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This is a brief guide on what to see in Salento, without a doubt the most touristy and most visited town in the Coffee Region of Colombia. It’s located in the department of Quindío.

 

Plaza in the Town of Salento

The main plaza in Salento is surrounded by more colorful colonial buildings, many used as restaurants and hotels. The center of the plaza has a space filled with tall palm trees and busts of important people, including a statue of liberator Simón Bolívar (1783-1830).

Plaza in Salento
Plaza
Statue of Simón Bolívar
Statue of Simón Bolívar
Plaza in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Plaza
Colorful buildings on the plaza in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Colorful buildings

On weekends in the past, the plaza came to life. The end of the plaza to the right of the church had several craft booths. On the end directly in front of the church were fast food stands. Finally, on the end in front of the supermarket were many restaurants serving Salento’s signature dishes, trout and patacones. These food stands gradually started to disappear. By April 2023, the plaza was completely empty except for some kiddie rides. I’m not sure if the stands will ever return.

Restaurants along the plaza in November 2014 in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Restaurants along the plaza in November 2014
Empty plaza in April 2023
Empty plaza in April 2023
Kiddie ride
Kiddie ride
Jeep converted to a café
Jeep converted to a café


 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nuestra Señora del Carmen), sits at one end of the plaza. It doesn’t have the high vaulted ceiling like many churches in the area, but rather a beautiful flat wooden ceiling. The stained glass windows are also nice.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

 

Calle Real

Salento is popular for its authentic colonial architecture. It can be seen all around town, but the most scenic part is Calle Real. It’s lined with colonial buildings with brightly colored balconies. The road leads from the plaza all the way to a lookout point on a hill above the town.

Calle Real in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Calle Real
Calle Real in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Calle Real
Colorful balconies on Calle Real in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Colorful balconies

Along the road, there are all kinds of shops selling traditional and modern crafts and souvenirs, cafés, restaurants, and more. There’s even a small alley with craft stores and coffee shops. It’s forbidden in many of the stores to take photos, so be careful with your camera.

Craft market in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Craft market
Calle Real in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Calle Real
Tourist taking photos on Calle Real
Tourist taking photos on Calle Real
A quiet section of Calle Real
A quiet section of Calle Real

 

Alto de la Cruz

At the very end of Calle Real is Alto de la Cruz. At the top of the 250 steps, you can get panoramic views of Salento and the surrounding green mountains.

Alto de la Cruz in November 2014
Alto de la Cruz in November 2014
Alto de la Cruz in June 2018 in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Alto de la Cruz in June 2018
Salento from Alto de la Cruz
Salento from Alto de la Cruz
View from Alto de la Cruz in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
View from Alto de la Cruz

Also at the top you’ll find vendors selling all kinds of snacks and drinks, from obleas and empanadas to guarapo and canelazo.

Alto de la Cruz
Alto de la Cruz
Vendors at Alto de la Cruz
Vendors

 

Mirador de Salento

A path from Alto de la Cruz leads to the Mirador de Salento. At the end of the path you’ll find a roofed wooden structure with lots of vendors selling souvenirs and snacks.

Path to Mirador de Salento
Path to Mirador de Salento
Mirador de Salento
Mirador de Salento
Mirador de Salento
Mirador de Salento

While Alto de la Cruz has the best views of the town itself, Mirador de Salento offers incredible vistas of the Cocora Valley. You won’t spot any of the famous wax palms, but the scenery is amazing.

Mirador de Salento
Mirador de Salento
Looking down the Cocora Valley
Looking down the Cocora Valley
View from Mirador de Salento
View from Mirador de Salento


 

Around the Town of Salento

Exploring outside of the plaza and Calle Real is worth it. The other parts of town are much quieter although they can still get crowded. There’s bridge and a nearby road with a great view of town.

Bridge in Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Bridge
View of Salento, Quindío, Colombia
View of Salento

Venture even further out of town and you’ll find plenty of fincas (plantations) in the surrounding areas that offer coffee tours or accommodation as well. Ask your hotel or the tourist booth in the plaza for more info. We’ve visited Finca El Ocaso and Luger Coffee Tour, which are right across from each other about an hour walk from town.

 

Map of the Town of Salento

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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