Before you go

Your trip to Zipaquirá.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Zipaquirá – Cundinamarca Destination Bogotá

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado (BOG) Bogotá · 45 km
Portal Norte do TransMilenio (ônibus para Zipaquirá) Bogotá · 27 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. The nearest airport is El Dorado in Bogotá, about 45 km away. From Bogotá, buses depart from the Portal Norte of the TransMilenio and take about an hour to Zipaquirá. There are also day tours, taxis and hired drivers. By car it’s about 50 km via the Autopista Norte.

How many days

Half a day is enough for the Catedral de Sal and lunch in the center; a full day allows you to see the Parque de la Sal at a relaxed pace and walk around the town. Those who want to combine it with the Laguna de Guatavita need a car or a tour and a full day.

When to go

As in Bogotá, the climate is cool year‑round, with cold nights. Inside the mine the temperature is around 14 °C. The rainiest months are usually April–May and October–November; on Sundays and holidays the town receives more visitors.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The bus from Bogotá arrives in the center, and the Catedral de Sal is a 15‑minute walk. A car or an organized tour helps if you plan to combine it with the Laguna de Guatavita the same day, because the lagoon is about 50 km away and public transport to it is slow.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Zipaquirá

Morning
Catedral de Sal
Leave early from Bogotá and enter the Catedral de Sal with the guided tour: Stations of the Cross, the dome, and the nave with the illuminated cross.
Afternoon
Plaza de los Comuneros
Walk down to the center, have lunch near the square and visit the stone diocesan cathedral.
Late afternoon
Downtown streets
Walk the streets lined with manor houses and visit the Casa Museo Quevedo Zornoza, where García Márquez studied.
Evening
Return to Bogotá
Take the bus back to Portal Norte and have dinner in north Bogotá.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to go from Bogotá to Zipaquirá by bus?

Take the TransMilenio to Portal Norte and from there an intermunicipal bus to Zipaquirá. The trip takes about an hour; buses drop you off near the center.

Can you combine Zipaquirá and the Laguna de Guatavita in the same day?

Yes, with a car, driver or an organized tour, since the lagoon is about 50 km from Zipaquirá. By public transport it’s better to do them on separate days.

What is the Laguna de Guatavita?

A circular mountain lagoon, sacred to the Muiscas, where the cacique covered in gold dust made offerings on a raft. It is the origin of the El Dorado legend. Today it is a protected area, with a trail to the viewpoint and guided visits.

Is it worth staying overnight in Zipaquirá?

It’s usually not necessary: the town is a day trip from Bogotá. Those who want to see the center more leisurely or continue to Guatavita can spend one night.

Back to Zipaquirá