Salento's climate is warm and moderately wet year-round at 1,895 metres altitude. The dry seasons are December to January and June to August, when the Valle de Cocora hike is drier underfoot and the mountain views clearer. The wet seasons (September to November, and March to May) bring daily afternoon rain; the trails become muddy and waterproof boots are essential.
The biggest factor in timing is crowds: Salento is enormously popular with Colombian domestic tourists on holidays, and the central plaza and Calle Real can be overwhelmed on long weekends and school holidays. Mid-week visits, even in peak season, are notably quieter. The December-January period is particularly busy; early January after New Year is one of the most crowded times of the year.