Salento is one of Colombia’s most visited towns. This colorful colonial town is located in the heart of the Coffee Region and surrounded by coffee farms where you can learn about the process and taste some seriously good coffee. Salento is also the main gateway to the iconic Cocora Valley. Three days gives you enough time to see it all and with this 3-day Salento itinerary you can make the most of them.
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Table of Contents - Salento Itinerary: 3 Perfect Days in Colombia’s Coffee Region
How to get to Salento, Colombia
Salento is located in the Colombian coffee region, south of Medellín and east of Bogotá. Because of its central location, it’s fairly easy to reach Salento from a few different cities in Colombia.
If you’re traveling to Salento from Bogotá or Neiva, you’ll need to take a bus to Armenia first, then continue to Salento by van from the terminal. You can also go via Pereira, but Armenia is usually the easier option.
If you’re traveling to Salento from Medellín, you can take a direct bus with Flota Occidental, or travel via Pereira.
It’s also possible to travel to Salento directly from Jardín, another lovely town to visit in the coffee region. But there are no direct buses. You’ll first need to take a bus from Jardín to Rio Sucio with Cootransrio from where you can take another bus to Salento at 1.15pm with Flota Occidental. If you’ve missed the direct bus, you can travel via Pereira.
When to visit Salento
The weather in Salento is pretty stable throughout the year. Temperatures and rainfall do vary a bit by month, but the average daytime temperature is around 21°C (70°F). At night, it can drop to around 13°C (55°F).
There are two dry seasons: December to February and July to August, but rain is possible year-round so always pack a (light) rain jacket.
Where to stay in Salento
Salento has a wide range of accommodation, from budget hostels and guesthouses to more scenic stays outside town. If you want to be close to transport options, restaurants, cafes, and the main square, staying in Salento itself is the easiest option. If you prefer a quieter, more rural setting, you can also look at places a little outside town, including some coffee farm stays.
Pousada Elenita↗ is a great budget option in Salento and offers good value for money. There’s a shared fridge available, and you can get hot water for coffee or tea.
3-day Salento itinerary
3 days is a great amount of time to spend in Salento. It gives you enough time to explore the town itself, spend a day in the Cocora Valley, and visit at least one coffee farm. That way you get a good mix of the main highlights without feeling rushed, and you still have time to slow down a bit and enjoy the town.
Day 1: Arriving + viewpoint
After you’ve checked into your accommodation, go for a stroll around town. Calle 4 (Calle Real) is the main street, but the whole town is very pretty with its colorful colonial architecture. If you can’t wait to go for a coffee, Jesus Martin is the most popular place in town. Around sunset, head up to the viewpoint↗ just outside of town.
For dinner, we really loved La Cuesta de la Abuela↗ right on the main square. They offer a wide range of food with great value for money. Try to get a table at the window for great views over the square and surrounding mountains.
Day 2: Valle de Cocora
Spend your second day in the Cocora Valley. You can easily get here and back with the jeep shuttles that leave from the main square.
You can choose to do a shorter half-day trip and just visit the main area where most of the wax palms are located, but I recommend doing a full-day hiking trip. The main area has become very touristy over time, and I think combining it with a hike in the surrounding nature makes for a better experience.
For more info about the valley and how to plan a trip here, check out my guide to hiking the Cocora Valley.
Day 3: Explore the area and coffee farms around Salento
Hike the circular trail from Salento with the option to visit several places along the way. The trail itself goes through the forest, along a river and past farms. There are plenty of birds and butterflies along the way too, so keep your eyes and ears open!
The first place worth a stop is Kasaguadua, about 30 minutes into your hike. At this natural reserve, they preserve and recover the native cloud forest. They have daily tours↗ for visitors where they explain more about the cloud forest and the Cocora Valley in English and Spanish. They also have accommodation↗, but note that it’s a real eco-stay. While it’s an amazing place, it’s not for everyone.
Keep following the trail and you’ll pass several coffee farms where you can either join a tour, or simply have a coffee. If you’re getting hungry, there are a few restaurants between Kasaguadua and Ocaso. Once you’ve passed Ocaso, you’ll need to wait until Boquilo to get food.
View and save the trail on Komoot here↗.
Other things to do in Salento
More time to spend in Salento? I’d recommend spending a night or two at a coffee farm outside of town for a different experience.
Horseback riding is a popular activity in Salento and many places offer tours. There are several routes to choose from, including one that visits coffee plantations, and Cascada Santa Rita.
Cascada Santa Rita is a nice place to visit regardless, even if you don’t want to go horseback riding. You have to pay a small entrance fee and then you can hike to two waterfalls through the forest.
Those who want to do a more challenging hike and have more time might want to look into hiking to El Nevado de Tolima in Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados. This is a multi-day trek which I believe can only be done with a guide. Ask agencies in town if you’re interested.
Finishing thoughts about this 3-day Salento itinerary
Salento is a great place to explore the Coffee Region from, but it’s certainly not the only town worth visiting. Jardín and Jericó are especially nice if you want a more authentic, laid-back colonial-town feel, while Filandia is quieter and less touristy than Salento, but still very easy to visit. If you want to add some hot springs to your trip, Santa Rosa de Cabal is also worth looking into.
Ready for your trip to Salento? Let us know what your favorite place was in the comments below!
| Guide | What You'll Find |
|---|---|
| The Ultimate Travel Guide to Colombia | Planning a trip to Colombia? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before you go. |
| How to Visit & Hike the Cocora Valley | Everything you need to know to plan a day trip to the Cocora Valley, including the best hiking routes. |
| How to Visit Tayrona National Park | A practical guide to visiting one of Colombia's most stunning national parks on the Caribbean coast. |
| How to Travel to Cabo de la Vela Without a Tour | Getting to this remote desert peninsula on your own is easier than you think and here's exactly how to do it. |
| What to Do in Mompox | Colombia's most atmospheric colonial town is well off the beaten track and here's why it's worth the detour. |
| Best Things to Do in the Tatacoa Desert | One of Colombia's most underrated landscapes: A guide to exploring the red and grey canyons of Tatacoa. |
| How to Visit Caño Cristales | The "river of five colors" is one of Colombia's most spectacular natural wonders find out when it occurs and how to visit. |
FAQ about traveling to Salento, Colombia
Yes. Salento is one of the most popular bases in Colombia’s Coffee Region because it combines a pretty colonial town, easy access to Cocora Valley, and plenty of coffee-focused activities.
Salento is the better base if Cocora Valley is your main priority. Filandia is a nice alternative if you want a quieter town with a more laid-back feel, but for this itinerary, Salento is still the more practical choice.
Yes, Salento is generally considered a safe and easy place to visit for most travelers, especially compared with Colombia’s bigger cities. That said, you should still use normal travel caution.
Bring a light rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and layers for changing weather. Even in the dry season, mountain weather can shift quickly, so you want to be well prepared, especially if you’re hiking.
Yes, it’s a popular stop for solo travelers because it’s easy to navigate, has a strong backpacker scene, and is straightforward to use as a base for day trips.