The Cocora Valley is one of Colombia’s most iconic destinations, and once you see it, you’ll understand why. The valley is filled with lone-standing wax palms, Colombia’s national tree, shooting straight up out of the green hills. It’s one of the most dramatic landscapes of the country.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to visit and hike the Cocora Valley, from how to get there and when to go, the best way to hike the full loop and what it’ll cost you.
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What is the Cocora Valley?
The Cocora Valley is a valley which used to be covered in cloud forest. The iconic wax trees are part of this cloudforest, and in this natural environment, you hardly notice them as they only just stick out of the forest.
When the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century they cut down most of the trees for timber and replaced them with grassland for cattle. The wax palms were spared simply because they weren’t useful for timber, and that’s how the iconic landscape we know today was created.
Where is the Cocora Valley?
The Cocora Valley is located in the Coffee region, just south of MedellĂn and west of Bogotá. The Coffee Region is a beautiful part of Colombia, and the Cocora Valley fits naturally into a longer trip through the area.
The closest town and main gateway to the Valley is Salento. Salento is a charming colonial town worth spending a day or two in, and nearby towns like Filandia and JardĂn are great add-ons if you have more time.
When to travel to the Cocora Valley
The Cocora Valley can be visited year round, but there are more and less favorable months. The dry season runs from December to April and from June to August, which are generally the best months to visit weather-wise. July and August can get very crowded though, so I’d avoid these two months if you can.
During the rainy season the valley can get muddy, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re planning to hike the full loop. That said, even in the rainy season it normally doesn’t rain all day, so it’s still very much doable. The upside of visiting in the wetter months is that there tend to be fewer crowds.
How to get to the Cocora Valley
The most common town to travel to the Cocora Valley from, is Salento. Jeep Willys takes you from the central square (Plaza de BolĂvar) to the valley for 10.000 COP (return). They are old jeeps which function as a shuttle service. As soon as they are full (and with full, I mean really full with people standing on the back), they leave.
If you prefer a smaller, less crowded town, you can also easily travel to the Valley from Filandia. Short on time and prefer to travel here from a bigger hub? Armenia is probably the best place to travel to the Cocora Valley from. Getting to Armenia is the easiest out of the three from cities like MedellĂn and Bogotá. But there are also direct buses between MedellĂn and Salento.
How to visit the Cocora Valley
There are several ways to visit the Cocora Valley, ranging from a quick picture in the main area to a full day hiking experience.
If you’re only interested in getting some pictures, head to the main area straight away. Just be aware that over time it has become super touristy and this area is now full with structures to take pictures and selfies. So for a better experience, I recommend doing a hike.
The most popular circuit is a 8.5Â km loop which takes you through farmland, cloudforest and the iconic area with the wax palms. You can extend the hike slightly and visit La casa de los colibri (the hummingbird house). Personally, I didn’t think it was worth it when I went in 2019. So in 2024, we decided to skip. If you haven’t seen any, or many hummingbirds yet or you’re looking for a drink or a bite to eat, you might want to visit. But otherwise I’d skip.
Heading to the Iguazu Falls during your South American trip? Check out the hummingbird house in Puerto IguazĂş. I’ve never seen so many hummingbirds and other birds together and the guys running it are very knowledgeable and passionate about their project. I think it’s much better value.
How to hike the Cocora Valley loop anti-clockwise
You can walk this loop clockwise or counterclockwise. I did it counterclockwise and I can recommend doing it this way for two reasons. Firstly, you’ll save the most iconic area for last. So you’ll keep the highlight for last. And secondly, this way you’ll do the slightly steeper part uphill, with the downhill being a little gentler on your knees compared to hiking clockwise.
When leaving the area where the jeep will drop you off, head left to find the trail. You’ll soon see a blue fence on your right-hand side. If you want to do the trail counterclockwise, turn right here↗. If you want to go clockwise, continue straight to the main area first.
You’ll come across a small office where you’ll need to pay a small fee of 6.000 COP in order to access the private land. There is a map too and the person charging you the fee can explain more about the trail. The trail isn’t difficult to follow, but it is important to know that this trail goes into the mountains. So don’t just blindly follow the trail thinking it will lead you back to the parking area, but pay attention to the signs along the trail and make sure to have an offline map downloaded so you can check whether you’re still on the right track throughout the hike. You wouldn’t be the first person who got lost in this area.Â
The first part of the anti-clockwise trail goes uphill along a river which you’ll need to cross a couple of times. After about 3.5-4 km, you’ll come to an intersection. In order to head to the Palm area of the Cocora Valley, head left. If you want to visit Casa de Los Colibries↗, keep going straight at this and the next intersection (check the signs!) and walk back the same way to the initial intersection to head to the palms. Â
From here it’s a steeper climb up to Finca La Montaña, which is a great place for a break with gorgeous views (if it’s not cloudy). The hard part is done when you get here, so you can relax for a bit and before continuing the loop downhill towards the palms. Now I’d take my time at the beginning of the palm area, because the closer to the entrance you get, the busier it gets, both with people and structures.Â
How much does it cost to visit the Cocora Valley?
The fee to enter the main area with the palm trees is 20.000 COP. If you want to hike the bigger loop described above, you’ll need to pay an additional fee of 6.000 COP to access private land. If you’re hiking the bigger loop, you can also visit Casa de los Colibris (House of the hummingbirds). They have an entrance fee of 20.000 COP and give you a drink.
So if you want to visit all 3 places on the route, visiting the Cocora Valley costs 56.000 COP, including transport.
Finishing thoughts on how to visit and hike the Cocora Valley
The Cocora Valley is absolutely worth visiting. There really is nowhere else quite like it, and the landscape is as dramatic in person as it looks in photos. That said, the main area closest to the entrance has gotten quite touristy over the years, with selfie structures and crowds that can take away from the experience a little.
The good news is that it’s easy to still get a good experience and to feel immersed in nature. Do the full loop and take your time in the quieter parts of the trail before you reach the main area. While you won’t see as many palm trees there, I still think that’s where the valley is at its best.
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FAQ about the Cocora Valley
The full 8.5 km loop is moderate. The counterclockwise route starts with a slow uphill along the river, followed by a steeper climb up to Finca La Montaña. It’s not technically difficult, but the elevation gain means you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness. The second half is mostly downhill and easy going. Though a bit harder on the knees.
Most people complete the full loop in 3 to 4 hours, depending on your pace and how long you stop along the way. Add extra time if you plan to visit Casa de los Colibris or linger in the palm area or at Finca La Montaña
Wear comfortable hiking shoes with a good grip, as parts of the trail can get muddy. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a light rain jacket regardless of the season. The valley is at altitude, so the weather can change throughout the day. Download an offline map before you go as well since there is no reliable phone signal on the trail.
Yes, this is actually the most popular way to do it! The jeep ride from Salento takes about 20 minutes and runs regularly throughout the day. If you’re staying in Salento, it’s very easy to visit for the day and be back in town for dinner.
Yes. The main palm area near the entrance is accessible without doing the full loop and is where most of the iconic photos are taken. Just keep in mind that this area is the most crowded and has become quite commercial over the years, so manage your expectations.Â