Cocora Valley

National park · Salento

Cocora Valley

National park · Salento

Vía al Valle de Cocora, Km 11, Salento, Quindío, Colombia

Highlights

Valle de Cocora enchants with its towering wax palms and lush landscapes, perfect for adventurous hikes and tranquil dining in stunning surroundings.

Vía al Valle de Cocora, Km 11, Salento, Quindío, Colombia Get directions

google.com

@manosdecocora

@travelleisure

"Cocora Valley, located due west of Bogota, is famous for its tall palm trees and stunning green hills. It is a popular hiking destination with options for day trips or multi-day hikes, and campsites are available for overnight stays." - Travel + Leisure Editors

25 Best Places to Visit in South America

View Postcard for Cocora Valley

@afar

"Officially founded in 1865, Salento is one of Colombia’s quaintest, most traditional towns. Its main street, the cobblestoned Calle Real, is lined with handicraft shops and restaurants that serve delicious, locally farmed trout (among many other Andean favorites). The street ends at the foot of a hill with a staircase leading upward, interrupted at regular intervals by representations of the stations of the cross. A short Jeep ride from town leads to the enchanting Valle de Cocora, where you’ll find wax palms up to 195 feet in height (the tallest known palm species), as well as fantastic birdlife, including Andean condors and yellow-eared parrots, plus legions of adorable hummingbirds. Take a hike or horseback ride into the valley to get access to some of Colombia’s most awe-inspiring lookouts. By Travesías"

The Best Things to Do in Colombia

View Postcard for Valle del Cocora

@travelleisure

"A mountain-framed valley in the Eje Cafetero with endemic Quindío wax palms, offering hiking trails, horseback rides, and local cuisine." - Christopher P. Baker Christopher P. Baker Christopher P. Baker is an award-winning travel journalist and photographer specializing in Cuba, adventure travel, and motorcycle touring. His work has appeared in Tra

Here's Where to Find Disney's Inspiration for 'Encanto'

View Postcard for Cocora Valley

@travelleisure

"A picturesque valley known for its towering wax palms and stunning landscapes, offering opportunities for bird-watching and exploring nature." - Michael Snyder Michael Snyder Michael Snyder is a Mexico City-based journalist specializing in food, architecture, and travel. He is a regular contributor to T: The New York Times Style Magazine and has written for The New York Time

Exploring the Eje Cafetero, Colombia's Coffee Region

View Postcard for Cocora Valley

David Correa

Google

Absolutely stunning! The Valle de Cocora is a must-visit for nature lovers. The lush gardens, breathtaking views, delicious food, and friendly locals create a truly peaceful and happy atmosphere. I was amazed by the abundance of wildlife, from colorful birdsong to grazing cows and fluttering butterflies. It's a wonderful place to reconnect with nature. However, I found the prices to be a bit steep, and I couldn't help but feel that the division of the area into three separate zones seemed unfair, especially to the local community. Everyone should have equal access to enjoy the beauty of nature. Despite this minor drawback, I highly recommend visiting the Valle de Cocora. It’s a truly magical place.

Michael Senft

Google

Wonderful place and must see if you are in Colombia! The palms are impressive! The park is well maintained and has a lot of hiking paths. The entry of 20'000 Pesos is reasonable for what this place offers. It's worth it to come early in the morning also because of the fog which can appear. Even tough there were a lot of people the administration handles the crowd very well and you don't have to wait more than a few minutes to enter. Also there are parkings where the staff will help you with the traffic.

Jess Green

Google

A must-see for anyone coming near this area - this is nature!! Worth spending time hiking to the proper hike and so best to take a full morning out to see everything and lunch in Salento. Take a good camera as it is unbelievably beautiful. TIP: Check the weather and don't get caught in the rain.

Sean Quirke

Google

Excellent place to visit with stunning views. We did the short trail which takes about 90 mins but has all the great views. It’s a bit of a drive out from Armenia but worth it. 20K for a ticket to enter the park. Unless you have kids don’t bother with the first park which has more of the amusements. The park also has clean toilets which are good!

Dimitris Travel And Tips

Google

Very nice and beautiful place but so overtouristy and every 20 minutes ‘at most’ you are hit with a place that says 20.000 or something trying to get your money for photos. It also could take a long time to get there and come back if you are not alone. Even during the week.

Sebastian Hahn

Google

Nice view here. Take the “long” hike through the forest and fields (anticlockwise) and get this nice view in the end. You are going though 2 checkpoints to pay: first 8.000 pesos and afterwards 25.000 pesos. You can easily do it on your own without guide. The jeep-service from Salento town is 11.000 pesos for a return ticket☺️ Goes from Main square in the town.

Bradley Jones

Google

If you’re visiting Salento, the Cocora valley is a must and the trail is a must as well! The stunning valley, dotted with towering palms, offers a picturesque experience that feels surreal at nearly 10,000 feet, surrounded by lush greenery. The trail is about 12 km and requires an entry fee of 27,000 pesos in total—either 20,000 or 7,000 pesos at the start, depending on your direction. The bridges may look a bit sketchy, but they’re reinforced with steel cables; just hold on, and you’ll be fine. Now, the big decision: clockwise or counterclockwise? For a gentler descent and to save your knees, counterclockwise is easier. However, to make the most of the views, here’s a tip: if the weather is sunny, go clockwise to see the valley and trees in all their grandeur. If it’s cloudy or rainy, start counterclockwise; this way, if the weather clears, you’ll have the best views later in the hike. Don’t forget to bring rain gear and a packed lunch, as weather here can change fast!

Ricky M

Google

Great and beautiful place nature is beautiful I would recommend to take an umbrella ☔ as you never know when it will rain. The walk is pretty long and also uphill so prepare for it also they have horseback riding 🐴🐎 so much to do but you can finish the trip in about 4 hours well worth it for that view...