4.6374° N, 75.5703° W
THIS IN-DEPTH GUIDE COVERS THE EXCITING FOOD SCENE OF SALENTO, COLOMBIA - INCLUDING ALL OF THE TOP RESTAURANTS AND CAN'T-MISS TRADITIONAL COLOMBIAN FOODS.
We were lucky enough to spend 3 months living and exploring Salento, Colombia - one of the most colorful towns in the country and also one of the most visited. In fact, after the historic coastal city of Cartagena, Salento and its neighbor Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora) are the second most visited place in all of Colombia.
While it is safe to say that most touristy towns don't usually have the best food options - many seem overpriced and underwhelming - somehow Salento has been able to foster a relatively strong food scene. And while Colombian food might be the most common cuisine available, the town is also home to various other international restaurants and cuisines, including Venezuelan, Spanish and Italian.
Below you will find our comprehensive Salento Food Guide, which outlines all of the best spots to eat at while visiting the town as well as a brief outline of some of the can't-miss traditional Colombian foods that all travelers should try at least once while exploring the country.
► Make sure to check out our interactive Salento Food Map at the end of this article to get an idea of where all of the top restaurants and cafés are located in town.
\\ A Quick Guide to Traditional Colombian Food
Below are some of the top foods all travelers should try at least once in Colombia. Luckily, many of these foods (and drinks) are easily available throughout the country - from the hot Caribbean Coast all the way to the cold mountains of the central Andes region.
During our time in the country, we noticed that the most famous Colombian foods usually focus on simple ingredients (potatoes and cheese being easily the most common items) that fill you up. This is likely due to the fact that many of these traditional foods and meals came about during a time when many Colombians were struggling to make ends meet. Fast forward to today, and food that was once considered comida de pobre (poor people food) is now eaten by all socio-economic classes.
TOP FOODS TO TRY IN COLOMBIA
| Aguapanela: this simple, sweet drink is quite common throughout the whole country of Colombia. But, while you can find it nationwide, it is especially easy to come across in the colder, mountainous region of the country. Aguapanela, which is simply just hot water with panela (unrefined cane sugar), is served at all times of the day, though especially during lunch and at dinner time. At some restaurants you can also get it with a side of cheese.
| Hot Chocolate with Cheese (costeño or campesino cheese): at first these two foods might not seem to go together very well. But let us tell you, after a cold day outside, nothing tastes as warm and as cozy as a huge cup of hot chocolate and a salty slice of cheese.
❔ GOOD TO KNOW: costeño cheese comes from the coastal region and is very salty. Campesino cheese comes from the mountains and is a little less salty and a little tangier. It is also very squeaky.
| Lulada: this local drink originated in the Valle de Cauca region of Colombia. It is made of smashed lulo, which is an exotic fruit that is yellow in color and quite tart (it is also popular in nearby Ecuador and Panama), lime juice, water, sugar, and ice.
| Arepas: very likely the most popular food in Colombia, arepas are a simple but filling food that can be made in a variety of different ways. While arepas are eaten at all times of the day, they are especially popular in the morning (they are one of the most common Colombian foods for breakfast throughout the whole country) and as a late afternoon snack.
A couple of well-known arepa varieties are arepa de huevo (which is a fried arepa with a cooked egg inside), arepa de queso (corn arepa with salty melted cheese inside), arepa andina (a simple flat white corn arepa) and arepa paisa (similar to arepa andina but with melted cheese on top). In Salento, you can find a couple of different arepa stands, including one selling stuffed arepas (delicious!).
| Pan de bono (pan de yuca, pan de queso): no day in Colombia is complete without at least one pan de bono, or its two almost identical brothers pan de yucca and pan de queso. No matter which one you choose, it is always a good idea to eat it with either a hot coffee or hot chocolate in hand.
All three of these treats look pretty much the same: a small doughy ball that is somewhat gooey on the inside. The pan de bono is the gooiest, while the pan de yuca is a bit more firm. No matter which one you choose, you can expect a slightly salty and cheesy delicious treat.
