Salento Travel Guide

Plan your trip to Salento with this comprehensive travel guide. Discover the best things to do, places to visit, where to stay, and more.


Salento Travel Guide - A Comprehensive Tour Guide for Salento

Salento is a charming town located in the heart of Colombia’s coffee country in the Andino region of South America. It’s a mesmerizing place with stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture, making it a popular destination for travelers. This comprehensive tour guide for Salento would help you plan a perfect trip to this beautiful town.

Introduction to Salento

Salento is a small town nestled in the Andes Mountains, surrounded by lush green coffee plantations and vast valleys. It’s a town filled with vibrant colored buildings, cobbled streets, and friendly locals that make it a perfect destination for those looking to immerse themselves in Colombian culture. The town is known for its coffee production, stunning landscapes, and colorful traditional houses.

List of Places to Visit in Salento

Salento has an abundance of places to visit, from outdoor adventures and scenic views to museums and historical sites. Here is a list of must-visit places:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Casa de la Cultura: This culture house is an old colonial building that has been converted into a museum showcasing the culture of Salento.
  • Museo del Oro Quimbaya: This museum features an impressive collection of gold artifacts produced by the Quimbaya culture between the 1st and 7th centuries A.D.
  • Paso del Mango: This is a historic village located in a valley north of Salento. It offers a great glimpse into the traditional way of life in Colombia.

Natural Attractions of Salento: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Valle de Cocora: A stunning valley filled with incredibly tall wax palms, the national tree of Colombia. It offers excellent hiking and horseback riding opportunities.
  • Coffee Farms: Salento is in the heart of Colombia’s coffee country, and there are several plantations providing tours to visitors.
  • Salento Viewpoint: A short hike from the town center, this viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and town.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Salento

Salento is a haven for hiking and biking enthusiasts, with several trails available. Some options are:

  • Valle de Cocora: There are various hiking routes through the valley, ranging from easy walks to demanding trails.
  • Camino Real: This is an old trekking trail that leads from Salento’s town center to the local mountains.
  • Biking tour to Filandia: This biking tour takes you through the scenic countryside to the nearby town of Filandia.

Best Things to Do in Salento: Activities and Tours

  • Coffee plantation tours: You get to experience the entire coffee-making process from planting to roasting.
  • Hiking in the Valle de Cocora: The valley offers a breathtaking experience with wax palms visible throughout the hike.
  • Horseback Riding: Enjoy a beautiful ride through the countryside, up mountains, and passing by streams.
  • Zip-lining: Get a thrill by soaring over the valley floor and witnessing the beauty of Salento from above.

Week-Long Itinerary for Salento

A week-long itinerary for Salento includes:

Day Activity
1 Arrival, town tour, and dinner
2 Coffee farm tour and hiking
3 Horseback riding tour and lunch
4 Visit to nearby town of Filandia
5 Valle de Cocora Hike and picnic
6 Zip-lining, hot springs, and spa
7 Shopping and Departure

Food and Drink Scene of Salento

Colombian cuisine is known to be deliciously diverse; Salento offers plenty of options. Here are some must-try dishes and beverages:

Must-Try Dishes

  • Ajiaco: A potato soup made with chicken, capers, corn, and avocado.
  • Trucha: A trout dish served with coconut rice and deep-fried plantains.
  • Empanadas: Stuffed pastries filled with meat, cheese, potatoes, or vegetables.

Local Beverages

  • Cafe Tinto: Local coffee made from carefully selected beans from the surrounding plantations.
  • Aguardiente: A sugarcane-based Colombian liquor served at the end of the meal.
  • Chicha: A fermented corn beverage that is a traditional Colombian drink.

Where to Stay in Salento: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Salento has a great variety of accommodation options. Whether you’re looking for luxury hotels or budget-friendly guesthouses, there’s something for everyone. Some popular options include:

  • Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel: A cozy, budget-friendly hostel that’s perfectly located just a block away from the town’s main square.
  • Hotel Salento Real: A colonial-style hotel with comfortable rooms and a great location in the town’s central area.
  • Posada del Angel: A quaint guest house with fantastic views of the town and friendly, helpful staff.

What to Buy in Salento: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Salento is home to exotic handmade crafts and unique products that make great souvenirs. Some popular items include:

  • Pottery: Handcrafted ceramics made by skilled artisans in Salento’s workshops.
  • Textiles: Handwoven textiles made in local workshops which can be used as blankets, rugs, or wall hangings.
  • Coffee: High-quality Colombian coffee from nearby coffee plantations that makes a great gift for any coffee lover.

Local Culture and Customs of Salento

Colombia is a colorful country that’s rich in culture and traditions. Some customs to keep in mind while in Salento include:

  • Dress modestly while visiting churches and other religious sites.
  • Colombians are friendly, helpful people, so it is essential to be respectful to them.
  • Learn some basic Spanish phrases to communicate effectively with the locals.

Best Time to Visit Salento

Salento is a year-round destination, but the driest months in Salento are December-March and July-September. These months offer pleasant weather, making it ideal for hiking, photography, and exploring the town’s surrounding areas.

Do’s and Don’ts of Salento

Do:

  • Participate in traditional festivals and dances to experience cultural aspects of Colombia
  • Take a swing at learning Spanish to communicate better with the locals
  • Do try the local cuisine

Don’t:

  • Do not engage in illegal activities like drug use.
  • Do not take pictures of locals without their consent.
  • Do not disrespect the local culture.

Safety and Health

Safety in Salento

While Salento is generally safe, it’s best to exercise caution while wandering around town. Avoid wandering around empty streets at night alone, and keep an eye on your belongings while in crowded areas.

Health in Salento

Colombia maintains excellent health care standards, and Salento’s medical facilities are no exception. There are many 24/7 pharmacies throughout town. Drinking bottled water is always recommended.

Getting to Salento: Transportation Options and Logistics

Salento is easily accessible from most tourist hubs in Colombia. Here are some ways of transportation to Salento:

Airports Near Salento

The nearest airport is the Matecaña International Airport located in Pereira city, approximately 1 hour away by taxi or bus.

Bus Stations Near Salento

Travelers can use bus service traveling from major cities such as Pereira, Bogotá, Medellín, and Armenia to get to Salento.

Other Options

Private transportation is also available if you prefer more flexible travel schedules.

How to Get Around in Salento

Salento is small, but the town’s streets can be hilly and challenging to navigate. The most convenient way to get around is either on foot, rent a bike, or hire a motorbike taxi for exploring the town’s surroundings.

Where to Go Next from Salento: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Some popular destinations to visit after Salento include:

  • The Cocora Valley in the nearby Salamina Municipality.
  • The vibrant city of Medellin is a few hours away.
  • The beautiful city of Manizales is known for its coffee and stunning landscapes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Salento is a charming town with something for everyone, whether you’re interested in coffee production, hiking, or simply soaking in the Colombian culture. It’s a mesmerizing town that attracts travelers year-round, and with this comprehensive travel guide, you’re certain for a fantastic trip to Salento.

View of a church in Salento at dusk View of a church in Salento at dusk