Colombia’s coffee region is full of adventures and experiences, but a coffee tour should be at the top of any traveler’s list. The drink is the heart and soul of the country, and there’s no better place to sip a cup of joe than on its finca of origin.
The town of Salento in the department of Quindío has become the unofficial backpacker hub of the area, a colorful, eclectic pueblo located amongst the rolling coffee hills. Most travelers that find themselves in Salento will find coffee tours advertised all around town, but not all coffee tours are created equal!
In this guide, I’ll share the best coffee tours in Salento, Colombia, to help you choose the best coffee experience for you, from costs to accessibility to everything in between.
But why should you trust me? Well, the eje cafetero is my home, so I’ve explored the ins and outs of numerous coffee experiences in the area and beyond. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s get into it, shall we?
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Looking to spend more time in Colombia? Check out my full 3-week itinerary!
Understanding This Article
Throughout this article, you might see me use a few phrases or words you’re not familiar with! Here are a few quick terms to know to make understanding this article easier!
Paisa: A socio-anthropological term used to refer to residents of the coffee region of Colombia
Cafe de Origen: Coffee grown by only one producer, specific to an area or region
Finca: A traditional farmhouse, usually with surrounding land
Eje Cafetero: The “coffee axis,” the main coffee-producing region of Colombia
Understanding Colombian Coffee
Coffee in Colombia is more than just a drink – it’s a way of life.
Tinto, the most common coffee preparation of black coffee and sugar, is available on nearly every street corner. Cafe owners roast beans in front of your eyes and eagerly explain the processes available to every customer. Just be warned – don’t you dare ask a paisa for cream and sugar in your coffee!
History and Significance
Colombia is the second largest exporter of coffee in the world, following Brazil. In fact, coffee accounts for around 7-8% of the GDP of the country.
Colombian produces Arabica coffee, known for its sweeter, smoother taste than the more bitter, mass produced Robusta coffee. The specific conditions in the Colombian coffee region make it possible to cultivate Arabica coffee – high altitudes, volcanic soil, and high amounts of rainfall.
Cultivating Arabica coffee must be done by hand, making coffee production a labor intensive process. Because of the tropical climate in the Colombian coffee region, coffee production is a year-round activity.
Alongside coffee production, many farmers in the region invite visitors to their fincas to learn about the processes and cultural significance of the drink. If you’re staying in Salento – or anywhere in the coffee region for that matter – diving into the history and processes of the drink is a must-do.
The Coffee Production Process
Coffee in Colombia can be produced year-round thanks to the tropical climate and heavy rainfall in the country. Coffee plants are often grown on a rotating basis – so there is always coffee ready to be harvested.
To harvest the coffee, the coffee fruits are picked by hand and sorted for processing. In Colombia, there are 3 types of processes that are most common.
- Lavado (washed): the coffee fruit is completely removed and the bean is washed
- Honey: the coffee fruit is removed but the bean isn’t washed
- Natural: the coffee is processed with the fruit still intact
Once the coffee is sorted and processed, the beans are dried. In Colombia, this was traditionally done on rooftops under the sun, and many coffee farms still use this method for smaller batches. Once the coffee is dry, the beans are roasted and ready to serve.
While different fincas have different methods to produce their coffee, many still utilize traditional elements in their processes. Many of the tours below introduce visitors to many different steps of the process, but if you’re curious to learn more about Colombian coffee production, check out my review of the coffee tour at Finca Buenos Aires.
Love the eje cafetero? Check out my weeklong itinerary in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle!
The Best Coffee Tours in Salento, Colombia
Salento is a hotspot for coffee production, with many coffee tours a short drive away from the central hub of town. Note that many of the tours mentioned on this list are easily accessible from Salento with public transportation – simply hop on one of the Jeep Willys available from the central plaza!
For tours located outside the range of the Jeep Willys, I recommend taking a public taxi, or even renting a car to explore more of the coffee region. I’ll go more into transportation and location in each tour description.
Did you know? There’s an entire festival dedicated to Jeep Willys, called Yipao! It takes place in Quindio every June and is one of the best festivals to visit in Colombia!
1. Finca Buenos Aires
| Location: View on Google Maps Price: 50,000 COP per person ($13 USD) Tour Hours: English and Spanish tours on the hour 9AM-4PM daily | Tour Duration: 2-3 hours English Tours Available: Yes Reservations Required: No |
My personal favorite finca in Salento, Finca Buenos Aires offers one of the best coffee tours in Salento, as well as delicious options from their on-site coffee shop. It’s a family owned, family operated finca, and the heart can be felt in every step.
The tour takes you around the finca, located on a beautiful mountaintop outside Salento. Visitors are provided a traditional coffee farmer outfit – a poncho and a paisa hat – and are invited to pick their own coffee beans along the tour. The finca is also home to a diverse number of native plants and animals you’ll spot along the way.
