How to get from Medellin to Salento

Why visit Salento?

Salento is a charming and colourful town within the mountains and in the heart of Colombia’s coffee region. Despite its small size, it exudes beauty everywhere you go — so much so that the town even inspired aspects of the Disney movie Encanto!

There are two things you must do when in Salento: visit a coffee plantation and hike to the beautiful Cocora Valley, home to the tallest palm trees in the world. Whether you are a coffee lover or a nature lover, Salento is a great place to go.

There are 2 ways to travel the 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Medellin to Salento. You can choose between the bus and flight. The journey takes 2 hours to 8 hours 15 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 94,000 COP ($22).

Getting from Medellin to Salento by bus is very easy. You first have to go to Terminal del Sur in Medellin and take a direct bus that will take you straight to Salento. The total travel time is around 7 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes, including the waiting time at the bus terminal.

Buses will depart from Medellin’s Terminal del Sur.

The best and safest option to get there is to take a taxi for around 10,000 COP ($2.40) from the city centre. Uber is another good option and rates start at 8,000 COP ($1.90).

In case you are on a budget, you can also take the metro for 3,000 COP ($0.70) and get off at the station ‘Poblado’. Walking to the bus terminal takes around 15 minutes from there. However, the area is not the safest and it is not really recommended.

Flota Occidental is the company operating the direct buses between Medellin and Salento.

They have four departures a day and the journey lasts around 7h 30m - 8h.

Most buses are medium size with reclining seats and AC. If they don’t include a toilet the bus will stop during the journey a couple of times for short breaks.

Terminal del Sur Medellin

Principe Star

Terminal de Buses de Salento

00:30

7h 30m

08:00

09:00

7h 30m

16:30

11:00

7h 30m

18:30

14:00

8h

22:00

14:00

7h 30m

21:30

Flota Occidental

From 84,000 COP ($20)

Compare prices

Redbus

84,000 COP ($20)

14:00

8h

22:00

Check on Redbus

• 24/7 customer support

94,000 COP ($22)

00:30

7h 30m

08:00

09:00

7h 30m

16:30

11:00

7h 30m

18:30

14:00

7h 30m

21:30

Check on BookAway

To travel from Medellin to Salento by plane you first need to get to Olaya Herrera (EOH) airport. After a 45 minute flight, you will land in Matecaña International airport (PEI) in Pereira. After that you can continue your journey to Salento by taking a taxi directly from the airport or going to the bus terminal and taking a bus from there.

Total travel time is around 5 hours, including the waiting time at the airport.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

There are two airports in Medellin. All direct flights to Pereira depart from Medellin Olaya Herrera Airport located within the city.

The best option to get to this airport from the city centre is to take a taxi for around 10,000 COP ($2.40) or Uber starting at 8,000 COP ($1.90).

In case you want to take the metro, the closest station is called Poblado and it is a 20-minute walk to the airport. However, the area is not the safest and therefore we recommend taking a taxi/uber.

Easy Fly is the only airline offering direct flights between Medellin and Pereira. It is a local company and offers a basic but good service for the short distance. Prices start at 160,000 COP ($38).

There are four departures a day between 05:55 and 17:10 and they all arrive at Matecaña International Airport (PEI) in Pereira.

There are two ways to get to Salento; by taxi or by bus. The choice depends on your budget and preference for travel time.

The easiest and fastest way is to take a taxi that will drop you directly at your hotel in Salento. However, it can be a little expensive, with prices starting at around 100,000 COP ($24). You can arrange it directly at the airport.

From the airport to the bus terminal, the best option is to take a taxi for around 10,000 COP ($2.40). The ride is about 15-20 minutes.

It is also possible to go by bus using the local metrobus system, Megabus. However, you need to change buses twice and it takes around 45 minutes.

First take the yellow bus #25 at the airport, then get off at the Viajero station and transfer to lines 1, 2 or 3 of the bigger green bus. You’ll need to get this bus to Cuba station, where you’ll then take the yellow bus #27 to the bus terminal.

Megabus tickets cost 2,000 COP ($0.50).

Buses to Salento depart every 30 minutes from Pereira Bus Terminal. This service operates from 06:30 to 20:30.

The company covering this route is called Expreso Alcalá and the rate is 8,000 COP ($1.80). You can buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal.

When you arrive in Salento you can easily walk to most hotels/hostels from the bus stop. If you are staying somewhere outside of town there are also taxis that can take you.