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 kilometre (155 miles) distance from Medellin to Salento. You can choose between the bus and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes to 7 hours 50 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 112,000 COP ($30).

The bus is an affordable way to get from Medellin to Salento. Bus fares start from 112,000 COP ($30), and the journey takes around 7 hours 50 minutes.

Buses to Salento leave from Terminal del Sur, Medellín’s southern bus terminal. It’s about 4km from the city centre.

Uber is available in Medellin, with fares starting from around 15,000 COP ($4.10). It’s only a bit more expensive than a regular taxi, but well worth it for the convenience, upfront pricing and peace of mind.

Taxi rates start from 12,000 COP ($3.20), but drivers often overcharge tourists — especially if you don’t speak Spanish. If you do take a taxi, agree on the fare before the ride or make sure the meter is running.

If you’re on a tight budget, the cheapest way to get from Medellín city centre to Terminal del Sur is by Metro for 3,000 COP ($0.90). Note that you need a Cívica card to pay. Hop off at Poblado Station, from where it’s about a 20-minute walk to the bus terminal. The walk is generally fine during the day, but we don’t recommend it at night or if you’re carrying bulky luggage.

Top Tip: Medellín uses the Cívica card, a rechargeable pass valid on the Metro, buses, trams, and cable cars. You can buy one at any Metro station. To learn more about using public transport in Colombia, check our Colombia transport guide.

Flota Occidental is the only company operating direct buses between Medellin and Salento. The journey takes around 7h 30m.

Most buses have reclining seats and air conditioning. They don’t always have a toilet on board, but the driver makes a few short stops during the journey for bathroom breaks and snacks.

You can book online in advance through Bookaway to secure your seat. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to swap your Bookaway voucher for a paper ticket at the Flota Occidental counter in the terminal before boarding.

Salento is a small town. Many accommodations are within walking distance of Terminal de Buses de Salento. But if yours is a bit further out, you can take a taxi with rates starting from 12,000 COP ($3.20).

To get from Medellin to Salento to Salento by plane, you’ll need to fly into Pereira. The nearest airport is Matecaña International Airport (PEI), located about 40 km from Salento.

The flight alone takes just around 50 minutes. After landing, you’ll continue by road to reach Salento. Including land transfers, the total journey can take up to 1 hour 50 minutes to 3 hours 25 minutes.

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 — Jose Maria Cordova Airport and Olaya Herrera Airport — so make sure to double-check your departure point.

To Jose Maria Cordova Airport 

The bus is the cheapest way to get to Jose María Cordova International Airport. Operated by Combuses, a ticket costs 17,000 COP ($4.60) and the ride takes at least 35 minutes. They depart from:

• San Diego Mall – every 15 minutes, 24/7
• Exposiciones Metro Station – every 20 minutes, from 03:00–22:00. The bus also stops at Hotel Nutibara in the city centre

The colectivo (shared taxi) is another option at about 28,000 COP ($7.60) per person. They depart from San Diego Mall and wait until all four seats are filled before leaving.

For more convenience, you can book a private ride.

• Uber – from 105,000 COP ($28.50) for a 4-seater
• BookAway – private transfers from 119,000 COP ($32) for 2 people

We don’t recommend using yellow city taxis as they’re known to overcharge, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. Check out our Medellin Airport Guide for more details.

To Olaya Herrera Airport

Olaya Herrera Airport is within the city. We recommend taking an Uber for upfront fares starting from 17,000 COP ($4.60) — no need to negotiate.

Taxi rates start from 13,000 COP ($3.50), but drivers often overcharge tourists. If you do take a taxi, agree on the fare before the ride or make sure the meter is running.

Several airlines operate direct flights from Medellín to Pereira.

From José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), Avianca and LATAM fly nonstop to Matecaña International Airport (PEI) in Pereira.

If you’re departing from Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), Clic Air (formerly EasyFly) also offers 3-4 daily flights.

The flight takes around 45 - 50 minutes, with prices starting from 150,000 COP ($40.50).

From Matecaña Airport, you can continue to Salento either by bus or taxi. The choice depends on your budget and preference for travel time.

The easiest and fastest way to reach Salento from Pereira Airport is by taxi.

The journey takes around 45m, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers. Fares start at around 150,000 COP ($40.50), and you’ll find taxis waiting just outside the airport.

If you prefer to book in advance, you can arrange a private transfer through BookAway. They’re very reliable but come with a higher price tag, starting at 324,000 COP ($88).

The bus is a cheaper way to get from Pereira to Salento. There are no direct buses from the airport, though.

First, you’ll need to get to Pereira Transportation Terminal. The easiest option is to take a taxi. The ride takes about 25 minutes, and rates start from 12,000 COP ($3.20). Make sure the driver starts the meter at the beginning of the ride to avoid overpaying.

Pereira’s local bus network, the Megabús, can also take you from the airport to the bus station, but we don’t recommend it. The fare is only around 3,000 COP ($0.80), but it takes about 45 minutes and requires three transfers. You’ll also need to buy a Tarjeta Megabús card (cash isn’t accepted), which you’ll likely only use this one time.

Pereira Bus Station to Salento

Buses to Salento depart every 30 minutes to 1 hour from the Pereira Transportation Terminal. Service runs daily from 06:30 to 18:30.

The company covering this route is called Expreso Alcalá, and a ticket costs 13,000 COP ($3.40). The journey takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic. You can buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal. Note that buses can fill up quickly, so try to get there early.

Once you arrive in Salento, most hotels and hostels are within walking distance of Salento Bus Terminal. If you’re staying a bit outside town, taxis are usually available nearby.