💬 INSIDER TIP: we found the best pan de bonos in Salento were from Casa de Pan, a panaderia off of Calle 5 about a block and a half from the main plaza. We recommend stopping by for an early, light breakfast of pandebonos there.
| Obleas: a very common afternoon snack or after dinner dessert, obleas are thin Colombian wafers characterized by their round shape and slightly brown color. They are traditionally spread with arequipe (caramel) and other toppings such as fruit jams, grated cheese, or chocolate sprinkles.
| Hogao: one of the most popular condiments in Colombia is hogao, which is a savory mix of tomatoes, onions, garlic and cilantro that are sautéed until they become soft and fragrant. This delicious sauce is added to numerous other popular Colombian foods, including bandeja paisa (see below), arepas and red beans.
| Calentado: while arepas and pandebonos are popular Colombian breakfast foods, the most traditional Colombian breakfast is definitely calentado - which mostly consists of last night's reheated leftovers. The dish stems from the past when much of the Colombian population lived in poverty and nothing - including food - was wasted. Today, the filling breakfast usually includes rice, beans, plantains, steak, fried eggs, and arepas.
| Arroz con Coco: this popular side dish is a delicious mix of savory and sweet. It consists of white rice, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and water. Some people add dried fruits like raisins to make it sweeter, while more traditionally it is served on the coast, both the Pacific and the Caribbean, with fried or grilled fish and patacones (fried plantains).
| Bandeja Paisa: this massive meal, which is also known as bandeja de arriero, bandeja montanera and bandeja antioquena, is a heavy, high calorie feast that is traditionally served on a big, oval platter. There are commonly a total of 13 ingredients used in the dish, including golden-fried chorizo sausages with lime, hogao sauce, white rice, ground beef, plantain, an arepa, avocado, stewed red beans, fried pork belly, and a fried egg. Originally, the platter of food was meant to provide plenty of nutrition and energy to the local farmers to help keep them going for the whole day. Today, you can find bandeja paisa at most traditional Colombian restaurants - including at many in Salento.
| Ajiaco (the national dish of Colombia): this savory soup is made up of chicken, potatoes, corn and herbs. In the past, it was considered a poor man's dish because it had to include three varieties of potatoes - which were and are abundant and inexpensive in Colombia. The soup is often topped with avocado slices, capers, rice, cilantro, and black pepper.
While you can find plenty of food tours all over Colombia, here are some of the best:
Find more food tours in Colombia at GetYourGuide.com
VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN FOOD IN COLOMBIA | IS IT POSSIBLE TO FIND?
We were happily surprised to find a relatively wide array of restaurants serving vegetarian food and sometimes even vegan food all over Colombia. For the most part, you can order a vegetarian meal at most restaurants within the country - including at places serving up traditional Colombian food. Most vegetarian meals will include rice, beans (which are really tasty), grilled or fried plantain, an arepa and sometimes avocado (aguacate) or cheese.
One great meal to order, especially in the morning for breakfast, is bandeja frijoles, which is a large platter of food that includes beans, rice, avocado, plantains, an arepa and an egg (it is like a bandeja paisa but without the meat). If you can't find this on the menu you can usually just ask for it or see if they can make you a meal without the meat.
💬 INSIDER TIP: the restaurant Balcones de Ayer in Salento serves up a delicious vegetarian bandeja frijoles. So if you want to get an idea of the traditional dish, but don't want the meat, then we suggest heading there.
\\ A Quick Guide to Salento, Colombia
Located in the mountains of central Colombia, Salento is a rather small town (population: 7000) with a lot to offer the traveler - both in terms of culture and cuisine, and also in terms of outdoor adventure.
The colorful mountain town is located in the northeastern part of the department of Quindío, Colombia, which is one of the three departments that make up the Colombian Coffee Region or Coffee Axis. In fact, this part of the country is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to it being such a good representation of the coffee growing culture.
Salento is located around 40 minutes from the capital of the department, Armenia, and roughly 50 minutes from the large city of Pereira (which is the capital of the neighboring department, Risaralda). Both cities have an international airport and large bus terminal, making it super easy to get around the rest of Colombia from Salento.
Many people visit Salento to explore the nearby Cocora Valley, an absolutely beautiful place full of towering palm trees and mountains (the trees are actually the tallest palm trees in the world). Cocora Valley, or Valle de Cocora, is so stunning that the Disney movie Encanto is actually set there.
Overall, Salento is a fantastic place to explore in Colombia. Not only because it is beautiful and full of adventure (hello Los Nevados National Park), but because it has a lot to offer travelers - including some really tasty food.
➳ Want to learn more about Salento, including the top things to do and see? Then make sure to check out this in-depth travel guide on the exciting mountain town.
