Hummingbird from Salento, Colombia

The beautiful glowing green hummingbird was seen flying around bird feeders in near Salento, Colombia during our hike through Valle de Cocora. Read more about Colombia Travel.

Colombia Travel - Two Wax Palm Trees in Salento

Wax Palm trees are the largest palm trees in the world, and believe us, they are tall. It makes us wonder how do they not fall over with trunks so tall and thin? Looking for more travel resources for Colombia travel?

Cocora valley (Spanish: Valle de Cocora) is a valley in Colombia considered a wildlife sanctuary. The valley is located in the central Andean mountains. It has been acknowledged by the Colombian government as the sanctuary of the national symbol, the wax palm. Wikipedia
The Wax Palm tree is the tallest palm tree in the world. We treked through this beautiful landscape in a single day from the nearby small town of Salento.

Early Morning Cartagena Skyline

We are all aware that Colombia has a reputation of being a dangerous country. The country has been battered by drug cartels, guerrilla wars and public kidnappings i.e. Ingrid Betancur.

After spending traveling in Colombia for over a month, we now consider it one of our favorite Latin American countries. The country of Colombia has much to offer its foreign and national tourists.

Northern Colombia

Playa Blanca on Bara Island

Cartagena is a beautiful colonial city with many open plazas adorned with flowers, cafes, high-end hotels and beautiful surrounding beaches, making it an amazing vacation spot.

Walking the Streets of Old City Cartagena, Colombia

Just 4 hours northwest of Cartagena is Tayrona Park.  This park is a gorgeous gem with pristine beaches and untouched forest that provides a great weekend getaway into a natural paradise.  This can be considered one of the most beautiful natural beaches in South America.

Tayrona National Park - Best Beaches in Colombia

The greatest trek in Colombia is a 5-day trek through the jungle to the “Lost City” or Ciudad Perdida.  Just an hour outside of Cartagena, Colombia you can visit Volcano Totumo and experience a volcanic mud bath.

Just an hour outside of Cartagena, Colombia - Volcano Totumo a volcanic mud bath

Central Colombia

Bogotá was once only a transportation hub for Colombia, but now travelers are staying for a few days to explore what the city has to offer.  Considered a world city and one of the most economically important cities in South America, Bogotá has turned it’s focus to tourism and is succeeding.

Bogota Colombia

Medellín is an impressively developed city with great architecture, a modern rail metro system, brand name shopping, paragliding and an exciting night life.  December is one of the best times to visit Medellin when they decorate both sides of Medellín River with thousand of colorful lights and designs for the holidays.  You can spend two days visiting the many libraries and museums, which are architecturally stunning.

Medellin Metrocable

Southwest Colombia

Cali is the 3rd largest city in Colombia and home to some incredible restaurants and many nightclubs.  You must go out and salsa dance in what many consider the salsa capital of Colombia.

Manizales Colombia Skyline

Don’t miss the beautiful Coffee Region.  The natural landscapes make you forget you’re in the scary Colombia you’ve heard and read about.  Some of the best coffee in the world is grown in this region and the production occurs in Manizales.

Wax Palms of Valle de Cocora near Salento, Colombia

Sit down at a Juan Valdez Cafe and you will think you are in a Starbucks.  We visited Salento, home of the tallest palm trees in the world.

Tanganga Fishing Village in Colombia

Traveling Colombia we were able to experience many wonderful places and there is so much more that we didn’t have a chance to see.

• Beaches of Tayrona National Park, Colombia
• Discover Cartagena, Colombia
• Mud Bath in Volcano Totumo, Colombia
• Discover Salento, Colombia

El Cabo Beach in Tayrona National Park Colombia

Despite all this, Colombia doesn’t come so easy.  We had experiences in Colombia that we did not elsewhere.  Here’s a list of what else to expect when traveling through this beautiful country.

1. Frequent security check points

When taking a bus from city to city you will arrive at various security check points where passengers must disembark the bus to be checked. Men and women get separated. Women get their bags searched and men get a full body frisk. At one particular security check point everyone in the bus had their face filmed. We were told that there have been cases where people ride the bus acting as passengers and then attempt to hijack the bus. Therefore, as a security measure, they video tape everyone on the bus, and in case something like this happens again they can identify the perpetrators.

