I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in Salento during my visit to Colombia. Located in the Zona Cafetera region, Salento is a quaint little town full of charm and fun. During my stay, I took some time to walk through its colorful streets to see what Salento has to offer. While still maintaining its traditional, bahareque-styled archetecture and beautiful, natural surroundings, Salento makes quite a popular tourist attraction. Salento is also accessible to many other points of interest, which makes its location a gateway for visitors. Best of all, the town is full of warm and friendly people. When visiting Salento, I recommend staying at least two to three days. Here are a few things to do when visiting.
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Hiking In Valle De Cococora
Also known as Cocora Valley, it’s about a twenty-minute ride in the Willy jeep taxi, which you can catch from the main square. Cocora Valley is a beautiful, picturesque hiking trail loop that circles about 7.7 miles. Included in the hike is a hummingbird sanctuary, waterfalls, creeks, and bridges. Most importantly, the best part of the trek is are the beautiful 198 feet high Quindía wax palms, the country’s national tree, and the tallest palms in the world.
Take A Coffee Tour
If you’re in Salento, you’re in the middle of Colombia’s coffee triangle. There are plenty of nearby towns where you can find coffee farms and learn all about how coffee is processed. If you don’t have time for a coffee tour, I recommend having a cup of coffee at Jesus Martin.
Play A Game Of Tejo
Tejo is Colombia’s national sport of tossing a rock into a ring of little white triangles. The triangles contain gunpowder and if they are hit, the gunpowder causes a loud bang! I know there are points involved but I had fun just tossing the rock!
Try The Trout
You’ll likely see trout or trucha in Spanish on any menu, especially since there are so many trout farms in this region. Trout is quite a popular dish. I’ve had
Stroll Down Calle Real
Take a stroll down Calle Real, Salento’s main street. There you will find souvenir shops, cafés and several boutiques to spend your day browsing some of the region’s finest crafts.
Where To Stay
I enjoyed my stay at Hotel Salento Real. Located just a couple of blocks from the main street, the hotel offers clean, spacious rooms and friendly staff. You can enjoy the attached restaurant, Quindú for the best traditional cuisine.