❔ GOOD TO KNOW: if there is one thing we noticed while living in Salento for three months, it was that during the "off-season" some restaurants tended to be closed on less busy days. In our experience, Mondays and Tuesdays were the common days for restaurants to be closed (unless Monday happened to be a holiday). If planning to head out to eat on either of those days we would recommend checking if they are open first. Usually you can find the restaurant's WhatsApp number online or if in doubt, just simply walk over to see if they are open or not.
THE ULTIMATE RESTAURANT AND FOOD GUIDE FOR
SALENTO, COLOMBIA
While traditional Colombian food is definitely the most common cuisine in Salento, the town actually has quite a bit to offer for its size (only 3,600 people live in the town itself). This includes such cuisines as Italian, Venezuelan, Spanish and Asian. And best of all, almost all of the food is quite affordable - especially if you stop in for lunch (which is usually a set menu that changes daily).
💱 EXCHANGE RATE: while it of course fluctuates, a good way to figure out the exchange rate between the Colombian peso (COP) and other common currencies is it is around 4x1 for USD (so 4000 COP equals $1) and 4.5x1 for Euros (so 4500 COP equals €1).
Colombian Food
BALCONES DE AYER
This super busy mom-and-pop restaurant is located not too far from the main square in the middle of Salento. Balcones del Ayer, which translates to "yesterday's balconies" is an awesome restaurant to try local Colombian food. Including, the local favorite: trout (trucha). The portions are huge, the price is reasonable, the service is impeccable and the food is super tasty. Plus, they have delicious vegetarian options - including, a vegetarian version of bandeja paisa.
DETAILS
| COST: for two huuuuge plates of food, two hot chocolates with cheese and coffee, it cost around 55000 COP (~ $14.50 / €12.15 Euros)
| WHERE: Balcones del Ayer is located close to the square off of Carrera 6 (on the left side). You will know you are in the right place when you see all the people inside (the place gets busy, on weekends especially). There is also a hotel above the restaurant that you can stay at. Find the exact location here.
| ORDER: the vegetarian options are amazing, so if you are looking for something without meat we highly recommend ordering the plate or bowl. Otherwise, the hot chocolate and cheese is tasty and filling.
EL RINCON DE LUCY
Hidden a bit away from the main touristy area, this small restaurant serves up delicious almuerzos (lunch) at a very affordable 12000 COP. If you are looking for a healthy, filling, vegetarian meal in Salento then this is the place to go. Plus, the owners are incredibly kind and welcoming and the lemonade is super refreshing. The only real drawback is the use of plastic cups :(
DETAILS
| COST: 12000 COP ($3 USD / €2.65 Euros) for a large lunch plate that includes soup, beans or lentils, salad, vegetables and rice. Plus lots of lemonade.
| WHERE: the restaurant is located off of the main touristy road (Calle Real) by about two blocks. You can find the exact location here.
| HOURS: the restaurant opens up for lunch at 11 AM most days of the week (they are sometimes closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
OPUESTO
A newer restaurant in town, this spot only serves up vegetarian and vegan dishes. The owners are young and are seriously looking to add a bit of modern spice to the Salento food scene. Even if you aren't vegetarian, we recommend stopping in to try the lunch. It is filling, flavorful, healthy and absolutely delicious.
DETAILS
| COST: the set lunch menu costs 13000 COP ($3.40 USD / €3.10 Euros) per person.
| WHERE: the restaurant is located off of Calle 6 just past the gas station. It is on the right side of the street if you are heading towards the main plaza in Salento.
| WHAT TO ORDER: their daily lunch menu is absolutely delicious. We also recommend stopping in to try their veggie rice and lentil patties topped with a tomato and pesto-esque sauce. Amazing.
Pizza
SOMEVI
Located right off the main square, this local pizza shop is the perfect place to carbo-load before a big day on the trail (or for that matter, after a long day on the trail). We have visited a couple of times and have never been disappointed with their selection and food.
There are three sizes of pizza available: personal, medium and large/family. We suggest the medium for two people (even if you are hungry - it will totally fill you up) and the family-size for more than two people. They also allow you to split the pizza into two different types (pepperoni on one side, vegetarian on the other for example) for no extra cost. For vegetarians, we recommend either the veggie pizza or the fugazzeta pizza, which comes topped with some of the best caramelized onions we have ever tasted.
