How to hike the Cocora Valley without missing a thing
Routes, schedules, prices and the best wax palm viewpoints: the Cocora Valley guide written from Salento.
The Cocora Valley is the reason most travelers come to Salento: a misty valley where the world's tallest wax palms (up to 60 meters) — Colombia's national tree — grow. After hundreds of guests and dozens of hikes of our own, this is our honest guide.
Getting there from Salento
The Willys jeeps leave from Salento's main square — one block from the hostel — starting at 6:30 am, departing as they fill up (every 20–30 minutes in practice).
- Price: around $5,000 COP each way.
- Tip: take the first jeep of the day. You'll have the valley almost to yourself, better photo light, and less chance of rain.
- Mind the return: the last jeeps head back around 5:30–6:00 pm.
The two ways to do the valley
The full loop (5–6 hours)
The classic ~12 km circuit runs counterclockwise: in along the trail that follows the Quindío river, across the famous hanging bridges, optionally up to the Acaime hummingbird reserve, then a climb to Finca La Montaña before descending through the palm forest.
- Moderate difficulty: the climb to La Montaña is the tough part.
- The Acaime detour costs about $20,000 COP including a drink; hummingbirds are guaranteed.
- Bring cash: there are two or three small farm tolls of ~$5,000 COP along the way.
The short version (1.5–2 hours)
If time or knees are short, head straight into the palm forest and its viewpoints. It's the famous postcard without the full loop — perfect if you arrive late or travel with kids.
What to bring
- Rain jacket or poncho: it rains almost every afternoon, whatever Salento's sky says.
- Shoes with grip: the riverside stretches are pure mud.
- Water and snacks, cash in small bills, and sunscreen (the altitude is deceiving).
Our favorite viewpoints
- The bend just before Finca La Montaña, with the whole valley at your feet.
- Viewpoint No. 2 in the palm forest at sunset, when the fog rolls in.
- The pasture at the lower entrance: giant palms and grazing cows — the least expected photo and the most Colombian one.
Get back to the hostel before the afternoon rain and celebrate the hike properly: garden jacuzzi and freshly brewed Quindío coffee.
Want help planning the early start, storing your backpack or building the whole plan? That's what we're here for — drop us a line.
