Before you go

Your trip to Salento.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Salento – Quindío Destination Eixo Cafeeiro

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional El Edén (AXM) Armenia · 40 km
Aeropuerto Internacional Matecaña (PEI) Pereira · 50 km
Terminal de Transportes de Armenia Armenia · 25 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. The nearest airports are El Edén (Armenia), about 40 km away, and Matecaña (Pereira), about 50 km away. There are direct buses from Pereira, roughly one hour, and from Armenia, about 45 minutes, to Salento’s main square. Buses from Armenia are more frequent.

How many days

Two days are enough for the Valle de Cocora, the Calle Real, the viewpoint and a coffee farm. With three days you’ll have time for Filandia, 30 minutes away, and a day of rest on the farms.

When to go

The climate is cool, with mild days and cold nights. Rain is usually heavier from April to May and from October to November; from December to March and from June to August the weather is typically drier for Cocora trails. The main coffee harvest usually runs from September to December.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The town is explored on foot, and Willys jeeps take you to the Valle de Cocora and some farms. Buses and vans connect Salento with Armenia, Pereira and Filandia. A car helps for more distant farms.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Salento

Morning
Valle de Cocora
First jeep from the square to Cocora and hike to the wax palm viewpoints, or the full circuit through the forest.
Afternoon
Coffee farm
Have trout for lunch in Cocora or Salento and take a guided visit to a nearby coffee farm, including picking, drying and tasting.
Late afternoon
Mirador Alto de la Cruz
Climb the steps at the end of the Calle Real up to the viewpoint over the valley.
Evening
Calle Real and tejo
Dine on the Calle Real and try tejo at a bar in the square.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Pereira or Armenia to Salento?

By bus: from Armenia, about 45 minutes; from Pereira, about one hour. Buses stop at Salento’s main square.

How do visits to coffee farms work?

Several farms around Salento offer guided visits of two to three hours, covering the plantation, harvesting, drying, roasting and tasting. Some are within walking distance of town, others a few minutes by jeep. Book in advance.

What to eat in Salento?

Trout, served with patacón (flattened fried plantain) and salad; arepas; and regional coffee.

Is Salento better than Filandia to stay in?

Salento is closer to the Valle de Cocora and has more infrastructure; Filandia is quieter and less visited. The two are 30 minutes from each other.

Back to Salento