In the department of Quindio you will fall in love with one of the most beautiful towns in Colombia: Salento, which historic center was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the “Coffee Cultural Landscape” in 2011.
It is perhaps the most important municipality for tourism in Quindío, due to three fundamental reasons:
- The first, the beautiful and preserved architecture left by the Antioquian colonization;
- the second, the imposing Cocora Valley, which is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Colombia;
- and the third, the contagious atmosphere of peace and well-being that permeates immediately upon arrival.
In this guide you will have the necessary information for your visit to these beautiful town, and also how to get to know the wax palm, the national tree of Colombia.
Discovering Salento
Located 26 km from Armenia, on the western side of the Central Mountain Range and to the northeast of the department, Salento is like a historical account of the region, since its streets reflect intact the tradition of the initial settlers.
Tradition that even today many still strive to preserve so that the place projects its full charm. This town of colorful houses and balconies adorned with flowers has among its residents some foreigners who one day arrived and decided to remain trapped by the charm of the place.
And speaking of charm, Disney released its new movie, called Encanto, inspired by this place.
Salento was founded on September 16, 1842 but its creation would only take place until 1908. Moreover, Salento is the oldest municipality among the 3 departments that make up the Eje Cafetero (Quindío, Risaralda and Caldas). In addition, it is the gateway to the Cocora Valley and one of the entrances to Los Nevados National Natural Park.
Bear in mind, the average temperature in Salento is between 17 ºC (63ºF) and 23 ºC (73ºF) and it has 2 dry season periods, one from mid-June to early September and from late December to mid-January.
How to get to Salento
Take a 1-hour flight from El Dorado (BOG) in Bogotá to El Edén International Airport (AXM) at Armenia city. Once in Armenia you take an approximately 45-minutes ride (25 Km) to Salento.
Remember that you can get to Armenia from any of the major cities in the country by air. In addition, if you wish to take the overland route from Bogota, the journey takes 6.2 hours and 305 Km.
Where to stay in Salento
In Salento you will find a great diversity of accommodation options depending on your budget and personal taste. Our recommendations as follows:
- Hotel El Mirador del Cocora
- Montana Glamping
- Hotel Terraza
- La Cabaña Ecohote
- Hotel Kawa Mountain
- Hotel Real
Salento Attractions and activities
More Coffee Region Destinations
- Salamina, Caldas: Colombia’s Quiet Alternative to Salento & Wax Palm Paradise (2026)
- Slow cities in Colombia: Pijao, at the Coffee Triangle
- Wax Palm of Colombia: Facts, History & Where to See the World’s Tallest Palm (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Salento from Bogotá?
Fly to Armenia or Pereira (about 1 hour), then take a shared jeep or bus to Salento (30-45 minutes). Alternatively, direct buses from Bogotá take approximately 8 hours.
What is the best time to visit Salento?
The driest months are December through February and June through August, offering the best conditions for hiking the Cocora Valley. However, Salento is pleasant year-round with temperatures averaging 15-20°C.
Can you see wax palms near Salento?
Yes. The Cocora Valley, a short jeep ride from Salento, is home to the tallest palm trees in the world — Colombia’s national tree, the Quindío Wax Palm, reaching heights of up to 60 meters.
Is Salento good for birdwatching?
Excellent. The cloud forests surrounding Salento host over 300 bird species, including hummingbirds, tanagers, and toucans. Several birding reserves and trails are accessible within 30 minutes of town.
How many days should I spend in Salento?
Two to three days is ideal — one day for the Cocora Valley hike, one for coffee farm tours, and an optional day for birding or exploring the town’s colorful streets and artisan shops.
Sara Colmenares holds a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Ecology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and a Master’s degree in Botany from the same institution. Her doctoral research focused on palm ecology in the Atlantic Forest, supported by the Rufford Foundation conservation grant.
A published researcher in the Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology and a member of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC), Sara has presented her work at international conferences across Latin America and beyond. She was awarded the COLCIENCIAS “Virginia Gutiérrez de Pineda” fellowship, one of Colombia’s most competitive academic distinctions for young researchers.
Sara founded the Sula nature tourism brand in 2018, applying her scientific expertise to develop birding and wildlife experiences across Colombia’s six natural regions. Her fieldwork took her from the cloud forests of the Andes to the Amazon basin, the Pacific coast, and the plains of the Orinoquía. She combined deep ecological knowledge with firsthand experience to create content that is both scientifically accurate and practically useful for nature travelers.
She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the National University of Colombia, where she also taught plant ecophysiology. She speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and English.