Posted 17/06/2024 | 17th June, 2024
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Salento is a beautiful town with a population of just over 7000. It is an extremely popular weekend trip for both domestic and international tourists looking to visit the iconic wax palm trees, wander the picturesque streets, and drink the fantastic local coffee.
It isn’t the easiest town to get to, taking around seven hours by bus from Medellin or nine hours by bus from Bogota. But the journey is so worth it!
I visited Salento for five nights and was worried I would get a little bored, but there is plenty to do here to keep you occupied. So, here are all the best things to do in Salento, Colombia.
Hike in Cocora Valley (Most Popular Thing to Do in Salento)
The Cocora Valley hike is the number one thing to do in Salento. In fact, it was one of the best things we have done in Colombia. It’s an extremely popular and well-trodden route, so you don’t need to worry about getting lost or hiring a guide for this hike.
Of course, if you would like more information about the area, you can hire expert guides for the day. However, I didn’t notice any hanging around the entrance (although we did arrive around 8 a.m.), so you should arrange this in advance to avoid disappointment.
There are four main options you have when hiking the Cocora Valley:
🌴The clockwise route (admire the palms first)
🥾The anticlockwise route (save the best till last)
🌴Finca La Montaña and Back (see the palms twice)
🥾Simply visit the palms (ideal for those who can’t / don’t want to hike)
We initially planned the clockwise route and made it to Finca La Montaña before the heavens opened! The rain was relentless, so we decided to turn back and head in the direction we came (this was marginally shorter but much less muddy).
The change of plan turned out fantastic, as we got to see the palms from two different perspectives and in two different light and weather conditions.
Personally, I didn’t feel like I’d missed anything by not doing the complete loop, but those who did complete it loved it!
The hike to Finca La Montaña and back took us just over four hours. This includes plenty of stops for snacks and photos. The entire loop takes around five hours.
Getting to Cocora Valley
You’ll be happy to learn that getting to the Cocora Valley couldn’t be easier! Simply head to the main square towards the line of colourful Jeeps (known as ‘Willies’ in Salento). There’s a ticket booth in the centre to buy a return ticket to Cocora Valley for 10,000 COP. They only accept cash.
The first car of the day leaves Salento at 6.30 am. From there, they simply depart when they are full, usually around ten people. Although our journey back from the Valley, there were thirteen! But don’t worry, this is an extremely popular day trip, so it won’t take long for your Jeep to fill.
The drive from Salento to Cocora takes around 30 minutes and is stunning.
You already have your return ticket on the journey back, so just head back to where you were dropped off. Jeeps will be waiting. The last Jeep departs Cocora Valley around 5 p.m.
Visit A Coffee Farm
Unless you’re extremely short on time and plan on booking an all-inclusive whistlestop tour of Salento, I wouldn’t recommend booking a coffee tour in advance.
Instead, choose a coffee farm of your liking and make your way there, paying directly with the farm.
We visited Las Acacias Coffee Farm, and it was amazing! Very relaxed, informative and fun.
As mentioned, you don’t need to book a tour; simply turn up, and they will let you know when the next tour is running (they offer tours in both English and Spanish). The tour was 30,000 COP per person and lasted around an hour.
We arrived mid-morning on a Saturday and expected a crowd, but we had a great group of six, which was the ideal number.
Our guide talked us through the whole coffee process, from growing the fruit to grinding the beans, but did it in a funny, friendly way, inviting questions and allowing the group to mingle.
Afterwards, you get a fresh cup of Colombian coffee to enjoy with your new friends in beautiful surroundings.
We actually walked to Acacias from Salento, and it was a beautiful, lush green walk. It took around an hour and is relatively flat. However, pack plenty of sunscreen and a good hat because it gets extremely hot!
If you don’t want to walk, the shared Jeeps frequently drive up and down the road with all the coffee farms on, so you won’t have to wait for long.
Spend the Afternoon in Filandia
Filandia is renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture, vibrant streets, and stunning natural scenery. It has a very similar vibe to Salento, albeit a smaller version. There are not heaps of things ‘to do’ here, but it’s a beautiful place to walk around and admire the architecture.
I visited on a Sunday, and I would certainly recommend this. There is a famous Sunday market, and the town is full of international and domestic tourists.
We had a surprisingly excellent lunch at La Tia, which was affordable and delicious. There are also plenty of souvenir shops and beautiful jewellery stores if you want to do some retail therapy.
I noticed that many buskers in Filandia expected a few coins for their performances, so be sure to bring some change with you.