DETAILS
| COST: a small pizza costs between 16000 - 18000 COP, a medium pizza between 33000 - 37000 COP and a large/family size between 44000 - 49000 COP. So roughly $4.30 USD / €3.76 Euros, $8.86 USD / €7.75 Euros, and $11.65 USD / €10.20 Euros.
| WHERE: Somevi Pizzeria is pretty hard to miss once you make it to the square. It is located just one building down from the intersection of Carrera 6 and Calle 6 (not to be confusing) and right next to a craft shop.
| HOURS: 1 PM -10 PM, usually 7 days a week (but we have seen them closed on random days...)
TANGARA HORNO Y CAFE
While Somevi might be the most popular pizza spot in town, it definitely is not the only one. If you are looking for something a little different, then we recommend checking out this lesser-known spot that is similarly located near the main square. One of our favorite things about this pizza restaurant is their homemade crust, which is a bit thinner than other places. Similarly, they also offer tasty homemade fresh juices - including, mango, pineapple and raspberry.
DETAILS
| COST: a personal pizza (4 slices) costs 13000 COP ($3.40 USD / €3.10 Euros) while a medium pizza (8 slices) costs 25000 COP ($6.70 USD / €6 Euros).
| WHERE: this restaurant can be a bit tough to find since it is actually located in the basement of a shop selling the usual goods (ponchos, bags, etc.). The restaurant is located right off of Calle Real about one block from the main square. Look for the sign on the wall or a wooden sign outside of the door.
| HOURS: the restaurant is open 3 PM - 10 PM Monday through Thursday, and 12 PM - 11 PM Friday through Sunday.
| WHAT TO ORDER: the house pizza (De La Casa) is a unique and delicious blend of peanuts, spinach, apples, onions and local cheeses. It sounds kind of weird - but trust us, it is absolutely delicious.
International Food
WABI ASIAN KITCHEN
One of the few Asian food restaurants in town, Wabi is owned by a Japanese family that focuses heavily on vegetarian food. The menu changes regularly but often offers at least a couple of vegetarian options - including noodle and rice dishes. They also have sushi.
DETAILS
| COST: you can get their set lunch for 12000 COP ($3.15 USD / €2.80 Euros), otherwise their dinner plates cost between 12000 COP and 20000 COP.
| WHERE: this restaurant is located on the corner of Calle 2 and Carrera 5, about one block from Calle Real.
| WHAT TO ORDER: their trout sushi is different but definitely tasty, also they have good soups - which is perfect on those cold, rainy Salento nights.
CUMANA BISTRO FOOD
A newer restaurant in Salento, this hip spot is located a bit farther from the hubbub of Calle Real and the main plaza. Cumana serves up traditional Venezuelan food, which is relatively similar to Colombian food but with a few different flavors and spices. Either way, it is definitely tasty.
DETAILS
| COST: most main dishes are between 15000 COP and 19000 COP or roughly $4.50 USD / €4 Euros.
| WHERE: you can find this restaurant on the corner of Calle 4 and Carrera 4, and about 2 blocks from Calle Real.
| WHAT TO ORDER: the tequenos, which are similar to mozzarella sticks but so much better, are a great starter plate. Also, their veggie bowl is large, super healthy and filling (and of course delicious). Finally, make sure to order a carato de mango - a traditional Venezuelan drink that is both refreshing and fruity.
❔ GOOD TO KNOW: the restaurant's menu is totally online on their Instagram, so make sure to bring your phone with you to the restaurant.
LA TAPERIA
We were unfortunately a bit late to the game when it came to trying this restaurant, which specializes in Spanish style food (including tapas and paella). Their tapas selection is surprisingly large, while their drinks and desserts are incredibly good. In our opinion, if you can, visit a couple of times so you can try all of the different tapas and cakes.
DETAILS
| COST: each tapa is between 10000 COP and 25000 COP, so roughly $2.70 - $6 USD / €2.40 - €6.70 Euros.
| WHERE: the restaurant is located off of Calle 2 (the last road on the left on Calle Real if heading towards the mirador). The spot is quite close to Wabi Asian Kitchen.
| WHAT TO ORDER: all of the food is delicious but we absolutely loved the mushroom options (there are many). Plus, the potatoes (papas) with salsa and croquetas are also very good.
💬 INSIDER TIP: if you are looking for a refreshing alcoholic beverage, we suggest ordering a glass of the tinto de verano, a light wine drink made with soda and lemon.
Western-Style Food
BRUNCH DE SALENTO
Very much a traveler-focused restaurant, Brunch serves up all kinds of dishes, from lasagna to omelets to buffalo wings. If you are craving something besides traditional Colombian food, then Brunch will likely have it. Plus, they also have a small store on the first floor that sells an array of random, mostly outdoor gear (including ponchos and headlamps). Also, the owners, Jeff and Cecilia, are American and Colombian and can help you out with any and all questions.
