Bogota is a maze made of steel, paved roads, and parks. To discover its hidden treasure, you must book some cultural tours or plan stunning day trips from Bogota. Let’s see together where to plan your best Bogota vacations.
👉 By the way, don’t forget to look at our selection of the best things to do in Colombia.
Day trips from Bogota: Quick tips
Weather in Bogota: Bogota is at 2600m above sea level. It’s cold when the sun doesn’t show up.
Best time for hiking: Bogota is surrounded by the Andean mountains. There are many excellent treks through the Paramo. The driest months are December to March, July to August.
Best time for waterfalls: During the dry seasons (months listed above), waterfall watching is less impressive.
Best hikes around Bogota: There are 3 famous national parks, which are Chicaque, Sumapaz, and Chingaza.
For Sumapaz, we recommend that you go with these guys.
For Chingaza, we recommend you go with them.
For waterfall lovers: The most famous are Cascada de Cucuruchos (Sueva), La Chorrera, and Salto de Tenquendama. We recommend this excellent tour.
Laguna Guatavita: Famous lake that gave birth to the Eldorado Myth. It can be worth it if you pair it with Zipaquira. Check out this excellent tour.
Coffee tour: Many travel agencies offer you to visit a coffee farm in Hacienda Coloma. It’s a bit too touristic for our taste. We recommend this tour instead.
Salt Cathedrals: It’s one of the most famous of Bogota’s tourist attractions. You can visit Zipaquira or Nemocon (less known). I’m personally not a big fan. We tell you here how to plan this tour.
The lovely colonial towns nearby Bogota: Ideal for a romantic 3-day trip, head to Mongui, Villa de Leyva, or Guaduas.
Get your adrenaline fix: stay in Tobia or Suesca to plan an exciting weekend full of “extreme” activities.
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T. of Content: Bogota day trips
The best accommodations in the surroundings of Bogota
You don’t have to go very far from Bogotá to enjoy nature. Glamping and Airbnb are becoming more and more fashionable in Colombia.
These are exciting options to recharge your batteries and travel more slowly.
1. The best glamping in the surroundings of Bogotá
Here is our selection of glamping in the surroundings of Bogotá:
Glamping towards Guatavita | 1h30 – 2h from Bogotá
- Bajo el Cielo with a magical view of Lake Tolimé | 🏠 Book this experience.
Glamping towards Sogamoso (Boyacá) | 3h30 – 4h from Bogotá
- Nido Verde is a cozy and economic glamping site | 🏠 Book this experience.
- La Quinta offers an unbelievable view of Lake Tota| 🏠 Book this experience.
2. The best hotels around Bogotá
Here is an excellent selection of 2 hotels in the surroundings of Bogotá. It’s up to you to see what kind of experience you are looking for 🙂
I advise you to have a private vehicle to get over there easily.
- Enjoy a SPA in the middle of nature? The boutique hotel Finestra SPA located towards La Vega will be the ideal option to recharge your batteries. | 1h30 from Bogotá. | 🏠 Book this experience.
- A getaway in the middle of a coffee plantation? Hotel La Palma y el Tucan offers many experiences to make the most of your stay.| 1h30 from Bogotá | 🏠 Book this experience.
More than 3000 travelers have already used our Colombia travel guide
I’ve been exploring Colombia since 2015 and put all my knowledge into one Ebook. It’s free and accessible now. 👇
Day trips from Bogota: Mighty waterfalls
The Andean mountains cover an important proportion of the country. Hence, torrents of water run down the peaks before falling from high cliffs. Some are unbelievable. And I bet my last Kinder Bueno that you won’t dare to get wet. Grab this opportunity to chase waterfalls during mind-blowing day trips from Bogota.
Also, we wrote an exhaustive list of the best experiences to do in Bogota. Read it before coming!
1. Day trip from Bogota: La Chorrera
La Chorrera is the highest interrupted waterfall in Colombia. 590 m! Do you imagine? It’s like if a dude from Dubai was watering people from the last Burj Khalifa’s floor. After a short drive with a local bus, travelers have to cross an eerie cloud forest – take your rain jacket – to appreciate the show. Follow muddy trails and explore a place off the beaten path! Don’t worry; it’s well indicated.
How to travel to La Chorrera
Take the bus towards Choachi at the corner of Calle 6 con Carrera 14 (near the police station). Tell the driver that you are going to La Chorrera.
