Salento, a small town sitting majestically on the luxuriant Quindio River Valley, is a place of undeniable natural beauty. Blessed with breathtaking scenery, lush green pastures, colorful buildings, and fascinating culture, this quaint Colombian town isn’t just vibrant, but a popular tourist destination in the country. Featuring hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals, finding comfortable accommodations wouldn’t be a problem. Salento gives off an old-world charm coupled with the bubbling life of a thriving coffee-producing community. Of all Colombia’s small towns, Salento is blessed with the most amazing features to offer tourists and visitors. Even if you’re staying in an Airbnb vacation rental in Armenia, less than an hour away, a day trip to Salento would be worth it!
Experience the thrills of the city, visit all the artisan shops, enjoy the sunset over the valleys and so much more. There is hardly a shortage of things to do in this fantastic city. Here are the top things to do in Salento, Colombia.
1. Go horse riding in the Cocora Valley (from USD 50.0)
One of the best outdoor activities in Salento is enjoying the views of the Cocora Valley on horseback. The tour starts at La Cattleriza Cocoratours Parqueadero de Palmas and the stables to get your horses. You’ll then head to Cárdenas Ravine and the Quindío River. Afterward, you can marvel at the majestic trees in a small forest. The highlight of the tour is arguably the viewpoint of Palmas #1 featuring a 350-degree view of the Cocora Valley before you go to the viewpoint of Palmas #2 where you’ll see a dense concentration of wax palms.
Horse Riding Cocora Valley
Duration: 2 hours
2. Watch the hummingbirds at Acaime Nature Reserve
Acaime, also known as the Hummingbird House, is a beautiful private reserve located along the backside of the luxuriant Cocora Valley Loop and one of the best points of interest in Salento, Colombia. This unassuming place sits majestically in the middle of the woods and is home to several types of unique hummingbirds. A visit to Acaime offers you a chance to enjoy seeing these colorful and fluffy little winged creatures with long tails hovering together in one place. See them in different colors, listen to their vibrant sounds, and marvel at the way they interact with each other.
Acaime Nature Reserve
Address: Salento, Quindio, Colombia
Website: Acaime Nature Reserve
Opening hours: 7am - 4pm (daily)
3. Soak in the view from Mirador Alto De La Cruz
From walking up the colored stairs to getting to the top, Mirador offers you some of the most captivating and breathtaking views of the whole area. Soak in the stunningly beautiful scenery from the top of this “balcony” in Salento. In addition to its enchanting illustrations, Mirador Alto De La Cruz gives you a chance to interact and grab a few drinks with the locals on the little hill, right at the Mirador. And if you stay a bit longer, the view of the sunset from this lookout point in the late afternoon is nothing short of amazing. Mirador is a place you must experience on your visit to this town.
Mirador Alto De La Cruz
Address: Cl. 1 #5-89, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Website: Mirador Alto De La Cruz
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
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4. Go wildlife spotting at Kasaguadua Natural Reserve
One of the best family things to do in Salento, Colombia, is going wildlife spotting! A private nature reserve, Kasaguadua Reserve is an incredible tropical reserve sitting amongst coffee farms, just on the outskirts of Salento. This reserve spans about 14 hectares (34.6 acres) of pristine Colombian rainforest, complete with all the natural wildlife and flora. You can explore this “Home of Bamboos” by going on several exciting guided hike trails and spotting unique animals and birds as you go. This natural reserve is also home to a fantastic eco-lodge where you can sit, relax, and appreciate pure nature.
Kasaguadua Natural Reserve
Address: Salento, Quindío, Vereda Palestina, km 2.6 Salento, Quindio Colombia
Website: Kasaguadua Natural Reserve
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 12pm; Mon - Fri: 10am - 1pm
5. Have a fun-filled day playing Tejo
You can’t visit this town without trying out its most popular indigenous game - Tejo. Tejo is an old traditional and fun Colombian game, famous in all its districts. The rules of the game are simple: all you need to do is attempt to hit some small parcels of gunpowder with a metal puck by throwing the puck (Tejo) across a narrow alley. If your Tejo hits the plots, there is a ‘boom,’ and you get points for the shot. The game has different shot difficulties from different angles, so it doesn’t get boring. And yeah, one other rule is that the game must be played while drinking beer. Explosives and alcohol! Sounds like fun, right?
