What to do in Salento: 10x the best tips
March 6, 2023
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Walking among the tallest palm trees in the world, it is one of the reasons many travelers travel to the mountain village of Salento in Colombia. Valle de Cocora, in Dutch the Cocora Valley, is a valley full of palm trees that can grow as tall as 60 meters. The type of palm tree is unique and is found only in Colombia. Would you like to hike around here? Then we are happy to share with you fun facts and helpful tips for hiking in Valle de Cocora!
How to reach Valle de Cocora?
You can make it to the Cocora Valley from Salento, the mountain village where you will undoubtedly stay. From Plaza de Bolívar, daily jeeps leave for the valley. The jeeps, also called Willy's, can be recognized by their distinctive colors. A jeep leaves when it is full. It is best to leave in the morning for the Cocora Valley because of the heat and optimal time commitment.
A return Salento - Valle de Cocora costs 8,000 COP per person (in 2019) and you can buy it at the ticket box in Plaza de Bolívar. The location where you are dropped off with the jeep is also the place from which the jeeps drive back to Salento.
The different hike routes to Valle de Cocora
You can follow two routes to get to the famous Cocora Valley. Option 1 is to follow a hike route of about 45 minutes, option 2 is to follow a hike route of about 5 hours. If you want to hike quickly and without too much effort among the giant palms of Valle de Cocora, then of course you should go for option 1. This route is one of long road straight ahead from where you are dropped off by jeep. For option 2, the long hike to Valle de Cocora, we share all our tips below.
Hiking to Valle de Cocora: tips for the long hike
Valle de Cocora is located in Los Nevados National Park, a mountainous area through which you can take a beautiful hike. No matter how tough the hike gets, in the end you will be rewarded with breathtaking views.
When you arrive in the national park by jeep from Salento, you will be dropped off at the starting point. This is the starting point of the hike to the Cocora Valley. Follow the path and turn right at the blue gate for the longer hike. For the next 5 hours you will hike over muddy trails, rocks, rickety bridges and lush jungle.
To hike in Los Nevados National Park, you pay an entrance fee. Bring cash because you will meet the rangers on the trail and not at the starting point. You will be given a map with the route and a wristband that you are required to wear during the hike.
Detour to the waterfall
The path you follow passes a waterfall, but it's not like you can see it directly. By the way, you can hear it flowing. To get to the waterfall, there is a small side trail on your left. It is a little bit of scrambling and climbing to get there, but a nice short stop.
Casa de los Colibries
Another fun stopover is Casa de los Colibries. This spot owes its name to the tiny and mega cute hummingbirds you can spot here. To take a seat on the terrace, you pay 5,000 COP (in 2019) including a drink of your choice. You can order water, soda, coffee, tea and some food at Casa de Los Colibries. To get here it is best to use the app maps.me, make sure you have downloaded the offline map of the region beforehand. From the trailhead, the route is right to Casa de Los Colibries, left is the route to Valle de Cocora (from here on it's climbing!).
Finca La Montaña
After a spirited climb of 220 meters up the mountain you will arrive at Finca La Montaña. From here you have a beautiful panoramic view. By the way, you are at an altitude of 2,860 meters, so it sometimes happens that you walk here in the clouds. From here continue walking along the wide path that leads to Valle de Cocora.
Valle de Cocora
Before you actually stand at the foot of the world's largest palm trees, you'll pass two vantage points. And believe us, this is where you want to stop. The first viewpoint follows fairly soon after you follow the wide path from Finca La Montaña. The view of the first palm trees is fantastic, so keep your camera handy. Remember not to deviate from the main trail at the second viewpoint, or you will walk straight to the starting point and miss the real valley. Once in the Cocora Valley, you will be amazed. Among the vast green plains are meters-high palm trees. We have never felt so small!
Helpful tips for the hike to Valle de Cocora
Of course, it's entirely your own decision to decide whether to take the short or long hike to get to Valle de Cocora, but if we may recommend one route, it's definitely the long one. And being well prepared is half the battle, so be sure to put on sturdy hiking boots, carry plenty of water and snacks, and bring both sunscreen and a poncho. After all, the weather in the mountains can change in an instant. Last but not least, download the app maps.me for an offline map. That way you can always find your way to the Cocora Valley!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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