Blogs from Salento, Quindío, Colombia, South America - page 2

Being traditionally British we aren’t the biggest coffee drinkers (tea is our fave tipple), it’s safe to say that although Salento is a part of the zona cafeteria, we were not just coming here for the coffee. No, we were also coming here for the mountainous scenery and the nearby cloud forest holding its own little secret. Salento, a smallish colonial old town with pretty colourful stripes lining most rows of buildings, the obligatory main square filled with locals predictably socialising and relaxing. The main stone church standing elevated over the surrounding buildings and a stunning lush green mountainous backdrop. Coming from Bogota, Salento certainly had its charm - greenery everywhere you looked in this quaint and colourful town. All buildings were around 2 stories high and the surprise of a steep incline or decline around ... read more

After my trials and tribulations in getting to Salento I checked into my hostel (Hotel Las Palmas $11) and knew that this was going to be a special place. My first day here I wandered around the town to get my bearings and to see the routine here in this sleepy village. Apparently this region is known for its wild trout - trucha en espaniol - that flourish in the Rio Quindio in the valley below Salento. I have had wonderful grilled fish for lunch here in town ($4). After lunch I walked up the hill to the Mirador that is perched above the Valle de Cocora and was rewarded with this stunning panorama. After seeing the view I knew that the next day I would go into the Valle de Cocora and see everything first ... read more

A bit of a screw up and an adventure but everything worked out fine in the end! I planned to do a walk to a waterfall and had got some instructions from the owner of the hospedaje and the Tourist Information Office. Unfortunately had written these on the map which I then proceeded to lose. It' s not that I am losing my marbles, I think, but that I can' t get everything I need to carry with me in my bum-bag so attempt to lodge water, hat etc between this and my waist so of course they fall out or I take them out and then forget them. Breakfast is not included with my lodgings, which is a pain because anywhere that does breakfasts is busy before the 9.30 am bus leaves for Cocora so ... read more

Traveling to Salento is like going back in time. It preserves most of its original colonial architecture and its location provides amazing views of the Colombian mountains. Even though I was born and raised in Colombia, I discovered Salento just a few years ago after living in the States for several years. Ever since I found this hidden gem, when I think of Colombia I’m always longing to go back to this little old town nestled among rolling hills in the Colombia's coffee region of Quindio. A typical day in Salento could be either packed with adventure or contemplation. For me, just hiking Salento’s old roads and trails, breathing the pure air, and contemplating the beauty of nature that abounds here does it. Life in Salento is slow, relaxed, and full of beauty. When I am ... read more

What's the thing Colombia is most famous for....? Why the worlds best coffee of course! :P Located in the centre, it is similar to an axis and thus is best known as the coffee triangle. There are many beautiful towns and villages in the region but I decided to go to one in particular that had not only an amazing backdrop but also beautifully coloured buildings that compliment each other perfectly... Salento. Interestingly I've since been told people closer to the equator are predisposed to use more colours in their architecture while those further away are more shape orientated (Paris, London). I was only in Salento three days but it was such a nice place, I decided to give it a blog of its own. DAY ONE Consisted mainly of travel as I set out at ... read more