Whether you are spending a few weeks in the area or looking for your next stop after Bogota, a day trip is a great way to test the waters and experience something a little different.
(Photo: Beyond Colombia / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
Colombia’s capital city has more than enough to keep travelers busy for weeks, but sometimes the combination of high altitude and other big city trappings can be exhausting. The great news is, there are some amazing day trips that can be embarked upon from Bogota. Here are some of the best, taking into account a number of important considerations such as the itinerary, value for money and previous reviews.
Zipaquirá: Salt Cathedral Group Tour with Pickup
This hugely popular coach tour to the remarkable subterranean salt mine of Zipaquira is one of the best day trips you can take from Bogota. After a two-hour journey, you’ll head 180m below ground to learn all about how the mines were crafted in the first place and why salt here was particularly prized. Then see the Roman Catholic cathedral that was built by utilizing the mine’s network of tunnels and open caverns. It is certainly one of the more unique holy places open to visitors. This tour allows around two hours in Zipaquira before the return to Bogota. From $64 per person.
Hike to the highest Colombian waterfall
(Photo: The True Colombian Experience / Courtesy Viator)
With cascades of nearly 600m in total, La Chorrera is the tallest waterfall in Colombia and quite the natural spectacle, situated in the Andean jungle. This tour stops at a paramo – high tundra spot above the treeline – along the way before heading into the rainforest. There’s a 90-minute hike then to La Chorrera that is mostly along dirt tracks. The hike leads right up to the falls, with a chance to get right behind the cascades. There’s also time for a stop at a local dairy farm to taste homemade cheese. From $110 per person.
Lake Guatavita and the El Dorado Legend Tour
The Guatavita region is steeped in local pre-Columbian folklore that is so potent, it is known the world over. The legend of El Dorado is believed to emanate from Lake Guatavita, which is held to be sacred by the Muisca people. Many believe that there is a treasure trove of gold and silver jewelry beneath the water, thrown in there during countless ceremonies by local people over time. During the eight-hour tour, you’ll learn all about these legends, explore the nature of Guatavita Natural Park, and discover why the original town of Guatavita was flooded and replaced by New Guatavita. From $93 per person.
La Coloma Coffee Farm Day Trip with Lunch
(Photo: Gran Colombia Tours / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
Colombian coffee: it’s one of the finest natural products of the country and grown in stunning mountain settings. On an eight-hour tour from Bogota, you can visit Hacienda Coloma, where coffee is still grown, and learn all about the process from plant to cup. You’ll see plenty of bird and plant life as you explore the estate, visit a colonial house for a traditional sit-down lunch, then get down to the best bit: the tastings. Learn how to recognize the differing qualities of coffee, while also sampling some coffee liqueurs before the (hopefully not too over-caffeinated) trip home. From $129 per person.
Mountains & Valleys Off-Road Motorcycle Tour
Explore the Andean mountains on two rip-roaring wheels during this adrenaline-inducing off-road motorcycle tour. After meeting with your fellow group in Bogota, you’ll head off on your all-day adventure that combines the thrill of riding a motorbike with picture-postcard mountainous landscapes. Your transport for the day will be a Honda XRE 190 motorcycle, with the option to upgrade to a more powerful model, and you’ll be given a full safety briefing and test ride before you depart. The tour price also includes a stop-off for lunch in the charming town of Choachi. From $99 per person.