- Bus Bogotá – La Chorerra: 1 hour / 12,500 COP – 1 way
- You have to walk 5 km from where the bus drops you off to the entrance: 1h45
- Hiking from the entrance of La Chorrera: 1 hour
- Admission fee: 35 000 COP
- 10 000 COP for a guide (not mandatory)
- It’s a long day trip from Bogotá, leave early!
- Official Website: La Chorrera
How long to visit la Chorrera
You need 7-8 hours for this day trip from Bogota
The best tour to La Chorrera
👉 Don’t bother with the organization and go with this excellent group tour company.
- Breakfast & Local lunch
- Private transportation
- Free cancellation (if 24h in advance)
- Easy booking; English guide
2. Day trip from Bogota: Salto de Tequendama
Salto de Tequendama is easy to access. You have to walk a few meters after the bus stop. A massive and mysterious scary hotel reconverted into a museum faces the cursed waterfall. Indeed, the story says that hundreds of people came to jump and disappear forever, the dead bodies carried by the strong currents. Plus, the water is extremely polluted, and a strong rotten-egg odor spread around the visitors. Ok, it’s maybe not the best day trip from Bogota. But it could be loads of fun ^^ – I haven’t been yet.
Ready for a damp day trip from Bogota?
How to travel to the Tequendama waterfall
- Take the bus direction Mesitas near the Transmilenio station San Mateo. Tell the driver you want to go to Salto de Tequendama
- Bus Bogota – Salto de Tequendama: 30 min / 5 000 COP
- More information about the mystery around this waterfall
How long to visit Tequendema Waterfall
You need at least 4 hours for this day trip from Bogota.
3. Day trip from Bogota: Cascada de Sueva
The Sueva waterfalls ( or Nemusten) are the ideal pick if you plan to camp one day outside of Bogota. You won’t find any shops. Take with you everything you need. It’s a bit far for a day trip from Bogota if you don’t have a private vehicle.
How to travel to the Sueva waterfall
- Take a bus at the Salitre bus terminal in the direction of Junin and ask the driver to stop at the hydroelectric plant of Sueva. | 3h
- Walk the 3 km left and pay the entrance fee – 2 $. You can camp for 3-4 $.
- On the way back, the last bus pass before 5 pm. Don’t miss it.
How long to visit Sueva Waterfall
It takes at least 4 hours to get from Bogota to Sueva. It’s not worth it for one day.
Day trips from Bogota: Salt Cathedrals
As far as I know, there are only two countries where you can visit Salt Cathedrals: Colombia and Poland. Be a miner was an insanely dangerous and difficult job. To increase their chance of survival, they use to give offerings to deities or saints – Did you hear about El Tio in Potosi, Bolivia?
Back in the 5th century BCE, the Muiscas – Famous indigenous – were already working in the mines of Zipaquira. Salt isn’t only a taste enhancer. It was the best method to preserve the meats from bacteria proliferation. Muiscas became wealthy and powerful thanks to the salt mines.
Around 1930, the Colombian government built the first underground church, dedicated to the Saint Lady of Rosary – The Miner’s big boss. Since the first inauguration improvements have been made.
However, this experience is one of the most famous activities in Bogotá. There could be many more if travelers knew all the possibilities that this region offers. Read our article on the 46 best things to do in Bogotá.
1. Day trip from Bogota: Zipaquira
Travelers can easily get to Zipaquira with public transportation. The salt mine is 5 min away from the center. You can do the tour alone thanks to an audio guide in English. Inside, naves, marble sculptures, and huge crosses are enlightened by mysterious dark blue lights.
The site is impressive. Unfortunately, the ambiance can be spoiled by hundreds of visitors. Then, it looks more like Disneyland.
👉 Must read: All our tips to visit Zipaquirá from Bogotá.
How to travel to Zipaquira
- Take the Transmilenio (Bus) or a taxi to Portal del Norte (Bus station)
- From Portal del Norte, take the bus in the direction of Zipaquira: 45 min / 5000 COP – 1 way
- Follow the signs and walk 10 mins to arrive at the entrance
- Official Website: Zipaquira
How long to visit Zipaquira
Once inside the cathedral, you’ll need a couple of hours to do the tour with your audio guide. Count at least 7 hours to plan this day trip from Bogota.
The best tour to Zipaquira
We have an exclusive partnership with the local agency of Bogota Pass. They do an excellent job.
👉 Contact them directly through our online form.
2. Day trip from Bogota: Nemocón
There is another Salt Cathedral which is less visited and cheaper. Nemocon is not as glam than Zipaquira, so you won’t get the same “Whaou” effect. However, you’ll get a better authentic experience.
