An increasingly popular region of Colombia for tourists is the spectacular
Valle de Cocorra and little gem of a town Salento. It is most known for
the impossibly tall wax palm trees, the national tree of Colombia. The
park is located a short jeep ride from the small town of Salento which is in
turn less than an hours ride from Armenia and Pereira or a six hour
journey from Medellin.
from Pereira: there are only three buses a day during the week to
Salento. On weekends there are a lot more. It could be a good idea to
get a bus to Armenia and wait at the cross-roads for a bus to Salento.
Bus times during the day from Pereira to Salento are 06:20, 13:20,
16:20. Cost from Pereira to Salento is 4,700 pesos
from Armenia: there are buses every fifteen minutes or so from Armenia
to Salento and vice versa. The cost is 2.500 pesos from Medellin: no
direct buses. You must get to Pereira or Armenia and transfer
Where to Stay
A British fella, Tim, has opened a hostal in the town and along with his
wife, Cristina is a great source of info on the surrounding area. His hostal
is called Plantation House and is pretty easy to find... just ask around.
When entering the town on the bus get off at the fire station (bombero)
and walk from there, its only a few minutes. The friendly locals will help
you if you get lost.
There are other options for places to stay but they are generally more
expensive and you won't get the friendly attention you will from Tim and
his family nor the great information he can provide about the
surrounding area.
On my last visit, 20th August 07, which was with my parents, we stayed
at a small hotel on the main tourist road at a cost of 75,000 pesos per
night for two people. These hotels fill up on weekends and during
holidays but otherwise are quite empty.
Where to Eat
Restaurante Rincon de Lucy, Cr 6 #402
There are a few nice restaurants around. The specialty is trout and they
sell it by the bucket-load.
This local restaurant two blocks from the main plaza is very good and
very cheap. For 5.000 pesos you get a soup to start with, trout, rice and
veggies and a postre and drink to boot. Great deal.
El Fin de la Afan, two blocks further down from the plaza on Cr6
For a little more (between 12.000 and 17.000 pesos) you can get a
beautiful trout meal. I personally recommend the trout with prawn and
mushroom sauce. It comes with a salad and patacon (fried cooking
banana). Absolutely delicious. To go with your trout try a natural
lemonade juice which is only 1,000 pesos extra.
Alternatively eat up in the Valle Cocora where there are several options
from budget to more expensive in very scenic surroundings. More
alternatively get a piece of string and a hook and find a stream and catch
your own meal.
Getting there and away
from Pereira: there are only three buses a day during the week to
Salento. On weekends there are a lot more. It could be a good idea to
get a bus to Armenia and wait at the cross-roads for a bus to Salento.
Bus times during the day from Pereira to Salento are 06:20, 13:20,
16:20. Cost from Pereira to Salento is 4,700 pesos from Armenia: there
are buses every fifteen minutes or so from Armenia to Salento and vice
versa. The cost is 2.500 pesos from Medellin: no direct buses. You must
get to Pereira or Armenia and transfer
| Salento |
