Things to do in Cundinamarca

Travel for 2 hours north of Bogotá to the city of Zipaquirá, where you will visit the renowned Salt Cathedral. Known as a must-visit in Colombia, it is a monument of faith that has become an architectural piece like no other.  Explore the Roman Catholic church built in the ancient hollows of a salt mine, 180 meters below ground. Marvel at the cathedral’s architecture built within the mine’s remaining caverns and tunnels.  You will have 2 hours inside the Cathedral to visit all the sights as the audio guide explains about the process of salt formation, the architecture, and the mining process within every detail. Inside the mine, there are different pieces of stonework and sculpture that, due to their size and illumination, make this spectacular wonder an engineering jewel, famous around the world. You may also visit the light show at the very end of the tunnels before returning to Bogotá.

Dive into Bogotá’s diversity by joining a city tour. Start by meeting your local guide at your hotel. Proceed first towards the viewpoints of Monserrate. Take the cable car up the mountain to enjoy the most breathtaking views of this city: the whole length of the valley from the best vantage point. After making your way back down La Candelaria, you will walk its cobblestoned streets, surrounded by colonial architecture to the spectacular Gold Museum. Learn about the region's ancestors through their remains of metalwork made before the arrival of the Spanish. Your guide will retell the transition from indigenous to Spanish colonization at the foundational square of Chorro de Quevedo. Taste some chicha, an ancestral corn-based fermented drink nearby, in addition to some juices and snacks. Visit Simón Bolívar Square and learn how politics and conflict relate to each other and its current challenges with a peace agreement already signed. Then, make your way to the Botero Museum and see some of the greatest works of Colombian modern painter, Fernando Botero. After a fulfilling day, finish by tasting a cup of Colombian coffee, at a place where local and friendly baristas will teach you the basics about one of Colombia's most famous exports. Choose for yourself the duration of the tour. It can be for 7 hours with Monserrate, Gold Museum and Botero Museum, or 5 hours with either Monserrate or museums.

After gathering at either of the meeting points or being collected from your accommodation, your combination experience in Bogota will begin. First visit the Guatavita Lagoon, which was a source of inspiration for the Legend of El Dorado and the movie with the same name. The beauty of this place is sure to overwhelm you, and after some time there cross the savannah. In the afternoon, reach the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, which was the First Wonder of Colombia due to its imposing architecture. In a single day, enjoy the indigenous spiritual cosmogony, Christian spirituality, the beauty of nature, and the grandeur of the architecture. At the end of your experience, you will be returned back to your point of origin.

Go on a guided walking tour through Bogatá’s El Paraíso favela district. Hop on a cable car, meet with community leaders, learn about the local life, and see technicolor graffiti-filled walls.  Start your journey with either hotel pickup, or a bus transfer, accompanied by your guide. Arrive at the cable car station and begin your ride up the hill to El Paraiso. Takin in the panoramic views as your soar over the city. Gaze down at the colorful houses, and get a bird's eye view of the harsh living realities faced by the residents.  After your ascent, head off on a walking tour with your local guide to get a feel for the neighborhood. Wander the bustling avenues, spotting street art among the neon-painted houses and narrow boulevards. Meet local community leaders in charge of the New Life Foundation, learning about the positive changes that are being put into place to help revitalize this vibrant, yet underserved district. Continue to the best spot for panoramic views over the entire city, then try a traditional Colombian snack to get a feel for local culinary culture. Afterwards, head back down on the cable car, having seen a glimpse into one of Bogotá's most notorious favelas.

See Colombia’s capital city from a unique perspective on this cycling tour of Bogota. Ride your bike to traditional food markets, a coffee factory, the bullfighting stadium, the Central Cemetery, the historical center and through Bogota's many plazas, parks, and neighborhoods. The exact route varies depending on the day, weather, and whether or not there are special events going on in the city, but you’re always guaranteed and eclectic mix of fun and culture. Gain an insider’s view of Bogota and Columbia as you meet local people and visit sites off the beaten path. The terrain is mostly flat, and there are plenty of stops, but this is an urban tour so expect some traffic and a decent level of exercise.

Skip the hassle of looking for taxis upon your arrival at the airport. Benefit from a safe and hassle-free transfer service from El Dorado International Airport to your accommodation, or vice versa. A friendly and professional driver will wait for you at the arrival hall holding a sign with your name on it. Relax in a private air-conditioned vehicle and get accustomed to the altitude difference. Enjoy door-to-door service from the airport to the hotel, or vice versa. During your ride, a knowledgeable driver will be happy to give you recommendations and tips to make your stay in Bogota as pleasant as possible.

