The historic center of town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the "Coffee Cultural Landscape" in 2011.

In 1830 Simón Bolívar traveled the route and ordered that it be upgraded due to its poor condition and strategic importance.

The occupational breakdown comprised 148 farmers, 2 carpenters, 1 blacksmith, 11 doctors, 1 lawyer, 2 tailors, 4 laborers, 11 merchants and 11 watchmakers.

The town is located at an average altitude of 1895 meters above sea level, with steep drops to the valley floor at its northern and western perimeters.

Due to its altitude and proximity to the high mountains of the Central Cordillera, Salento's climate is subtropical highland.

The Alto de la Cruz is reached from the end of Calle Real via 250 steps marked with the fourteen Stations of the Cross spaced at intervals along the way.

From the mirador there are extensive views of the Cocora valley and many of the mountains of the Los Nevados National Natural Park.

The restaurants, particularly those in the town square, specialize in freshwater trout (farmed locally further up the Cocora valley) cooked in a variety of sauces and served on a large patacon, a fritter of green plantain.