The tour ends with a delicious tasting at the farmhouse, where your guide will demonstrate a traditional method of coffee production. Finally, visitors are invited to purchase their own cafe de origen at the on-site shop.
GET IN TOUCH | Visit Finca Buenos Aires website or contact them on Whatsapp at +57 (317) 240-8335
🎥 Check out this video I made about the department of Quindío, including an interview with the owner of Finca Buenos Aires!
2. Finca El Ocaso
| Location: View on Google Maps Price: 40,000 COP ($10 USD) for a traditional tour, 100,000 COP ($26 USD) for a premium tour Tour Hours: English tours at 9AM and 1PM, Spanish tours at 10AM and 2PM, premium tours offered twice daily | Tour Duration: 2 hours English Tours Available: Yes Reservations Required: Not for traditional tour |
One of the most popular fincas in Salento, Finca El Ocaso is not only home to stunning views, but an on-site coffee shop featuring one of the best cappuccinos in Colombia! It’s a family operated business and produces some of the most popular cafe de origen in the region!
The tour takes visitors around the property, where you’ll have a chance to plant your own coffee seeds and witness every step of the process – from picking the coffee fruit to drying the seeds! The tour ends back at the traditional farmhouse, where visitors are invited to learn the processes to make their own cup of Colombian coffee.
Finca El Ocaso also offers a premium tour, which includes smaller groups and more in-depth explanations of the Colombian coffee process, including information on sustainability, different brewing methods, and more. If you’re interested in the premium tour, I recommend reading more on their website.
GET IN TOUCH | Visit Finca El Ocaso’s website or contact them on Whatsapp at +57 (313) 425-3669
3. Finca Don Elias
| Location: View on Google Maps Price: 35,000 COP ($9 USD) per person Hours: Open 9AM-4PM daily, tours upon visitor availability | Tour Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes English Tours Available: Yes Reservations Required: No |
Finca Don Elias is a one of a kind gem in the Salento area, a family farm still run and operated by its namesake – Don Elias himself. In fact, he’ll likely be standing by the door as you arrive – ready to greet visitors donned in his paisa hat.
The finca isn’t quite as large as others in the region but the tour is filled with heart, operated by family members who have grown up surrounded by coffee culture. You’ll visit the coffee fields to see where the plants are grown, then learn about the harvesting and manufacturing methods used on site for decades.
This finca is also unique in that it uses permaculture to grow their coffee. This method utilizes other plants and animals to help keep the land fit for coffee production – for example, you’ll see banana trees providing shade and fruit trees to balance the pH of the soil. As a result, you’ll have the chance to learn about a number of native plants and animals on a tour of Finca Don Elias.
GET IN TOUCH | Check out Finca Don Elias on Instagram or contact them on Whatsapp at +57 (315) 606-1113
4. Las Acacias Coffee Farm
| Location: View on Google Maps Price: 30,000 COP ($8 USD) per person Tour Hours: 9AM-4PM daily, tours upon visitor availability | Tour Duration: 1 hour English Tours Available: Yes Reservations Required: No but highly recommended |
Las Acacias Coffee Farm is a true local experience for those looking for a less commercialized coffee tour. Family owned and operated, the tour is shorter than others on this list, but highly personalized, with smaller groups or even private tours available.
To start your tour, you’ll be offered a cafe americano or latte to sip while you wait, overlooking the stunning hills of the eje cafetero. Once the tour begins you’ll be guided through every step of the coffee production process, from growing the plants to harvesting the beans. Finally, you’ll have a chance to learn about the roasting processes and try a cup of your own.
Las Acacias Coffee Farm is unique to the area because it is truly non-commercialized operation – in fact, many of the coffees grown here are only available on the finca, not even in the town of Salento! Make sure to stop at the coffee on site and try some of the cafe de origen available, after all, this might be your only chance!
GET IN TOUCH | Check out the Las Acacias Coffee Farm website or contact them on Whatsapp at +57 (310) 463-8585
The Best Coffee Experiences Outside Salento, Colombia
If you’re traveling around the coffee region, there are plenty more places to experience the best of Colombian coffee outside Salento. Here are some of my favorites throughout the region.
1. Hacienda Venecia – Manizales
| Location: View on Google Maps Price: 85,000 COP ($22 USD) per person Tour Hours: 2 tours daily at 9:45AM and 2PM, private tours by reservation only | Tour Duration: 2.5 hours English Tours Available: Yes Reservations Required: Yes |
Hacienda Venecia is located just outside of Manizales, a city located about 2 hours north of Salento. This Hacienda is much more than a coffee tour – it’s a coffee experience. As one of the largest fincas in the area, visitors have the opportunity to experience one of the most in-depth coffee tours in the country.
