Enjoy Salento
What truly dazzles about the Paisaje Cultural Cafetero is the warmth and kindness of the people in its many towns. When you visit Salento, you’ll realize the secret ingredient of one of the world’s best coffees is something Colombians convey effortlessly: pure love.
Salento is the oldest town in this region, located near Armenia (25 km), Calarcá (26 km), Circasia (15 km), and Filandia (20 km). Adorned with the national tree, “La Palma de Cera,” it stands out for its variety of tourist destinations that attract thousands of visitors yearly.
With an average climate of 18ºC, Salento is notable for its colorful architecture of bahareque houses—a mix of cane, wood, and earth—reminiscent of ancestral building techniques. Its colonial houses draw attention with vibrant color combinations and balconies overflowing with flowerpots and ferns.
What to do in Salento?
As you explore, you’ll pass through the Parque Principal, home to the Mayor’s Office, the Nuestra Señora del Carmen church, numerous restaurants, shops, and cafés. The plaza is adorned with benches and gardens, centered around a statue of Simón Bolívar. Traditional “yipaos,” regional vehicles, fill the streets with market goods, flowers, and cargo, weaving the cultural landscape.
The “calle real” or Carrera Sexta leads from the Plaza de Bolívar to the Cerro Alto de la Cruz. At the end of the walk, a staircase offers one of the region’s best views, showcasing not only the town but also the Valle del Cocora and the Parque Nacional Natural de los Nevados.
Nature lovers can learn about the mystical world of coffee at coffee farms, where its aroma transforms from bush to a steaming cup. You can tour plantations to learn about coffee varieties, production, and preparation processes.
You may also be interested in: Visit Filandia
At these farms, you can stay and share stories by a bonfire with travelers from around the world.
Another nearby destination is the Reserva La Patasola, a 150-hectare humid forest ecosystem open for ecological walks. You’ll find exotic flowers, waterfalls, and enjoy regional birdwatching.
Adventurous globetrotters can visit the Parque Natural de los Nevados, where mountain landscapes showcase thousands of frailejones, moss varieties, arnica plants, and other páramo vegetation that conserve water and feed unique animal species.
As you ascend to 4,700 meters, you’ll encounter rocky formations and green and blue water springs, culminating in the ice of the Nevado. Visit the Paramo de Santa Isabel in a one-day trip or the Nevado del Tolima in a three-day trek.
Visit the beautiful Valle del Cocora
Connecting deeply with nature is the goal of those visiting Valle del Cocora. Choose from various trails to explore the landscape filled with Las Palmas de Cera, reaching up to 60 meters. Options include mountain biking, walking, or paragliding to admire the scenery. The mountain slopes guide you through a unique path of authentic flora and fauna until you touch the clouds.
Finally, savor regional dishes like trout, montañero stew, sancocho, bandeja paisa, and cochinillo a la Cocora. What are you waiting for to try them?
