Quindío, Coffee Cultural Landscape · Colombia
A colourful coffee town and a valley of towering wax palms in the misty green hills of the UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0
Salento is a small village in the Quindío department, in the coffee-growing heartland of Colombia, and the gateway to the Cocora Valley. The whole region, with its terraced hillsides of coffee, bamboo-and-mud farmhouses and traditions, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia. Salento itself is a delight, with brightly painted single-storey houses and wooden balconies on Calle Real, a shopping street of crafts and cafés.
The main draw is the Cocora Valley, home to the Quindío wax palm, Colombia's national tree, which grows up to 60 metres, the tallest palm in the world. The palms rise above green pastures and cloud forest, with cows grazing at their feet. The classic loop hike takes 5 to 6 hours through forest, across rope bridges and to a hummingbird sanctuary, before emerging among the palms.
Around Salento, coffee farms offer tours where you can see the process from picking to roasting, and taste the results. Filandia, another pretty village, is nearby. The area is best enjoyed over two or three days, with time to slow down.
Why visit
Salento and Cocora are the postcard of Colombia's coffee country.
Quindío wax palms.
Tours and tastings.
Colourful Calle Real.
Loops through cloud forest.
At feeding stations.
Main attractions
The valley is 11 km from the village.
A valley of green pastures and the national tree, the wax palm, with hiking loops and horse rides.
Tip Start early to beat cloud and crowds.
The village's main pedestrian street, lined with painted houses, craft shops and cafés.
Tip Walk in the late afternoon.
A viewpoint reached by a stairway from the plaza, looking over the village and the hills.
Tip Go at sunset.
Horse rides through the valley are a popular alternative to hiking.
Tip Choose a reputable stable.
Farms such as Don Elías and El Ocaso offer tours and tastings.
Tip Book a morning tour.
Another colourful coffee village nearby, with a viewing tower.
Tip Go by bus.
Things to do
Salento is for hiking and coffee.
5 to 6 hours through the valley.
Tip Go early.
See picking to roasting.
Tip Book a small farm.
The classic transport to Cocora.
Tip Leave from the plaza.
A traditional explosive game.
Tip Try it with locals.
At Acaime reserve.
Tip Bring a camera.
Local trout with patacones.
Tip Try it at Cocora.
Local food
Coffee-region food is simple.
Grilled with patacones.
Where to try it Cocora and Salento.
Fresh from the farm.
Where to try it Farms.
Fried plantain.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Regional platter.
Where to try it Restaurants.
A local treat.
Where to try it Cafés.
Accommodation
Stay in Salento or on a coffee farm.
Transport
Salento is reached from Pereira or Armenia.
Jeeps and walking work.
When to go
The Coffee Region is wet much of the year.
Driest.
Wet.
Drier.
Wet, and trails muddy.
Worth planning around: Rainy afternoons, when the trail is muddy.
Itinerary
Palms and coffee.
Palms.
Farm and village.
Travel tips
A few tips help you plan.
FAQ
5 to 6 hours.
Yes.
Fly to Pereira and take a bus.
December to March.
Yes.
Two.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Salento and Cocora, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Antioquia, Aburrá Valley, Colombia
Colombia's innovation city, with Comuna 13's street art and escalators, Plaza Botero, Metrocable rides, Parque Arví, El Poblado's restaurants and a mild climate all year.
Don't miss Riding the Metrocable up to the hillside neighbourhoods, with the whole valley spread out below.
Explore Destination — MedellínAntioquia, east of Medellín, Colombia
A colourful town on a reservoir near Medellín, with painted zócalos, the 200-metre El Peñol rock, boat trips and lakeside walks.
Don't miss The view from the top of El Peñol, over a maze of islands and reservoir arms.
Explore Destination — Guatapé and El PeñolCundinamarca, Andean highlands, Colombia
Colombia's capital at 2,640 metres, with La Candelaria's colonial streets, the Gold and Botero museums, Monserrate, street art, restaurants and the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral.
Don't miss Riding the cable car to the Monserrate sanctuary for a view over the vast city.
Explore Destination — BogotáRead next
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