Best Things to Do in Salento, Colombia

Last Updated: October 2026

Nestled in the heart of Colombia’s beautiful Coffee Region, Salento is one of the country’s most colourful and charming little towns. Surrounded by lush green mountains, coffee plantations and spectacular scenery, it’s a destination that should be on every Colombia itinerary.

Famous for its brightly painted colonial houses, excellent coffee and proximity to the breathtaking Cocora Valley, Salento has become one of Colombia’s most popular small towns. And it’s easy to see why!

We spent four wonderful days exploring Salento and its surroundings, from hiking among the towering wax palms of Cocora Valley to visiting coffee plantations, wandering colourful streets and playing Colombia’s unusual national sport, tejo.

Salento turned out to be our favourite town in Colombia, and our only regret was not staying longer! Whether you’re a coffee lover, a hiking enthusiast or simply enjoy discovering beautiful little towns, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

Here are the best things to do in Salento, Colombia, along with our practical tips for planning your visit.

We visited Salento in 2019. This article reflects our personal experiences at the time, while the practical travel information has been updated for 2026. As security conditions in Colombia can change, always check the latest advice before travelling.

Best Things to Do in Salento

Hike in the Cocora Valley

This day hike is the highlight of any trip to Salento. You’ve probably seen pictures of those tall Wax Palm trees on your Instagram feed. Those Wax Palm trees stand 60 meters tall and are the tallest palm trees in the world.

The Cocora Valley is so picturesque that you’re bound to fall in love with it at first sight. There aren’t many places in the world that look beautiful in the rain but the Cocora Valley is stunning in any kind of weather. We started our hike in the sunshine and arrived at the Wax Palms valley in the rain and it was still picture perfect!

The start of this hike is a short drive out of town. You can jump on a shared Willy jeep in the town’s main square which will get you there within 30 minutes. You can read more about the hike here.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the Cocora Valley! 

Explore Calle Real 

Calle Real is the town’s main street and the most colourful street in Salento. There are some great restaurants on this street, along with many local artisan shops to do your souvenir shopping in.

But the best part is the opportunities for photographers. Visit the street early in the morning to avoid the crowds and then just click away. There are so many angles to shoot from; it’s a photographer’s paradise!

Climb up to the mirador 

At the end of Calle Real are stairs leading up to the mirador (viewpoint); two hundred and fifty stairs to be exact. The climb is worth it because once at the top you’ll be treated to some stunning views over the town and the neighbouring valley. We happened to be there when there was a rainbow. Spectacular!

Visit a coffee plantation 

Salento lies within a well-known coffee region, so you can’t go there and not visit a coffee farm. Not only will you taste some pretty delicious coffee but you’ll also learn how coffee is farmed and produced.

I have to admit to being addicted to coffee but even though I drink a lot of it, I didn’t know much about how it was grown or manufactured. I enjoyed finding out on the tour we took.

We visited the Finca El Ocaso which is about 5 kilometres out of the centre of town. You can catch a Willy jeep there or simply walk slowly and enjoy the countryside along the way.

During the tour, we walked around the plantation, picked some coffee cherries and planted some coffee seeds. Our guide explained how the coffee is processed after picking, including the washing, pulping, mucilage removal, fermentation, drying and roasting. Of course, we made a cup of coffee at the end. Nice!

The coffee tour costs 60,000 COP per person and includes the cup of coffee at the end. They also have a cafe where you can drink different types of coffee and enjoy some cafe-style food with a great view.

Play Tejo

Tejo is Colombia’s national sport! It’s kind of a cross between the French Pétanque and a game of darts. Add in some explosives to the mix and you’ve got a super fun game!

The rules of Tejo are pretty simple. You have two teams. Both teams throw heavy metal objects (called Tejos) across the room at a circular clay base. On the clay, paper triangles filled with gun powder are placed around the bulls-eye.

If the Tejo hits a triangle at the correct angle, the triangle explodes! Whoever gets the closest to the bulls-eye scores more points and if a triangle explodes they get even more points. The first team to reach 21 points wins. Playing Tejo was so much fun! It’s even better with a beer in your hand!

Hire a bike and ride around the countryside 

Take one of the organised bike tours that show you around the surrounding countryside and take you to a nearby waterfall. Alternatively, hire a bike and explore at your own pace. There are so many beautiful places to discover around Salento.

Try some trout

Trout is the most popular dish in town and you will find it in pretty much every restaurant in Salento. If you like to eat fish, be sure to try it. The trout is served up in different ways, fried, in soups, or as a garlicky dish. I even tried it as paté and it was delicious!

