Plane + taxi/bus
How to get to Salento?
Updated November 2024
Here you will read about the different ways of transportation to Salento, of which traveling by plane + cab is the fastest option. You cannot fly to Salento, because Salento itself has no airport, but within 50 km distance there are two airports: El Edén Airport (AXM) in Armenia (at 41km/region Quindío) and Matecaña airport (PEI) in Pereira (at 45km/region Risaralda). The cheapest flight can be booked with low-cost airline Wingo; a return Bogotá-Armenia ticket is as low as €50.
You can also fly to Armenia from Medellín. From Cartagena, there is a flight to Pereira.
Bogotá – Pereira (55 min), including Latam, Easyfly and Avianca
Bogotá – Armenia (1h), including Latam, Easyfly, Avianca and Wingo
Medellín – Armenia (50 min) a.o. Avianca
Cartagena – Pereira (1.25h), a.o. Avianca
Transportation from airport Armenia → Salento
- Cab: COP150,000/€37.50, the ride takes an hour. Tip: we also paid this for a cab back to the airport with the cab service in Salento (an Uber turned out to be as expensive as the cab service). W e reserved a cab from Salento drivers in the central square one evening in advance. We kept in touch via WhatsApp and that went fine.
- Taxi+bus: first take a cab to the bus terminal (COP25,000/€6.50) and then take the bus from the bus terminal to Salento (50 min.). Buses leave every 20 minutes and cost COP8,500/€2. (Cootracir/Expreso Alcala). During our trip, the staff at the bus terminal in Armenia was very helpful in directing us to the right bus.
Transportation from Pereira airport → Salento
- Cab: COP150,000/€37.50, the ride takes an hour. Here to book a private cab from Pereira to Salento online
- Taxi+bus: first grab a cab to the bus station (COP20,000/€5 / 15min) and then the bus to Salento (COP 8000/€2, 1h) Floto Occidental/Expreso Alcalá). A bus goes every hour.
Bus and taxi/jeep
How to get to Salento from Bogotá?
There are buses from Bogotá to Armenia all day, from early morning until late at night. There is also a night bus that leaves at 10:30 p.m. and arrives in Armenia at 6:30 a.m. (8 a.m.). Most buses depart from the Terminal del Sur and arrive at Armenia’s bus station. Bus companies running this route include Expreso Palmira, Coomotor, Bolivariano and Flota Magdalena. Prices start at COP 75,000/19€ and the trip takes between 7-9h. After arriving in Armenia, catch the bus from the terminal to Salento (approx. COP 5300/€1.45). Buses leave every 20 minutes.
How to get to Salento from Filandia?
By Willy Jeep (approx. 45 min.) The Willy Jeeps leave from the Willy’s stand at the central square. This costs around COP8000/€2 for a collectivo, where you share a cab with other travelers and locals. The Willy goes every hour on the hour. A private Willy costs around COP90,000/€22.50.
How to get to Salento from Medellín?Flota Occidental and Arauca operate this route. The ride takes 6 hours and there is also a night bus. Prices start at COP73,000/ €18.25)
How to get to Salento from Jardín?
This is not an obvious route because the drive is long and because the first part from Jardín to Riosucio is on a dirt road through the mountains. If it has rained a lot, this road can be very bad. Previously, it was only possible to do the first part with a (slow) chiva, but nowadays buses run on this route. The bus from Jardín to Riosucio leaves at 8 a.m. and arrives around noon. Tickets cost COP30,000/€7.50.
Tip: There is a limited number of spots on the bus (max 18) and you cannot buy these tickets online. Therefore, buy your ticket for the bus from Jardín to Riosucio a day in advance, at the Cootransio office on Calle 5 #52. After arriving in Riosucio, book a ticket to Salento at the Flota Occidental counter. The bus leaves at 1:15 pm and arrives around 5:00 pm. Tickets cost COP42,000/€10.50. If the direct bus from Riosucio to Salento is already full, catch the bus to Pereira, where you transfer to the bus to Salento.
Rent a car
Driving to Salento yourself is also possible, of course, except that the road through the mountains from Bogotá is a challenge, especially if you have no experience with traffic in Colombia. In the coffee triangle itself, the roads are generally good. Alternative to driving yourself to Salento is to rent a car at the Armenia or Pereira airports. These are small, regional airports, where you can start your tour in your rental car in a relaxed manner. We recommend renting a higher-end car, as there is a good chance that you will also be driving off the beaten track. The main roads are generally very good. You can here check out the options for a rental car. Want the convenience of a car but don’t want to drive yourself? Then hire a private driver. Most hotels have regular, reliable drivers they can recommend.