If you are a crazy salt mine lover, you can do both during the same day trip from Bogota. But you should start early!
In Nemocon, tours are only in Spanish.
👉 Must read: All our tips to visit Nemecon from Bogotá.
How to travel to Nemocón
- Take the bus from the main terminal (Salitre) in the direction of Nemocón
- Counter 3 | Every 30 min
- Bus Salitre terminal to Nemocón: 2h
Or you can take the bus from Portal del Norte – Direct bus or a change in Zipaquira
- Bus from Portal del Norte (Bogota) to Zipaquira: 45 min – 1 way
- Bus Zipaquira – Nemocón: 25 min
- In case you don’t have a direct bus to Nemocón, tell the driver that you want to go to Nemocón. He should drop you near the bus stop.
- Official Website: Nemocón
How long to visit Nemocón
Once inside the salt mine, you’ll need a couple of hours to do the tour. Count at least 7 hours to plan this day trip from Bogota.
The best tour to Nemocón
We have an exclusive partnership with the local agency of Bogota Pass.
👉 Contact them directly through our online form.
Day trips from Bogota: Paramos & parks
The 58 National parks of Colombia cover more than 11% of the territory. These protected areas are a paradise for nature lovers.
Around Bogota, travelers can wander into a surprising new environment, called Los Paramos. It is a specific biome that occurs mainly in the Colombian Andes. To put it in simple terms, it’s the tundra/tussock grass/wetland between the timberline and the snowline. The view and landscapes are astonishing.
The Paramos are usually above 3 000 meters sea level. You should be in a good fit and already acclimated if you plan to hike for days in the Andean mountains. Also, because of the high humidity rate, paramos are an important reserve of fresh water for the country. The weather can suddenly change, so don’t forget your raincoat and sunscreen. Also, rubber boots are the best.
1. Day trip from Bogota: Chingaza
Chingaza is located Northeast of Bogota. It’s the principal natural reservoir water of the capital. There are 5 trails authorized for the visitors, and a guide is not obligatory. However, there is no public transport going to the 3 access points, and you should fill an entrance request 15 days before the intended visit day. Moreover, the paths are unclear => It’s better to book a tour.
How to travel to Chingaza
- There is no public transport to the park entrance- 2 Hours with a private vehicle.
- There is a camping zone in Monterredondo and some cabañas.
- You have to pay the entrance fee – Around 50 000 COP.
- Website: More information about Chingaza
How long to visit Chingaza
This day trip from Bogota takes 8 to 10 hours.
The best tour to Chingaza
👉 Don’t bother with the organization and go with this excellent group tour company.
- Visit the paramo by car and on foot (2.5h hike)
- Entrance included, private transportation
- Free cancellation (if 24h in advance)
- Easy booking; English guide
2. Day trip from Bogota: Sumapaz
Sumapaz is the largest Paramo in the world, located 2 hours south of Bogota. A guide is mandatory to visit this national park and tours leave from the capital. They bring visitors to different lagoons as Laguna Los Tunjos. It’s an important reserve for Colombia’s wildlife and an excellent playground for bird lovers.
How to travel to Sumapaz
- Take the Transmilenio to Usme then a public transport to the access point. However, It seems the park has been closed to the public since a few years ago.
- A 2-hour drive from Bogota with a private car – 1 way
How long to visit Sumapaz
This day trip from Bogota takes 8 to 10 hours.
The best tour to Sumapaz
👉 Don’t bother with the organization and go with this excellent group tour company.
- 4 hours hike inside the park
- Entrance and breakfast included, private transportation
- Free cancellation (if 24h in advance)
- Easy booking; English guide
3. Day trip from Bogota: Chicaque
The Chicaque Nature Reserve hosts a beautiful cloud forest that you can explore on your own thanks to well-marked trails (Eagle’s peak) or with a local guide. It’s an ideal day trip for birdwatching and observing the Colombian wildlife. Inside the park, visitors can even decide to stay overnight if they’re interested in exploring Chicaque by night. It’s a cool attraction for families, with its canopy and zipline activities.
Visitors can enter until 3 pm.
How to travel to Chicaque
- On the weekend, direct buses are leaving from Transmilenio’s southernmost station, “Terreros/Hospital” | 45 min
- On weekdays, you can privatize a shuttle.
- You’ve got all the information on their website.
How long to visit Chicaque
There are many trails inside the park. Allow you at least 8 hours. There are some lovely tree houses if you want to stay overnight.