But if you are like Simon and don’t like fish, you can find many other meat options at most restaurants in town.

Relax with a coffee 

That’s right, you can never have too much coffee! The best place in town for coffee lovers is “Cafe Jesus Martin”. It’s located just off the main square and they serve excellent coffees made by very good barristers. So get your coffee fix there. 

Take a day trip to Filandia

If you have a spare half a day in Salento, hop on a Willy and head to Filandia. Filandia is another stunning little town that’s just a 40-minute drive from Salento. It is just as colourful and beautiful as Salento, if not more.

Once in Filandia, spend some time exploring its beautiful streets. Then, walk a short distance out of town to the mirador for some more beautiful views.

Make sure to book your Willy jeep ticket to Filandia first thing in the morning as they tend to fill up fast.

Planning to hike Cocora Valley? Don’t miss one of Colombia’s most spectacular landscapes, where towering wax palms rise above lush green mountains. Check out our Cocora Valley hiking guide for everything you need to know about the trails, what to expect and how to plan your visit!

Best Time to Visit Salento

Salento can be visited year-round, but the drier months of December to February and July to August are generally the best times to explore the town and hike in the beautiful Cocora Valley.

The rainiest periods are usually March to May and September to November, although showers are possible at any time of year. Salento’s mountain climate can also be surprisingly cool, particularly in the evenings.

If you’re planning to hike in Cocora Valley, start early, bring a waterproof jacket and wear sturdy shoes, as the trails can become extremely muddy after rain.

How Many Days Do You Need in Salento?

We recommend spending at least three to four days in Salento to fully appreciate the town and its beautiful surroundings.

This gives you enough time to hike through Cocora Valley, visit a coffee plantation, explore Salento’s colourful streets and take a day trip to nearby Filandia.

We spent four wonderful days here and could easily have stayed longer. In fact, Salento turned out to be our favourite town in Colombia!

How to Get to Salento

Salento is located in Colombia’s beautiful Coffee Region and can be reached by bus from several major cities.

From Bogotá or Cali: Take an intercity bus to Armenia, then change to a local bus for Salento. The final journey takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Travelling via Pereira is another option.

From Medellín: Flota Occidental operates direct buses from Medellín’s Terminal del Sur to Salento. The journey generally takes around 7–9 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

By plane: The nearest airports are in Armenia and Pereira, both approximately an hour’s drive from Salento. From either airport, you can take a taxi or connect with local buses.

Is Bus Travel to Salento Safe?

Bus travel is a common way to get around Colombia, but it’s important to take precautions. Choose reputable bus companies, book through official websites or terminals and travel during daylight hours whenever possible.

Keep valuables out of sight, carry important belongings with you and avoid travelling through unfamiliar areas after dark. Security conditions and road closures can change, so always check the latest travel advice before setting off.

Where to Stay in Salento

Salento has plenty of accommodation options, from friendly family-run guesthouses to charming boutique hotels. We recommend staying within walking distance of the main square, where you’ll find restaurants, cafés and the Willys jeeps departing for Cocora Valley.

Here are three options to suit different budgets.

Budget – Hospedaje El Buen Descanso (Where We Stayed)

We stayed at Hospedaje El Buen Descanso, a simple, affordable guesthouse in a convenient central location.

But what really made our stay memorable was the wonderful owner!

The moment we arrived, she welcomed us with a huge hug and then proceeded to talk, and talk, and talk… entirely in Spanish! 😂 She was absolutely lovely, and I don’t think I’ve ever had to practise my Spanish quite so much in my life!

It was one of those wonderfully genuine encounters that made us fall even more in love with Colombia.

Mid-Range – Hotel Salento Real

For something a little more comfortable, Hotel Salento Real is a charming colonial-style hotel just a short walk from the main square. It offers traditional décor, comfortable rooms, an on-site restaurant and breakfast, making it a convenient base for exploring Salento and the surrounding Coffee Region.

Boutique – Terasu Hotel Salento

If you’re looking for a more relaxing stay, Terasu Hotel Salento is a lovely boutique property with peaceful gardens, attractive rooms and terraces overlooking the surrounding scenery. It’s within walking distance of the town centre but offers a quieter atmosphere away from the busiest streets.

A great choice for couples wanting a little extra comfort after a day hiking in Cocora Valley.

If none of those are available or take your fancy, try using the search box below:

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