HISTORY OF THE VALLE DEL COCORA

 

Valle del Cocora is named after Princess Quimbaya, whose name means water star. The Quimbayas Indians were a tribe that was characterized by the realization of very beautiful and high quality gold pieces. They were located all over the coffee axis and had a high cultural development.

This is the area of the country where the wax palm is most commonly found. For this reason, with the intention of stopping the exploitation of the Quindio wax palm and taking care of the endemic species of the region, the government of President Belisario Betancour created a sanctuary in Valle del Cocora and proposed the wax palm as the national tree of Colombia.

HOW TO GET TO VALLE DEL COCORA?

The Cocora Valley is located in the municipality of Salento, and is one of the best options for tourism in the coffee region. To get to the Cocora Valley from Salento, you must take one of the jeeps that are there in the main park. It is important to take into account that only one jeep starts every hour on the way to the Valley. The journey from Salento to the Cocora Valley takes approximately 30 minutes, it is a journey that is made by paved road. After the visit to the park, it is important to know that the last jeep to Salento starts at 5:00 pm.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE IN COCORA VALLEY

The Cocora Valley is located in the Central Mountain Range, in the department of Quindio. It is located at an altitude that oscillates between 1800 and 2400 meters above sea level, for this reason, the temperature in this region of the country varies between 5°C and 16°C. It is advisable to take comfortable clothes and shoes, repellent and sun block; however, in the Valley there are frequent drizzles, so it is also essential to take a rain coat. Since there are no shops in the vicinity of the park, the best option is to bring enough water and food for the journey through the park. It is important to start the tour early to get to visit the whole valley.

ATTRACTIONS IN COCORA VALLEY

 

The Cocora Valley is bathed by the Quindio River, the mixture of the imposing wax palms and the vegetation that the landscape offers is, without a doubt, one of the most admirable images. Cocora is full of landscapes, it is a place where nature will steal your breath. Besides, you must take into account that the entrance to the valley has no cost, that is to say that you will be able to enjoy everything that this sanctuary offers for free. The Cocoro Valley is, in addition to all this, the entrance to the Nevados National Natural Park and the Acaime Natural Reserve

 

WHAT TO DO IN VALLE DEL COCORA?

In the park, besides doing the ecological walk, you will be able to cross some region of the landscape by horse; it is interesting to consider that there are also ponies for the smallest visitors. You can also swim in the waters of the Quindio River. For those who love cycling, it is allowed to do mountain biking in the Valley. You can also do activities such as rafting and paragliding.

Thanks to the proximity to the Acaime natural reserve in the Valley you can see different types of birds that adorn the skies and mountains of the landscape.

In the middle of the tour through the park you will be able to visit the cloud forest, which is a natural wonder bathed by different waterfalls and lakes that enchant. You will even be able to plant a tree! Adopt it and give it a name.

GASTRONOMY IN VALLE DEL COCORA

Bosques del Cocora Restaurant

The gastronomy in the Cocora Valley is characterized by the preparation of Trout in all its presentations, but the typical one of the coffee axis is the trout with garlic, generally accompanied by patacon. Bosques de Cocora Restaurant is located inside the park and it is one of the most important restaurants of the coffee axis.

You cannot leave Valle del Cocora without tasting some coffee delight, like the characteristic coffee cream of the region. You will also be able to try macana, custard, arequipe or dulce de leche, and, clearly, you cannot leave without drinking a delicious panela water.

WHERE TO STAY IN SALENTO?

El Zorzal, Hotel Salento

This is the closest town to the park, and thanks to the tourist demand in this region, you can find different options and prices of hotels in Salento. For example:

Mirador de Cocora Hotel is located 5 blocks from the main square of Salento, that is, in the upper part with one of the best views of the town and the Valley. It is located at Calle 1ra # 3 – 01. It offers free WiFi, buffet breakfast, rooms with private bathroom and cable TV. Reception 24 hours a day.
Website: http://elmiradordelcocora.com
Telephone: 318 817 9948 – 318 403 3609 – (6) 759 36 12
E-mail: reservas@elmiradordelcocora.com

Salento Real Hotel: Located 20 minutes from Valle del Cocora lookout point, this is a very colonial style hotel with a family atmosphere. It offers private bathroom in its rooms, television, free parking, WiFi, 24-hour reception. Pets are allowed. It is located at Calle 3 # 4-31.
Website: https://www.hotelsalentoreal.com
Phones: (6) 7593658 – 316 629 61 42
E-mail: reservas@hotelsalentoreal.com – marketing@hotelsalentoreal.com

Zorzal Hostel is a country house located 500 meters from the central square of Salento, is 40 minutes from the Cocora Valley. It offers service of bicycles, walks and hiking. The rooms have private bathroom, TV and WiFi. It offers parking and reception 24 hours a day. Pets are not allowed. It is located in Calle 6 Parque de aguas.
Website: https://www.hostalelzorzal.co
Telephone: 310 4639764
E-mail: hostalelzorzal@gmail.com

One option to stay in the vicinity of the park is in a camping area in Valle de Cocora, one of the places there is:

Lumbre Glamorous Camping, is a hotel located in the park, in addition to offering rooms, also has facilities for camping. It is located at Km7 via Valle de Cocora.
Telephones: 57 311 359 9122 – 57 311 359 9122
E-mail: glampinglumbre@gmail.com
Website: http://www.glampinglumbre.com/es