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Home / Travel Tips

Getting from Medellin to Salento

Travel Tips Last Updated · Jan 20th, 2023 · Daniel James

salento from medellin

Are you going to travel from Medellin to Salento by bus?

In this article, I’ll show you the most efficient way to get to Salento.

Medellin is the second-largest city in Colombia! The weather is great, but if you want to make the most of your stay in Colombia, you’ll need to get out of the city to see what else there is on offer.

Salento is one of the most popular towns in Colombia and if this happened to be your first time in Colombia; you’re going to love it here.

Below I’ll break down how to get to Salento from Medellin using public transport (with a stop on the way), so you can travel with confidence.

Table of Contents

  • How to Get From Medellin to Salento
    • How far is Salento from Medellin
    • Medellin to Salento Map
    • From Medellin to Salento Ticket Advice
    • Medellin to Salento Travel Advice
  • Where to Stay in Salento
    • Posada Casa Salento
  • Best Things to do in Salento
    • Explore the Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley)
    • Try the best Colombian Coffee
    • Eat Trout and Patacon
    • Do A Coffee Tour
    • People Watching in the Plaza
    • Got Travel Insurance for Colombia?
  • Salento, Colombia FAQs
    • Is Salento worth going to?
    • How many days do you need in Salento?
    • Is Salento safe at night?
    • What is the best hostel in Salento?
  • Getting From Medellin to Salento

How to Get From Medellin to Salento

Salento is located in Quindío, and because of the lack of roads leading from Bogota, this town has conserved its traditional life.

salento colombia from medellin
Clock-face in Salento, Quindio

You really feel this when you compare it to other towns you’ll find in Colombia’s coffee region, also known as the Eje Cafetero.

Many backpackers and travelers arriving in Salento are visiting to be able to get to Cocora Valley and see the wax palm trees.

Heading to Salento from Medellin is a great idea if you want to experience an, even more, rural side of Colombian culture.

armenia salento bus
Bus to Salento from Armenia

When traveling to Salento from Medellin, you must make a stop somewhere along the way. What I did was to travel to Armenia.

From Armenia, you take another small local bus to Salento.

You’ll need to book out half a day for this journey, unlike other day trips from Medellin you likely need to wait around a little.

If you leave early from Medellin, which I recommend you do, you’ll likely be very hungry by the time you get to Armenia.

How far is Salento from Medellin

If you look on the map (shown below) you find that Salento is only 248 kilometers (154 miles) away from Medellin.

This in theory is a 6-7 hour trip but it often takes longer due to complications on the road. Not to mention the dreaded Mulas that slow down the flow of traffic along the way.

If you’re sensitive to motion sickness, this ride can feel like it takes a 100 years. So carry any aids you know of to alivate that queasy feeling.

Medellin to Salento Map

See this map of Colombia to acquaint yourself with the journey. It should take around 6-7 hours in total in total from Medellin.

The good news is that there is more than one way to get to Salento from Medellin; you can go direct. However, I recommend you don’t.

Also with so many things to do in Salento (and along the way), you may just want to block out a few extra days for this region.

Best tours to do in Salento:

  • Los Nevados National Park
  • Cloud Forest Tour
  • Ocaso Cafe Tour
  • Chocolate and tropical fruits tour

Unless you are in a rush, by going direct, you will miss out on seeing the Termales at Santa Rosa de Cabal and by-pass Armenia, another cute historical town that Colombia has to offer.

medellin to salento by bus
This is what Colombians look like near Salento

Either way, you’ll need to get yourself to the South bus terminal in Medellin to take both options. If you want to go direct to Salento; you’ll need to book with Flota Occidental.

Note that on this direct service, there is no toilet.

This direct bus service operates on a first come first served basis, meaning you’ll need to book your ticket early to guarantee to get a seat. Check availability for the hostels in Salento before you arrive.

medellin south bus terminal to cali
You’ll need to get to Medellin’s South Bus Terminal

Five scheduled buses that leave Medellin’s southern bus terminal daily. You can check out Flota Occidental to get the most up to date info.

If you can, it is always best to reserve your ticket for the bus journey in advance. This will help you save time in the long run.

Empresa Aruca is another company that has daily for a slightly lower cost.

The bus schedule for Salento from Medellin with Empresa Aruca:

4:30 am
6:30 am
8:45 am
9:45 am
9:45 am
11:00 am
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
6:00 pm

The fare from Medellin to Salento with Aruca costs 45,000 pesos

Do you speak Spanish? If not and you’re staying in a hostel in Medellin; you can get somebody who works there to call and help you reserve tickets.

From Medellin to Salento Ticket Advice

Remember, if you’re not taking the direct bus; you’ll have to stop in either Armenia or Pereira. It is up to you which you choose.

What I did was mix it up. So, on the way back, I went via Pereira and stayed over there for one night.

The bus drops you off at the entrance to Salento, next to an outdoor food area where you’ll find numerous trailers to buy food (if you’re hungry).

Are you staying at famous Viajero Hostel by any chance? If so, you won’t have to walk far but remember it gets chilly in the evenings.

arriving in salento from medellin
Arriving in Salento from Medellin

I arrived in Salento from Armenia just as it was going dark so, as I always say, the earlier you set off, the better–unless you have already decided you are going to take the night bus.

Always plan for a late arrival just in case. My complete journey was supposed to take six hours, but it was more like eight or nine hours.

Medellin to Salento Travel Advice

If there are complications on the road (they’ll set you back), the ticket operator will normally give you that information when buying tickets.

Here’s some more information to make your trip more relaxed.

