How To Get From Medellin to Salento Best Way – You can go by bus, or plane, rent a car and private transfer.
What Is The Distance From Medellin to Salento?
The distance from Medellin to Salento is 245 kilometers. Click here to book online Medellin activities and day trips
The travel time by car from Medellin to Salento is around 5 hours. Read here how to get from Salento to Medellin the reverse way.
What Is The Cheapest Way From Medellin to Salento?
The cheapest way from Medellin to Salento is by bus for $20 USD you can book online and it will take around 6-7 hours.
Read here how to get from Medellin to Armenia, Medellin vs Bogota and Medellin itinerary
Read here 3 Day Salento Itinerary and Colombia sim card for tourist
WHERE TO STAY IN SALENTO
We stayed at Casa La Eliana and we can totally recommend to you guys (you can also contact them at +573146605987 by WhatsApp). There are a few places for accommodation on a budget in Salento prices are around $10 USD for a dorm, and $20-25 USD for a room, if you want mid-budget prices are starting from $50 USD.
Click here to get the best deals in accommodation
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
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HOW TO GET FROM MEDELLIN TO SALENTO
Flota Occidental Bus From Medellin to Salento (Cheapest Way)
The cheapest way from Medellin to Salento is by bus. There are a few buses running during the day and at night time.
I would recommend you take the night bus for $20 USD from Medellin to Salento booking online if you are on a budget.
The VIP bus is so comfortable and you will avoid paying for a night in a hostel but you will have a long wait at the Bus Terminal in Salento. Since you are getting at 3 30 am but ready to enjoy the day since early morning at Salento!
FLOTA OCCIDENTAL BUS SCHEDULE FROM MEDELLIN TO SALENTO
The bus schedule from Medellin to Salento with Flota Occidental is running a few times per day 9 15 am, 2 pm and 8 30 pm.
The travel time from Medellin to Salento by bus is around 6-7 hours. The bus fare from Medellin to Salento is around $20 USD you can book online to avoid the hassle.
The bus from Medellin to Salento is leaving from Terminal Sur in Medellin (check the exact location in Google Maps)
MEDELLIN TO SALENTO BY PLANE
You can go from Medellin to Salento by plane. There is no direct flight from Medellin to Salento. You will have to get to Pereira by bus from Salento plus taxi for 1 hour and 15 minutes or by private transfer from Pereira to Salento for 50 minutes and $30-40 USD.
The flight time from Medellin to Pereira is around 45 minutes. The flight ticket from Medellin to Pereira is around $30-50 USD.
You will have to transfer from Medellin airport to El Poblado and it will be a total of 4 hours when the bus it’s cheaper for 6 hours direct from Salento Bus Terminal to Terminal Sur in Medellin.
BEST WAY FROM MEDELLIN TO SALENTO BUS VS PLANE
The best way from Medellin to Salento is by bus for $20 USD you can book online if you are on a budget and It will be around 6-7 hours travel time by bus!
The best way from Medellin to Salento is by plane for $30-50 USD per person plus the transfer from Salento to Pereira to the airports if you wish the fastest way. You will be avoiding 6 hours on the road but you will take around 4 hours if you go by taxi and plane.
My favorite way will be by bus from Medellin to Salento for a couple of hours more of difference you will be able to save a lot of money!
What to do in Salento
HIKING COCORA VALLEY
if you are coming to Salento you will have to visit Cocora Valley. You can go on your own or you can join on a tour as we did with Paramo Trek to hike Cocora Valley. You can check them out if you are planning to hike around Cocora Valley and Tolima to organize a few days hike and adventure experience.
ENTRANCE FEE COCORA VALLEY
The entrance fee to Cocora Valley is 7000 COP which is 3000 COP in the entrance and 4000 COP at the valley which is less than $2 USD.
HIKING TIME COCORA VALLEY
If you decide to do the loop is only allowed in the dry season and it will be closed in the rainy season as part of the hike. The total travel time hiking Cocora Valley is around 5 hours. But if you decide to visit only the two points of view can be 1 hour or a little bit longer if you spend time taking pictures.
Hike Cocora Valley is easy if we are talking about difficulty no need for so much experience for this. Make sure you are bringing proper shoes and clothes and watch out for the weather since it’s so rainy in Salento and Cocora Valley.
GETTING TO COCORA VALLEY FROM SALENTO
If you are going from Salento to Cocora Valley by jeep (called Willies) will take 25 minutes and one-way ticket is 4000 COP which is $1 USD.
You will leave from the main square in Salento when the jeeps are full and in the same way from Cocora Valley when the jeeps are full to go back to Salento town.
COFFEE TOUR IN SALENTO
You can’t skip a Coffee tour in Salento when visiting Colombia. The tours last around 1 hour or a little bit longer and will include a cup of coffee.
The process is manual and it’s really interesting to know about it. You will learn about the different types of coffee and beans. You can even stay overnight or visit for a day tour.
Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.