Salento is one of the most popular destinations in Colombia. It’s an authentic coffee producing town near the majestic Cocora Valley. It retains its traditional feel and has something to offer just about everyone. Nearby, there are plenty of coffee plantations to tour.
My Posts on Salento
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History of Salento
Salento was originally the site of Barcinales, a penal colony for political prisoners. Their families settled down in Boquía while the prisoners were given a plot of land in the region after completing their sentences. Boquía was officially established as a town on January 5, 1842. Around 1854, the Quindío River flooded and destroyed the town. The survivors moved to the modern site of Salento and retained the name Boquía. In 1865, it was renamed in honor of Salento, Italy, while the name Boquía was returned to the original settlement. The town is now an important stop for tourists from all over the world, many in search of coffee.
Salento is visited by international and Colombian tourists alike, especially on weekends. The town is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia. It’s also the gateway to the nearby Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora).
When to Visit Salento
High season in December and June along with Holy Week and long holiday weekends attract huge numbers of domestic tourists. The crowds can be unbearable, taking away from the town’s charm. Try to visit off-peak and during the week.
Getting to Salento
Getting to Salento is easy from Pereira and Armenia with direct buses taking less than an hour one-way. They depart about every hour starting at 6:30am from Pereira’s bus terminal on Expreso Alcalá, and roughly every 20 minutes to and from Armenia. The bus station is located at the town entrance. It’s also possible yet much more expensive to take a taxi from either city to Salento.
Getting Out of Salento
If it’s a busy weekend, you might want to buy your ticket out of Salento early. Buses fill up fast! On one visit we were very lucky to get out of town and only waited two hours for a bus to Pereira. Others in larger groups had to backtrack to Armenia and catch a bus to Pereira from there.
Getting Around Salento
Salento is easily walkable. The town isn’t very big at all, and everything you need is within a few blocks from the main plaza. You can even walk to some coffee farms near town in less than an hour. To go to the Cocora Valley and some of the coffee tours, jeeps leave from the plaza.
Where to Stay in Salento
Whether you’re a backpacker on a budget or looking for a comfortable and quiet place with a few extra amenities, there’s no shortage of hostels, guesthouses, and hotels in Salento to choose from. You can try your luck when you get there but it may be difficult to find accommodation to your liking on a busy weekend or a holiday, so I recommend booking well in advance to get what you want.
Gran Azul
The absolute best place we’ve stayed at is Gran Azul, which is a short 10-minute walk down a country road from the end of Calle Real. This boutique hotel has only five rooms and an apartment that sleeps four, all with a spectacular view. If you want to have one of the best experiences on your trip to Colombia, Gran Azul is my top choice by far in Salento.
The rooms are modern and spacious yet cozy and simple, designed to help you unwind (no TV!) and allowing for a comfortable rest. The shower is among the best I’ve had in Colombia, with water heating up quickly and amazing pressure.
The hospitable owners, originally from Barcelona, make an excellent breakfast and are able to help guests plan a wide range of tours and activities in the area.
Note: if you don’t want to walk, you can hire a jeep in the plaza to take you there for a small fee. It’s a good idea, especially after dark or if it has recently rained, as the road can be very muddy.
Beta Hotel
Beta Hotel is a decent place to stay in town. It’s away from the center, near the entrance to the town, so it’s fairly quiet at night. Staff is wonderful.
My room was comfortable and recently remodeled. The only negative was that the window faced the hallway so I felt a bit shut in and there was lots of noise from other guests (loud TVs, guests coming in late, etc.). I turned on the fan and it helped drown out some of the noise. Other than that, I would be happy to stay there again.
La Posada de la Plaza
On our very first trip in November 2014, we stayed at La Posada de la Plaza. It’s located directly above the SuperCocora supermarket in the plaza. Rooms were spotless and comfortable but the WiFi didn’t work at all. On top of that, it wasn’t very quiet. Noise and music from the street affected our sleep quality quite a bit.
The service was friendly and helpful and the rate was fair. They don’t take credit cards so we had to pay for the room in full via a bank transfer the day after booking.
Hostal Los Guaduales
On our second visit, we stayed at Hostal Los Guaduales. It’s located just a couple blocks from the plaza. Again, the room was spotless and comfortable but this time the wifi worked! They also have a laundry service per kilo, a kitchen, and make great suggestions for activities in town and nearby.
The only negative was the noise level, but it was much quieter than staying near the plaza. I appreciated the efforts and kindness of the staff and the price was unbeatable for the quality of the room.
Balcones del Ayer
Just a block downhill from the plaza is Balcones del Ayer. It’s a small hotel with an attached restaurant. I stayed there for a couple nights while on a tour. It didn’t meet my expectations but the price was reasonable and staff was friendly.
The room wasn’t that comfortable and it was very loud at night. When I arrived, the toilet seat was completely detached from the toilet and there was no soap in the dispenser. The WiFi signal was weak. The only good thing was the decent view of the town from the window. I wouldn’t stay there again.
Take a Jacket!
One last note – Salento can get chilly at night. It’s a good idea to take a jacket just in case.
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