DETAILS
| COST: most dishes cost between 17000 COP and 22000 COP, so roughly $4.80 USD or €4.20 Euros.
| WHERE: you can find Brunch de Salento right off of Calle 6 between Carrera 3 and 4. The exact location is here.
| WHAT TO ORDER: the veggie lasagna is quite tasty and filling - perfect after a long day on the trail. Also, their breakfast burrito and veggie quesadilla are very good.
MERAKI
In our opinion, one of the best restaurants in Salento is this colorful, outdoor spot that serves up super tasty food, cocktails and coffee. We highly recommend stopping in for a nice relaxing midday lunch break and sampling their wide array of dishes - most of which are vegetarian. Their menu includes curries, ramen, hamburgers (including a tasty veggie burger) and various breakfast dishes (both traditional Colombian meals and Western-style).
DETAILS
| COST: expect to pay similar prices as you would for places like Brunch de Salento and Balcones; so around 20000 COP ($5 USD / €4.40 Euros) for a large entrée and between 15000 and 18000 COP ($4.15 USD / €3.60 Euros) for a smaller dish.
| WHERE: Meraki is actually pretty far from the main square, which often makes it a whole lot quieter - which is especially nice if you are looking to work there (their internet is super fast). Find the exact location of Meraki here.
| WHAT TO ORDER: this large, colorful restaurant has a wide array of food available - including many vegetarian and even vegan options. We recommend the vegetarian sandwich or vegetarian burrito. Similarly, the fries are incredibly addicting.
💬 INSIDER TIP: if you are looking for a place to work in Salento, consider heading to Meraki. They have plenty of tables, fast Wi-Fi (around 40 mbps) and as mentioned, awesome coffee. The only downside is there are very few outlets available.
Street Food
AREPAS
By far one of the top street foods in Colombia and in Salento in particular, are arepas. If you are looking for a quick and tasty Colombian snack (or light meal) then consider heading out around sunset for an arepa - which is a simple patty made out of maiz (corn) flour that is then either topped with slightly salty cheese and butter or stuffed with cheese, butter, vegetables, meat, etc.
There are two places in Salento that serve up delicious arepas: the first is right next to Rincon de Lucy (here) and the second is actually a street food stand off of Calle Real (around here). The first type of arepa is simply a flat corn patty with salty cheese on top (simple but oh so good) while the second option is a stuffed arepa (which is much more filling) with either just vegetables (corn, plantains, onions) or with meat. Both types of arepas cost between 3000 COP and 5000 COP (so around $1 USD or €0.90 Euros).
CHORIZOS
If you are craving a nice salty snack at the end of the night and an arepa is just not doing it for you, then consider heading to the main plaza and picking up a local chorizo from one of the small stands near the main square (check our interactive map below for exact locations).
In fact, this part of Colombia is quite famous for their chorizos, especially in the nearby town of Santa Rosa de Cabal. It is common practice for each chorizo to also come with a small arepa and a lime wedge. The meal is simple, filling and quite tasty. Each chorizo should cost between 4000 and 7000 COP (~ $1.50 USD / €1.30 Euros).
💬 INSIDER TIP: we found that the chorizo stalls were not always open 7 days a week. In fact, for the most part, they were usually only open on the weekends or on holidays.
COLOMBIAN HOT DOGS
This is definitely not your typical hot dog - in fact we had heard so much about this somewhat common Colombian dish that we had to go and seek one out, even though neither of us are exactly hot dog lovers. Turns out, it is as weird and unique as we had heard.
For starters, you don't just get a hot dog in a bun with some ketchup or mustard - no you get a whole plethora of toppings. For example, most come with pineapple chunks, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, raspberries, bacon, cheese and crushed potato chips (just for that added crunch). And if that wasn't enough, some regional variations also come with a carrot and cabbage slaw (no dressing) and a quail egg.
In Salento, you can find Colombian hot dogs at a small restaurant called Las Perras (off of Calle 6) or at a small food stand in front of Café de La Esquina (in the main square), though this option we believe is only open on the weekends or during a holiday. Each hot dog costs around 5000 COP ($1.30 USD / €1.20 Euros).
