Cocora Valley Colombia

The Cocora Valley is a wonderful natural landscape located in the heart of the Eje Cafetero of Colombia. There you’ll see the tallest palm trees in the world that get shrouded in mist at dusk, creating magical view. We invite you to discover the activities and beauty of this valley that makes every adventurer who sets foot in it fall in love.

What is the Cocora Valley?

The Cocora Valley is a wonderful natural landscape located in the central mountain range of the Colombian Andes, between the high courses of the Quindío River. More precisely, it is in the town of Salento, 30km from Armenia, in the region of Quindío, one of the key points of the Eje Cafetero.

This valley is also one of the entrances to the Parque Nacional Natural de los Nevados, a huge 583km² protected park characterised by lakes, forests and volcanoes, some of them active, with snow-capped peaks.

The Cocora Valley has a great diversity of flora and fauna. In fact, one of the main attractions of this park are its enormous Quindío Wax Palms, the tallest in the world and also Colombia’s national tree. As for its wildlife, you can find a great multitude of species, from pumas to hummingbirds and even cows that roam freely in some areas.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see in the Cocora Valley?

The Cocora Valley can be covered in a route up to 6 hours long, with several impressive stops. Here are the must-do’s:

1. The Palm Forest

This area of the valley is without a doubt the most iconic. The Bosque de las Palmas (Palm Forest) is home to 85% of the wax palms in Colombia. These trees, besides being one of the national symbols, are the tallest palms in the world, with specimens over 60 metres high. Sadly, the wax palm is an endangered species, which makes this visit even more special.

2. Acaime: the Hummingbird Reserve

Another essential stop is Acaime, a hummingbird reserve. Here you can take a break and watch the tiny birds flap their wings as they drink from nectar troughs and have their pictures taken. The entrance fee to the reserve is 5000 $COP (€1.1) and includes a cold drink or the typical regional drink aguapanela with cheese.

3. Viewpoints

Along the route you can find several viewpoints where you can stop to take a break and take pictures of the breathtaking views.

4. Mano de Acaime

In one of the valley’s cafés, Café La Finca, is the Mano de Acaime. It is a huge sculpture in the shape of a hand, strategically located in one of the most photogenic places in the Cocora Valley. It can be reached via a staircase and photographed at the top. This enormous hand for tourists makes the landscape feel even more immense, as you feel tiny when you stand on it.

What to do in the Cocora Valley?

1. Trekking in the Cocora Valley

The main activity of the Cocora Valley is exploration. The trek is about 4 to 6 hours and 14km. The route follows a circular path of moderate difficulty, although at times you will have to go deeper into the jungle and cross some streams by means of wooden suspension bridges that provide an extra element of excitement. The maximum altitude is 3000 metres and the difference in altitude is slightly more than 50 metres. As it is a circular route, you can do the walk in both directions and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

If you decide to do the route as indicated, you will first find the beautiful Bosque de las Palmas. After a 1 kilometre walk slightly uphill you will reach the Finca La Montaña, the highest point of the route at 3000 metres above sea level. From here you can enjoy what many consider to be the best views of the entire Cocora Valley. The tour then continues on to the optional Hummingbird Reserve (5000 $COP) which is very worthwhile if you wish to see these fascinating little birds. If you don’t have much time, or simply don’t feel like going there, we recommend following the route directly into the jungle. There you’ll find beautiful waterfalls and cross the streams on wooden bridges. This route is easier because there are fewer hills at the top.

The other option is to do the trek counter-clockwise, which makes the hike more difficult because of the climbs, but you are rewarded with the Bosque de las Palmas in the afternoon which, as usual, will probably be shrouded in mist. It is a good option if you are someone who prefers to save the best for last.

2. Route on Horseback

Another nice way to do the route through the Cocora Valley is on horseback. The company Bosques de Cocora “Donde Juan B” offers many services in the valley and horseriding is one of them. The tour is one or two hours and includes a guide who will explain all the interesting facts about the valley. If you feel like doing this plan but have no experience on horseback, don’t worry, the ride is easy and on a dirt road so you won’t have any difficulty.

The prices for this adventure are around €25 for a 1 hour trip and €40 for a 2 hour trip, although it depends on the number of people in the group. The trip includes lunch and drinks and groups must have a a minimum of two people.

3. Picnic

Once you get into the Cocora Valley you won’t find a place to stop for a bite to eat or a drink of water. For this reason, many visitors choose to have a picnic sitting quietly in front of one of Colombia’s most impressive views. In fact, if you don’t want to go shopping, many local establishments and hotels offer a picnic service. This activity is so common that romantic picnics for couples are even organised in the camping areas with Valentine’s Day-style decorations and elaborate lunches for $210,000 (€46) per couple.

