Salento & The Cocora Valley

The ultimate guide to Salento and the famous Cocora Valley

Nestled in Colombia’s coffee region, Salento is a charming, colorful town where travelers hunt for the famous wax palm trees. Whether you’re a nature lover, coffee enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful escape, Salento and its surrounding Cocora Valley offer a special kind of magic.

Salento is the heart of Colombia’s coffee triangle, filled with colorful streets, friendly locals, and mountain views. But the real star is just outside town – The Cocora Valley, home to the world’s talles wax palms, some reaching over 60 meters! Walking under these giants, surrounded by misty cloud forests and hummingbirds, feels like a magical escape into nature.

Salento is about a 3.5-hour drive from Pereira, the nearest city with an airport. From Bogotá or Medellín, you can take a short flight to Pereira, or take the bus and head to Pereira or Armenia from where you can hop on a bus or shared van to Salento. Once in town, everything is walkable.

How to get to the Cocora Valley?

Hop on one of the Willy’s (the so-called jeep-taxi’s) at Calle 2 in Salento, departing daily from 07:00am. They leave whenever one car is full.

At this Willy-Station, you can buy a retour ticket to the Cocora Valley for 9.000 COP. Don’t lose this ticket – you’ll need it to catch a ride back.

There are two main hiking options depending on your available time and fitness level:

1. Shorter Route (Straight to the Palms):
   Walk directly to the main entrance and explore the palm valley — perfect if you’re short on time or just want to admire the iconic trees.
2. Full Loop (Cloud Forest + Palms):
   For the full experience, you can hike the 12 km loop. You can either start at the main entrance, or turn right at the blue gate. You’ll hike through dense cloud forests, cross hanging bridges, spot waterfalls, and of course admire the lush green valley surrounded by towering wax palms — a breathtaking hike.
   🕒 Time: 4–5 hours

💵 Costs:

• Entrance to the valley: 20,000 COP
• Full loop (extra checkpoint): 6,000 COP (+ the entrance fee)

Tip: Along the way, you have an option to visit Acaime Hummingbird House, where you can sip hot chocolate while watching colorful hummingbirds zip through the forest.

• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Rain jacket — weather can change quickly
• Water & snacks
• Sunscreen & bug spray
• Camera or phone — trust us, you’ll want pictures

Salento isn’t just about the valley — there’s plenty more to explore!

• Brunch Cafe: A traveler favorite for huge breakfasts and coffee milkshakes
• Finca El Ocaso: Take a coffee tour and learn how Colombia’s most famous crop goes from bean to cup
• Play Tejo: Colombia’s national game — think cornhole with explosives! Find a Tejo court near the main plaza and give it a try

From cozy hostels to boutique hotels with coffee farm views, Salento offers options for every traveler. Staying in the heart of town lets you enjoy its lively plazas and colorful streets, while countryside accommodations offer peace and stunning landscapes.

Between the sky-high palms, hummingbird encounters, and endless coffee, Salento & the Cocora Valley are straight-up magical. Whether you’re here for adventure, chill time, or both — you’ll leave with muddy shoes, a happy heart, and way too many photos.

Are you heading to Colombia? You might also like:
📍 Colombia in 2 weeks
📍 The Best Things to Do in Bogotá
📍 The Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá