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Colombia🇨🇴 | citiesZipaquiráSalt Cathedral, halite mine, Calle Real cafés, Bogotá day trip | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Zipaquirá
👍 Recommendedcity ranked #11
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The Salt Cathedral sits about 180 meters inside a working halite mountain, and Zipaquirá itself has almost nothing else that demands a night. Zipaquirá is an Andean highland town in Colombia, north of Bogotá. I stepped off the bus into a plaza of whitewashed colonial facades and a big stone cathedral, and the smell of fresh arepas de sal pulled me toward a corner bakery before I even looked at a map. Do the salt mine and the old center, skip the souvenir stalls selling dyed salt crystals, and skip overnighting unless you love quiet. It suits history lovers and day-trippers most. Nightlife seekers will be bored.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Colombia Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #11 city in ColombiaWhy Zipaquirá should be on your travel list

Zipaquirá earns its place on a route for one reason above all: an underground church carved from rock salt that you can't get anywhere else in South America. That single sight is big enough to fill a morning, and the colonial center around Plaza de los Comuneros fills the rest of the day without effort. The town is compact and flat enough to cover on foot, so you can drop your bag, see everything and leave by evening. Food is a quiet bonus, with regional specialties like almojábanas and hearty ajiaco soups. Hostels are few, and there is almost no nightlife, so most backpackers use Bogotá as their bed and treat Zipaquirá as a single, well-spent day. Add the Sabana de Bogotá countryside and you have an easy, low-stress break from the capital.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: A Catholic church carved inside a salt mine, with a huge underground cross and a dim blue-lit path of Stations of the Cross. Entry for foreign adults runs about US$27 to 35 depending on package. Plan 2 to 3 hours. Weekday mornings are calmer than Sundays.
  2. Plaza de los Comuneros: The main square, framed by the stone cathedral and colonial buildings. Free, 30 to 45 minutes. Late afternoon is lively with locals.
  3. Catedral de Zipaquirá (town cathedral): A grand neoclassical church on the plaza with a calm interior. Free, 15 to 20 minutes. Visit between services.
  4. Parque de la Sal and Museo de la Sal: Exhibits on mining and the Muisca salt-making tradition near the mine entrance. Often covered by combined tickets or about US$4 to 8. Allow 1 hour.
  5. Plazoleta de los Sueños and
… read more 👉
  1. Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: A Catholic church carved inside a salt mine, with a huge underground cross and a dim blue-lit path of Stations of the Cross. Entry for foreign adults runs about US$27 to 35 depending on package. Plan 2 to 3 hours. Weekday mornings are calmer than Sundays.
  2. Plaza de los Comuneros: The main square, framed by the stone cathedral and colonial buildings. Free, 30 to 45 minutes. Late afternoon is lively with locals.
  3. Catedral de Zipaquirá (town cathedral): A grand neoclassical church on the plaza with a calm interior. Free, 15 to 20 minutes. Visit between services.
  4. Parque de la Sal and Museo de la Sal: Exhibits on mining and the Muisca salt-making tradition near the mine entrance. Often covered by combined tickets or about US$4 to 8. Allow 1 hour.
  5. Plazoleta de los Sueños and Calle Real: A pedestrian street of cafés and old facades, handy for a snack stop. Free, 30 minutes. Best in the afternoon.
  6. Mercado de Zipaquirá: A local market where you can try fresh fruit, cheese and arepas for a few dollars. Go in the morning for the best selection. Allow 45 minutes.
For day trips, Guatavita with its lake and Nemocón with its older salt mine and colonial streets are both close by. Start with the Salt Cathedral, since queues and tour groups build up fast after late morning.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Zipaquirá

Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch

Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch

5.0(654) 7h
From €52
per personViator
Bogota: Small Group Tour Zipaquira Salt Cathedral with Pickup

Bogota: Small Group Tour Zipaquira Salt Cathedral with Pickup

4.9(671) 8h
From €40
per personViator
Visit to Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá Private Tour. (5 Hrs.)

Visit to Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá Private Tour. (5 Hrs.)

4.9(184) 5h
From €253
per personViator
Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon from Bogota (Private Tour)

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon from Bogota (Private Tour)

4.8(150) 10h
From €228
per personViator
Do it yourself 11 days tour in Colombia (customizable)

Do it yourself 11 days tour in Colombia (customizable)

5.0(99) 264h
From €2,200
per personViator
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá & Lake Guatavita: tickets included

Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá & Lake Guatavita: tickets included

4.9(106) 10h
From €116
per personViator
Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral Tour — Private: Basic, Guided & Premium

Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral Tour — Private: Basic, Guided & Premium

4.9(77)
From €508
per personViator
Private Tour Cathedral Sal Zipaquira and Laguna Guatavita

Private Tour Cathedral Sal Zipaquira and Laguna Guatavita

5.0(49) 10h
From €75
per personViator
Cathedral Tour of Salt and Massage in Underground Spa

Cathedral Tour of Salt and Massage in Underground Spa

4.9(44) 7h
From €145
per personViator
Guatavita Lagoon and Salt Cathedral (includes entrance fees)

Guatavita Lagoon and Salt Cathedral (includes entrance fees)

4.9(41)
From €125
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

Zipaquirá is small enough that you can cover the useful parts in a day, and the areas below are ranked by how much time they deserve.
  • Parque Principal and the historic center: Start here. The plaza has the cathedral, colonial façades, cafés and the pedestrian streets (Calle 7 and around) where locals eat and shop. It is flat, walkable in 20 minutes end to end, and quiet by 9 p.m. Give it half a day.
  • Salt Cathedral area (Cerro de Zipa): The main reason anyone comes. It sits on a hill about 2 km from the plaza, with a small cluster of snack stands and souvenir shops. The underground cathedral is worth the time. The surrounding park add-ons are not.
  • Barrio El Rosario and the Parque de la Sal side: Residential, with bakeries and cheap lunch spots. Pleasant for a wander, but nothing to see. Skip it
… read more 👉
Zipaquirá is small enough that you can cover the useful parts in a day, and the areas below are ranked by how much time they deserve.
  • Parque Principal and the historic center: Start here. The plaza has the cathedral, colonial façades, cafés and the pedestrian streets (Calle 7 and around) where locals eat and shop. It is flat, walkable in 20 minutes end to end, and quiet by 9 p.m. Give it half a day.
  • Salt Cathedral area (Cerro de Zipa): The main reason anyone comes. It sits on a hill about 2 km from the plaza, with a small cluster of snack stands and souvenir shops. The underground cathedral is worth the time. The surrounding park add-ons are not.
  • Barrio El Rosario and the Parque de la Sal side: Residential, with bakeries and cheap lunch spots. Pleasant for a wander, but nothing to see. Skip it unless you are hungry.
  • Bus terminal and the Bogotá road: Functional and loud. Pass through, do not linger.

