Jeep rides, waterfalls, nature trekking, quality eats, four-wheeling adventures, nightlife, boutique shopping: there are plenty of things to do in Salento beyond the famous Cocora Valley.
Don’t get me wrong; the towering wax palms of Cocora Valley in Los Nevados National Park are truly stunning, and were surely a highlight of my Salento trip!
However, I wanted to share even more gems in this beautiful country town, so that you can truly connect with the earth, culture, and people - the true spirit of Salento.
As a full-time traveler, I had the luxury of staying 5 nights in this mellow village, longer than most global backpackers and Colombian tourists passing through. The misty forest clouds, rainy afternoons, quiet trails, and colorful storefronts kept me elated and truly grateful to be in this coffee region hotspot.
After 2 months of traveling solo in Colombia, Salento remains one of my favorite cities I visited in the entire country, which is why I have written an entire guide on the beloved Colombia Coffee Region.
So even if you only have a couple of nights to spend here on your travels, here are my recommendations for the absolute top things to do in Salento:
12. Explore Salento’s main square, Plaza Bolivar
While the streets surrounding the main square are extremely steep, you’ll be rewarded with the bustling town center upon your arrival, full of people from around the world, the quintessential church, and plenty of good energy.
Plaza Bolivar is also where you can hire rugged Jeeps to take you anywhere you wish outside of town, for just a few dollars per person.
You’ll find a marketplace of kind pop-up vendors, always busier on the weekends of course. Don’t be afraid to politely ask for a bargain or make a deal.
Empanadas with tangy sauces, juicy meat skewers, warm bunuelos, and more cheap eats scatter the center, for a quick bite after a grueling bus ride. We tried some corn on the cob that was overcooked to the point of tasting like popcorn, but the fruit and micheladas were a safer bet.
11. Truly Unique Shopping at Calle Real
Before you skip this part, understand that I usually don’t shop when I am traveling either. I don’t like to spend money on things I will have to carry around on my back, which are often items mass-produced from China.
Salento’s Calle Real is different. We found items useful for the climate on this principal street, such as the big cozy sweater I got for $6 and winter hood/scarf combos, ideal for those cold Salento nights.
One of our favorite things to do in Salento after adventure activities was to peruse the boutiques in search of handmade goods specific to the region and chat with the artisans. We even found out about a few private parties and the best things to do by talking with the locals.
10. Climb the Salento steps to Mirador Alto de la Cruz
At the end of Calle Real, you will see a real stairway to heaven. Colorful steps lead you to the top of the mirador, or viewpoint, of the entire town.
It only takes a few minutes to ascend, and you’ll be rewarded with a magical sunset… or actually, just a sea of gray clouds.
The gloomy view from the Mirador. Probably a better thing to do in Salento when the sun is out!
I’m not going to lie; this countryside oasis receives lots of rain and fog depending on the time of year, but you could be lucky on a clear day. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most essential things to do in Salento when you arrive to scope the lay of the land.
9. Drink and dance at charming bars in Salento
Let’s just say that dancing at Mojiteria Resto-bar was a pretty memorable thing to do on a night in Salento… (Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor)
While some nights can be dead if it’s pouring rain, the dry nights came alive with a combination of Colombian people and hippie backpackers roaming Calle Real for things to do in Salento’s evening.
Mojiteria Resto-bar is the best place to dance, period. They attract DJs and friendly clientele, making it easy for a sola chica to meet other people. (It’s also across from Makao, a stylish restaurant to start the night with filling Italian food and a glass of wine).
Kafe Del Alma is a tiny bar with lots of soul, but plays chill music while serving craft cocktails, making it easy to chat with locals and travelers in an intimate setting.
Be forewarned, however, those exciting plans for a sunrise hike that you make with drunken acquaintances at 1 AM might not always come to fruition in the morning!
And, after a few Club Colombia beers, you might even start thinking you can speak another language that you’ve never studied, but it doesn’t hurt to try…
8. Eat all types of international food
Before we get into the adventurous things to do, let me just note that Salento was the only place in Colombia where we found gourmet cured cheese!
It cost about $1.25 per sharing-size block of artisanal cheese… a complete steal.
We’re not even halfway through the article and I’ve already talked about cheese, beer and shopping. Well, pleasure is good for the spirit too! Enjoying yourself should be your top thing to do in Salento, especially after that long ride…
Yes, it is absolutely essential to embrace the local cuisine and experience real Colombian food on your trip. However, after 2 months traveling throughout Colombia, I ate enough bandeja paisas and menus del dia that it’s worth mentioning that Salento offers traveler delights, from sushi rolls to Mediterranean fare to vegan options.