2. Public demonstrations

Colombia is currently going through a transformation period. There seems to be various different laws being put in place and the local people are voicing their opinions regarding these changes. For a traveler, witnessing a demonstration can be intimidating. In our case, we witnessed two. In Medellin they were protesting the increased control of street vendors. In Cali protesters were against the consolidation of bus routes, which would eliminate private bus companies. Aracely and I curiously watched as tear gas and smoke bombs were used against the Colombia protesters and us. Click the link to watch the crazy video.

3. Colombia Cocaine

We were offered cocaine by random people on the street very often. We also experienced two of our dorm mates snorting cocaine in our hostel dorm room right in front of us. Every night in the hostels you could hear other travelers planning their cocaine purchases.  A local explained to us that the authorities tend to look away when tourists are engaging in drugs or prostitution.  Sadly, actions like this feed the Colombian stereotypes.

Border Crossing: Ecuador to Colombia via Ipiales

Lonely Planet listed Colombia as a top 10 destination for 2010.  NY Times recently touted Colombia, as well as CNBC and National Geographic.  Crime rates are being compared to large cities in America.  It’s time we ventured out and explored the vastly unknown Colombia!

Click here to see more PHOTOS from Colombia.

Located in the heart of the Colombian coffee region and tucked between Pereira and Armenia rests Salento, a small and pleasant town which offers visitors a warm relaxing setting.

Colombia Travel - Streets of Salento

Colombia Travel

If you’re making your way south to Cali from Medellin or Bogota, or traveling north on the reverse route, Salento is an ideal place to take a break from the bustling cities of Colombia.  Relax in town, or venture out to Valle de Cocora for some outdoor trekking adventure where you will see the tallest palm trees in the world.

Colombia Travel - Hiking Valle de Cocora near Salento

• Why Travel to Colombia?
• Colombia Travel – Beaches of Tayrona National Park
• Colombia Travel – Discover Cartagena
• Colombia Travel – Mud Bath in Volcano Totumo
• Colombia Travel – Hiking Ciudad Perdida (Lost City)
• Sailing to Colombia or Panama

Colombia Travel - Wax Palms of Valle de Cocora near Salento

Streets of Salento, Colombia

Salento’s most popular street is lined with artisan shops, fondas (Colombian cantinas), and local restaurants serving typical Colombian dishes.

Colombia Travel - Aracely in the Streets of Salento

By 9:00pm, most shops close and restaurants are only serving quick dishes of chorizo and empanadas.  You will only find fondas and bars opened later in the evening.

Colombia Travel - Bars in Salento

Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora)

Hang off the side of an original Jeep Willy during an exciting 30 minute ride to Valle de Cocora, a valley located in the central Andean mountains.

Colombia Travel - Jeep Willy in the Valle de Cocora

Tallest Palm Trees in the World

Valle de Cocora is home of the wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense), a Colombian national symbol and the tallest palm tree in the world.

Colombia Travel - Tallest Palm Trees in the World (Wax Palms)

Since the implementation of law 61 in 1985 the palm has been a legally protected species, but still faces many threats of extinction. The wax palm has an extremely slow growth and can live up to a hundred years.

Colombia Travel - Valle de Cocora near Salento

Hiking near Salento, Colombia

From the drop off point there are various hiking routes that take its visitors through rolling hills of green landscape and winding shallow rivers.

Colombia Travel - Hiking Trails in the Valle de Cocora near Salento

The most popular route is to Acaime, a rest point where you can enjoy a traditional snack from the area called Aguapanela or cane juice and cheese for $3,000 pesos or $1.50 USD, all while admiring the beautiful humming birds flying around you.

Colombia Travel - Hummingbird

From Acaime, most visitors will hike the La Montana route back to the park’s entrance. La Montana provides some of the most beautiful views of the of the valley and its majestic palms.

Colombia Travel - Taking a break in Acaime, Valle de Cocora

Travel Tips for Budget Travelers

When you arrive at the parks entrance you will have several options to tour the area.  Avoid horseback, and guided tours and instead take a photo of the large wooden map and use it for reference while hiking on your own.  The trails are well marked and you shouldn’t have any problems finding your way.

Colombia Travel - Hiking Valle de Cocora near Salento

View more travel photos of Salento, Colombia.