How to plan a trip to the Cocora Valley

The Cocora Valley is a destination of impressive natural scenery and is home to Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm. This valley forms part of the Los Nevados National Park and offers a truly wild spectacle of lush jungle with towering palms that reach up to 60 metres in height. The destination is a marvel, which is why we’ve prepared this post to help you plan a trip to the Cocora Valley.

Before travelling to this favourite destination of hiking and nature lovers, it is necessary to get ready in advance to ensure a pleasant stay. Throughout this post we’ll walk you through the preparations for your trip and tell you how to get there, the necessary travel documents, the best places to stay and many more travel tips. Are you ready to set off on your journey?

1. Prepare your travel documents for the Cocora Valley

To travel to Colombia, and to any other country in the world, you need to have in order the travel documents that will allow you to stay in the country legally during your trip.

Citizens of many Latin American and EU countries, among others, do not need to apply for a visa for short tourist stays of up to 90 days. They can be extended up to 180 days once in the country.

To enter the country you will need to present the following documents:

• Current passport valid for more than 6 months on the day of entry.
• Return ticket
• Proof of financial solvency (in some cases).
• Letter of invitation or hotel reservations.

If you are travelling from a country other than those mentioned above, you will need to apply for your visa through the Colombian embassies or consulates in your country, or through their online form, which is the easiest and quickest way. The process can take a couple of weeks, so it is advisable to start the process in advance. The maximum stay generally allowed is 180 days per year. They can be divided into periods of up to 90 days per entry. These are the documents you will need to present to apply for a visa:

• Your passport valid for at least six months
• Completed visa application form, available online
• Recent passport-style photo
• Documents that demonstrate the purpose of the trip (such as invitation letters, hotel reservations, etc.)
• Proof of financial solvency (such as bank statements)
• Return ticket or travel itinerary
• Payment of the consular fee (40€ for citizens of Europe and Cuba, 82€ for other nationalities)

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.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to the Cocora Valley

The best time to visit Colombia’s Cocora Valley is between December and March, during the dry season. During these months, the trails are more accessible and the hikes through the famous wax palms are more pleasant, minimising the chances of torrential rains that can make the trails slippery and dangerous. However, it’s also high season, which means there can be more tourists and prices tend to be slightly higher.

If you’re looking for an authentic local experience, we encourage you to travel in April, during Arbor Day, which coincides with the planting season. During this holiday, reforestation and environmental awareness activities take place, offering visitors a unique opportunity to participate in the conservation of the local ecosystem.

3. Find out how to get to the Cocora Valley

Despite its remote location, getting to the Cocora Valley is relatively easy by car or public transport. However, it’s advisable to book in advance. The nearest town is Salento, but most people fly from Bogotá to El Edén International Airport, located in Armenia, from where you have all the alternatives to get to the Cocora Valley:

• By private car: Take the Autopista del Café towards Pereira and turn off at km 11.5 towards Salento. Drive 8km to the town and then follow the signs for another 10km to the Cocora Valley. Once there you’ll find a car parking that opens from 6:00 am until 6 pm and costs COP $10,000 for cars and COP $5,000 for motorbikes.
• By bus: COOTRACIR offers services to Salento from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm, with departures every 20 minutes. The trip takes about 50 minutes and costs COP $4,500.
• From Pereira Airport: Take a taxi to the transport terminal and then a bus from the Expreso Alcala company to Salento. Buses leave frequently and the ticket costs approximately COP$7,000.
• From Salento to the Cocora Valley: The most scenic and economical way is to take a Willys jeep from Salento’s main square. This shared transport costs COP$9,500 per person round trip.

The best way to get around the Cocora Valley is by Willys jeeps, a means of transport and a cultural experience in itself. And once in the wild, you can opt for walking or horseback tours, depending on your preference and physical condition. Prices for guided tours in the valley vary. But you can expect to pay from COP$20,000 for a basic walking tour to COP$80,000 for a more extensive tour on horseback. Within Salento, most attractions are accessible on foot.

4. Find the accommodation that fits your expectations to enjoy the Cocora Valley

The Cocora Valley, located in the heart of the Colombian Eje Cafetero, has unique accommodations in the middle of nature, ideal for disconnecting and enjoying the scenery. Many accommodations are surrounded by wax palms and offer a unique setting from which to explore the area.

On the Passporter App, via Booking you’ll find plenty of options to suit all budgets and tastes. But we recommend looking in advance if you want to find the best deals as it’s a very touristy destination.

