Chances are when you are planning to visit Colombia, you would want to visit the Coffee Axis (why wouldn't you?). Salento is one of Colombia’s most charming towns of Coffee Axis, with scenic landscapes of the Andes and famous for its coffee farms (oh the coffee!) and Valle de Cocora. During our 10-day trip to Colombia with our 2 kids (2 years and 4 years at the time) we visited Medellin and Salento. Read my Colombia trip itinerary for more information
While we spent 3 days in Medellin, we planned to stay 2 days in the Coffee Axis region. There are 4 main cities in the Coffee axis- Manizales, Armenia, Pereira, and Ibagué. You can stay in either of the locations depending on your travel plan.
We wanted to do the Cocora hike with our kids, so planned to stay for 2 days in the Salento region which is 1 hour away from Pereira's airport Aeropuerto Internacional Matecaña in one of the best hotels- Hotel Terasu.
You probably would have heard the quote "It's not about the destination but the time spent together and the memories made" - That's exactly what we felt when we stayed at the amazing Hotel Terasu.- which is an ideal spot for families, especially with young kids.
Travel Tip: If you are coming from Pereira, Filandia, Armenia, or nearby places, you can easily reach the Salento's main square. From there, lots of open jeeps (called Willys) leave frequently for Cocora every day where you can buy tickets on the spot. See my Valle de Cocora hike guide with kids
Why Hotel Terasu is perfect for families and kids
We flew from Medellin's Jose Maria Cordova International Airport to Aeropuerto Internacional Matecaña. We booked a private shuttle to our hotel which is about a 1.5-hour drive into the Salento region.
First Takeaways:
As soon as we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the hotel staff and the owner Luis. The property felt modern, yet beautifully integrated with nature. The minimalist aesthetic with bamboo and wooden elements gave it an ambiance that disconnected from the fast pace of Medellin city life.
Best Features with kids
We stayed on the upper floor of the hotel in a room that had a balcony. The room’s layout was spacious enough for our family, with room for the kids to play and move around freely. Although the room had only one king bed, with small kids it was okay for all of us to curl up and sleep in together.
There were three most delightful features for the kids. One was the hammock on the veranda that the kids would swing almost any time they got while we enjoyed our coffee and the incredible views of the surrounding greenery.
The second one was their outdoor jacuzzi. After a long day hiking the iconic Cocora Valley, the hot jacuzzi was exactly what we needed. The kids loved splashing around while we soaked our tired muscles and took in the fresh mountain air.
The third was their outdoor fire pit. Sip in some beer (for parents of course) and enjoy the warm fire pit while soaking in the fresh mountain air in a slightly cooler breeze!
Proximity to other Restaurants
When I travel with kids, one of the biggest factors in looking for a stay is food (after the location of course). Luckily, Hotel Terasu is located close to several wonderful restaurants, making it easy to grab a bite without needing to wander far.
I would definitely recommend Makau if you are craving great Italian food. Pasta is one food I know, my kids will eat no matter what! Their trout was really delicious. Dont forget to order that!
Bumi Cocina restaurant is another highlight for fusion foods. Go in and try their amazing recharging Tonics. I had the green smoothie (with pineapple, spinach, and ginger) very refreshing!! The best part, they had a mini park in the backyard for the kids to play, while we waited for our order.
As you walk a few steps from the hotel, you will see a tiny tree house restaurant Acaime. it was just too cute not to step inside and try their food. The kids had a blast going up the tree house (with steep stairs). We stayed below with colorful tires and a stoned floor. The food was great as well.
Hotel Breakfast:
Mornings at Hotel Terasu were serene, filled with birdsong and the sight of misty mountains in the distance. It’s the kind of place where you want to sit back, breathe in the fresh air, and be fully present in the moment. Breakfast included delicious fruits (mango or pineapple), orange juice, on-order french toast, areppa eggs, and fruit parfait.
I have to give Luis, the hotel owner, a lot of credit as he helped us plan our days and shared so much information about the the region and Colombia.
Exploring Salento with Kids
Salento has a lot to offer families, and staying at Hotel Terasu placed us right in the center of it all. Beyond the hotel, we spent time exploring the town’s vibrant streets, visiting colorful local shops, and enjoying the lively Plaza de Bolivar.
We also took a short trip to visit nearby coffee farms, where you can grow and roast your own coffee. Though they didn’t fully appreciate the coffee part, they loved running through the fields and seeing how beans are harvested.
The main adventure during our time in Salento was, of course, the Cocora Valley hike. Known for its towering wax palms, the valley is one of Colombia’s most iconic landscapes. While the hike can be (slightly) challenging with kids, we took it slow and were done before the scorching heat started beating us down. Our legs were sored and tired. The reward, of course, was returning to Hotel Terasu to relax in the outdoor jacuzzi and sauna!
Salento Must do Activities:
Definitely go to the Quindo river. Sit down and have some coffee or hot corn. You can even find some nice cabanas around the area to stay if you want. Salento is just 5 min from there.
The water was pretty cold but refreshing. There is something very different to the streams gushing from in between the mountains.
To see the viewpoint Mirador Alto de la Cruz & Mirador de Salento, there are lot of steps (about 180) to take, if you wish not to take them, there is an alternate route to walk up instead. It will take the same effort though with good views lol. Take a left from the stairs area and then right up to the viewpoint.
We took our kids towards the stairs and then came off the other end, later realizing we could have done it in the opposite direction instead :)
We left our stroller at one of the stores before going up the stairs to see the viewpoints.
Panaca - Take a day trip to Panaca - a farming-themed amusement park where
It is closed on Mondays. Please check the day before making a trip there.
The park is so big you need to spend hours to see most shows which are strategically scheduled so you have time to explore each area and get to each show
The park is about a 1.5-hour drive from Salento and costs 20 dollars for the general admission pass.
You can milk a cow, feed the animals, ride a horse/pony, and play with the dogs and cats
Cocora hike- home to Colombia's national tree- the wax palm or Palma de cera, which grows up to 197 feet in height
The valley itself is absolutely stunning and was definitely worth the time. The hills are insanely green, and wax palms look exactly like in the pictures - tall, majestic, and peaceful. Cocora Valley is really breathtaking, so take your time, and enjoy the views.
You will use Willys from the Salento Center to reach Cocora Valley. It is such an interesting ride toward the valley that reminded me of the ones similar to those in Chaing Mai, Thailand.
Visit coffee farms
You can choose any coffee farm to visit directly from the Salento Center. There are Willys that go to all the different farms you wish to visit.
You can book one either in advance or at the counter on that day.
Filandia
Helenda Adentro is one restaurant that’s worth traveling to Filandia for, even if you don’t do anything else while you’re there.
If you end up staying at Hotel Terasu, say hello to Luis. it's a place that feels both luxurious and welcoming, You won’t regret it—our family certainly didn’t!
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