Posada Martha Tolima

The parrot was fun to see, though she’d only talk when nobody was around and went quiet as soon as you approached. The walk to the main square takes about five minutes, but the road climbs a steep hill, so getting to the top takes a while. The square is where the Willys depart. We arranged a transfer from Pereira airport through the hotel, but 120.000 COP (about 34 EUR) felt very expensive by Colombian standards, and there was no room to negotiate. Breakfast was two small toasted ham and cheese sandwiches and about half a cup of tea. I don’t understand the reviews calling it awesome. For me, that was no breakfast at all, since I had to eat more afterward. The room was very hot, with no A/C or refrigerator to cool drinks. The bathroom was so tiny there was barely room to turn around. Staff didn’t speak English, so if you don’t speak Spanish you can’t ask them for advice or directions. There is at least a large English-language book with suggestions, but that’s not the same as talking with someone.

It was lovely and quiet at night. The staff were kind and helpful too: they arranged a horseback ride for us at short notice, and when my backpack tore, someone repaired it expertly within an hour. Such a great place to stay in Salento.

The hostel gave us a good introduction to the area and activities around the village. Go for the wax palm hike! It’s close to the main square, where the collectivo taxies leave, and Salento is a small village anyway. There’s also a cool green parrot here. Our room was good and the hostel was clean. Breakfast included eggs, fruit, coffee, and cheese arepa. We paid sixtyfive to seventy for two people, breakfast included.

After an overnight bus, being told we couldn’t wait in the hostel for an hour before check-in really didn’t help. The staff were unaccommodating, and the cleaner was blasting music at 8:30am. Ridiculously loud. Wouldn’t recommend.