Horseback Riding Cocora Valley: Wax Palms & Waterfall

Ride past the world's tallest palms, then swim at a forest waterfall

A full-day horseback riding tour in Cocora Valley near Salento combines a 30-minute ride through wax palm groves and past a river waterfall with a hike to Santa Rita's 17-meter cascade and natural pool. The tour includes jeep transport from Salento, a traditional lunch with trout or meat, entrance fees, and a local guide in English or Spanish. No prior riding experience is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cocora Valley and Santa Rita Waterfall

• Travel from Salento to Cocora Valley
• Tour valley and wax palm viewpoints
• Optional 30-minute horseback ride
• Enjoy typical Salento lunch
• Visit Santa Rita farm and waterfall
• Return to starting place

The experience

The day starts with a jeep ride from Salento into Cocora Valley, about 20 to 25 minutes into the mountains. Once there, you tour the valley on foot first, moving through viewpoints of the wax palms, Colombia's tallest trees, and the landscape where the mountain begins. The horseback portion comes next: a 30-minute ride from the Esperanza stable that takes you through a small natural forest and down to the river, where a waterfall drops into a pool. You don't need riding experience. The operator states the ride is open to anyone.

After the ride, you sit down to a typical Salento lunch: rice, beans or grain, meat of the day, salad and lemonade, or a larger combo with giant patacón (fried plantain), trout, pork or chicken. If you don't eat fish, the kitchen swaps in beef, chicken or pork. From there, the tour moves to the Santa Rita farm, where a circuit walk passes through old railway tunnels, natural forest and suspension bridges before reaching the 17-meter waterfall. You can swim in the natural pool at the base. Changing areas are available. The return to Salento closes the day.

Transport, all entrance fees, the guide and lunch are included. The full day runs 6 to 9 hours depending on pace and how long you spend at each stop. A guide in English or Spanish accompanies the group throughout.

What’s included

• Jeep transport from Salento to Cocora Valley and back.
• local guide in English or Spanish.
• 30-minute horseback ride through the valley.
• traditional Salento lunch with a choice of trout, pork, chicken or beef.
• all entrance fees to Cocora Valley and Santa Rita farm.
• access to the 17-meter waterfall and natural pool with changing areas.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30, 07:30, 08:30 and 10:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (26 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 73 years) · Youth (13 to 25 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Cocoratours Valle de cocora

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose based on which language you're comfortable following for the full day. The 30-minute ride and moderate walking suit anyone with basic fitness. The operator notes that poor cardiovascular health and pregnancy are not recommended, and you'll want to be ready for forest terrain and some elevation change.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 25 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I ride a horse if I've never done it before?

Yes. The operator states the horseback portion is optional and open to riders without experience, so the 30-minute ride through the forest and past the river waterfall is designed for beginners.

What's included in the lunch?

A typical Salento meal with rice, beans or grain, meat of the day, salad and lemonade; or a larger combo with giant patacón, trout, pork or chicken, plus salad, rice and lemonade. If you don't eat fish, the kitchen replaces it with beef, chicken or pork.

How long is the horseback riding part?

The ride lasts approximately 30 minutes, starting from the Esperanza stable and passing through a small natural forest and down to the river with its waterfall.

What happens at Santa Rita?

Santa Rita is a farm where you walk a circuit past old railway tunnels, natural forest and suspension bridges to reach a 17-meter waterfall with a natural pool below. Changing areas are provided if you want to swim.

Does the tour include transport from my hotel?

Pickup from Salento is included. The jeep ride to Cocora Valley takes 20 to 25 minutes, and the return to Salento closes the day.