Though there are no real must-see sights in town, the allure of Salento resides in a few hours of aimless wandering. In the oldest, and best-preserved, town in the region (founded in 1843), cowboys sit at benches in front of low-slung colorful buildings built in the traditional bahareque architectural style and 1940s Willy jeeps shuttle tourists to the Cocora Valley. The Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Carmen (built in 1850) presides over the town’s languid central plaza with its manicured topiary and vendors selling fresh juices, local candy, and handicrafts. The main street in town, Calle Real, has been recast as a (tasteful) parade of handicraft shores where you can pick up a traditional sombrero for around COP$22,000, a leather wallet for COP$60,000, or a handwoven mochila or knapsack for COP$30,000. A 10-minute walk, at the end of the street, you can climb a series of steps marked with the Stations of the Cross to Salento’s mirador for picturesque views across the town and surrounding valleys. While most visitors come to Salento for only a few hours, it’s a wonderful base for exploring the region’s coffee fincas, the Valle de Cocora, and Parque Nacional Natural de los Nevados, where you can spend hours, days even, hiking or riding through breathtaking landscapes.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.