Valle de Cocora

Location:
Salento, Colombia

Other Activity

By Brenda Yun

Cocora Valley is a great launching point for natural hikes and spotting wildlife. There are several trails taking you up the mountain, along the river, and farther into the valley. A nice cloud forest with adorable man-made pedestrian bridges over the river is about an hour away by foot. Another 30 minutes up the valley will take you to Acaime, a small home with dozens of native hummingbirds buzzing about. You can bed there for $5 a night, or enjoy a refreshment and snack for $1. Another trail on the hillside takes you back to Cocora, or hoof it up the hill another 5 km to another lookout. If you don't want to walk the trail, a horse and guide will take you wherever you want for about $8 an hour.

Hop in a jeep from the main plaza at 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., or 4:00 p.m. ($2 per person, one way). It takes about an hour to arrive, and you can spend as long as you like there. Head back to Salento from the Valley at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., or 5:00 p.m.