Best Things to Do in Salento, Colombia in 2 Days

Visiting Salento is, without doubt, on everyone’s Colombia itinerary. Over the years Salento has become one of the most popular spots in the coffee region of Colombia, thanks to its colorful homes and the easy access you get to the lush and unique Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora).

In this post you’ll find everything you can do during a minimum 2-day visit to Salento. Our guide also includes details on how to get to Salento and when the best time to visit is, as well as where to stay and where to eat. In addition, we’ve also listed a few extra activities you can add to your itinerary if you have longer than 2 days in Salento.

If you’d like to see what we got up to in Salento, then make sure to watch our dedicated Salento video on our YouTube channel. For more Colombia videos check out our Colombia Series.

Introducing Salento, Colombia

The colourful town of Salento is located in the region of Quindío, to the northeast of the city of Armenia and southeast of Pereira. It is also in the heart of Colombia’s coffee triangle, or ‘Eje Cafetero‘.

A transit route known as La Línea was created in the colonial times between Popayán and Bogotá. This went through the Quindío Pass and Salento. When Simón Bolívar travelled through the pass in 1830, he ordered it to be upgraded due to the route’s strategic importance.

Political prisoners from the War of Supremes (Guerra de los Supremos) (1839–1842) worked on upgrading the route. They were given a plot of land once their sentence was completed.

Did you know? Salento was originally called Boquía due to its proximity to a river with the same name. In 1865, in honour of the region in southern Italy, the name was changed to Villa de Nueva Salento. Later, it was just shortened to Salento.

When the transit route got diverted at a later date, Salento lost its strategic importance and didn’t develop the way the rest of the area did. This is also why it has managed to stay a more traditional looking town.

In 2011, UNESCO created the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (CCLC) which represents the Colombian coffee tradition. It consists of six landscapes and 18 urban settlements including Salento. These areas are also within the Eje Cafetero, or coffee growing axis.

Things to Do in Salento, Colombia in 2 Days

The below activities are perfectly doable if you only have about 2 days in Salento. Bear in mind that these are also the most popular things to do in town though, so expect some areas to be busy.

Top Tip. Don’t forget to check out the ‘additional things to do in Salento’ section of this blog. Even if your visit is short, you might want to add something from that list to your itinerary!

1. Wander Around Plaza de Bolivar

A visit to Salento isn’t complete without wandering around its main square: Plaza de Bolivar.

The square has a few restaurants, the lovely church of Our Lady of Carmen, a statue of Simon Bolivar and a handful of trees. There’s also a handy supermarket there where you can grab a few essentials if you’re heading out on a day trip somewhere. It is also where you’ll find a bunch of Willys jeeps waiting to take visitors to the Cocora Valley. (More on that later!)

During the weekend the plaza is also home to the local market, so it’s definitely a great place to come check out if your visit coincides with a weekend.

2. Enjoy Calle Real Early in the Morning

The mostly pedestrianised street of Calle Real is one of the main attractions in Salento. It starts from Plaza de Bolivar and ends where the steps up to Mirador Alto de la Cruz start. The buildings along the street have preserved the traditional architectural style of bahareque, and are adorned with colourful doors, windows and balconies.

There are two main reasons we suggest visiting this famous street early in the morning. The first one is obvious: you’ll basically have it all to yourself along with a handful of other early birds. This way you can enjoy some peace and quiet before it gets too busy, and it might even feel like you’ve found a hidden gem without all the tourists.

However, there’s an even better reason to set that early alarm. Calle Real is filled with shops and restaurants, which means that the only time you can really see all the colourful doors is before the shops open.

After visiting Guatape, located near Medellin, we think that Guatape is definitely more colourful than Salento. This is because, whilst in Guatape the buildings were painted from top to bottom, in Salento most buildings are predominantly white. The traditional bahareque style homes in town are adorned with colourful doors, windows and balconies only.

3. Wander Calle Real in the Afternoon

Now, after seeing all the colourful doors and windows on the quiet Calle Real, it’s time to enjoy the livelier version of the street too.

As mentioned above, after 9AM the shops and restaurants will open their doors to visitors. It won’t be long before locals and foreigners alike will swarm the street looking for somewhere to eat or to browse the souvenir shops.

It’s good fun to walk in and out of the countless handicraft shops, which sell some well-made, if slightly cheesy, gifts. There are also street vendors selling fresh fruit, and plenty of cafes and restaurants serving delicious local delicacies.

We loved seeing the place come alive, but also appreciated the quiet time we had there earlier in the day.

4. Enjoy the Views from Mirador Alto De La Cruz

Once you’ve reached the end of Calle Real, carry on walking up the colourful steps to a viewpoint called Mirador Alto De La Cruz.

There are quite a few steps up to the top, but you’ll slowly start to get a decent view of Salento and Calle Real. Once at the top, take a little rest, enjoy the views of the town and take the mandatory photo with the giant Salento sign. (We love that you’re always reminded where you are by these huge town signs everywhere you go in Latin America.)