How to Get to Filandia
Getting from Salento to Filandia is very easy. You’ll need to take a Willie from the main square (the same spot where they leave for the Cocora Valley). These aren’t as frequent as those to Cocora Valley; instead, they depart on the hour each hour.
I recommend buying your tickets early if you visit Filandia on a weekend. We arrived just after 10 a.m., hoping to catch the 11 a.m. Jeep, but it was already booked.
Instead, we got the noon Jeep, which took around 35 minutes and cost 8,000 COP per person.
We didn’t buy a return ticket, but there were heaps of Jeeps waiting in the main square in Filandia. We only waited around five minutes for one to fill up, and we were on our way.
Enjoy the Colourful Streets
Although there are many fantastic things to do around Salento, you should dedicate half a day to simply enjoying this charming town.
The buildings and streets are bright and colourful, and the locals are extremely friendly. There’s no shortage of great places to eat and drink in the town. So relax, grab an (excellent) coffee, and wander around these epic streets.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy lunch, I recommend dipping into any local restaurant for their ‘menu del dia’. This typically consists of fresh juice, soup, and a main dish. The main dish is usually a choice of meat paired with rice, plantain, and salad. These meals are quick, delicious, and very cheap! They usually start at around 15,000 COP per person.
Hike to The Two Salento Viewpoints
‘Hike’ is a term used lightly here. It only takes between ten and fifteen minutes to reach the two viewpoints in Salento, but they are definitely worth it.
The two viewpoints, clearly marked on Google Maps as ‘Mirador de Salento’ and ‘Mirador Alta de La Cruz’, overlook the spectacular greenery surrounding Salento, and the second looks in the opposite direction, over the city.
It only takes five minutes to walk between the two. Although not quite as spectacular as some other viewpoints in Colombia, I’d still consider this one of Salento’s best things to do.
Eat Trucha
Trucha is the most popular and delicious dish you will find in Salento.
“Trucha” means trout, a freshwater fish commonly found in the rivers and streams of the Andean region. In Salento, trucha is typically prepared in various ways, but one of the most beloved preparations is “trucha al ajillo” (garlic trout) or “trucha frita” (fried trout).
Not only is this dish very tasty, but it is also plentiful and very affordable. You will often find it on the ‘menu del dia’, making it the perfect fresh lunch option.
Play Tejo With Locals
After four weeks of travelling around Colombia, I was so excited that Salento offered me my first experience at playing Tejo! This was one of the best things I did in Salento and I would 100% reccomend it to anyone visiting.
So, what is Tejo you ask?
Simply put, Tejo involves throwing rocks onto a bed of clay with small pockets of gunpowder all over it. If you hit the gunpowder, you get extra points AND an explosion!
It’s a very popular game in Colombia. Although I’m inclined to believe these venues now cater more to inquisitive tourists than locals, there was still a great blend of backpackers and tejo pros in the room.
Some key terms you should get familiar with:
Tejo (Disc): The disc thrown by players. It is usually made of steel and can weigh between 680 grams to over a kilogram.
Bocín (Target): A metal ring set in the clay at the end of the playing field. The objective is to land the tejo within this ring.
Mechas (Gunpowder Envelopes): Small paper envelopes filled with gunpowder placed on the bocín. Hitting these causes a small explosion, which adds to the fun and marks a successful throw.
Cancha (Field): The playing field, usually about 19.5 meters long, although shorter distances are used in recreational play. It is covered with clay to soften the landing of the tejo and make it easier to score.
If you’re travelling as a couple, I would reccomend budding up with some friends from your hostel or hotel. We did this and it made the experience so much more enjoyable.
Drink and Dance The Night Away
I’ve seen Salento referred to as a ‘sleepy town’ quite a few times, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! It’s a charming small town, but it still has plenty of spots to enjoy a drink and a dance!
Most of the bars stay open until around 1 a.m., and there is a great atmosphere, especially those in the town square on the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions – Things to Do in Salento
Cash or Card in Salento?
Although some cafes and restaurants did accept cards, I found that most preferred cash. Therefore, I would say cash is still king in Salento. There is a Divivienda bank in the central square has reasonable fees for foreign cards.
How do I Get Around in Salento?
Salento is a very small town, and you can easily walk from one side to the other. To visit the Cocora Valley, Filanida, or the coffee farms, you can use the Jeeps (known as Willies) that depart from the central square.
The main bus stop is on the cusp of town but is still walkable (even with your backpack!).
How is The Weather in Salento?
The weather in Salento can be summarised in one word: changeable. It can go from glorious sunshine to torrential rain in the blink of an eye, so pack for all eventualities. Expect to need a raincoat and sunscreen in the same afternoon.