Besides coffee, Hacienda Venecia also offers a number of other activities unique to the coffee region, from a chocolate workshop to bird watching on the property. They offer world-class accommodation onsite, so visitors can stay for a few days and make the most of their time in the eje cafetero.
GET IN TOUCH | Check out Hacienda Venecia on their website or contact them on Whatsapp at +57 (320) 636 5719
| Location: View on Google Maps Price: Prices range from 10,000-40,000 COP for tastings Hours: 10:30AM-5:30PM | English Descriptions Available: Yes Reservations Required: No |
Cafe San Alberto is not a coffee tour in the traditional sense, but is on many coffee-lovers lists as it is the most awarded coffee in Colombia. While they have locations throughout the country, the origin is south of Salento in the town of Buenavista, where this award-winning coffee is grown.
Their Buenavista location offers a terrace with stunning views of the surrounding farms and the town below – there’s a reason they call it Buenavista (good view!) At the cafe, visitors can have a coffee-tasting experience, sampling a flight of some of the most popular coffee grown on site. It’s also a great opportunity to try different brewing methods and learn more about the complexity of Colombian coffee.
GET IN TOUCH | Check out Cafe San Alberto on their website or contact them on Whatsapp at +57 (317) 502-6246
3. Finca El Turpial – Pereira
| Location: View on Google Maps Price: 75,000 COP ($20 USD) per person Hours: Open due to tour availability | Tour Duration: 3-4 hours English Tours Available: No, but French tours available Reservations Required: Yes |
Ok, so not technically a coffee finca, but I felt it had to make the list! Finca El Turpial is one of the most unique fincas in the coffee region, producing their own chocolate on site and inviting visitors to get to know the process. They’re also a family owned and operated finca run by a friendly French-Colombian couple.
The tour begins with a walk around the farm, learning about the indigenous birds and plants of the region. You’ll have a chance to taste fresh cacao fruit before heading back to the finca to learn how chocolate is produced onsite.
Finally, you’ll have a chance to grind the cacao beans in preparation to make your own chocolate. Visitors can add their own flavorings to their chocolate before the most important part – eating it!
GET IN TOUCH | Check out Finca El Turpial on Instagram or contact them on Whatsapp at +57 (311) 409-2354
Tips for Choosing the Right Coffee Tour
With so many options for coffee tours in the region, choosing the right one can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, all of the options above support local Colombian farmers and give an authentic look into the significance of coffee production in this region.
When choosing a coffee tour, it’s important to consider what accommodations you might be looking for. Do you want an English-speaking tour? A private group? An in-depth description of brewing processes? Make sure the tour you choose offers what you’re looking for, or better yet, consider visiting a few!
Interested in Colombian culture? Check out this in-depth guide to Christmas traditions around the country!
Additional Experiences in the Coffee Region
Many coffee fincas also offer shops where you can buy cafe de origen – coffee grown right on the finca! If you enjoyed the coffee you sampled on your tour, this can be one of the best souvenirs to pick up in Colombia.
If you’re looking to keep sampling coffee, I also recommend checking out my guide to the best coffee shops in the coffee region, where you can try cafe de origen from all over.
Finally, Salento and the surrounding region are a hotspot for activities, from waterfalls to visit to festivals celebrating coffee culture. Check out my full guide to Colombia’s coffee region to help you plan your trip.
Why Visit a Coffee Finca in Salento?
Whether you’re a coffee lover or not, understanding coffee production is one of the best ways to engage with the culture and history of this region of Colombia.
On any coffee tour, you’ll gain a deeper understanding for just how important coffee is not just to this region, but Colombia as a whole. It’s a defining product of the country, telling its story in every sip.
If you’re interested in learning more about Colombia, I’m actually on a mission to visit all 32 departments of the country – and produce a video in each! Whether you’re interested in the indigenous cultures of the Caribbean coast or the Christmas traditions outside the capital, I’ve explored the ins and outs of this extraordinary country and am excited to continue sharing them with the world.
What do you consider the best coffee tour in Salento/Colombia’s coffee region? Let me know in the comments below!
What to Pack for Colombia
Planning a trip to Colombia? Consider adding some of these essentials to your suitcase for a truly epic trip!
💧 Filtered Water Bottle – Save on the single-use plastic and protect from parasites!
🧥 Heavy-Duty Rain Jacket – For the ever-changing Colombian weather!
🎒 Anti-theft Backpack – Perfect for exploring big cities or trekking in the jungle
🧖♀️ Microfiber Travel Towel – A go-to travel essential anywhere in the world!
🔌 Portable Charger – Keep your phone charged out on the go
🔐 Mini Padlock – Perfect for securing your backpack or locking up your items at the hotel
🔋 Universal Travel Adapter – Charge all your devices anywhere in the world!
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Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.