Cocora Valley in Colombia: our family hike from Salento
You are preparing a trip to Colombia and Cocora Valley Is it on your list? I understand: with its immense palm trees that dominate verdant hillsides, it is one of the most emblematic landscapes in the country. We discovered it as a family during our road trip from Salento, and it is one of the days I remember most clearly.
We chose the Average loop, Starting early in the morning. In this article, I’ll explain how to get there, which loop to choose, what we liked, and all my tips for preparing your hike, including if you’re traveling with children.
The Cocora Valley at a glance
- Where: near Salento (1,895 m altitude, 15 to 23 °C on average), in the coffee region of Colombia.
- How to get there: in a Willys jeep, from the main square of Salento.
- Our departure: 8 a.m. at the main lodge; the jeep left at 8:15 a.m., when it was fully loaded.
- Our journey: the middle loop (mirador 1 to 1.7 km, mirador 2 to 2.3 km, then descent).
- Duration of the hike: about 2 hours for the average loop (start of the hike at 9 a.m., end at 11 a.m.).
- Price of the jeep and entrance fee: jeep at 4,500 pesos per person and per trip, or about 2.50 € round trip (cash); entrance to the valley at 30,000 pesos per person, or about 8.50 € (prices as of July 2026).
- With children: Yes, provided that the distance is adapted to their age and endurance.
- Not to be forgotten: water, good shoes, a jacket and a K-way (mist is common).
Why visit the Cocora Valley?
The Cocora Valley is famous for its immense beeswax palms, The national tree of Colombia. Seeing them sprout up amidst the meadows and vegetation is a sight that never leaves you indifferent.
The valley is part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park, and the wax palm has been protected by law since 1985. Its name comes from a Quimbaya princess and means «water star».
What I liked was that the excursion mixed several different atmospheres: the climb in a colorful Willys jeep, the walk in the wild, the viewpoints, the photo opportunities, and the small breaks along the way. As a family, the short version is enough to see the main points: about 2 hours of walking for us, with two viewpoints.
It’s also an easy excursion to combine with the rest of Salento: in the morning in the valley, in the afternoon in the village. I talk about it in my guide for Visiting Salento in Colombia.
How to get from Salento to the Cocora Valley?
It’s very simple: go to the Main square of Salento. You will find a small cabin where you can buy your tickets for the Jeep Willys, which serve the valley.
We were at the cabin at 8 a.m., To buy our tickets, we waited for the jeep to fill up: it left at 8:15, which allowed us to start the hike right at the beginning of the morning. The journey takes about 20 minutes. The Willys jeeps are part of the charm of Salento: they are colorful, typical, and they really add to the experience.
How much does it cost? The jeep ride costs 4,500 pesos per person, which is about €2.50 round trip (July 2026 price). Plan for species : The credit card is accepted almost everywhere in Salento, but not for Willys jeeps.
For the return: We have to go back to the point where the jeeps dropped us off in the morning. There is always a jeep available: you just have to wait for it to fill up, and the driver leaves. We were back in Salento at noon.
Altitude and weather
Salento is at an altitude of 1,895 m, with temperatures of around 15 to 23 °C. The valley is located between approximately 1,800 and 2,400 m altitude.
There are no technical difficulties, but the hike is quite steep: proceed at a steady pace and take breaks. As for the weather, we had wonderful weather, but we were told that there is often fog. In the valley, the average annual temperature is around 15 °C, with significant variations throughout the day, and rain is frequent. Bring a jacket and a K-way in your bag.
Map and itinerary of our hike
Our itinerary, in order:
- Arrive by jeep and buy the entrance tickets (30,000 pesos, approximately €8.50 per person).
- Climb to mirador 1, at 1.7 km.
- Continue to mirador 2, at 2.3 km.
- Descente, with the photo spot of the wings.
- Arrived at the jeep photo spot.
Which loop to choose in the Cocora Valley?
On site, several routes are available, depending on the time you have available and your level. We chose the Average loop, which allowed us to enjoy the scenery without having to go through the longest version.
- Average loop (ours): Mirador 1 at 1.7 km, Mirador 2 at 2.3 km, then descent: about 2 hours of walking for us. An accessible walk, but with a steep climb.
- Long loop: The Grand Tour, which we didn’t do with the children. If you are adults, you can take on this longer version. It can take you all the way to the Acaime Nature Reserve, known for its hummingbirds.
My advice: choose based on the age and endurance of the youngest in the group, and not just on the desire of the more athletic ones. Many families do what we do and get to the point without going into too much detail.