5. Don’t Forget to Visit Mirador de Salento

Now, if you want to get an even better view, then from Mirador Alto De La Cruz carry on towards Mirador de Salento. The two viewpoints are only about 100m apart, but Mirador de Salento is way better in our opinion.

Once you arrive, you’ll see that it’s a bit more commercialised, with a few more vendors and souvenir stalls selling typical local products. There are also foodie places where you can grab something to snack on. However, the best part of this viewpoint is the fact that from here you’ll have stunning views across the surrounding countryside.

6. Play a Game of Tejo

A great way to end your day in Salento is by playing a game of Tejo. It’s the national sport of Colombia, and involves beer and gunpowder. Sounds safe, right?

The game has been around for hundreds of years and has, of course, evolved over that time. Today, players throw tejos (weighted steel discs) towards a clay board with a metal ring called a bocín in it. Around this ring are triangle shaped pouches called mechas, which are filled with gunpowder. As you can imagine, if you hit the target, everyone else will know about it too. Just try not to jump out of your skin!

During the game it is ‘mandatory’ to consume as much beer as you possibly can.

The most popular place to play Tejo is at Cancha De Tejo Los Amigos where they host games every night. 

7. Go on a Coffee Tour

One of the main reasons people come to Salento is to visit a coffee farm and learn more about coffee production. Salento is located within the Coffee Triangle (Eje Cafetero, or Coffee Axis). This region includes the departments of Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We love coffee and during our Latin America trip we joined coffee tours in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Peru. Whilst we already had a good base knowledge on the coffee making process, we couldn’t skip another tour in Colombia. As it turns out, we still managed to learn something new!

There are plenty of coffee farms around the town offering tours. A very popular coffee farm to visit is Finca El Ocaso. In the end we went with Finca Don Eduardo which was a fun and very detailed tour.

As with most coffee producing countries, the good quality coffee beans are usually exported, meaning Colombians don’t actually drink the best coffee on a daily basis. This is why going on a coffee tour is a great way to enjoy a good quality cuppa.

8. Go on a Willys Jeep Ride

A very fun activity to do in Salento is to go on a Willys jeep ride.

We were curious to know the story behind this iconic Colombian vehicle, so here it is if you’re interested as well. Willys jeeps were invented by the US Army in 1940. After World War II, there was no longer a demand for these vehicles. So they started selling them at very affordable prices to countries such as Colombia. They weren’t used for military purposes but rather by farmers working on coffee farms to replace their mules. Willys jeeps could transport more people, equipment and goods into areas where they had only used mules before. They named the jeeps ‘metal mules’ (mulitas mecánicas), orYipao.

Of course, today locals also use the Willys jeeps as a tourist taxi to transport visitors to different locations such as the Cocora Valley. Drivers load a bunch of people into, and even onto the vehicle, so you’re guaranteed a unique ride.

For the best experience, we recommend getting a standing spot on the back of the jeep. Would riding on the back of a fast moving jeep by holding onto the roof grating be considered a safe way to travel? Possibly not. Would trying to hold on for dear life and ducking from tree branches whilst enjoying the views of the Colombian countryside be an unforgettable ride? Certainly yes!

9. Hike in the Cocora Valley

Okay, the Cocora Valley has definitely come up a few times throughout this post. There’s no denying that Salento doesn’t just attract coffee lovers, but also people who enjoy the outdoors and want to see the world’s tallest palm trees.

That’s right, the Cocora Valley, orValle de Cocora is home to the Quindío Wax Palms which are native to Colombia and parts of northern Peru. The palms can grow to more than 60 meters high. They are also Colombia’s national tree.

Located only a 30 minute drive from Salento, you can easily get to the Cocora Valley with one of the Willys jeeps leaving from Plaza de Bolivar in Salento. Once there, you can go on a shorter or longer hike depending on how much time you have. You can also go horseback riding or even book a mountain biking tour.

You can totally visit the Cocora Valley on your own, but you can also join an organised tour if you wish. Browse for different Cocora Valley tours on Viator, GetYouGuide or Civitatis.

We’re not going to lie, this place has become very commercialised. There’s an entire section dedicated to what we would call cheesy ‘Instagrammable’ photo spots with angel wings and the like.

Despite that, the Cocora Valley is absolutely stunning and definitely worth visiting. If you can spare a full day for your visit and love hiking, then you can easily escape the crowds and enjoy the area pretty much all to yourself on the longer hiking route.

Additional Things to Do in Salento (3 and 4 Day Itineraries)

If you have extra days to spare when planning your Colombia itinerary, then we highly recommend adding an additional day or two in Salento. There are plenty of other activities you can do in the area, allowing you to see less touristy places too.

10. Day Trip to Filandia

Located about half an hour from Salento, Filandia is another colourful town. This little gem is a must visit if you want to avoid the crowds but still want to enjoy the colourful architecture like that of Salento.

Thanks to Salento’s popularity, and the fact that most visitors don’t have too much time to visit elsewhere, the sleepy town of Filandia is a great destination for anyone staying in the area a bit longer.

There isn’t a huge list of things to do there but you can spend some time walking along its charming streets, hang out in the main square, eat at one of the restaurants and visit its viewpoints.

