Is Salento expensive to visit?
Salento is a small yet captivating destination that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
While Salento can be quite expensive if you let it be, there are ways to lower your spending, such as looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $15 (CO$60,143) per day, mid-range travelers spend $37 (CO$151,835) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $93 (CO$382,154) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Salento.
Within South America, Salento is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in South America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Salento.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Salento Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Salento?
The average Salento trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Salento travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Salento cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations for your travel expenses is important. While many assume they can visit Salento on a tight budget, the truth is that most people don't enjoy traveling that way. Think about what you prioritize on vacation. Do you prefer staying in resorts or hostels? Do you love exploring sights and attractions, or dining out? Your preferences will directly impact your budget and travel plans.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $15 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Luckily, Salento offers plenty of hostels, including Viajero Salento Hostel, Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel, and Yambolombia Hostel. Staying at hostels like these means you can enjoy affordable dorm accommodation along with a lively social vibe, though amenities might be minimal.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Most visitors to Salento will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $37 per person, per day.
The range of hotels and vacation rentals in Salento is impressive. If you're traveling with others, sharing your hotel with a partner, friend, or kids allows you to split the costs and save money. Families will want to find hotels and restaurants that accommodate children. Salento Pequeno Hotel is a solid choice for families, while Hotel El Mirador del Cocora also offers great options. For additional family and couple-friendly hotels, refer to our hotel guide for Salento here.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $93 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Private Colombian Coffee Farm Tour with Tastings in Armenia - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Salento
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Salento can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Salento in the off-season is $33, but in the peak travel season it will average around $62. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Salento to range from $19 to $110. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Salento for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $21 (CO$87,045). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $10 (CO$43,523) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Salento? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Salento include:
- Hotel Reserva Monarca starting at $55
- Salento Pequeno Hotel starting at $39
- Hotel El Mirador del Cocora starting at $56
- Beta Hotel starting at $35
- Hotel Salento Real Eje Cafetero starting at $41
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid , you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Salento
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $13 (CO$55,312) per person, per day, on local transportation in Salento. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Salento is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$13
CO$55,312
There are buses from 5h30 to 20h every 20 to 30 minutes from Armenia, which will cost you about USD$1.70. The ride takes around 45 minutes and you can pay your ticket directly in the bus. There are also direct buses from Medellin at 9h, 11h and 13h. The journey takes 7 hours and costs USD$15.70. From Pereira, a bus to Salento will cost you USD$2.60 and leaves every hour from 5h30 to 18h20 on weekends and holidays and a little less frequently on weekdays. If you miss the last bus to Salento, the cheapest option is to take a bus to Circasia and then a taxi from Circasia to Salento for USD$7.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Private Pereira Airport Transfer: To/From Salento for $54 details
How much does it cost to go to Salento? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Salento will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Salento
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Salento can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Salento is $15 (CO$63,141) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$15
CO$63,141
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Salento is around $15 (CO$63141) per person, with previous travelers spending from $6 to $42. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Salento are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $5
- Lunch: $2 to $6
- Dinner: $5 to $11
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $2
Fresh trout is the iconic food of Salento and much of the coffee region, and there are myriad places to enjoy the tasty fish throughout the town. Order the fried local trout and a typical plate of rice, beans, plantains, and salad. The price ranges from about USD$4 to USD$9 depending on the type of the restaurant. Even if you're on a tight budget make sure to find some wiggle room to eat fresh trout in Salento. How better to pass the time than sample some of the local coffee. There are plenty of places to choose from. Although, it is worth mentioning that the best of the coffee crops are usually for export, meaning the local coffee for domestic use is not quite as good.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Bring a water bottle along to avoid the need to buy drinks. It's also good for Mother Earth.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.
If you want to experience the culture in Salento, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias for $46 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Salento
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Salento typically cost an average of $11 (CO$45,449) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$11
CO$45,449
There are many miradors throughout Colombia, and a lot of them offer spectacular sights. The mirador in Salento is absolutely stunning and breathtaking. When you are done with views, hike up on the little hill to the right of the mirador, and hang out with the locals on swing sets as you drink a cold beverage and take in the view of the town itself from the opposite side of the valley. If you visit in the late afternoon try to take in a sunset from this spot. It is in Colombia's small towns that the truly vibrant and friendly nature of the country shines through. Head to Salento's small but vibrant town square to see everyday life unfold. Vendors selling local foods, teenagers flirting with one another, children playing, adults taking a breath to relax and let the time pass.
Exploring the Valle de Cocora is a must-do during your stay in Salento. The valley tops the list of things to do in Salento, and any traveler would be remiss to not visit it. Part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park, the Cocora valley is the primary location of the distinctive QuindÃo wax palm, which is Colombia's national tree. It also happens to be the tallest palm tree know to man. There are plenty of activities in and around the Cocora Valley including adventure sports, a number of hiking and camping opportunities in the valley, and in the surrounding Los Nevados National Natural Park. You can also indulge in some bird watching, mountain biking, rafting, and general revelry of the emerald beauty that is the Cocora Valley. Salento is located in what is known as the Zona Cafetera, the region of Colombia that is famous for growing incredibly high quality and delicious coffee. When in town take a taxi, bus, bike, or walk a few kilometers outside of town to Finca El Ocaso where you can see first hand how coffee is grown, harvested, processed, and brewed. Try the local sport Tejo, which consists in throwing a metal disc across an alley about 15m long, to a one metre by one metre board covered with clay set at an angle. The metal disc is the tejo itself and the aim is to use the tejo to his small parcels of gunpowder which are placed on the clay. These parcels are usually triangle-shaped envelopes which are set on the edges of a metal ring within the clay. On impact with the tejo the parcels explode loudly in a puff of smoke. Different shots are awarded different points but, most importantly, tradition dictates the game should always be played whilst drinking beer. Head to Beta Town, a local hang-out in Salento, for some friendly Tejo instruction and some pretty decent food.
A nice way to explore destinations in Salento is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Private Tour Charm of Cocora Valley Salento and Philandia for $100 details
- Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region for $30 details
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour for $88 details
Salento, Colombia
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.