Salento

Salento is a charming colonial village in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Triangle (Eje Cafetero), surrounded by the lush green mountains of Quindío where some of the world's finest coffee is grown. With its colorful balconied houses, cobblestone streets, and access to the extraordinary Valle de Cocora, Salento has become one of the most beloved destinations in all of Colombia.

The Valle de Cocora, reached by Willys Jeep from the village plaza, is home to the tallest palm trees on Earth - the wax palm (palma de cera), Colombia's national tree, can reach heights of over 60 meters. Hiking through the valley's misty cloud forest, with these impossibly tall, slender palms rising through the fog, is one of the most surreal and beautiful experiences in South America.

Coffee is the soul of Salento. Numerous fincas (farms) offer tours where you can learn the entire bean-to-cup process, from picking ripe cherries to roasting, and taste freshly brewed single-origin coffee. The village's main street, Calle Real, is a colorful corridor of craft shops, coffee bars, and restaurants, while the Mirador viewpoint offers panoramic views of the surrounding valley.

The best time to visit Salento is during the drier months of December-February and June-August. The cloud forest is misty and atmospheric year-round, but drier periods offer clearer views of the wax palms.