Bosques de Cocora
Bosques de Cocora
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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Hanni
2 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
It is a nice walk. Beautiful palm trees, nice birds and lots of trees all around. I did the five our tour if was quite good, but also a little exhausting. If you like hiking, than I would recommend doing it. Just a must in Salento :)
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanderups
Aarhus, Denmark1,909 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
What a nice place. We went there to reach the last parking spot. This gives a walking trip uphill with nice views and scenic locations.
We used two hours going up to the view points and down again.
We used two hours going up to the view points and down again.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pillow Popper Travel
Austin, TX497 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Cocora is absolutely beautiful! It’s worth the trip to Salento for sure. The trails are very natural, and you cross multiple sketchy bridges. It’s a true jungle experience! The houses along the track that sell coffee seem like they existed before it was touristy, and they are adapting to a new way of life. It’s quite majestic. We got rained on a little but this is part of being in Colombia in November! We met some cool friends too which made it even better.
Written November 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michelange1972
Paris, France2 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Monday, July 22, 2013 I was walking with my girlfriend in the park Cocora Salento Colombia. We were on a bridge over a stream when it is collapsed. We fell. I fell on the head from a height of 3 to 4 meters and thankfully my fiancee fell on me. She is two months pregnant. I was wounded in the head and back and I could not move. The aid took 2:30 to arrive. I was hypothermia. I have been hospitalized. I'm still waiting an official of the park Cocora take from me.
Written July 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theworldisbigenough
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica27 contributions
Aug 2015
The Valle de Cocora is one of the must-sees when visiting the region of Quindio. This valley is part of the Las Nevadas Natural National park and is famous for the Quindio wax palm. You won’t find any place in the world with a higher concentration of this up to 60 meters high palms the national tree and symbol of Colombia. The valley is located at an altitude between 1.800 and 2.400 Meters and the combination of palm trees and cloud forest is unique and mystical.
To get to the valley you catch the bus to Salento. The bus drops you of directly at the plaza Bolivar where the willies (the jeeps) are waiting for the 20 minutes ride to the park entrance. Ask immediately for the next departure as they usually not leaving on demand unless you pay for a “private shuttle” which costs 27.000 COP (normal price is 3.400 one way). If there’s time, stroll around the plaza or take a coffee in one of the various cafés. Arriving at the park entrance you have the option to make a horse back riding tour or you, and that is our recommendation as you won’t be able to make the whole circuit on the horse, you walk. Here we describe the circuit but you can also just take a short walk. Follow the signs to Acaime, branches off to the right from the main road. This route leads first down to the river Quindio passing a trout farm and after crossing the river through the lower part of the valley. After about 1 to 1½ you reach the beginning of the cloud forest. From here the way goes mainly uphill and always along and crisscrossing the river on adventurous plank bridges. You won’t get lost simply follow the signs to Acaime/Casa de los Colibris. After another hour you reach a signpost indicating in the direction of Acaime/Casa de los Colibiris to the right and Las Montañas to the left. Take the right way to visit first the Casa de los Colibris. After that you will return to this point to take the other path for the whole circuit. Arriving at the Casa de los Colibris take your time to watch the birds and the staff will ask you for a drink for about 4.000 COP, take one, as this is seen as the entrance fee for the place. Return to the signpost and now follow the way up to the Finca Las Montañas. This way leads you through the upper part of the cloud forest and is kind of steep. From there the way down is leading through the upper part of the valley with beautiful views and grazing cows between the enormous wax palms. All in all this tour takes about 5 hours and be aware that you’re walking in the cloud forest, it might rain and the way is usually a bit muddy. At the beginning of the hike you even have the option of renting rubber boots. From the entrance of the valle de Cocora the willies leaving every hour or when there’s at least 8 persons for the ride back to Salento.
