Salento, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of Colombia's coffee region, is renowned for its vibrant coffee culture. I decided to visit this remote town to experience first hand how this small quaint town in Colombia fuels the world.
How to Book a Tour
Once arriving in Salento, it is evident to see that most activities are predominently booked through the Wooden Hut behind the iconic parked Jeeps. Simply head over to the hut and choose your coffee tour wisely. Note: Whilst there are many tours offering similar experiences, some differ slightly being more of a Coffee Tasting Experience, rather than a planting to harvesting to brewing tour. You will learn about the different coffee varieties and the meticulous care that goes into producing high-quality beans.I ended up choosing Luger Coffee Farm experience and could not recommend highly enough.
Recommendations for the Tour
Once you have chosen your experience, simply wait by the Jeeps until you get ushered onto the next available ride. Please remember to bring mosquito spray as they are particularly unrelenting in this part due to being surrounded by vegetation. After a 15 minute ride you will arrive at your Experience. Once you have finished the tour, you may have to wait for the next available jeep to drive you back. Expect to wait up to 30 minutes plus as there is little organisation for getting you back.
- Mosquito spray
- Water Bottle
- Phone with full charge
Salento Cafe Recommendations
The Top 3 Cafes in Salento.
- Andariego! - Located on the corner of the square, this place is perfect for sitting outside and watching the world go by. I would normally recommend just drinking Americanos in Colombia as most Flat Whites and Cappuccinos aren't great, but this place is an exception. I ordered a Flat White and a Cinnamon Roll. The milk was textured really well and the right amount of foam.
- Mirador De Salento - Head up to this spectacular viewpoint, roughly a 10 minute walk from the centre. I cant find the name of this Cafe as it is poorly advertised, but the views from the outside seating is spectacular. I would recommend sticking to Americanos and enjoying the view.
- Karios Coffee - Whilst we did try to visit this place on multiple occasions, the opening times are not always accurate. From the reviews this place looks well established and can easily make any coffee you desire.
Overall
Salento is a unmissable town for any coffee lover, and I would highly recommend visiting it.