Salento is a typical paisa village located 24 kms away from Armenia. It is surrounded by mountains and is usually the starting point for the Valley de Cocora. Salento is so lovely and quiet that you might end up staying more than you expected.
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Visits
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Salento is a small town and it should not take you more than 2 hours to see it all. The main attractions include the main square and the Alto de la Cruz. Located at the end of Calle Real (Carrera 6, where all the souvenir shops are), you will find at set of stairs symbolising the carrying of the cross. At the top, you can benefit from amazing views over Salento and the valley around.
Salento is also full of souvenirs shops, and the prices are affordable (we paid 12,000 pesos for a decent pancho) so it could be a good idea to do your shopping here in this quiet atmosphere rather than wait for the last day in Bogota.
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Activities
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The main reason to go to Salento (outside of relaxing and reading books) is to visit the Valley de Cocora. But you can also take the opportunity to ride horses and visit another part of the valley, or visit a Finca and study coffee making process. A new activity has recently launched: bike city tours through CicloSalento. Hopefully they will soon offer proper mountain biking as the region is an ideal playground for it.
> Horse Riding
All hostels will be able to direct you or give you information. Here is one tested service :
Alvaro Gomez offers several trips including the tour by horse of the Valley de Cocora, several waterfalls, and night tours. It usually costs 30,000 Pesos for a half day trip. More information at the Plantation House or call Don Alvaro Giraldo Gomez - 311 3758293.
> Mountain Biking
CicloSalento offers tours of the city Bike rental by the hour or by the day - with or without guide.
Dirección: Calle 7 No. 1 - 04 Celular Ari : (57) 318 6688763
> Visit a Finca
Plantation House offers tours in English of their own Finca. It's close to the Hostel so an easy option if you are staying for a short period of time will not have the time to go to Armenia or visit a bigger Finca. Other Fincas in the area are Don Gustavo or Don Elias. Prices for tours are usually 5,000 Pesos including a coffee.
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Accommodation
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We stayed at Plantation House, a great hostel slightly outside of town (only a 10 min walk from the center). An amazing place to relax and meet other travellers.
> The Plantation House
Dorms start at 18,000 Pesos and Double at 40,000 pesos for 2. You can reserve by email
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To get there, get off the bus at the fire station in Salento, then turn right and walk uphill 100m. Turn right again, walk another 100m and it will be on your left. You can also ask anyone, they will know where it is.
Alto de Coronel, Calle 7 1-04, Salento, Quindio, Colombia
Cel. 315-409 7039 (Spanish) or 316-285 2603 (English)http://www.theplantationhousesalento.com
> Hosteria Calle Real
A nice hotel in the main street of Salento, not as quiet as Plantation House though. Very nice people making you feel at home. Double rooms are 25,000/30,000 Pesos for person and they do nice breakfast for an extra 5,000 Pesos each.
Carrera 6 No. 2 - 20 Salento
Contacto directo: Cristina Palacio (6) 759 3784 or Cel. 311 771 5188 / 317 285 9280 / 301 432 3745
mail.
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Food
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Of course, your goal is to try the local trout. You will find various options of more or less the same price on the main square at the weekend. 2 recommendations below: one for lunch and one for diner. And we added an amazing place for a coffee, obvious when you visit the Zona Cafetera.
> Rincon del Lucy
Amazing value for your money at this little restaurant. You will pay 6/7,000 pesos for a set meal and 3/4,000 pesos for breakfast. It is opened every day for lunch and breakfast.
Carrera 6 No 4-02
> El Portal de Cocora
Yes, you will enjoy a very nice trout there, but you will mainly remember the place for the stunning views of the valley. If you can spend a bit more for accomodation, they offer cabanas (self-contained cabin) for 7 and 3 people at the price of 240,000 and 120,000 pesos. Negotiate if you're there during the week. Enjoy the view.
Located 500m from the main square on the road to Cocora. It is opened from Friday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm. http://www.elportaldecocora.4t.com
> Cafe Jesus Martin
A great coffee place serving perfect expresso from coffee coming from their own brewery. They open every day from 8am to midnight. They also have salads and sandwiches. Beers and wine also available.
Tienda Salento Cra 6 (The main one) # 6-14 y, Quindio, Colombia, http://www.cafejesusmartin.com
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How to get there?
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You will need to get a bus from Armenia or Pereira.
=> Minibuses run to and from Armenia every 20 minutes from 6am to 8pm (3,000 Pesos, 30 minutes).
If you miss the last bus to Salento, you can take the bus to Circasia until 10pm (1,500 Pesos, 25 minutes) and then take a taxi (15,000 Pesos, 15 minutes). Or you can also negotiate a taxi from Armenia (40,000 to 50,000 Pesos depending on people and your negotiation skills, 30 minutes).
There are direct buses from Pereira 3 times a day (5,000/6,000 Pesos, 90 minutes), more on the weekends. You can also take a bus to Armeia that stops at Los Flores and then take a Northern Bus to Pereira that will stop you at Salento.
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Photos of Salento
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