Our experience: the average family trip
We left early, and it was a good idea: there are a lot of people on the site, and you get to enjoy the scenery better in the early morning. We started the hike at 9 a.m., after buying our entrance tickets (30,000 pesos, about €8.50 per person). The walk is accessible, but it is quite steep. We had wonderful weather and were lucky: we were told that there is often fog, and it is better to come with a jacket and a K-way. We went up to mirador 1, at 1.7 km, then to mirador 2, at 2.3 km, before going down. On the descent, we took the photo spot with the wings, then the one with the jeeps on arrival. We finished at 11 a.m., delighted with the panoramas discovered along the way.
After the march, we went back to the hotel to take a shower before going to lunch at La Posada de Rubi, a local restaurant that we really liked.
Photo spots in the Cocora Valley
- The Bosque de Palmas, with the red jeep: Upon arrival in the valley, a photo spot with the jeeps.
- The wings of Cocora: in the descent, a photo spot with large wings, where you take photos on a swing.
- The wax palms: the emblematic setting of the valley.
My advice for the Cocora Valley
- Leave early. That’s what we did, and we found that it was a good choice, because there are a lot of people there.
- Drink enough water for the entire hike.
- Think of snacks. Small stands near some viewpoints sell drinks and snacks.
- Wear good shoes. The terrain can be uneven, and the conditions can change depending on the weather.
- Plan how to protect yourself from the rain and the sun (a jacket and a K-way: we were told that there is often fog, and it is chilly in the morning).
- Choose an appropriate route For the whole group: the hike is accessible, but it is quite steep.
- No drone. Their use is prohibited on the site: respect the local rules.
Good to know: Plan for some cash for the jeep, as credit cards are not accepted for Willys jeeps.
Cocora Valley with children: is it possible?
Yes. We did it as a family with our boys. The hike is accessible, but it is quite steep: it is feasible with children or teenagers, provided that you adjust the distance and plan for breaks, water, and snacks. We didn’t do the full tour with the children: many families do the same thing as us and see the main attractions, with the two miradors and the photo spots.
Where to sleep and where to eat after the hike?
We stayed at the Salento Mirador, a few meters from the main square: very convenient to take a jeep in the morning and find yourself in the center of the village after the hike. For lunch, we loved it The Posada de Rubi, and for dinner the Beta Town Restaurant, which pleased the boys thanks to its small football field.
All the details, prices and my complete itinerary in 2 nights are in my article on Salento.
How long should I expect to spend in the Cocora Valley?
Our timeline: at the cabin at 8 a.m., jeep at 8:15 a.m., start of the hike at 9 a.m., end at 11 a.m. So count a full morning, or even a little longer, Depending on the loop you choose and your breaks. To avoid rushing, I recommend that you do not plan anything else before the end of the morning.
FAQ: Cocora Valley
How to get to Cocora Valley from Salento?
You have to take a Willys jeep from the main square of Salento, where the small ticket booth is located. It costs 4,500 pesos per person and per trip, which is about €2.50 round trip (price in July 2026), to be paid in cash, and it takes about 20 minutes to get there: the jeep leaves when it is full.
How to get from the Cocora Valley to Salento?
We have to go back to the point where the jeeps dropped us off in the morning. We have always found a jeep available: you just have to wait for it to fill up, and the driver leaves.
How long does it take to visit the Cocora Valley?
We did the average loop in about 2 hours on foot: start at 9 am, finish at 11 am. Add an afternoon to the total, including the jeep ride (about 20 minutes).
How much does it cost to enter the Cocora Valley?
We paid 30,000 pesos per person, or about 8.50 €, for the tickets, which had to be purchased before starting the hike (July 2026 price, to check before your departure).
Which loop to choose in the Cocora Valley?
We went around the average route: mirador 1 (1.7 km), mirador 2 (2.3 km), then the descent. Many families do the same as us and see the main sights. If you are adults, you can do the whole tour. Choose according to the age and endurance of your group.
Can you do the Cocora Valley with children?
Yes, by adapting the route, by providing water, snacks, and good shoes.
What is the best time of year to visit the Cocora Valley?
We went there in July, with wonderful weather, but we were told that there is often fog: it’s better to come with a jacket and a K-way. Salento is at an altitude of 1,895 m, with temperatures of around 15 to 23 °C.
Can a drone be used in the Cocora Valley?
No, the use of drones is prohibited on the site.
Should I leave early?
Yes, we recommend it: we left at 8 a.m., and there are many people on the site.
Find all our articles about Colombia
- Visiting Salento in Colombia: what to do, what to see and my recommended places
- Colombia: Our destination guide and our 3-week road trip
- How to prepare for a road trip in Colombia with your family? My 7 tips
- Tayrona Park in Colombia: what to do, beaches, hiking and tips
- Renting a car in Colombia: our road trip from Cartagena to Tayrona
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