As long as you don’t miss out on the Colombian coffee, local trout, arepas, and all sorts of street food, you are allowed to feed your spirit with some gouda and truffle cheese in Salento, since you might not find it elsewhere in the country.
7. Rent ATVs
Photo by Elievan Junior
Ready for adventure? You can rent ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) from the kiosk in the main square. These four-wheelers fit 1 or 2 people and can be rented for about $20 an hour if you want to cover more terrain outside of Salento in a thrilling way.
While we were too tired from hiking to rent one ourselves, we saw many ATV riders along the coffee farm trail roaming the outskirts of Salento, to give you an idea of where you’re free to drive.
Don't Skip Travel Insurance
Hey! I totally understand being a backpacker on a budget, but you don't want to miss purchasing travel insurance for Colombia. This article discusses some dangerous activities, often in the mud or rain, and you want to be able to enjoy them all with peace of mind. Things are different in South America, trust me.
I use SafetyWing Travel Insurance because it's easy and cheap. Get a quote in one minute, just enter what countries you are going to and for how long and you are ready to go.
6. Self Guided Hike along Coffee Farm Trail
One of my favorite things to do in Salento was walking the less-popular “coffee farm trail”. Despite the name, you don’t have to love coffee - just nature!
This peaceful trail will show you a more rural side of Salento, away from the commotion of Calle Real. Best, it’s a free way to spend a few hours and is approachable for all skill levels.
It’s called the coffee farm trail because you have the option to stop in a couple fincas / cafes that are dispersed farther down the road. They offer tours, but we just enjoyed sipping on a cup and eating pastries midway through the hike, watching the farm animals from high up in the sky.
The unobstructed viewpoints of Colombia’s countryside exhilarated my wandering spirit and breathed an unmatched serenity into my heart at 7000 feet (over 2000 meters). We talked to cows, dogs, bikers, caballeros (cowboys) and other hikers who passed us along the way. Yes, sometimes I talk to animals…
I used AllTrails to map the route which you can find here.
The hiking trail actually starts out as a road, but after about half a mile it is free of cars. You will head west, crossing the yellow bridge to the “other” side of Salento, and soon find yourself in the beautiful forest.
The entire route took us about 3 hours, with the first half flat or downhill, followed by a couple of steep hills, but nothing crazy - just enough to get the heart pumping!
5. Tour a Coffee Farm
I’m editing this article at 8 PM, but now I want coffee…
If you follow the Coffee Farm trail detailed above, you can reach Salento’s coffee farms without having to pay for transportation. If not, take a jeep ride from the main square to Las Acacias, Don Elias, or El Ocaso fincas.
El Ocaso is the grandest and most notable finca in Salento, based on recommendations from townspeople and popularity. The landscape was beautiful, though we found it to be less approachable than the smaller coffee farms along the way. If you would like to visit a larger plantation, it’s certainly worth looking into, and top-rated.
Don Elias’s coffee farm was quaint and welcoming, with its colorful exterior full of life and foliage. In addition to tours, they offer organic food as well in their cafe. While we didn’t take the tour, they were helpful to our questions and explained that they give a view of the traditional farming process.
Las Acacias was our place to relax and drink rich coffee. Perched up on the mountainside above the valley, they advertise tours of their small family-run farm to learn about coffee and authentic Colombian culture of the area.
Prefer to tour with a group and not have to worry about transportation? Here is a tour to El Ocaso I found on TripAdvisor.
4. Santa Rita Waterfall
Located north of town in Boquia, the hike to Santa Rita waterfall remains an elusive thing to do in Salento, as no other travelers I met had heard of it! We even missed it ourselves, but you don’t have to make the same mistake, as I am here to relay the updated information to you.
Here is the map of the hike to Santa Rita waterfall. I also suggest you use the free app maps.me, with the map of Salento downloaded beforehand. It takes 45 minutes on the actual trail from Finca Santa Rita ($1 charge to enter). However, to get to the Finca Santa Rita, you can walk from town an extra 45 minutes one way. So, if you walk from town and back, the entire hiking time will be 3 hours. Plus, time to dip and wade in the waters if the weather permits!
To walk to Santa Rita waterfall from town, start at the Plantation House Travelers Hostel. Continue down the road called Camino Nacional. This will lead you all the way down until you cross a yellow bridge. After the bridge, turn right on the dirt road just after Finca Hotel Rancho San Antonio. You should see signs pointing towards Cascada Santa Rita.
Another option is to take a Willy Jeep for about $5 each way.
Enjoy a trail and natural attraction where you may not cross any other hikers, especially during the week when Salento is slow.