If you decide to have a picnic, and especially if you do so outside the camping and catering area, don’t forget to pick up your rubbish before continuing your route.

4. Yoga

The company Bosques de Cocora “Donde Juan B” also offers this nature Yoga session for groups. The activity includes a delicious and filling lunch of golden trout, country salad, tasting of trout consommé, sauces, etc., plus another snack in the afternoon. The price is 77,700$ COP (17€) per person, group rate for groups of 10 people.

5. Planting a palm tree

The same company offers another essential activity for those who love nature and are committed to the environment. As we said before, the Wax Palm, Colombia’s national tree, is in danger of extinction; therefore, there is a nice initiative that consists of planting and adopting a palm tree. The activity includes an ecological talk about the palm and the natural park of the Cocora Valley. The price to plant is 160.000$ COP (35€) per person if done individually, but decreases depending on the number of people participating in the activity.

6. Visit Salento

Salento is the oldest municipality in the region of Quindío and the closest to the Cocora Valley. Since the trip to the valley is done in one day, we recommend taking the opportunity to visit this picturesque town that will captivate you due to its amazing colours and friendly people. Here are the must-sees:

• Plaza de Simón Bolívar: As well as being where you catch the Willys Jeep to the Cocora Valley, this square is a hub of life and nightlife on Saturdays, contrasting with the peace of Sunday mass at the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
• Calle Real: although all the town’s streets with their white architecture and vibrant colours are worth strolling down, if you have to choose just one, Calle Real should be the one.
• Take home authentic Colombian coffee: take advantage of the fact that you are in the Eje Cafetero to take home one (or several) packets of Colombian coffee bought at Tienda Café Salento on Calle Real.

Cocora Valley Travel Map

How to get to the Cocora Valley

To go to the Cocora Valley you must first get to the town of Salento. It’s located 10km from the Cocora Valley. If you have a car you can make the trip yourself and leave it in the parking lot of one of the restaurants located at the entrance of the valley. But if you don’t have a car or if you prefer to get a ride, you can take one of the Jeep “Willys” (the typical transport of the region) that leave from the Plaza Simon Bolivar in Salento. The trip costs approximately 4000 $COP (<1€) per person.

And the easiest way to get to Salento is a flight to one of the main cities of the coffee region such Pereira or Armenia. Once in Pereira or Armenia, take one of the buses to Salento. Salento is only about 30km away from Armenia and the price for this trip is 4700$ COP (1’05 €).

And if you have time we recommend you also visit the town of Finland which is very close to Salento. And you can also go there in one of the Jeeps.

Where to stay in the Cocora Valley?

As it is a protected area, there is no accommodation inside the Cocora Valley. However, at its entrance there is an area with a many restaurants and hotel services. Here are some examples of places to stay in the Cocora Valley.

• Camping Valle del Cocora: a traditional campsite with tent included, toilet and shower facilities, parking, mobile phone charger and Wifi zone. (€8.8 per night)
• Birdglamping Aviturismo Los Árboles: this fantastic glamping is ideal for couples. As well as being one of the quietest and best rated on the internet, it has a private bathroom, breakfast buffet included and all the comforts of a hotel. (€100 per night)
• Hotel San José: this hacienda-turned-hotel is one of the best options for an overnight stay near the Cocora Valley if you don’t want to sleep in a tent. It costs €17.75 per night per person and includes a room with private bathroom and breakfast.
• Cabañas Valle del Cocora La Truchera: beautiful cabins with bedroom, living room and private bathroom, plus fantastic views of the valley and breakfast included. Pets allowed (€36-62 per night).

Tips for your trip to the Cocora Valley

• Wear comfortable and breathable clothing, the weather is very humid, as well as a raincoat and hiking boots or sneakers.
• Always take water and food with you. Since this is a natural park, there are no stalls where you can stop to recharge.
• Travel insured against any unforeseen event. We always use the mondo travel insurance.
• Put on insect repellent before you go into the jungle.
• Organize travel itinerary with places to visit in the Free Passporter app.
• Care for the park. Put your trash away if you can’t find trash garbage cans, never throw it on the ground.
• Do not light fires in areas that are not designated for them.
• Buy an eSIM to stay connected to the internet and always keep in touch with your loved ones.

How to organize your trip to the Cocora Valley

Register or download the Passporter app and take advantage of all its advantages:

• Get inspiration from other travelers’ experiences.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you visited on your trip to the app to inspire other users.

Frequently asked questions