And if you don’t know where to start looking, here are some of the most common places to spend the night in the Cocora Valley:

• Salento: this is the most common town to stay in for exploring the Cocora Valley. It is known for its colourful and lively charm. Prices can vary, but generally being somewhat expensive due to high tourist demand.
• Filandia: only 15 km from Salento, Filandia offers a quieter, less touristy alternative, with moderate prices.
• Accommodation on coffee farms: perfect for an authentic experience in rural accommodation with prices that may vary according to the farm and the amenities offered, but are generally affordable.

5. Where and what to eat in the Cocora Valley

The gastronomy of the Cocora Valley is famous for its rich tradition and the use of fresh ingredients from the region. Among the most typical ingredients are trout, plantain, cassava, corn and avocado, which are combined to create delicious dishes that you can’t miss, such as these:

• Trucha con patacón: is one of the most typical dishes of the Cocora Valley. It consists of fried or grilled trout, served with patacón, which are fried green plantains flattened into a kind of crunchy pie.
• Bandeja paisa: is a very complete and hearty dish that includes rice, beans, ground meat, chicharrón, ripe plantain, arepa, avocado, chorizo and fried egg.
• Sancocho: a thick, nutritious soup made with meat (chicken, beef or pork), yucca, corn, potatoes, plantain and various vegetables, often accompanied by white rice.
• Arepas de choclo: sweet arepas made of ‘baby corn, also known as choclo, stuffed with cheese and cooked on a griddle.
• Tamales: corn dough stuffed with meat, vegetables and sometimes rice, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, resulting in a delicious and traditional Colombian dish.

A characteristic drink of the region is panela water with cheese, a comforting combination enjoyed especially in cold weather. In addition, it is common in the area to enjoy good Colombian coffee produced in the area and recognised worldwide for its quality.

6. Choose the activities you want to do in the Cocora Valley

Although many tourists only spend a day in the valley, there’s plenty to do, as we tell you in this post. And you could spend several days exploring the different national parks and natural areas. Use the Passporter App to help you plan your travel itinerary and make sure you don’t miss out on these must-visit places:

Top 10 points of interest in the Cocora Valley:

1. Acaime Trail: hike this 11km (4h) trail and visit the “Casa de los Colibríes” (House of the Hummingbirds). Approximate price: 5 USD
2. Wax Palm Forest: here you can admire the tallest palms in the world.
3. Mountain Viewpoint: perfect for panoramic views of the mountains.
4. Hiking Routes: in the Cocora Valley you will be able to do various routes suitable for all levels.
5. Horseback Riding: explore the valley in a different way. Price: 10 USD per person
6. Acaime Nature Reserve: this is a biodiversity refuge and admission is 5 USD.
7. La Montaña: is an excellent spot for long walks and spectacular views.
8. Walk to the Mirador: this is a shorter walk, ideal for stunning photographs.
9. Hanging Bridge: Cross the river and enjoy the unique view as you cross this impressive bridge.

7. Organise a trip with friends to the Cocora Valley

Whether you’re travelling with friends, your partner or the family, when planning a visit to Colombia’s Cocora Valley or any other destination, it is crucial to consider the interests of each member to design a trip that meets everyone’s expectations.

It is common for minor disagreements to arise due to coexistence or different travel styles. For this reason, our suggestion, which applies to any aspect of travel in general, is to plan ahead and agree together on every detail, such as budget, schedules, how meals will be taken and accommodation.

A great way to organise your trip with friends is through the Passporter App, where you can create a shared travel route and enrich your experience by sharing images and comments with other travellers. In addition, we have prepared this post where you will find useful tips for travelling with friends. Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to the Cocora Valley

• The currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso (COP).
• Although many establishments accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to carry some cash, especially for small purchases or in rural areas.
• In Colombia, the A and B plug type is used, with a voltage of 110V and a frequency of 60Hz. Be sure to bring an adaptor if your devices have different specifications.
• The official language is Spanish. Learning some basic Spanish phrases can improve your travel experience, especially outside of the big cities.
• It’s advisable to book flights and accommodation in advance, especially if you plan to visit during the peak tourist season (December-January and Easter).
• Find out about local festivals or special events that may coincide with your visit, such as Arbor Day.
• If you decide to hire a car, remember to always check local traffic regulations and road conditions, especially in rural areas.
• As in any tourist destination, it’s wise to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places and on public transport. Avoid carrying visible valuables.
• The climate in Colombia can vary significantly depending on region and altitude. Wear clothing suitable for warmer climates on the coast and cooler climates in the mountainous areas.
• Colombia is rich in biodiversity. If you visit natural parks such as the Cocora Valley, follow the regulations to minimise your environmental impact and contribute to conservation.
• If you wish to have mobile internet during your stay we recommend getting a Holafly eSIM with unlimited data.
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose a good travel insurance, such as Mondo.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to the Cocora Valley

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to the Cocora Valley.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter. 

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to the Cocora Valley