Salento is a base as much as a destination. Within an hour or two you can reach hot springs, other pretty towns, family parks and high-altitude landscapes. This guide lists the best day trips and explains how to choose among them. Many can be done on a guided tour with transport, which saves the effort of arranging buses or taxis.
Filandia
The nearest alternative town, Filandia, is smaller and less touristy, with a main square, basket shops and a lookout tower on a hill. Our Filandia and Salento tour covers both towns with a guide. It is a gentle option for a day when you want to wander and eat.
Santa Rosa de Cabal and the hot springs
The thermal springs sit in the foothills of the Los Nevados massif, and a day trip combines the pools, the waterfall and the town known for its chorizo. It is a good day after hiking and suits couples and families. Bring a swimsuit, towel and sandals. The trip is longer than most, so start early.
Parque del Café and PANACA
These two parks near Montenegro and Quimbaya suit children. Parque del Café combines rides with coffee culture, and PANACA focuses on farm animals and shows. Both are far from the hiking trails and give a change of pace. Check opening days and plan to spend most of the day.
Paragliding at Calarcá
For a more adrenaline-fueled day, a tandem paragliding flight above the coffee hills gives views you cannot see from the ground. No experience is needed, but weather and weight limits apply. Many visitors schedule it for a clear day in the middle of their stay.
Birds, waterfalls and forests
For nature lovers, the hummingbird trail in Cocora, the La Carbonera reserve and a birdwatching morning each offer a different side of the cloud forest. The Santa Rita waterfall hike is a shorter and more affordable option with a swim. A cacao farm tour adds flavor.
Los Nevados National Park
For a serious adventure, a two-day trip into the park takes you above the treeline to the paramo, with frailejones, lakes and snow-capped volcanoes. It requires fitness, warm clothing and attention to altitude. Not every visitor will want to do it, but it is a memorable way to see the high Andes.
Getting around
Guided tours include transport and remove the stress of finding buses, so they are a good choice for hot springs, parks and Los Nevados. For nearby towns, local buses and jeeps are cheap, although schedules can be hard to read, so ask your host or the tourist office. Taxis are available for flexible plans, and the price should be agreed before you set off. Private drivers can be arranged for groups.
Combining trips
Some trips pair well. The hot springs match a rest day after hiking, the coffee towns fit a gentle day after a long one, and paragliding works with a morning flight followed by a relaxed afternoon in town. Avoid combining two long drives on consecutive days if you can, because the roads are winding and the distances feel longer than they look on a map.
When to book
Popular tours fill up on holidays and weekends, so book a few days ahead. Check weather forecasts for flying and hiking, and keep a backup plan. Carry your passport or a copy and some cash for entrance fees, meals and tips. A relaxed approach will serve you better than a packed schedule.
Final tips
Pack a small day bag with a rain jacket, sun protection, water, snacks, cash and a phone charger. Tell your host where you are going and when you expect to return. Start early, because the best light and the calmest roads come before midday, and give yourself a rest day in the middle of a long stay so that you enjoy rather than endure the trips.
Pereira
A city tour gives a different view of the region, with its plaza, markets, restaurants and cable car. It works well on arrival or departure day. Choosing among trips: match your interests, energy and weather. Mix active days with easy ones. Allow time to return before dark, since roads are winding. Our itinerary guide and best-time guide help you fit trips into your schedule, and our where-to-stay guide suggests bases for different plans.
