Marjolein Dilven
What’s so special about the Valle de Cocora Colombia that it is billed as a must-see experience for visitors? If you are an adventurous trekker, a nature lover, or an eco-tourist out to see one of the best places in this South American country, a hike through this amazing valley is for you.
The Cocora Valley is one of the most distinguishable attractions in the Republic of Colombia. For most tourists, it is the main reason for traveling to Salento, the nearest town to the Valley.
If you’re planning a trip to Salento and are fond of backpacking, you may fancy a trip to Valle de Cocora, trekking through the striking landscape of this magical valley. The Valle de Cocora is home to Colombia’s symbol and national tree, the famous Quindío wax palms, standing tall on the trek and fill the landscape.
Continue reading this article to learn everything about hiking the incredible Valle de Cocora.
Basic Info – Valle de Cocora Colombia
The Valle de Cocora is at the center of the Coffee Triangle of Colombia, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies in the Quindío department in the Central Cordillera of the Andes mountains, within the Los Nevados National Natural Park, where the Colombian government incorporated it in 1985.
Cocora is almost 24 kilometers away from Armenia, Quindío’s capital, in the northeast direction. With an altitude between 1,800 to 2,400 meters (5,906 to 7,874 feet) above sea level, Valle de Cocora is home to the Quindío wax palm trees, Colombia’s national tree. These trees have an eccentric appearance with tall thin trunks, and most stand over 200 feet tall.
The Valley is accessible through jeeps and cars from Salento, the neighboring town. However, automobiles can only go as far as 11 km from the entry point. Tourists can access the remaining parts of Cocora through horseback riding or following the hiking trails.
History of Valle de Cocora Colombia
The history of the Cocora Valley is quite interesting.
Before 1985, the Quindío wax palm trees were used widely for multiple purposes. The locals used them for making candles, while the farmers used them for building materials.
As a traditional ritual, the trees were also cut down annually for their leaves on Palm Sundays. This practice greatly reduced the number of trees in the region. Therefore, in 1985, the Colombian government decided to designate the area as a park to prevent the symbolic Quindío wax palm from becoming extinct.
Due to the government’s timely action, the wax palm trees are under no imminent threat of extinction, and the Cocora Valley is one of the few places where rare species of palm trees are found in abundance.
If you visit the San Francisco Botanical garden, you may also find the Quindío wax palm trees.
How to Get to Valle de Cocora Colombia
Since Salento is the closest town to the Cocora Valley, most foreigners prefer to stay there. Visiting the Cocora Valley is one of the top things to do around Salento when you visit.
Some also like to stay in Pereira, the other neighboring town. With the base camp in the town, you can plan a day trip to the Cocora Valley.
Now, let’s see how you can get to Salento.
Medellin to Salento
Salento is almost 340 km away if you are traveling from Medellin, and a bus ride will take around 5 to 6 hours. Take the bus from the Terminal de Transportes del Sur bus station. 4 buses operate daily on the Medellin to Salento route.
The journey will cost a solo traveler around 47,000 COP (12.25 USD).
Travel from Bogota to Salento
The journey from Bogota to Salento is quite long and will take around 8.5 hours. You may also need to change buses when you reach Armenia.
Book a bus ride to Armenia from the Terminal De Transporte Salitre in Bogota. Numerous buses are designated for the route, so getting a ticket on the spot will not be a problem.
Once you reach Armenia, you can travel to Salento in a minivan. Vans leave for Salento from Armenia every 20 minutes, so you do not have to wait. The last bus leaves at 8 pm, but you should try to hop on an early bus from Bogota to reach Salento on the same day.
A bus ticket from Bogota to Armenia will cost around 40,000 COP (10.43 USD); from Armenia, you can travel to Salento at around 4,500 COP (just over $1).
If you have a tight schedule, you can fly from Bogota to Armenia and get on the bus from there. It will take you under two hours to get to Salento, but the total trip would get much more expensive. The price will depend on how far in advance you can book your flight ticket.
Travel From Cartagena to Salento
Cartagena is even further away from Salento. It takes a bus 24 hours to get there, so the best way to travel from Cartagena to Salento is by air. There are roundtrip flights to Armenia, and you can catch a bus to Salento from there.
The total flight and bus time would be around 4 hours and 25 minutes; a 3.5-hour flight and another 45 minutes to Salento by bus.
The journey will cost you around 261,000 COP ($70), depending on when you book.
Get to the Cocora Valley From Salento
It is quite easy and economical to go to Cocora valley from Salento. An elaborate transportation system consisting of the collective 4WDs, also called the Willy Jeeps, has been set up to easily facilitate tourists to the Valley.
A one-way ride to the Valley will cost you around 3,800 COP (just over $1). Riding in the Willy may not be the most comfortable experience, but it is exciting, and if you’re up for the adventure, you will enjoy the ride.
The jeeps are easily available in the main square of Salento. If you cannot find one from the square, you can go to the Willy HQ before Calle 3 and Carrera 3, accessible from Carrera 6, the main road.
You will be told that there are set departure times for the jeeps. But, in reality, a jeep only leaves when it is full. We suggest leaving early in the morning so you can make the most out of your day exploring Cocora.
When you get to Salento, you can tour the Cocora Valley in two ways:
1. Take a Short Trip to the Cocora Valley
If you have little time to spare, go for a hike around the valley. There are several different hikes: some longer and others shorter. You can choose what fits your timeframe and fitness level.
When you arrive at the Valle de Cocora, walk for 20 minutes straight ahead, and you will find the wax palm trees. You can either go uphill towards La Montana or stick to exploring the lowlands. Stroll along on a leisurely hike and enjoy the view.
