Those who regularly subscribe to the Dining Traveler articles know that the Dining Traveler and I love Colombia. From Cartagena to Bogota, Colombia is full of wonderful places to visit, with so many enticing attractions, including beaches, valleys, and big cities. After hitting many of the major tourist spots in Colombia, last year, I decided to visit the Valle de Cocora in the Los Nevados National Park, which is in the Quindio department of Colombia. The valley is located in the heart of Colombia’s coffee-growing region and is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It also happens to be the place that inspired the location of the famous Disney film Encanto! The Cocora Valley is as charming and beautiful as it is depicted in Encanto, with Quindío wax palm trees, native to the Andes in Colombia, delicious food, and friendly locals. Here is all the information you need to plan your own real-life Encanto adventure to the Valle de Cocora.
How to Get to Valle de Cocora
Getting to Valle de Cocora from the United States is easy. You can fly into the Pereira airport directly from the United States from hubs like New York City or Miami. Expect a layover in Bogota or Miami, depending on your origin. The closest cities to the valley are Pereira and Salento.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Boutique Sazagua: This lovely hotel is the best place to stay in the region. With a lush lawn full of comfy lounge chairs, firepits, and hanging lanterns, a pool, spa, and a restaurant, you will be hard-pressed to leave the hotel. Rooms are large and rustic, with Colombian artwork and furnishings. The villa has a hot tub and fire pit; some suites have hammocks and other amenities. The hotel has plenty of places for lounging with snacks and wine.
What to Do:
Hiking: A visit to the Valle de Cocora will be the highlight of your trip! The hotel can assist you in arranging a guide, which I highly recommend. A guide will drive you to the Los Nevados National Park and lead you on a challenging hike through the stunning cloud forest in the valley, studded with the famous wax palm trees, the highest and most visually impressive palm trees in the world. A guide can also point out all the amazing flora and fauna of the valley and show you birds native to the area, including certain hummingbirds and parrots.
Visit the Plaza de Bolívar: On your way to the Valle de Cocora you will pass through this plaza in the Colombia town of Salento. Take a break here to admire the colorful buildings, peruse the small shops, and have a coffee or scoop of ice cream at one of the local cafes.
Coffee Tasting: No visit to this region of Colombia would be complete without a coffee-tasting session. Your hotel can arrange for you to do a coffee tasting at the hotel or can plan a day trip for you to visit a local coffee farm. Colombian coffees are medium-bodied and fragrant, with a hint of sweetness and nuttiness so that you can enjoy them black or with milk and sugar.
Spa Day: A day at the spa at the hotel is essential for your vacation. Enjoy massages and facials in the hotel’s spacious, peaceful spa, and afterward spend the afternoon at the pool. Staff will be more than happy to bring you cocktails and plantain chips with house-made tomato and avocado dips to enjoy while you relax.
Where to Eat at Valle de Cocora
Hotel Boutique Sazagua Restaurant: The hotel’s restaurant offers a wonderful outdoor dining experience with excellent service, delicious fare, and local cocktails. Breakfast was a dream, with fresh fruit, Colombia breads like buñuelos, cheese fritters made of cassava, and rice and beans topped with scrambled eggs. For dinner, enjoy empanadas, local soups, and grilled dishes.
Restaurante El Portal de Cocora: Close to the valley, this restaurant has epic views of the valley and tasty fare to give you sustenance after your hike. Enjoy patacones or fried green plantains with fresh salsa, stews, bread, salads full of local produce, freshly squeezed juices, coffee drinks, and desserts.
The Verdict:
The Valle de Cocora is a dreamy, wonderful place to visit. You will marvel at the wax palm trees, indulge in local treats like freshly fries patacones, enjoy local coffees, and appreciate Colombian culture.
