuttle service.
$$ – Average budget
Hotel
Balcones del Ayer
Balcones del Ayer offers simple, clean rooms, a garden, terrace, restaurant and free parking. A tour desk is also available.
$$ – Average budget
Hotel
Casa Salento
A warm welcome and detailed information on local attractions, services and excursions. Rooms are spotless and comfortable, with a good breakfast.
$$$ – High budget
Hotel
Hotel Terasu Salento
An exclusive 9-room hotel in the heart of Salento. It’s a quiet and comfortable place, where guests will have the opportunity to be very close to the city. The common areas feature whirlpool baths.
$$$ – High budget
Hotel
Hotel Kawa Mountain Retreat
This hotel has all the facilities of a rustic yet elegant architectural space offering an experience of great connection with nature, with luxury service.
Where to eat in Salento
Since walking at altitude takes its toll, let’s get busy satisfying our little stomachs! Discover a delectable fusion of authentic flavors and culinary delights in country-style restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Colombian dining experience or international delights, Salento’s restaurants will satisfy your taste buds with their refined dishes and unique atmospheres. Here are a few good addresses.
