Medellin to Salento tickets

About the ride from Medellin to Salento

With its vibrant streets, lively music scene, innovation, and community, it's hard for any other Colombian city to beat Medellin. It's a good thing you're not going to another city, then! 

In fact, if you're traveling from Medellin to Salento, you couldn't have picked somewhere more different to visit.

Salento is a small and colorful town nestled within Colombia's coffee-growing region. Here, you can enjoy some of the best coffee you've ever tasted while exploring a coffee farm to see the entire process from bean to cup! 

Coffee isn't the only thing that put Salento on the map. It's also home to Cocora Valley, where you'll find the tallest palm trees in the world. They're so remarkable that this place inspired the Disney movie Encanto! 

There's only one way to get from Medellin to Salento: by bus. 

The journey takes around 7.5 hours, and there are both daytime and nighttime trips, so you can choose whatever you prefer. 

Keep reading to learn more about the bus ride, what to do when you get there, and where to head next.

Five unique things to do in Salento

Salento is known for two things: coffee and the Cocora Valley. 

It's easy to understand why these two things steal the spotlight, but that doesn't mean other awesome activities should be missed. 

Here are some of the best things on offer in Salento:

1. Hike in Cocora Valley: Home to the tallest palm trees in the world, this hike might be one of the most scenic. The landscape changes constantly as you walk over rickety bridges, thundering waterfalls, and plenty of breathtaking viewpoints.
   
   

2. Learn about coffee: Salento is in the heart of Colombia's coffee-growing region, so take the opportunity to visit a coffee farm or finca in Spanish. Finca El Ocaso or Don Elias are two great spots to learn about coffee-making, from bean to cup. Some tours include tastings and offer great insight into Colombian coffee culture.
   
   

3. Play Colombia's national sport: Tejo involves throwing metal discs at a target on a board filled with clay. On this board, you'll also find small paper packets filled with gunpowder that give off a loud bang, smoke, and sometimes a small fire. It sounds strange, but you'll get the hang of it.
   
   

4. Head to Mirador Alto de la Cruz: This viewpoint offers panoramic views of Salento and the surrounding landscapes. It's a short walk from town and a great spot to catch sunrise or sunset.
   
   

5. Relax in the town: Salento's Plaza de Bolívar is the town's heart, surrounded by colorful colonial houses, artisan shops, and restaurants. It's a great place to enjoy local snacks, observe daily life and relax. 

How to get from Medellin to Salento

There is only one way to get from Medellin to Salento — a 7.5-hour bus ride. 

There are four daily departures, offering both daytime and overnight trips. 

Flota Occidental operates the bus, and prices start from $21. Buses depart from Terminal del Sur in Medellin and arrive at Terminal de Buses in Salento. 

Expect a reasonably comfortable ride. The bus has reclining seats, air conditioning, TVs, charging ports, and a toilet. With only 20 passengers onboard, it's a reasonably small bus.

You'll need to exchange your Bookaway voucher for a paper ticket at the Flota Occidental ticket office before you board.

What to expect on the journey from Medellin to Salento

As you leave the busy city behind, more of Colombia's countryside begins to be unveiled. And you won't be able to take your eyes away from the window when you get closer to Salento. 

Along the way, the driver will make a 20-minute stop at a restaurant, where you can grab some food and drinks and use the bathroom. 

Pro tip: Keep your important possessions on or close to you during bus rides to avoid theft. It's a good rule of thumb anywhere in the world.

When is the best time to visit Salento?

The best time to visit Salento is during the dry season (December to February and June to August). If you want the lowest chance of rain and clouds when hiking in Cocora Valley, try to visit during these months.

However, if you're not a fan of crowds, maybe avoid July and August, as these are the busiest months in Salento. 

The rainy season (March to May and September to November) brings fewer crowds. If you're keen to avoid them, visiting during these months can be worth the gamble. While afternoon showers are common, the mornings are often clear.

For cultural experiences, October's National Coffee Festival is a highlight despite the wet weather.

How many days should you spend in Salento? 

While Salento is beautiful, you don't need that many days there. Two to three days give you enough time to hike Cocora Valley, visit a coffee farm, and soak up the town's atmosphere. 

Where should you visit after Salento? 

After Salento, you could switch it up again and head back to the capital of Colombia, Bogota. But prepare for another long journey as this one also takes around eight hours. 

You can also continue exploring some of Colombia's smaller towns and cities by visiting Pereira or Armenia, only an hour from Salento.