3. Horseback Riding
Besides Cocora Valley, there is actually another spot to see Colombia’s famous wax palms.
Many tour groups provide horseback riding along the Salento-Toche road to the south east of town. These tours include horse riding, picnic lunch, a guide, and opportunity to stop at Haciendas and Fincas.
Talk to animals everywhere you go… it’s a great thing to do for the spirit.
Horseback riding is one of the most popular things to do in Salento and the Colombia Coffee Region in general. Other than Toche road, you can ride horses to any of the aforementioned places, including Cocora Valley, Santa Rita waterfall, and the Coffee Farm trail. It’s an efficient way to see more landscape while giving your knees a break, as well as an opportunity to connect with majestic animals.
Show your horse some love and affection, and you will feel like a real campesina in Salento!
2. Mountain Biking Tour
In the lazy afternoons in Salento, you are going to see mountain bikers… covered in mud from head to toe. Biking tours are an extreme way to see Salento, as the trails are muddy from all the rain.
While I prefer hiking to taking a legit mud bath, these bikers from our hostel and throughout the town all had big smiles on their faces, most likely from the epic scenery and great exercise.
Our host explained that the bike tours also run along the Salento-Toche road, and include the picnic lunch, biking and equipment, and a guide. Plus, they are a cheaper option than the horseback riding or ATV options, but faster than traveling on foot.
1. Hike Cocora Valley
Of course, the number one thing to do in Salento is arguably hiking Cocora Valley, or Valle de Cocora as it is officially called.
The enormous wax palms are the cornerstone of Los Nevados National Park, and honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason.
In my two weeks patrolling through Colombia’s Coffee Region, I would say our day in Cocora Valley was one of my top 3 highlights. (My other two favorites were the self-guided coffee farm trail in Salento that I mentioned, and horseback riding in Jardin, Colombia).
In Cocora Valley, you will hike not only through the wax palm tree hills, but also down zig zag valleys, under forested-ceilings, across suspension bridges, and even to a “hummingbird house” in the mountains.
I’ve written an entire article on how to hike Cocora Valley (make sure you hike the correct direction), how to get there, and what tips I have for the best visit. Some of our party had to turn around halfway, so make sure to be prepared for one of the most wonderful days on your Colombia trip!
How many days in Salento, Colombia?
If you have the time to relax and do every single thing on this list, you could easily spend a week or more in Salento. However, most travelers have other places to visit in Colombia, and will enjoy a well-rounded time with just 3-4 nights in Salento.
I definitely wouldn’t suggest visiting Salento any less than 3 nights, even on a tight itinerary, because it takes a couple of buses to get there and you want time to settle in.
Salento has a little bit of everything: adventure, nature, and culture. You might as well stop and smell the roses… or, the dark roast coffee.
The colorfully painted buildings of Salento, Colombia. Everyone has a balcony, and they watch the city at sunset. (Actually, they seem to always be sitting out there…)
3 Day Itinerary in Salento
Here is a sample itinerary for my Lone Wolfettes if you have just 3 days in Salento:
Day 1
Explore the colorful streets and mountain views
Have a coffee and snack on street food in the main square, Plaza Bolivar
Walk down Calle Real and wander in country-style boutiques
Climb the steps to the Mirador, Alto de la Cruz to take in a bird’s eye view of the city
Taste international cuisine, famous Trout, or the “menu del dia”
Day 2
Hike Cocora Valley all day, enjoying a jeep ride there and back.
Reward yourself with drinks and dancing in the evening!
Day 3
Walk along the self-guided coffee farm route with an option for a plantation tour
OR Hike to Santa Rita waterfall for a swim
OR Do a biking/horseback riding tour along the Salento-Toche route
Where to stay in Salento
Best Hostels to Stay in Salento
Estrella de Agua: The hospitality at this hostel was unmatched (thanks Niko!). They explained in detail all the activities I could do in the area, plus they have a beautiful courtyard with hammocks, and are only a short walk from the bus station so you don’t have to carry your heavy bags up the hill.
Estrella de Agua, a good hostel to stay at in Salento with a lovely courtyard and very helpful staff.
Viajero Hostel: I didn’t stay in the Viajero in Salento, but it’s worth a mention as I have stayed in Viajero hostels before and they are a safe bet if you want to meet other people. They are always booked full of travelers, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your preference.
Check out other top rated hostels in Salento on Hostelworld.
How to get to Salento, Colombia
All the details of my bus routes and how to get around the entire coffee region can be found in my main guide to Colombia’s Coffee Region. However, here is a brief overview of how to get to Salento.