Coffee
CONCRETO COFFEE
This hip, modern café is centrally located right off of Calle Real. While it is rather small - only four tables - Concreto is a great spot to stop in for a quick pick-me-up or for a nice relaxing coffee-sipping afternoon break. Also, they have some very tasty baked goods - including, chocolate croissants.
DETAILS
| COST: the prices for the coffee are pretty standard for Salento - expect to pay around 4500 COP for an Americano, 6000 COP for a latte and 6500 COP for a chai. So everything is less than $2 USD / €1.70 Euros.
| WHERE: you can find this modern café on the corner of Calle 2 and Carrera 6 (Calle Real). It is on the right side if heading towards the mirador.
| WHAT TO ORDER: this is one of the few cafes in town that offers almond milk so we recommend grabbing an almond milk latte (or almond milk chia) if you are someone who seeks out alternative milk. Otherwise, their Americano is quite tasty.
💬 INSIDER TIP: this café is one of the few in Salento that opens up rather early (8 AM), plus they have pretty strong wi-fi so if you need to work a bit in the morning, we definitely recommend stopping in here.
JESUS MARTIN
Possibly one of the best coffee shops in Salento - or at least the most well-known - is Café Jesus Martin, a family-run café that was opened by a gentleman often quoted as the “man who saved Colombian coffee” (read more about him here). Located near the main square, Jesus Martin is a good spot to stop in at for an afternoon Americano or for a quick slice of pie. Also, they offer almond milk here as well.
DETAILS
| COST: a simple coffee is only 3500 COP, while a latte is between 5000 COP and 7000 COP depending on if you get almond milk (that is more expensive). Their cakes are around 5000 COP. So pretty much everything is less than $2 USD / €1.70 Euros.
| WHERE: this popular coffee shop is located less than a block from the main square on Carrera 6 (Calle Real).
| WHAT TO ORDER: we suggest ordering a coffee (of course) or one of their herbal teas (the passion fruit and ginger one is delicious). Similarly, their homemade cakes and pies are super tasty.
Drinks
MOJITERIA
If you are looking for a legitimate bar in Salento then this is a good option. Located just a few steps from busy Calle Real, this Cuban-themed spot serves up tasty cocktails, including of course, mojitos. Stop in for a fun time full of upbeat music, dancing, karaoke, and of course some unique and delicious mojitos.
DETAILS
| COST: most drinks are between 16000 and 20000 COP (so on average $4.80 USD / €4.30 Euros).
| WHERE: this snazzy Cuban-themed bar is right off of Carrera 6 (Calle Real) and Calle 4.
| WHAT TO ORDER: their original mojito is obviously very good, but if you are looking for something a bit more special order the passion fruit mojito.
MERAKI
While we loved Meraki for their tasty and rather healthy food, we also found ourselves sometimes stopping by the restaurant for a late afternoon cocktail - especially on those special sunny Salento days.
DETAILS
| COST: the cocktails all cost 20000 COP ($5 USD / €4.80 Euros).
| WHERE: Meraki is actually pretty far from the main square and Calle Real, which often makes it a whole lot quieter - which is especially nice if you are looking to work there. You can find the exact location of Meraki here or on the map below.
| WHAT TO ORDER: the Myntu cocktail, which is similar to a mojito, is super tasty and extremely refreshing. Otherwise, the Sangria and Alma cocktails are also very good. Also, if you want a quick snack to go with your drinks, order the fries.
Even though Salento, Colombia might be one of the most touristy towns in the country, it still (somehow) has some pretty delicious food - at affordable prices no less. While traditional Colombian food might be the most common cuisine available, it is also relatively easy to find many other options, including a fair amount of vegetarian food.
If you are planning to explore Salento and are looking to try some of the best food the town has to offer, then hopefully this guide helps you out. And if you have any questions about the Salento food scene - including the top restaurants and foods to try - or just any questions about Salento in general, then please feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to us directly.
EXPLORE OUR INTERACTIVE SALENTO FOOD MAP
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PACKING ESSENTIALS FOR COLOMBIA
| Reusable water bottle: we cannot imagine traveling without our LARQ water bottles thanks to their fancy rechargeable filter that eliminate up to 99% of bio-contaminants.
| Eco-friendly sunscreen: we love MadHippie sunscreen because it’s cruelty-free, vegan, broad spectrum, and reef safe. And even better, they donate $1 for every purchase to conservation efforts.
| Allbirds shoes: comfortable shoes can make or break an adventure or travel day, these eco-conscious and cozy shoes from Allbirds have been our faves for years.
► Find our full sustainable travel packing list here.
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