Salento Festival and Valle de Cocora

Yesterday we had a great day at Salento which is about 1hr north of where we are in Armenia and is the oldest town in the state of Quindío. Despite having only a population of about 8000 people, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole of Colombia as it really epitomises what the coffee triangle is all about. It is actually the 171yr anniversary festival this week but most of the action takes place at night with drinking and salsa dancing.

Here I am finally making use of my Colombian 'hippy bag' as I call it. This photo on the right is looking down from 'Alto de la Cruz' to main street with all the souvenir shops.

The most popular way to get from Salento to Valle de Cocora seems to be standing up in the back of a Jeep Willys (click for youtube video I found). Rider beware, no seat belts or insurance required here!

Great view from Salento looking down onto the Qundio river and up the Cocora Valley

From Salento you go down the hill and up the Cocora Valley. The Cocora valley is famous for having the tallest palm trees in the world, they grow up to 60m! They also farm fresh water trout which is then served fresh in the local restaurants with a massive Patacón (a delicious twice fried crunchy chip made from a fruit similar to a banana).

Full photo album