Santa Rita waterfall: the half-day escape almost nobody does
How to get to the Santa Rita waterfall from Salento: the route through Boquía, prices, what to bring and why it's our favorite afternoon plan.
While everyone heads up to Cocora, the Quindío river hides a (literally) cooler plan down the valley: the Santa Rita waterfall, a cold-water cascade tucked inside a nature reserve in Boquía, with swimming holes, forest in every direction and — most days — almost nobody else. It's the answer we give when a guest asks: "anything that's not in all the guidebooks?"
Getting there from Salento
The waterfall sits in the Boquía district, down the valley from Salento, along the river:
- Salento to Boquía: hop on any bus or jeep heading down toward the Armenia road and get off at Boquía (10 minutes, about $3,000 COP). Walkers can go on foot: an hour downhill along the old road, with valley views.
- Boquía to the waterfall: from the reserve entrance, a trail runs about 40–50 minutes upstream through bamboo groves and forest. It's marked and gentle — suitable for almost any fitness (and hangover) level.
- Entrance: the reserve is private and charges around $10,000–15,000 COP, which helps maintain the trail and the forest.
What to bring
- Swimsuit and towel: the natural pools are the prize. Fair warning: the water comes down from the páramo — jump in screaming, come out smiling.
- Shoes with grip: there are stretches of wet rock.
- Cash in small bills, water and a snack.
- Rain jacket: like everything here, it rains almost every afternoon.
The plan we recommend
Leave after breakfast, swim at the waterfall around midday and head down for a trout lunch in Boquía, which has a reputation of its own. You're back at the hostel by mid-afternoon, just in time for the best combination we know: cold waterfall + hot jacuzzi. Trust us: the order matters.
Don't feel like planning? At reception we'll sketch you the map, tell you the bus schedule and hand over the usual local tips. It's one of those plans that runs itself.
Santa Rita is the day-3 afternoon in our 5-day itinerary. If you've come to Salento to really walk, also look at La Carbonera and — for the brave — Paramillo del Quindío. You already know your base camp: a bed one block from the main square.
