According to tourists who visited Cundinamarca Department, the must-do activities on a first visit are: 1. Visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, an impressive cathedral built inside a salt mine, considered the First Wonder of Colombia. It is about an hour's drive from Bogotá and receives over 705,000 visitors a year. 2. Discover the Guatavita Lagoon, a sacred lake for the Muiscas, associated with the legend of El Dorado. It requires ground transportation from Bogotá, followed by a hike. 3. Explore Chingaza National Natural Park, an ecosystem of páramo with rich biodiversity and spectacular landscapes. It covers an area of 50,374 hectares and is accessed via ground transportation and guided hikes. 4. Tour the town of Guaduas, a picturesque colonial town recognized as a Heritage Site of Colombia. It is accessible by ground transportation from Bogotá.
The top-rated activities by tourists in Cundinamarca Department are: 1. Mountain biking and ecological hikes: Explore the diverse landscapes of Cundinamarca through mountain biking and hiking routes. These can be done in places like the Magdalena River and mountainous areas, lasting approximately half a day to a full day. 2. Water sports: Enjoy water activities in rivers and reservoirs, possible in the Magdalena River and El Peñol Vacation Center, lasting about half a day. 3. Visit heritage towns: Explore municipalities with historical and architectural charm. Guaduas is a highlighted example, recognized as a heritage town, with a duration of approximately half a day to a full day. 4. Cave exploration: Venture into underground formations. Caves are mentioned as a point of interest, lasting approximately 2-3 hours. 5. Birdwatching and wildlife observation: Discover the rich biodiversity of the department, especially in protected areas. Chingaza National Natural Park is a key spot for biodiversity, with a duration of approximately a full day.
From Cundinamarca Department, the following day trips can be made: 1. Visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: About an hour's drive from Bogotá, this underground architectural marvel is a unique experience. 2. Excursion to Guatavita Lagoon: Located approximately 50 km from Bogotá, it requires ground transportation and a hike to reach this site of great archaeological and cultural importance. 3. Tour the town of Guaduas: This picturesque colonial town, about 2 hours from Bogotá, offers an immersion in the history and architecture of independence. 4. Explore Chingaza National Natural Park: Located about 2-3 hours from Bogotá, this park offers hiking and wildlife observation in a páramo ecosystem.
To visit the main attractions of Cundinamarca Department, it is recommended to spend between 3 and 4 days. With 3 days, you can dedicate one day to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá and the town of Guaduas, another day to Guatavita Lagoon and its surroundings, and a third day to explore Chingaza National Natural Park. With 4 days, you can add a more detailed visit to one of these attractions or explore other municipalities with historical charm.
The dry season, from December to March, offers pleasant temperatures ranging from 15°C to 22°C, with a lower chance of rain. Accommodation and activity prices may be about 10% higher due to tourist demand. The rainy season, from April to November, presents similar temperatures but with higher humidity and rainfall, especially between September and November. During this time, prices can be up to 20% lower, offering a better cost-benefit ratio for those looking to save.
Cundinamarca Department offers a wide range of prices. Reference costs are: hostel accommodation starting from COP 40 (approximately $10 USD) per person; mid-range hotels from COP 150,000 to 300,000 (approximately $38 to $75 USD) per night; budget lunch between COP 15,000 and 25,000 (approximately $4 to $6 USD). A 3-day trip with mid-range accommodation, meals, and main attractions costs around $150 to $250 USD per person, depending on the season and chosen activities.
Visiting towns like Guaduas has no entrance fee, and access to natural trails in unprotected areas is usually free or low-cost. For guided tours, Tur.com highlights: Tour Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá from USD 45, Tour Laguna de Guatavita from USD 55.