To get to the valley you catch the bus to Salento. The bus drops you of directly at the plaza Bolivar where the willies (the jeeps) are waiting for the 20 minutes ride to the park entrance. Ask immediately for the next departure as they usually not leaving on demand unless you pay for a “private shuttle” which costs 27.000 COP (normal price is 3.400 one way). If there’s time, stroll around the plaza or take a coffee in one of the various cafés. Arriving at the park entrance you have the option to make a horse back riding tour or you, and that is our recommendation as you won’t be able to make the whole circuit on the horse, you walk. Here we describe the circuit but you can also just take a short walk. Follow the signs to Acaime, branches off to the right from the main road. This route leads first down to the river Quindio passing a trout farm and after crossing the river through the lower part of the valley. After about 1 to 1½ you reach the beginning of the cloud forest. From here the way goes mainly uphill and always along and crisscrossing the river on adventurous plank bridges. You won’t get lost simply follow the signs to Acaime/Casa de los Colibris. After another hour you reach a signpost indicating in the direction of Acaime/Casa de los Colibiris to the right and Las Montañas to the left. Take the right way to visit first the Casa de los Colibris. After that you will return to this point to take the other path for the whole circuit. Arriving at the Casa de los Colibris take your time to watch the birds and the staff will ask you for a drink for about 4.000 COP, take one, as this is seen as the entrance fee for the place. Return to the signpost and now follow the way up to the Finca Las Montañas. This way leads you through the upper part of the cloud forest and is kind of steep. From there the way down is leading through the upper part of the valley with beautiful views and grazing cows between the enormous wax palms. All in all this tour takes about 5 hours and be aware that you’re walking in the cloud forest, it might rain and the way is usually a bit muddy. At the beginning of the hike you even have the option of renting rubber boots. From the entrance of the valle de Cocora the willies leaving every hour or when there’s at least 8 persons for the ride back to Salento.
Written August 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alejandro M
Leverkusen, Germany37 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Get there early and enjoy the climb.
The jeep willys leave the main square in Salento every hour starting (we believe) at 7:30. We took the 8:30 one, there will be a lot of them and they will depart once they are full, so we left a bit earlier than that. The rate is fixed at 3800 COP (April 2017).
Once you get there you will be offered guides if you want or horses. A guide is not necessary at all. The recommended route would be a loop and the main places are:
Acaime (6 km from entrance according to our tracker): it is a place where you will find hummingbirds, and a place to rest and have a drink, they will charge 5000 COP for the maintenance of the bridges and paths in the whole area, and you get the drink included. This is the place which will be easier to reach since it has signs for directions. So it is advisable to go there first. The walk is through cloud forest and you will cross 7 bridges back and forth over a creek/small river.
La montana (2.8 km from Acaime): From Acaime you backtrack a bit and after you cross the first bridge on the way back, you will soon find a fork where you will have to go right and up to la Montana which is basically just a house atop the hill where you can stop again and have a coffee if you want.
From there you begin the descent into the actual valley (6 km) where you will get to see the wax palm trees. this road is the easiest to walk. There are a few look outs along the trail with spectacular views.
This is the main loop, you will see signs to go other places, like Estrella de Agua, which we were told was only a finca (5km away from Acaime) and that you would have to backtrack to continue the loop so for us it was not worth walking those extra 10km.
Overall the hike is not easy but if you take your time anyone that is not completely sedentary could manage. It is at altitude (above 2300 up to 2800 or more meters) so watch your breathing.
Bring your own food and water because you won't find anything on the way. Lunch was sold at Acaime for cheap.
The jeep willys leave the main square in Salento every hour starting (we believe) at 7:30. We took the 8:30 one, there will be a lot of them and they will depart once they are full, so we left a bit earlier than that. The rate is fixed at 3800 COP (April 2017).
Once you get there you will be offered guides if you want or horses. A guide is not necessary at all. The recommended route would be a loop and the main places are:
Acaime (6 km from entrance according to our tracker): it is a place where you will find hummingbirds, and a place to rest and have a drink, they will charge 5000 COP for the maintenance of the bridges and paths in the whole area, and you get the drink included. This is the place which will be easier to reach since it has signs for directions. So it is advisable to go there first. The walk is through cloud forest and you will cross 7 bridges back and forth over a creek/small river.
