Salento
The oldest town in Quindio, painted in strong colours, and the gateway to the Cocora valley wax palms.
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Salento was founded in 1842 on the road the Antioquian settlers cut south, which makes it the oldest town in Quindio, and its Calle Real is a run of two-storey houses with balconies and doors painted in strong contrasting colours - the most photographed street in the coffee region. It sits within the UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape. Willys jeeps, left over from postwar American surplus and kept running for decades, are the transport up to the Cocora valley, leaving from the plaza when full. Tejo, the Colombian game of throwing metal discs at gunpowder charges buried in clay, is played in courts around the town. Coffee farms nearby run tours. Salento has become very busy, and residents note the change.
What you actually see
- A painted Calle Real - the coffee region's most photographed street.
- Willys jeeps to Cocora - postwar surplus still running.
- Tejo courts - the game with gunpowder charges in clay.
- The oldest town in Quindio - founded 1842 on the settler road.
When to go
Year round; weekends and holidays are very busy. A full day.
Honest expectations
It has become extremely popular and weekends are crowded to the point of queues for jeeps. Prices have risen sharply. Rain is frequent in this region. Cocora needs an early start to avoid the crowds.
Nearby
The Cocora valley is north; Filandia is west.
What to pack for Salento
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.