2. Do a Full Hike Through the Cocora Valley
If time is not an issue and you have no qualms about hiking, consider doing the full loop trail hike through the Cocora Valley. The full hiking experience entails looping around the Valley. If you are hesitant to undertake the venture on your own, you can always opt for a guided tour.
To begin the hike, turn right when you reach the blue gate and follow the path that leads down the hill. You will pass the trout farm along the way and reach the cloud forest. Move through the forest, hike along the river, and trek to La Montana, which will lead down to the wax palms.
How Much Does it Cost to Go to Valle de Cocora, Colombia?
The cost of traveling to Valle de Cocora, Colombia, depends on where you are traveling from. In the earlier section, we have provided a detailed breakdown of the expenses according to your location.
This section provides a detailed breakdown of how much it will cost you to get to the Cocora Valley from Salento. A one-way trip to the Valley on the Willy will cost you around 3,800 COP ($1); a round trip will cost 7,600 COP ($2).
Once you have reached Cocora Valley, here are other expenses to consider:
- The entrance to the park, if you opt for the longer hike, is 3,000 COP (under $1) per person. When we entered the park, no one was there to collect the fee, so you may get lucky.
- A self-guided tour of the trout farm will cost another 3,000 COP each (under $1). You will be given a bag of fish food with the entrance ticket.
- The visit to the hummingbird sanctuary will cost you 5,000 COP ($1.50). The package includes a drink. I highly recommend you visit the hummingbird sanctuary, as hummingbirds are so fun to watch, and there are lots of them there.
Therefore, if you spend a full day at the Valley and explore all it offers, the trip will cost you 18,600 COP ($5). Quite reasonable, we must say!
Where To Stay in Valle de Cocora Colombia
Hotel Natura Cocora (Budget)
Hotel Natura Cocora offers garden accommodations with free private parking, a terrace, and complimentary WiFi. Rooms feature private bathrooms, with some boasting balconies and city views. Each room includes a seating area.
Hotel El Mirador del Cocora (Mid-range)
Mirador de Cocora stands in Salento, just 500 meters from the main square. Its terrace offers panoramic views of Cocora Valley. Guests enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, and a daily Gourmet Breakfast is served on the terrace.
Terrazas de Salento (Luxury)
Terrazas de Salento offers views of the mountain, garden, or city, each equipped with a private bathroom. The region is renowned for horse riding and cycling, with the hotel providing bike rental services.
For more accommodation options, you may click on the map.
Tips on How to Enjoy Valle de Cocora Colombia
A trip to Cocora valley is the perfect mix of beautiful landscapes, iconic sights, and good exercise, and at a very economical price at that.
If you want to enjoy your experience hiking the panoramic Valley and make the most of your trip, here are a few tips to help you prepare for the trip and save you from any trouble.
Safety in Numbers
If you’re traveling alone and want to hike the Valle de Cocora, you will have a better experience if you go hiking with a group or company.
Salento is bustling with solo travelers and backpackers, all eager to strike a conversation during the tourist season. You can get a few on board to accompany you for the trip. This way, you may enjoy your hike more, and there is less waiting if your group can fill a Willy Jeep.
Additionally, consider protecting yourself with travel insurance such as SafetyWing, which can cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen incidents during your stay. Use the widget below to snag the perfect policy for your needs and travel with peace of mind knowing you’ve got your back covered, no matter what adventures come your way!
Pack the Right Gear
If you plan to hike the full loop, travel with light baggage. Get a backpack that can store all the things you need for the trip. Some items you might need are mosquito and bug repellants, a hat, and sunscreen.
You must also keep a raincoat even if it is sunny. The area is prone to unexpected rain and mists during the afternoon. Don’t forget the trail map!
Wear the Right Shoes
The trail can be very muddy, so put on footwear that you do not mind getting dirty.
Your hiking boots should also have excellent traction and good foot support, so you do not slip or trip over loose rocks.
Pack Sufficient Food and Water
There are hardly any food and bottled water options except for La Montana and the hummingbird sanctuary. Remember to pack enough food and water snacks to last you the entire trip.
Go as Early as Possible
As suggested earlier, the area often becomes rainy during the afternoon, and the sunlight can be quite harsh on days it is not raining. It can also get quite crowded during the day.
If you want to avoid rain, the harsh sunlight, and the crowds, leave as early as possible for your day hike through the Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Valle de Cocora Colombia
What Is Cocora Valley Known For?
The Cocora Valley is famous for the Quindio wax palm, Colombia’s national tree.
How Do I Get to the Cocora Valley?
You can get a ride on a Willy Jeep to go to Cocora Valle from Salento.
Where in Colombia Is Valle de Cocora?
The Valle de Cocora is situated in the Quindío department in Colombia. It is a part of the Los Nevados Natural National Park and lies in the Central Cordillera of the Andes.
Conclusion – Valle de Cocora Colombia
The verdict is out: Valle de Cocora in Colombia is an amazing destination in South America that deserves the top place in the itinerary of hikers, nature trippers, and eco-tourists alike. Hiking the valley is a unique activity that travelers should tick off their to-do lists soon.
Don’t miss out on such a breathtaking experience to walk its cloud forest trail amid the towering Quindío wax palm trees.
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Founder of Spark Nomad, Radical FIRE, Copywriter
Expertise: Personal finance and travel content. I’m a full-time traveler, and I’ve been to 49 countries and 5 continents.
Education: Bachelor of Economics at Radboud University, Master in Finance at Radboud University, Minor in Economics at Chapman University.
Over 200 articles, essays, and short stories published across the web.
Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Spark Nomad, a travel platform, and Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.