La montana (2.8 km from Acaime): From Acaime you backtrack a bit and after you cross the first bridge on the way back, you will soon find a fork where you will have to go right and up to la Montana which is basically just a house atop the hill where you can stop again and have a coffee if you want.
From there you begin the descent into the actual valley (6 km) where you will get to see the wax palm trees. this road is the easiest to walk. There are a few look outs along the trail with spectacular views.
This is the main loop, you will see signs to go other places, like Estrella de Agua, which we were told was only a finca (5km away from Acaime) and that you would have to backtrack to continue the loop so for us it was not worth walking those extra 10km.
Overall the hike is not easy but if you take your time anyone that is not completely sedentary could manage. It is at altitude (above 2300 up to 2800 or more meters) so watch your breathing.
Bring your own food and water because you won't find anything on the way. Lunch was sold at Acaime for cheap.
Written April 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
m j
7 contributions
Oct 2013
The area is beautiful as other reviews said but please beware of your surroundings. Follow you gut instinct. We were coming down from la Montana and were taking pictures not even 10 minutes from the main information centre where the jeeps drop you off , when we were robbed by knife point by a woman and man around our age. I thought they looked strange when we passed them. If you see people who don't look like they are hiking seriosly watch them like a hawk. I think robberies in the área are rare and it was really bad luck. Dont let my review prevent you from coming though. It sucks they got both our cameras and some money. I would reccomend going with a guide or going in a group with other travelers. This incident happend in broad daylight..
Written October 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joya_de_los_sachas
Seattle, WA181 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
it’s tough to know from reading everyone’s reviews whether you’ll want to do the clockwise or counterclockwise route. i did it clockwise and here’s why: in the morning that i was here, it started out sunny so i was able to take a lot of photos of the wax palm forest in fairly good weather. as i climbed higher and hit the fiancé at the top of the mountain, the clouds had descended and there was very little visibility as there had been earlier.
i opted to return the same way instead of containing on to make a complete loop. there are a couple significant reasons for my thinking: i’ve had many opportunities in latin america to see all kinds of hummingbirds and didn’t want to take that detour which apparently costs an additional cop$5,000 (many people i met who had done it said they wouldn’t have done it again in hindsight.) the second reason i didn’t complete the loop was that the clouds looked like they were bringing rain and i didn’t want to be in the jungle part of the route, slippery already, with additional rain (i’ve hiked a lot in different places in latin america and didn’t feel i’d be missing something landscape-wise.) as it turned out, it started raining and even a few thunderclaps were thrown in for good measure so i was fine with the decision i made.
this hike is steep but doable if you stop at whatever pace you need to catch your breath, have snacks and water and continue on. it’s not a race and you will meet people of all different nationalities and walking paces. it was very enjoyable and very unique to walk among the wax palms. i can’t imagine coming to the quindío/salento area and not seeing this valley. it is stunning and unique and very much worth a few hours of your time. you’ll likely not forget the views anytime soon.
i opted to return the same way instead of containing on to make a complete loop. there are a couple significant reasons for my thinking: i’ve had many opportunities in latin america to see all kinds of hummingbirds and didn’t want to take that detour which apparently costs an additional cop$5,000 (many people i met who had done it said they wouldn’t have done it again in hindsight.) the second reason i didn’t complete the loop was that the clouds looked like they were bringing rain and i didn’t want to be in the jungle part of the route, slippery already, with additional rain (i’ve hiked a lot in different places in latin america and didn’t feel i’d be missing something landscape-wise.) as it turned out, it started raining and even a few thunderclaps were thrown in for good measure so i was fine with the decision i made.
this hike is steep but doable if you stop at whatever pace you need to catch your breath, have snacks and water and continue on. it’s not a race and you will meet people of all different nationalities and walking paces. it was very enjoyable and very unique to walk among the wax palms. i can’t imagine coming to the quindío/salento area and not seeing this valley. it is stunning and unique and very much worth a few hours of your time. you’ll likely not forget the views anytime soon.