The best tour to Chicaque
👉 Don’t bother with the organization and go with this excellent group tour company.
- Hike in a rain forest
- Entrance included
- private transportation
- Free cancellation (if 24h in advance)
- Easy booking; English guide
4. Day trip from Bogota: The mysterious Guatavita lake
Guatativa lake was sacred for the Muiscas – Indigenous – and they used to bury some golden artifacts all around during the ceremonies. The Spaniards heard about it during the colonization, and they tried for hundreds of years to empty the lake. Without success. Without gold. With tears and blood.
Do you know the legend of El Eldorado? It all begins with the Guatavita lake!
How to travel to Guatavita Lake
Many tours offer the possibility to visit Guatavita Lake. You can book it from Bogota or Suesca. But, you also can get there on public transport:
- Take the Transmilenio (Bus) or a taxi to Portal del Norte (Bus station)
- Take the bus to Guatavita but tell the driver you want to stop at Laguna Guatavita: 1h30 / 9000 COP
- Then you have to walk the 7 km to arrive at the entrance or take a private transport for 60 000 COP (in total). Or you can smile and hitchhike.
- Entrance fee: Approx 17 000 COP – With a tour guide
- Schedule time: Tuesday to Sunday – 8h30 am to 4h00 pm
How long to visit Guatavita Lak
It’s gonna be a loooong day if you decide to only use public transportation and to be frank, I don’t think it’s worth it.
However, it’s a cool stop if you’re on your way to Villa de Leyva (with a private vehicle) or because you absolutely want to visit Zipaquira.
The tour itself around the Guatavita lake lasts less than 2h.
The best tour to Guatavita Lake
👉 Don’t bother with the organization and go with this excellent group tour company.
- Guatavita + Town
- Entrances; private transportation
- Free cancellation (if 24h in advance); Easy booking
- English explanations
Day trips from Bogota: Extreme sports
Bogotanos love to exit the capital on the weekend to practice outdoor activities. Many local agencies located in Suesca & Tobia offer interesting group packages on Saturday and Sunday. It might be a bit more problematic to plan this type of day trip from Bogota on a weekday.
1. Day trip from Bogota: Outdoor Climbing In Suesca
Travelers don’t stop in Suesca for visiting the colonial streets or the church. No, they come here because it’s a paradise for outdoor rock climbing.
A cliff of 4 km long offers more than 400 routes with different levels of difficulty. Las Rocas de Suesca is situated 1 km before the entrance of the village. Along the road, the visitors stop at the climbing agency to rent the pieces of equipment or book a tour. Then, they have to follow the railway on the left to arrive at the foot of the cliffs. On their way back, the survivors can savor a delicious pizza before going back to Bogota.
Even if a day trip from Bogota is doable, I would recommend staying 1 or 2 nights in one of the hostels around. And if you travel on a shoestring budget, there is also a large campsite just in front Las Rocas de Suesca.
How to travel to Suesca
- Take the Transmilenio (Bus) or a taxi to Portal del Norte (Bus station)
- Take the bus to Suesca but tell the driver you want to stop at Las Rocas de Suesca: 1 hour / 6700 COP
Or you can take the bus from the main terminal (Salitre)
- Bus Bogota – Suesca: 2 hours / 6700 COP
- Counter 3
Where to stay in Suesca
- Casona Quesada is a lovely colonial hotel in the center of Suesca. Delicious restaurant.
- El Niddo is a luxury Glamping located 45 min away by car. Once there, you have everything you need to spend an excellent moment. They offer rock climbing, downhill biking, food, SPA, and more!
2. Day trip from Bogota: Extreme activities in Tobia
Tobia is where you must travel if you’re an addict to extreme sports. This little town at 3 hours from Bogota offers many activities like rafting, canyoning, and zipline.
Usually, the local agencies only open on the weekend. You can book a day trip from Bogota, although I recommend staying overnight in town to plan several tours. If you want to get there during a weekday, you will have to privatize a tour in advance.
How to travel to Tobia
- Take a bus with the company Santa Fe from Terminal Salitre | 4h
- Or, you can grab this bus at Portal 80. | 2.5h
- It should take 2.5h with a private vehicle from Bogota
- Site Web: We love working with Kunturmarqa.
Where to stay in Tobia
- La Gaitana is an affordable option with a pool and access to the river
- Casa de la Estacion is a hotel on the outskirts of Tobia.
