The most picturesque pueblo in the coffee country, two hours south of Pereira and reachable by frequent buses via Armenia. Salento is small — a few brightly painted streets, a couple of squares, and a viewpoint over the surrounding hills — but its setting is what people come for.
A short jeep ride from town drops you at the entrance to the Valle de Cocora, where the world's tallest palms stand scattered across emerald pastures. A loop walk of four to five hours takes you up through cloud forest, past a hummingbird reserve, and back down through the palm valley. Sturdy shoes and a rain jacket are essential; the trail is muddy after rain.
Salento is the standard day trip from Pereira, but with its hostels, bakeries, and trout restaurants it works just as well as an overnight stop.