Cancha De Tejo Los Amigos
Address: a 3-98,, Cra. 4 #32, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Website: Cancha De Tejo Los Amigos
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 5am - 2am; Sun: 5am - 12am
6. Go mountain biking on the terrains of Salento
If you love riding bikes and going on hikes, then this small mountainous town is just the right place for you. The hilly terrain of the areas around Salento makes it a perfect place for some exciting mountain bike expeditions. Get on your mountain bike and follow any one of the several challenging and exhilarating hikes through winding dirt trails up and down the surrounding hills. The amazing Cocora Valley gives you a permanent location for thrilling mountain biking. With this activity, all your desires for excitement on your trip will be fully satisfied.
7. Spend some time at the serene La Serrana
This could be one choice to start a wonderful day! What do you waiting for? Repost @jacjacjacr "GOOD MORNING #wow
Posted by La Serrana on Wednesday, 27 September 2017
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to stay in the enormous haciendas you see in the movies and soap operas? You can have the experience first-hand by spending some time in the serene La Serrana in Salento. La Serrana is a fabulous eco-friendly hotel sitting on the majestic lush plains of the Los Nevados Mountain Range. This beautiful hotel offers you the most authentic and affordable Colombian hacienda experience. Enjoy coffee plantation tours, horseback riding, and delicious meals made using organic ingredients.
La Serrana
Address: Via Palestina Finca, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Website: La Serrana
8. Explore the countryside on horseback
Posted by Cabalgatas San Pablo Salento on Friday, 5 October 2018
Not really in the mood for walking? Well, you can choose to go horseback riding all around this quaint town. Get off your feet, saddle up and ride to all the top attractions within and around the city like royalty. Several places such as Cabalgatas San Pablo in Salento, offer you enjoyable horse rides and tours of the area. These rides come with guides, so your horse is always under control. So if you do not precisely fancy hiking up the beautiful valley and exploring the spectacular countryside on foot, go on a horse ride and have some fun!
Cabalgatas San Pablo
Address: Cra. 6 #7 – 65, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Website: Cabalgatas San Pablo
Opening hours: 7am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 25 USD
9. Treat yourself to the famous seafood at Andrea Restaurant
Colori & colori da #QuinteroSalento.... #food #drink #salento #restaurant Andrea Lenti
Posted by Quintero Salento on Friday, 21 April 2017
Salento is famous for something else – its delicious trout dish. Trout is served everywhere in town but for the very best, head to Andrea Restaurant. This unassuming restaurant has a simple appearance and a charming ambiance. But what’s so remarkable about this place is its delicious trout meal. Served in a variety of different yummy ways, Andrea offers you very fresh and hot trout cuisines that have been described as ‘so good.’ Give your taste buds an amazing treat when you dine at this incredible restaurant.
Andrea Restaurant
Address: Cra. 6 #3-18, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
10. Have some Colombian coffee at Café Jesús Martín
Felices por hacer hoy nuestra primera “Catación para todos” 2.019; porque en un país productor entender el café y disfrutarlo, debe ser un tema abierto. Bienvenidos siempre!
Posted by Café Jesús Martín on Saturday, 16 February 2019
A town famous for its coffee plantations, you should try out the locally brewed coffee here. Café Jesus Martin serves the very best coffee in the whole city. Located along one of the main streets in the town, this pristine coffee shop has a relaxing ambiance and a friendly staff. Sip some excellent, locally produced Colombian coffee in a great atmosphere. Although drinking coffee isn’t one of the main activities in this town, a visit to this café is worth it.
Café Jesús Martín
Address: Cra. 6a ##6-14, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Website: Café Jesús Martín
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)
11. Explore the picturesque Cocora Valley
Salento’s most remarkable feature is the exceptional Cocora Valley. A breathtaking expanse of sprawling verdant landscape, this valley is filled with stunning views to keep you enchanted throughout the day. As part of the Los Nevados Natural Park, this valley is home to a unique symbol of Colombia, the tallest palm tree in the world – the Quindío wax palm. Aside from enjoying the picturesque scenery here, there are several other things to do like mountain biking, hiking, camping, bird watching, and rafting. This valley is a great place to explore for all lovers of nature visiting Salento.