⌛️ 1 dayHow to make the most of one day

A single-sight morning that rolls into a slow colonial afternoon. 8:30 AM, Bus to Zipaquirá and Parque de la Sal: Arrive early, buy your cathedral ticket, and walk uphill to the mine entrance before tour groups pile in.
9:00 AM, Salt Cathedral: Follow the tunnels down to the great nave and the huge cross. Take your time with the stations; the carvings repay close looks.
12:00 PM, Museo de la Sal: Learn how the Muisca and later miners worked brine and rock. It adds context to what you just walked through.
1:00 PM, Mercado de Zipaquirá: Walk downhill into town and eat lunch among locals. Try an almojábana or a bowl of ajiaco, and skip the tourist cafés by the mine.
2:30 PM, Plaza de los Comuneros: Sit by the cathedral and watch town life. Step inside the church for a short, quiet look.
3:30 PM, Barrio … read more 👉
A single-sight morning that rolls into a slow colonial afternoon. 8:30 AM, Bus to Zipaquirá and Parque de la Sal: Arrive early, buy your cathedral ticket, and walk uphill to the mine entrance before tour groups pile in.
9:00 AM, Salt Cathedral: Follow the tunnels down to the great nave and the huge cross. Take your time with the stations; the carvings repay close looks.
12:00 PM, Museo de la Sal: Learn how the Muisca and later miners worked brine and rock. It adds context to what you just walked through.
1:00 PM, Mercado de Zipaquirá: Walk downhill into town and eat lunch among locals. Try an almojábana or a bowl of ajiaco, and skip the tourist cafés by the mine.
2:30 PM, Plaza de los Comuneros: Sit by the cathedral and watch town life. Step inside the church for a short, quiet look.
3:30 PM, Barrio El Cartagenita and the quiet back streets: Wander away from the plaza past old houses and small shops that most day-trippers never see. It is a simple, local stretch that shows the unpolished side of town.
5:00 PM, Calle Real: Finish with coffee and a snack before heading back to the bus.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

Zipaquirá sits at about 2,650 m, so the weather is cool and changeable all year, and the real choice is how much rain you accept.
  • Dry Months (December to February, July to August): Days reach 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F), nights drop to 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F). Best for walking around town, but weekends and school holidays bring Bogotá crowds to the salt cathedral.
  • Rainy Months (March to May, October to November): Highs of 16 to 19°C (61 to 66°F), with afternoon downpours. Underground visits are unaffected and queues are shorter.
  • Daylight: Days are fairly even through the year, roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours.
Go on a weekday to skip the long lines; Sundays are the busiest.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Stay in the area around Parque Principal if you want to sleep in Zipaquirá, because it is the only part of town with a handful of budget guesthouses and small hotels. Dedicated hostel beds are scarce, so expect private rooms in basic hotels more often than dorms, and book ahead on weekends and holidays when Bogotá visitors fill them. The center is well lit and busy until about 9 p.m., with taxis and local buses a short walk away, though noise from the plaza can carry on Friday and Saturday nights.
The second option is the streets nearer the bus terminal, which are cheaper and handy for early departures, … read more 👉
Stay in the area around Parque Principal if you want to sleep in Zipaquirá, because it is the only part of town with a handful of budget guesthouses and small hotels. Dedicated hostel beds are scarce, so expect private rooms in basic hotels more often than dorms, and book ahead on weekends and holidays when Bogotá visitors fill them. The center is well lit and busy until about 9 p.m., with taxis and local buses a short walk away, though noise from the plaza can carry on Friday and Saturday nights.
The second option is the streets nearer the bus terminal, which are cheaper and handy for early departures, but louder and less pleasant after dark. Many backpackers sleep in Bogotá instead and visit Zipaquirá for the day, since hostels there are far more plentiful and the commute is only about 1.5 hours each way. If you want the quiet evening plaza and the early start at the cathedral before tour groups arrive, a night in the center is worthwhile.
Best hostels in Colombia