11. Do Something Adventurous

If you’d like to do something a bit more adventurous than riding on the back of a Willys jeep, then there are plenty of activities to choose from.

Probably one of the best ways to appreciate the landscape surrounding Salento is by paragliding. However, if you have a fear of heights, then you can always join a bike tour through some lesser known trails around Salento.

If you enjoy trekking, then you can also consider a guided multi-day hike in Los Nevados National Park.

12. Hike to Santa Rita Waterfall

Another great outdoor activity is to go on a hike to Santa Rita Waterfall. It’s located on private land (Finca Santa Rita) about 5km north of Salento. You’ll have to pay a small admission fee in order to hike to the waterfall.

You can reach the hiking trail by bus, taxi or on foot. Take the bus from the main terminal in Salento to Boquia and then walk the rest of the way to Finca Santa Rita, where you’ll pay your entry fee. Alternatively, you can either walk the whole way from Salento or try to take a taxi to the farm.

If this sounds way too complicated, you can always just join a guided hiking tour.

How to Get to Salento, Colombia

The cheapest, most environmentally friendly, but longest way to get to Salento is by bus. Below we’ll detail how to get to Salento from a few major cities in Colombia. Alternatively, you can also fly from most cities in Colombia to either Pereira or Armenia, and take a local bus from there.

From Bogota to Salento

There are no direct buses between the Colombian capital and Salento. However, you can take a bus from one of Bogota’s bus terminals to either Pereira or Armenia.

There are hourly buses from Terminal de Salitre in Bogota to Pereira. You can book your ticket to Pereira with Busbud or at the bus station in person.

Buses to Armenia leave from Terminal del Sur in Bogota. The bus journey time and price are similar to both destinations. You can book your ticket to Armenia with Busbud or at the bus station in person.

Once you’re in Armenia or Pereira, you’ll just need to hop onto another local bus heading to Salento.

From Medellin to Salento

Luckily, there are direct bus services running between Medellin, the second largest city in Colombia, and Salento.

Buses leave from Terminal del Sur in Medellin and will drop you off at the bus stop in Salento. The journey time is around 6-7 hours, which is way less than it takes to get there from Bogota. You can book your ticket to Salento with Busbud or at the bus station in person.

Best Time to Visit Salento, Colombia

The best months to visit Salento are from June to September and from December to February. However, the weather can still be changeable even in the dry season. The average yearly temperature varies from 13°C (55 °F) to 23°C (73°F).

Salento is pretty touristy, so no matter when you visit you won’t find the town empty. Weekends and holidays are always way busier, so make sure to book your accommodation in advance if you’re arriving at these times.

How Many Days Do You Need in Salento

Depending on how much time you can spare, we recommend allocating a minimum of two full days for Salento. Two days will be enough to see the highlights of the town, go on a coffee tour and also spend a full day in the Cocora Valley.

As such, we suggest arriving in the evening, spending two full days in town, and then leaving the following morning for your next destination. Of course, if you’re really tight for time, then you can try to arrive in the morning and enjoy Salento on the same day. Then, spend the next morning in the Cocora Valley and either leave in the evening or the morning after.

However, if you want to take things slowly, or even visit a few less touristy places, then we highly recommend adding an extra day or two to your Salento itinerary. You can pick and choose what you want to do from our list above.

Where to Stay in Salento

Thanks to it becoming a popular destination to visit in Colombia, there are no shortage of places to stay in Salento. Depending on your budget and needs, you can stay in hotels, hostels, guesthouses or even Airbnbs.

The town is tiny and walkable, so you’ll most likely be close to the main attractions. However, for a more unique experience, you can also stay in an eco-lodge or go glamping around the Cocora Valley.

Check out accommodation options in Salento here.

Where to Eat in Salento

Being a super touristy town, there are plenty of places to eat in Salento. You can find places serving traditional Colombian dishes, as well as more western style meals. When we’re on the road for a long time, we love mixing it up a bit. Below are some of our favourite places:

• Coco Bowl is a vegan restaurant serving some really delicious and healthy meals.
• Angel Veggie Bistró is a small and simple restaurant serving some incredible vegetarian dishes.
• Brunch de Salento is a popular place that serves a variety of dishes. Their breakfast options are incredible and the portions are very generous too.
• El Cacharrito is another lovely dinner spot serving some great burgers with veggie options.
• Serendipia Encuentro is another mainly vegetarian restaurant serving a variety of dishes on Calle Real.
• Andariego! is a small cafe serving great coffee and some pastries around the main plaza.

Top Tip. Trout is a specialty in this area and they serve it in many different ways. If you eat fish, then definitely try some at least once during your stay.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Salento, Colombia

Even though Salento isn’t a hidden gem anymore, and the town is filled with tourists, we still loved our stay. Probably the main reason for that is the fact that we got up super early and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the town before everyone else arrived. This was likely why we didn’t mind the crowds later in the afternoon. Of course, the absolute highlight of our visit was hiking in the Cocora Valley.

Have you ever been to Salento in Colombia? If so, how long did you visit for and what did you do? If not, would you add a visit to Salento to your Colombia itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.