Travel deep into the Andean jungle on a trek to see the great sights of El Chiflón and La Chorrera waterfalls. See and learn about the colorful birds hidden at the top of the trees, breath in the clean air in this spectacular landscape, and keep your energy levels up with an included breakfast and lunchMeet your experienced bilingual guide in Bogotá and start the day with a traditional Colombian breakfast at an authentic hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Then, set off by private van to La Chorrera, the highest waterfall in Colombia. Drive past the East Hills on the way and stop to take pictures of the paramo (high treeless plateau) of Cruz Verde. Arrive at the park and begin the hike through the lush, green Andean forest, learning about the native life and plants of the area at 2,600 meters above sea level. Continue your trek to reach the 1,936-foot (590-meter) wall of cascading water that is La Chorrera. Take in the breathtaking sight of Colombia's mightiest waterfall amid a wonderland of natural beauty.     Refuel with lunch at a beautiful restaurant and marvel at the spectacular views here before heading back to Bogotá.

Walk through Bogotá’s electric downtown neighborhood of La Candelaria with a local guide. Have your camera ready for the unique mix of architectural styles and historic sites that make the district a renowned cultural melting pot. Savor the local culinary culture with fresh fruit and coffee. Discover how the old mixes with the new and explore the Baroque, Art Deco, and colonial houses of La Candelaria. Walk through historic alleys filled with street art before heading over to the vibrant La Concordia market to mingle with the locals.  Taste refreshing traditional fruits and see the less touristy side of the area. Follow your guide past the Gold Museum and head through to Bolivar Square to learn about Colombia’s complex and resilient history. Finish the tour with some of the best coffee around and learn about how it's produced.

After being picked up from your hotel, cross the outskirts of Bogotá and travel for 90 minutes to Fusagasugá. Stop to stretch your legs and take pictures of Tequendama waterfall before arriving at a lush Coloma coffee farm. Upon arrival, learn about the history of the farm and the village. Dress up with a traditional hat and basket to harvest the coffee beans before discovering the complete process of production, from seed to cup. Begin the tour in the coffee seedbed, where the beans are sowed and cultivated. Wander through a Arabica coffee plantation to see many of the local varieties of coffee. If its harvesting season, you will be able to help pick the best beans. See where each coffee bean is washed, pulped, dried, and hand-picked. Make your way to the thresher before moving to the critical final step, the roasting of the coffee. Uncover this artisanal process which gives the coffee its color, aroma, and flavor. End the tour with a coffee tasting experience. Receive a pack of coffee as a gift and try a tasty liquor made with the beans before having the chance to buy some products at the shop. Before returning to the Bogotá, there will still be time for one more stop at a local market for a tasting of exotic fruits from Colombia.

Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Bogotá at 09:00 AM or a time to suit you, and then journey to the colonial town of Zipaquirá, famous for its Salt Cathedral. Relax on the 60 to 90-minute trip to the cathedral, where on arrival you will be accompanied to the entrance of the mine for a 2-hour guided tour in English or Spanish.  Located inside the depths of the world's biggest salt rock reserve, Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral was adapted from an old salt mine to function as a place of worship. Marvel at the icons, ornaments and architectural details hand-carved in the halite rock. Surface the mine to enjoy a typical Colombian lunch in one of Zipaquirá's best restaurants. Choose from fish or vegetarian options, or savor different plates of meat prepared in the traditional way on fire. Then, explore the main sights of the town, including Independence Square and the colonial center. Admire one of the oldest churches in Colombia. Drive back to Bogotá for drop-off at your accommodation, or book one of the following options to continue exploring. Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavitá Tour with Lunch After visiting the Salt Cathedral and enjoying a typical Colombian meal, go to the colonial town of Guatavitá. Take a short guided hike, admire the scenic landscape and discover the birthplace of the El Dorado legend. On the return trip to Bogotá stop at La Calera viewpoint for panoramic views of the city. Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Mine Tour with Lunch Once you have visited the Salt Cathedral and enjoyed a traditional Colombian lunch, discover the salt mine tunnels of Nemocón. Experience what it felt like to work 60 meters below ground. Be dropped off back in Bogotá at the end of the tour. Salt Cathedral & Villa de Levya Tour without Lunch Go from the Salt Cathedral to Villa de Leyva, famous for its cobblestone square Plaza Mayor, which at 150,695 square feet is the largest in Colombia. Learn about the history of this charming town before returning to your accommodation in Bogotá.