Here are some crucial things you’ll need to know:

  • The bus will likely take longer than advertised
  • local buses, you’ll have to wait for them to fill up before leaving

Not so important but useful things to know:

  • Try to pick a seat at the front of the bus
  • Always keep your luggage in your sight at all times
  • Carry a decent water bottle with you that you can refill

As soon as you get off the bus, you’ll see an open back 4×4; they are called Willy’s. These are the taxis in Salento you use to get around.

hilly streets in salento
One of the many hilly streets in Salento, Colombia

Let the driver know where you’re going, and they’ll gladly take you to your hostel. I stayed in Posada Casa, and it was only a short walk.

Salento is very hilly, so depending on how tired you are or not, you may just want to walk.

Where to Stay in Salento

Have you sorted your accommodation? Here are some of the best places to stay in Salento if you were staying overnight.

Posada Casa Salento

best hostel in salento colombia

3 reasons to stay here

  • Close to the Main Square
  • Terrace and a Shared Lounge
  • Quiet and Clean

Check Price via Booking

When looking for a centrally located hostel with party vibes that provides you with a decent clean room to rest. Posada Casa is perfect!


Here’s a great recommendation for Salento if you were looking for a more luxury style hotel or you feel like a rest from staying in hostels.

Best Things to do in Salento

No doubt, you’ll be wondering what to do in Salento while here, right?

Below are some activities you can get acquainted with during your stay.

Explore the Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley)

Cocora Valley is a special place you can easily visit from Salento. It’s home to the national tree, the Quindío wax palm, which is a symbol of Colombia and such an amazing sight.

cocora valley colombia
Arriving at Cocora Valley from Salento

It’s probably the tallest looking palm trees you’ve ever seen. The setting is quite surreal.

You can take a local jeep from the main square that’ll take you to Cocora Valley. From there you can do horseback riding or hiking.

On arrival, you can find a tour, or you can explore it by yourself.

Try the best Colombian Coffee

Salento has a great selection of coffee shops where you’ll find some of the finest Colombian coffee. If you’re looking for an authentic cup, my personal favorite is Café Jesús Martín.

Authentic Coffee in Salento
Authentic Coffee in Salento

If you don’t visit a coffee farm, then you’ll want to get something to take back with you. Here’s the place. Make sure you visit at least once. If you don’t drink coffee, maybe try one of their delicious cakes.

Eat Trout and Patacon

Most Colombians know that Salento is the ultimate place to eat trout. It’s not just the trout, though, that gets everyone excited. I think it’s the oversized patacon that they serve with it.

salento restaurant colombia
A typical Restaurant in Salento

The restaurant Donde Laurita is the one that locals recommend. You won’t be disappointed as the food and service are of a high standard.

It is worth mentioning that most restaurants in the main square accept credit cards so, if you’re low on cash, you can still get a decent meal.

Do A Coffee Tour

If you’ve not yet had the chance to spend time exploring Colombia’s coffee region, now is perfect time to take part in guided a coffee tour.

The Ocaso Cafe Tour is a popular one and rightly so as the tour is really worth it. With those amazing views, you can walk (downhill) to the farm in about an hour from the main square.

Popular coffee tours to do in Salento:

  • Traditional Coffee Tour
  • Coffee Farm and Hot Springs Tour
  • Cocora Valley, Salento and Coffee Tour

You’ll get an English-speaking guide, who’ll show you how to pick your own coffee beans and guide you through the whole process.

People Watching in the Plaza

This is one of the most overlooked things to do in Salento. Sit, be quiet and watch how the people of Salento go about their day-to-day. It is a rewarding experience.

church in salento
View of the church in Salento

As I mentioned earlier, the hills are very steep in Salento, so the main square will become a regular rendezvous spot for you either way.

You’ll get views of the church and the mirador if you position yourself right. If visiting on a weekend, you’ll see how the town comes to life.

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Salento, Colombia FAQs

See these frequently asked questions about visiting Salento:

Is Salento worth going to?

Nestled within Colombia’s Coffee Triangle (also know as the Eje Cafetero by locals), Salento has become a rightful stop along any Colombian itinerary due to its climate which produces some of the best coffee in the world. A cute small town in itself, from here you can also visit the Valle de Cocora, home to some extremely tall palm trees!

How many days do you need in Salento?

The ideal amount of time to spend in Salento would be 3-4 days. Although it’s located in an impressive, picturesque setting, there’s not really too much to see around. The only reasons travelers spend longer is if they’re huge coffee fans, or if they plan to hike more around Cocora Valley or the nearby National Park of Los Nevados.

Is Salento safe at night?

Given some cities in Colombia are a no-go for heading out at night alone (especially in areas you don’t know), you can relax a lot more in Salento. The small plaza in the centre is very safe, and the locals here are much friendlier and helpful than in other parts of the country. Of course, still take the usual precautions as always.

What is the best hostel in Salento?

Located in the heart of town, Hostal Estrella de Agua is know as one of the best hostels in Salento. Not only does the hostel have various rooms and cottages to choose from, there’s also a beautiful garden area to relax in, as well as free coffee included too! They also organize some awesome tours too, such as the mountain biking tour around the surrounding region.

Getting From Medellin to Salento

So, no matter how you decide to travel to Salento, this guide is designed to give you the tips to be able to arrive with ease.

No need to plan too far ahead when traveling to Salento from Medellin, but reserving your accommodation in Salento before-hand is recommended.

Remember to keep your belongings close to you at all times and, of course, enjoy the ride. The views are spectacular.

Will you be heading over to the capital (Bogota) after this? Why not check out more hidden gems in Colombia before making up your mind?

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medellin to salento
medellin to salento
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Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: Colombia, Medellin, South America

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