Salento is just a 1.25-hour bus ride from Pereira bus terminal and costs $3. On almost all trips, you must go through Pereira to reach Salento.
You can reach Pereira by bus from Manizales, Armenia, or Riosucio.
From Medellin to Salento
While I’ve heard of a direct bus from Medellin to Salento with private tour companies, the construction on the roads can make the 6-hour trip almost 11 hours, as many travelers have detailed.
If you’re coming straight from Medellin, I suggest you fly to Pereira and then take the bus from there. You will save a lot of time and headaches, and the cost of flights can be as low as $50.
The route I took was Medellin - Jardin - Manizales - Pereira - Salento, and then flew out of Pereira back north at the end of my trip, since I had already taken so many buses.
Tips for Visiting Salento, Colombia
- Money: You will mostly use cash for purchases in Salento. However, there are ATMs in the main square. For all other credit card purchases in Colombia, make sure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees (I use Chase, and you get money back on every purchase).
- Tours: Although I’ve provided links for tours in Salento, you can often book directly with your hostel when you arrive and find cheaper deals with local tours.
- Spanish: Although you can survive without it, knowing Spanish is going to help you tremendously in Colombia, especially in small towns like Salento. For example, my entire hostel check-in process was in Spanish where they described all the tours and prices. Additionally, you can make more friends if you know Spanish and just have a much better (and safer) time. I use the app/website Italki to practice Spanish with locals for as low as $5 per video session, and you can filter countries by "Colombia" only to get used to the specific accent.
- Safety: In Salento I felt very safe, but it's always necessary to be mindful of yourself and your belongings. I carry an anti-theft purse to safeguard from theft. Also, as I mentioned before, travel insurance is absolutely essential, so if you need a cheap option check out SafetyWing which is popular with many backpackers.
Where to go next after Salento?
Backpackers in Salento are mostly heading either south or north. I came from the north, beginning my bus route in Medellin, and decided to make Salento my most southern destination.
Other backpackers may keep going south to Cali, the salsa capital, or come from there.
I have heard mixed things about Cali - it is known to be a bit riskier than other cities mentioned, so you need to take the usual precautions when visiting this region if you are a sola gringa.
That being said, I talked to tons of other solo female travelers who went to Cali and had a wonderful time. The truth is, I just didn’t have enough time, and Colombia is full of so many options that you probably won’t be able to hit it all.
Wherever you go, there can be a risk of theft or scams, and at the same time, every place has something beautiful to offer. Just be aware you won’t want to walk around alone at night in certain areas. A good resource to talk to is your hostel hosts, as they usually know the area best.
Simply walking the streets of quiet and peaceful Salento was one of my favorite things to do… after the cheese of course.
What to pack for Salento and the Coffee Region of Colombia
If you don’t want to take up time roaming the streets of Salento for your gear or appropriate clothing, I can tell you exactly what you need to pack beforehand.
As always, you want to keep your pack as light as possible and only pack the essentials, to avoid that extra weight on Salento’s ridiculously steep streets!
The essentials to pack:
- Hiking boots or good walking shoes (so muddy, ankle support is best)
- Lightweight Raincoat or poncho (especially in rainy season)
- Warm clothing/jacket
- Refillable water bottle
- Waterproof Day Pack
Since you will likely be visiting other cities in Colombia, be sure to check out my complete guide on what to pack for Colombia’s diverse climates.
Pack for Colombia
What to Wear, Essential Gear, and More
Conclusion: Travel for the Spirit in Salento
In Salento, I was truly happy. I felt like I could connect with the spirit of Colombia in an authentic way.
This colonial town has a perfect blend of travelers and the local community, where both are mutually beneficial to each other. There is a cheerful vibe in the air, with the internationals as well as other Colombian tourists mingling with the country folks of Salento.
Visiting Salento allows the opportunity to respect and honor mother nature, as well as support local farms and businesses. The vendors, hosts, and artisans seemed genuinely happy to receive an influx of people interested in their offerings, homes, or art. My favorite day in Salento was Sunday; although it was crowded, there was so much positive energy beaming through the town, even with the mob of motorbikers riding through!
When you visit Salento, Colombia, I know your experience will be unique. Though I didn’t do every single thing on this list, it’s not about ticking off the boxes. Ask around about the best things to do, talk to people, follow your heart and energy level, and just enjoy the views!
hi wolfette, i’m molly
Travel is a spiritual experience for me, especially when adventuring solo.
After visiting 6 continents on my own, I’ve dedicated this project to assisting other Lone Wolfettes on their journeys.
I hope my travel guides help you find the same joy, connection, and empowerment that exploring our planet has given me.
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