Salento is the oldest town in Quindío and the gateway to the Cocora Valley. Lumbre is a 15-minute drive away, so you do not need to sleep in town to enjoy it. The best plan is to go in the afternoon, after hiking the valley in the morning.
Salento had little damage in the August 2026 earthquake and is welcoming travelers as usual.
Calle Real
The main street starts at the town square and climbs toward the viewpoint. It is lined with traditional bahareque houses with colorful balconies, craft shops and cafés. On weekdays it is quiet. On weekends and in high season it gets busy from midday.
Alto de la Cruz viewpoint
About 250 steps start at the end of Calle Real. From the top you see the whole town and the mountains leading to Cocora. Take it slow: Salento sits at almost 1,900 m (6,200 ft) and you will feel it.
Coffee
Quindío is coffee country. With El Ocaso coffee farm, our partner, you can follow the bean all the way to the cup. We can book it for you. In town, specialty cafés serve local coffee brewed by filter or French press.
What to eat
Trout with patacón (fried green plantain) is the local dish. Lumbre’s restaurant is for guests only, so dinner in Salento is a good way to try the town.
Tejo
Colombia’s national game: you throw a metal puck at a clay pitch with small gunpowder targets that explode on impact. Several places in Salento will teach you. It is loud and a lot of fun.
A well-planned day
- 7:00 am: breakfast at Lumbre or to go, then the Cocora hike. The trailhead is 3 km (1.9 miles) away.
- 1:00 pm: lunch and rest. Ofuro or your terrace.
- 4:00 pm: head down to Salento. Calle Real, the viewpoint and coffee.
- 7:00 pm: dinner in town and back to the valley.
Getting there and back
- By car: 15 minutes on the Cocora road. Park near the square.
- By Willys jeep: they run between Salento’s square and Cocora along the road where Lumbre is. There is no fixed schedule and very few run at night.
- Private transfer: we can arrange it. COP 50,000 by car or COP 70,000 by van (November 2026 rates). It is the best option to get back after dinner.
Back in the valley, your terrace fire is the best way to end the day.
