Salento
Go to Salento for the wax palms of Cocora Valley, coffee farm visits and a small town that is easy to walk.
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Salento is a small town in the Quindío department of Colombia's Coffee Region, at about 1,900 meters above sea level in the Andes. The center is a compact grid of low houses painted in bright colors, with Calle Real running down to the Plaza de Bolívar. Most visitors come for the countryside: coffee farms that take guests on tours, and the Cocora Valley, where tall wax palms, Colombia's national tree, rise above green hills.
Coffee growing here is part of the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, a UNESCO World Heritage site that spans parts of the Coffee Region. Valley trails range from easy walks to full-day hikes. Salento suits travelers who want slow mornings, walking and a quiet mountain base. Plan at least two nights, and three for a full day in Cocora. December to March and July to August are the most comfortable months for hiking, though rain can fall at any time of year.
Salento in five
- Carry Colombian pesos for jeeps and small shopsJeep drivers and small village shops deal in cash. Withdraw enough before you head up to the valley and do not rely on a single ATM.Money and costs
- Ride a shared jeep to Cocora ValleyOld Willys jeeps leave from the Salento plaza for the valley road, a short ride. Agree the price and the pick-up time with the driver before you get in.
- Get a data plan before you reach the valleyLoad an eSIM or a local SIM with data before you arrive so you can check your route and the time of the last jeep.Phones and eSIM
- Fly into Armenia or Pereira and transfer by roadArmenia's El Edén airport is about an hour by road from Salento, and Pereira's airport is a longer drive. Book a transfer or a shared car in advance for arrival days.Getting around
- Pack layers and a waterproof jacket for the mountain airSalento sits at about 1,900 m, so mornings are cool and the valley trail can turn muddy after rain. Bring closed shoes with grip, because sandals slip on wet mud.
Things to do in Salento
See all attractions in Salento
Need to know
- Currency
- Colombian peso (COP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check your passport before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 123 general emergency; 112 works from mobile phones
- Tipping
- Restaurants often add about 10% service; otherwise tipping is optional
- Time
- UTC-5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain29 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Dry, clear daysJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 382 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear days
- FebruaryRain27 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Dry, clear daysFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 447 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear days
- MarchRain31 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Rain returnsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 658 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain returns
- AprilRain30 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Heavy rainAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 704 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- MayRain31 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Wet, greenMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 829 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, green
- JuneRain30 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Showers, mixedJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 767 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, mixed
- JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Drier, holidaysJulyRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 797 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, holidays
- AugustRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low14°Drier, busyAugustRain
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 628 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Drier, busy
- SeptemberRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low14°Showers returnSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 612 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Showers return
- OctoberRain31 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Wet, muddyOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 658 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, muddy
- NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Wet, muddyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 529 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, muddy
- DecemberRain31 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Dry, holiday crowdsDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 511 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holiday crowds
Average daily high and low in Salento, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Salento
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 76%
Salento
03:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°16°76%Monday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Tue21°16°84%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Wed20°16°84%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Thu20°15°92%Thursday: Rain. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri19°16°98%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat21°16°71%Saturday: Rain. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sun23°14°55%Sunday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 55%.
Updated 03:07 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3,192 COP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Cocora Valleyby shared jeep, a short ride from the plazaWax palms and cloud forest along the valley trails.
- Armeniaabout 1 hour by roadThe city with the main airport and onward bus links.
- Pereiraabout 2 hours by roadA larger city with a second airport and more transport links.
Before you go to Salento
Rules for Salento, checked
- Entry rules depend on your passport and the length of stay; check Migración Colombia before you book flights.Source
- Customs limits apply to goods you bring in or take out, so check the DIAN site before you buy gems, antiques or other valuable items.Source
- Cocora Valley trail access and conditions change after heavy rain; ask the jeep drivers or your hostel on the day.
Plan around Salento
Airport transfers, buses and shared jeeps
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and what to budget for
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData options and signal in the valley
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport and what to check
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for trail injuries and missed flights
Read the guideAll of ColombiaCities, coast and the rest of the country
Read the guideSalento FAQ
Is Salento worth visiting?
Yes, for a few days of Andean hills, coffee farms and the wax palms of Cocora Valley. It is a poor fit for nightlife or a beach holiday, and the town gets busy on holiday weekends.
How do you get to Cocora Valley from Salento?
Shared Willys jeeps leave from the Salento plaza and reach the valley road in a short ride. Going early means fewer people on the trail, and you should agree the return time with the driver.
How many days do you need in Salento?
Two or three nights covers the valley, a coffee farm and the town. Add a day if you plan a longer hike or a trip to Armenia.
Can you visit Salento as a day trip from Armenia?
Yes, by road in about an hour each way. A night in Salento makes an early start to the valley easier and avoids a rushed return.
What is the best month to visit Salento?
December to March and July to August are the drier months. April and October to November bring the heaviest rain and muddy trails.
Do you need Spanish in Salento?
Basic Spanish helps with jeep drivers, farm staff and small shops. Learn the numbers so you can check prices before you pay.