Written February 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indiana365
3 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Yes, the landscape and the views are beautiful and you will have a good time hiking here. However the visit also made me feel very sad. Here is a fact no tour guide will tell you: The only reason this landscape exists like this is because the natural forest around the palm trees has been cut down and only the palms have been left standing as Wax palms (Colombians National tree) are protected. The enthusiasm of everyone marveling at a landscape which actually tells a story of human destruction of nature for me overshadowed the magnificent views. Made me sad so many people don't seem to comprehend this, and think it's a rare natural landscape.. Hiking there is nice nonetheless but please . Visit early for best views and less chance of rain.
Written November 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveler_AIS
Bogota, Colombia72 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Although the valley is beautiful, when you know the grass should not be there, and the wax palm should live between native forrest not grass or avocado trees, then it is a melancholic experience. The palms are amazing and beautiful, but since the land is not own by national parks to preserve, but it is own by particulars, then money stands over nature, ignorance over knowledge, and people move cows to the mountain, grass and avocado trees instead of native forrest where the palms, which is Colombian National Tree, could grow and be born again. There are small areas of native forrest in the top of the mountain where you can see the wax palms as they should be "a forrest above the forrest", but the rest although is beautiful is sad because the palms are dying.
My recommendation here is to share this knowledge and by being aware and visit this place with other eyes maybe we can help the wax palm to have their natural environment again to be able to grow and regrow for many years in the future.
My recommendation here is to share this knowledge and by being aware and visit this place with other eyes maybe we can help the wax palm to have their natural environment again to be able to grow and regrow for many years in the future.
Written December 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Estoy interesada en visitar el valle del cocora con mi mamá una mujer adulta de 64 años... Teniendo en cuenta las condiciones de ascenso, caminatas, y clima es prudente y recomendable para ella?. Gracias
Written August 8, 2023
Hola quiero saber si puedo llevar mi perro? Al valle del cocora
Written January 12, 2022
Buen día, quisiera saber si para ir al valle de cocora admiten mascota?? Alguien que sepa gracias
Written November 21, 2021
Buen día, quisiera saber si para ir al valle de cocora admiten mascota?? Alguien que sepa gracias
Written November 21, 2021
Quiero visitar el valle del cocora pero tengo un perrito y no me gustaría dejarlo en casa, será que dejan entrar perro a esa reserva?
Written December 12, 2019
Buenos días, en la caminata no vi perros, ni avisos que lo prohibían, pero lo mejor es evitar llevarlo, ya que siempre hay gente caminando y cabalgatas.
Written December 13, 2019
Hola a todos! si llego a Salento a las 2 pm, podría visitar el sitio??? cuanto tardo yendo y viniendo hasta el bosque y cuanto tardo recorriendo el bosque? Gracias!
Written November 1, 2018
Recommendations on specific horse trip vendor? Some say you can take a toddler on this trip to the wax trees and others end up in the hospital. Specific vendor names much appreciated, we’d love to see the trees but I have a bad hip so I can’t hike. Thanks much!
Written October 24, 2018
Wow, the wax palms were definitely a highlight of my Colombian trip. However, I would not put a toddler on a horse there. My horse trips there were slightly less safe and supervised than other horse trips I've gone on in the U.S. for example. The climb was steep in places and there were streams to cross. I wouldn't with my own kids unless they were at least 4-5 with me, or 13-14 by themselves.
I say less safe because my horse was slapped on the butt and took off at mach 5 for about 5-6 minutes before I could get him to even slow down. In the states, it tends to be more nose-to-tail the entire way. I loved my loose adventure but not with a toddler who can't completely hold onto the back of me to save their own life if they had to.
Written October 26, 2018
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