Cocora Valley
Address: Valle de Cocora, Quindio, Colombia
Website: Cocora Valley
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 1.7 USD
Tip from Content Creator
In the heart of Colombia, you can find the inspiration for Disney’s "Encanto": Valle de Cocora. From the centre of the nearby town of Salento, you can jump in one of the group taxis (willys) which transport tourists to and from the valley. This was one of my top highlights in Colombia and a place I’d highly recommend adding to your itinerary!
Valle de Cocora is best accessed from the town of Salento where you can hop on a collectivo (aka a willy) in the main square. Only 8,000 COP (2.05 USD) for the return journey is a steal when hanging onto the back of a jeep with amazing valley views!
12. Interact with the locals at Salento’s Town Square
Experience the raw, undiluted culture of this small town at Salento’s Town Square. Take a stroll through the town square, watch everyday activities happen, and interact with the friendly locals. See the vendors selling their wares, children running around, teenagers relating with each other and make friends with the adults living their everyday lives here. And if you hang around the square long enough, you should dine at one of the several excellent restaurants all around the square.
Salento’s Town Square
Address: Salento, Colombia
13. Visit the stunning Santa Rita Waterfall
Get transported straight to Middle Earth at the magical Santa Rita Waterfalls in Salento. This stunning natural gem flanked on both sides by sloppy mountain foothills is a place with stunning views and memorable experiences. Enjoy the sight of the breathtaking waterfall in such a lush and magical ambiance that you’d feel like you are in a fairy tale story. There is even a small snack stand so that you don’t get hungry while in this enchanting place.
Santa Rita Waterfall
Address: Vereda, Los Andes, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
14. Enjoy a stroll through Calle Real
CALLE REAL DE SALENTO
Posted by Arriésgate a Vivir on Wednesday, 28 June 2017
Bored on a Saturday evening in Salento? Then you can take a stroll through one of the most prominent attractions in the town - Calle Real. Calle Real is a bubbling street lined with numerous restaurants, local craft shops, and cafes nestled in beautiful colonial-style houses. This quaint street is always teeming with people looking for souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, and locally made items to buy. It’s an enjoyable place to go for a walk and enjoy the laid-back life in Salento.
Calle Real
Address: Cl. 4 #5-8, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Website: Calle Real
15. Shop for unique souvenirs at Las Carretas De Salento
Posted by Cristian Sanches Garcia on Wednesday, 1 May 2019
Salento is not just famous for its coffee plantations and lush landscape; the town is also known as a home of local craftsmen and artisans. Las Carretas is a museum dedicated to exhibiting the lively and diverse culture of the people in this town. Explore the fantastic items, art and works on display here. Also, get a chance to purchase, for yourself, some unique take-home items at the museum’s shop.
Las Carretas De Salento
Address: Vía A Salento, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
16. Tour the Colombian coffee region in a hot-air balloon (from USD 325.0)
Enjoy an enthralling view of Salento’s famous coffee plantations from high up in the skies when you go on one of the hot-air balloon tours in the town. These scenic hot-air balloon flights take off early in the mornings and take you over the hilly landscape that makes up Colombia’s coffee region. A unique and different adventure, you get a chance to even enjoy the panoramic views of all the surrounding areas and landscape in Salento. And you get a flight certificate after the trip too. Amazing!
Hot Air Balloon Flight over the Colombian Coffee Region
17. Enjoy the traditional Colombian coffee at Las Acacias Coffee Farm
For coffee lovers out there, this is the best place to visit in Salento, Colombia. Explore this traditional Colombian coffee farm with great views and learn how the coffee is processed from seed to becoming a cup of coffee. The farm is 35 years old and started to open its doors to tours three years ago to show how the farm participates in clean agricultural practices. After the tour, don’t forget to try some coffee beverages that use the farm’s own coffee.
Las Acacias Coffee Farm
Address: Palestina, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Website: Las Acacias Coffee Farm
Opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm (daily)
Enjoy the flair of this small town
Enjoy all the Colombian small-town charm when you visit Salento. Unlike most of the other Colombian small cities, Salento has several things to offer tourists. From coffee plantation tours to amazing hikes up the valley, shops and visits to natural landmarks, there are more than enough things to do in Salento, Colombia.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Salento, Colombia
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