Salento

Travel Guide

Highest palm trees in Valle del Cocora
Colorful house front with balcony in Salento
Waking up on to coffee on the balcony and this view after arriving in pitch black the night before. What could be better?
My beautiful birth Country, Salento-Colombia!
For more on Colombia travel visit www.instagram.com/globesurfing 

*HIDDEN GEM, THIS IS NOT COCORA*

DESTINATION: LA CARBONERA, Salento, Colombia - Be one of the first to lay eyes on an unspoilt paradise! 

In Salento, Colombia there is a palm tree forest sitting at 3000 meters called "La Carbonera". People usually come to Salento to visit Valle de Cocora to see the 900 tallest palms in the world, however La Carbonera has 2 million palms making it the largest in the world and is entirely off of the radar, you won't find it on Google or in any guidebook.

La Carbonera has only been visited by 900 tourists since 2016. Only one tour company has permission to show people this beautiful valley. 20 years ago the entire region was occupied by rebel forces which has kept it off of the tourist route. 

 This is also the only place you can spot the yellow eared parrot, a bird species that was considered extinct in the 90s until later rediscovered in La Carbonera. 400 live in the area and can't be seen anywhere else in the world.

HOW TO GET THERE: @SalentoCycling are the only tour company that can take you there. The guys drive you to a view point with a delicious picnic. After you'll have the chance to walk into the forest before biking 20km downhill back into town (not for the faint hearted!) 100,000COP/£28.

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Hotel Salento Real Eje Cafetero

Hotel Salento Real Eje Cafetero

4 out of 5
Calle 3 #4 -31 Salento Quindio
$91 nightly
The price is $91 total per night from Apr 12 to Apr 13
$91 total
Apr 12 - Apr 13
Stay at this hotel in Salento. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (599 reviews)
The property was excellent. Room was clean and alway done up whenever we came back. We had the Santa Isabella suite which was spacious with a king bed and sofa

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2026

Hotel Salento Real Eje Cafetero
Glamping Lumbre

Glamping Lumbre

3.5 out of 5
km 7 via valle de cocora Salento Quindío
$166 nightly
The price is $166 total per night from Apr 12 to Apr 13
$166 total
Apr 12 - Apr 13
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Salento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Cocora Valley and Reserva Natural Acaime are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
The staff were very welcoming, and the two private waterfalls were fantastic

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Glamping Lumbre
Panorama Salento by DOT Boutique

Panorama Salento by DOT Boutique

3 out of 5
Carrera 3, Entre 7 Y 8 Salento Quindio
$143 nightly
The price is $143 total per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
$143 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
Stay at this hotel in Salento. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Cocora ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (174 reviews)
Incredible property and view. Breakfast was great as well

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2026

Panorama Salento by DOT Boutique
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villa Salento Boutique Apartments

Villa Salento Boutique Apartments

3.5 out of 5
carrera 3 # 9-19 Salento quindio
Book a stay at this spa apartment in Salento. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (84 reviews)
Si, todo fue perfecto! el hotel es increíble

Reviewed on Jan 28, 2026

Villa Salento Boutique Apartments
La Cigarra Salento

La Cigarra Salento

Salento Quindío
Stay at this vacation home in Salento. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Cocora Valley and Main Square are located ...
La Cigarra Salento
Refugios Nidos del Condor -Cocora-

Refugios Nidos del Condor -Cocora-

2 out of 5
Vía al Valle del Cocora Salento Quindío
Stay at this campground in Salento. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Cocora Valley and Reserva Natural Acaime ...
Refugios Nidos del Condor -Cocora-
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Salento

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
22
5 - Excellent 81%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 19%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We loved the brightly colored buildings, restaurants, cafes, and friendly locals. Also be sure and try out the game of Tejo!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very nice small town

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful little village with tons of cheap and delicious restaurants, bars and shops. The perfect base to explore the zona cafeteira and the cocora valley

4/5 - Good

LC

It was cool to see the Cocora Valley. The Pueblo is small and there is only one street that is full of color and life (which could be overwhelming for those who prefer solitude, nature and quietness) Better to visit it on weekdays.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Check whether there are any holidays around the time of your trip. Renting a jeep to Cocora Valley on Saturday took less than 10 minutes, but by Sunday it was an hour long wait due to holiday travelers. Also, watch your step for horse poop.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful place.

Cities near Salento

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