Day trips from Bogota: colonial towns
There are many appealing colonial towns in Boyaca and Tolima. The following places are worth staying for 3 days.
1. Multi-Day trip from Bogota: Mongui and the Paramo de Oceta
Mongui another place to visit near Bogota. It’s a lovely colonial town with the classic combo cobblestone streets, a vast main square, and churches. The village isn’t on the Gringo highway, so you won’t meet many foreigners.
Fun fact, Mongui is the best place to find homemade traditional soccer balls. Shops sell them everywhere in the center.
How to travel to Mongui
- Take the bus from the main terminal (Salitre) to Sogamoso: 3-4 hours / 25 000 COP
- Bus Sogamoso – Mongui: 1 hour / 3 800 COP
How many days in Mongui
Mongui has been elected the Most beautiful village in Boyaca. Visit the different historical sites, the ballon factories and hike to the Paramo de Oceta. It’s a perfect weekend trip from Bogota
Besides, during your trip to Mongui, you can add a stop in Sogamoso to visit the Tota lagoon.
I recommend staying for 3 days
The Paramó de Oceta
From the center, nature lovers can follow the trail going beyond the first mountains. The hike leads the adventurers above 4000 m sea level to admire the breathtaking sceneries of Paramo de Oceta. Moreover, there are petroglyphs and a lagoon on the way up.
Be careful, it’s not an easy hike (more than 1000 m of difference in level), and locals recommend taking a guide. Here is an explanation to do it without a guide.
Where to stay in Mongui
- Hostal Otti colonial is a colonial house ideally situated in the center.
- Las Cabañas offers comfy wooden cabins for an affordable price.
- Bella Vista is a top-notch and homely bed and breakfast.
2. Multi-Day trip from Bogota: A romantic in Villa De Leyva
Villa de Leyva is a perfect getaway to escape from the big city of Bogota. Among the uneven cobblestone streets, the flourish parks offer ideal places to rest during the afternoon. People sit on benches or on the grass, beneath shady trees to savor a fresh-baked bread. At night, locals meet on the large main square to share a Pola – Bogota’s slang for beer.
Villa de Leyva is well-known in Colombia. Many lovely hotel and delicious restaurants have opened their door to welcome tourists. Expect to see many visitors in the streets during the weekend.
How to travel to Villa de Leyva
- Take the bus from Terminal Satelite del Norte– It’s outside the city, a few minutes away from Portal del Norte
- Bus Bogota – Villa de Leyva
- There are a few direct ones (Reina or Valle de Tenza): 3 hours / 25 000 COP
- If you can’t have them, you have to first go to Tunja then take another bus: 4 hours / 27 000 COP
- Learn all the tricks to get to Villa De Leyva
How many days to enjoy Villa de Leyva?
Villa de Leyva is a town where it’s delightful to rest and explore the surrounding at his own pace. You won’t feel the essence of the place if you rush.
Number of days I recommend: 3 days
What can you do in Villa de Leya?
Many trails are starting from town to explore the surroundings and admire the city from above. And for the bravest, they can hike to El Paramo de Iguaque.
There also is an archaeological museum, a somewhat disappointing and weird house made of clay that you can visit. It’s called Terracotta house. Don’t hesitate to rent a bike to move around.
3. Multi-Day trip from Bogota: Guaduas
Guadas is a charming colonial town that can be an interesting stop to add to your Colombia itinerary if you decide to travel from Bogota to Medellin.
By stoping in Guaduas, you can visit several colonial buildings steeped in history or plan easy hikes to the Versalle Waterfall or Piedra Capira. There is also a fun Eco-park, Loma Aventura, that opens every weekend.
How to travel to Guaduas
- Take a direct bus from the bus terminal Salitre | 3h
- Then you can head to Medellin | 6h
Where to stay in Guaduas
- Shoestring budget: Hostel La Rosa Nautica.
- Medium budget: Casa Dornella is a must.
- High budget: You will fall in love with this one.
Where to stay in Bogotá, Colombie ?
Depending on the atmosphere you are looking for and your budget, there are different areas where you can book your hotel in the capital.
Need more help to find suitable accommodation in Cartagena?
I published several handy articles:
The 8 best experiences you shouldn’t miss
The best tours from Leticia (Colombian Amazon)
The best La Guajira Tours (biggest Colombian desert)
Visit Caño Cristales (the most beautiful river worldwide)
Explore San José del Guaviare (an off-the-beaten-path destination)
1 or 2-day rafting trips around Medellín
A selection of the best Llanos tours
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