Best quality hotels in Colombia

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

The historic center is flat and compact, so you will walk almost everywhere, and walking only stops making sense for the uphill trip to the Salt Cathedral. Traffic gets heavy near the terminal and on the Bogotá road, but inside town it is manageable. Public transport is reliable for local needs.
  • Walking: Free and the best way to see the plaza, market streets and side lanes. Plan 20 to 25 minutes from the plaza to the cathedral on foot, though the climb is steep and tiring at altitude, so take another option for it.
  • Local buses and colectivos: Small buses run to the cathedral hill for about US$0.50 to 0.75. They are cheap, frequent in daytime and worth using for the uphill stretch. Service thins after about 8 p.m.
  • Taxis: A ride within town costs roughly US$1.50 to 3, and the cathedral is about
… read more 👉
The historic center is flat and compact, so you will walk almost everywhere, and walking only stops making sense for the uphill trip to the Salt Cathedral. Traffic gets heavy near the terminal and on the Bogotá road, but inside town it is manageable. Public transport is reliable for local needs.
  • Walking: Free and the best way to see the plaza, market streets and side lanes. Plan 20 to 25 minutes from the plaza to the cathedral on foot, though the climb is steep and tiring at altitude, so take another option for it.
  • Local buses and colectivos: Small buses run to the cathedral hill for about US$0.50 to 0.75. They are cheap, frequent in daytime and worth using for the uphill stretch. Service thins after about 8 p.m.
  • Taxis: A ride within town costs roughly US$1.50 to 3, and the cathedral is about US$2 to 3 from the plaza. Agree the fare first, as many drivers do not use meters. Worth it at night or when it rains.
  • TransMilenio and intercity buses to Bogotá: Buses from Portal Norte reach Zipaquirá in about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on traffic, for US$1.50 to 2.50. Departures run from early morning to roughly 9 p.m. Choose weekday mornings to avoid Sunday evening jams on the return.
A rental car is not worth the hassle, since parking is tight on weekends and everything in town is reachable cheaply.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Zipaquirá costs a backpacker about US$40 to 52 a day if you sleep in a dorm, eat set lunches and visit the Salt Cathedral.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm (high season)US$10 to 14Beds are few in town, so many travelers book a hostel or guesthouse here or sleep in Bogotá.
Dorm (off-season)US$8 to 11Weekdays outside holiday periods are quiet and prices soften.
MealsUS$8 to 13A set lunch (corrientazo) runs US$3 to 5; a bakery breakfast about US$2; dinner with a drink US$4 to 6.
Local transportUS$1 to 3Town is walkable; a short taxi or colectivo covers the rest, and pay is in pesos.
City transport passUS$0No pass exists. TransMilenio from Bogotá to Portal Norte plus a bus out costs about US$2 to 3 each way.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$9 to 18The Salt Cathedral is roughly US$14 to 18 for foreigners
… read more 👉
Zipaquirá costs a backpacker about US$40 to 52 a day if you sleep in a dorm, eat set lunches and visit the Salt Cathedral.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm (high season)US$10 to 14Beds are few in town, so many travelers book a hostel or guesthouse here or sleep in Bogotá.
Dorm (off-season)US$8 to 11Weekdays outside holiday periods are quiet and prices soften.
MealsUS$8 to 13A set lunch (corrientazo) runs US$3 to 5; a bakery breakfast about US$2; dinner with a drink US$4 to 6.
Local transportUS$1 to 3Town is walkable; a short taxi or colectivo covers the rest, and pay is in pesos.
City transport passUS$0No pass exists. TransMilenio from Bogotá to Portal Norte plus a bus out costs about US$2 to 3 each way.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$9 to 18The Salt Cathedral is roughly US$14 to 18 for foreigners on a standard ticket; the plaza and market are free.
MiscellaneousUS$2 to 4Water, snacks, an ATM fee or a coffee.
Total Daily BudgetUS$40 to 52Using high-season dorm and midrange entry price, about US$45 on average.
Buy the Salt Cathedral ticket online or check for combined tickets, and eat your main meal at lunchtime set menus to save US$3 to 5 a day.


source: colombia.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

Zipaquirá works well as a base for short trips north of Bogotá, and most of these return the same day by bus.
Nemocón Salt Mine: Smaller and less polished than the Zipaquirá mine, with salt caverns and a quirky film-set feel. Buses leave from the terminal in about 40 minutes for US$1 to 1.50, and entry runs around US$10 to 15. Visit on a weekday when it is calm.

Laguna de Guatavita: The sacred lake tied to the El Dorado legend. Reaching it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours with a change in Sesquilé or Guatavita town, then a short taxi or walk. Budget US$10 to 20 including entry. First-timers often forget that access is by guided visit only and times are limited, so go in the morning.

Cogua and Páramo de Guerrero: A cool highland hike over frailejón-dotted terrain. Take a bus to Cogua in about 30 … read more 👉
Zipaquirá works well as a base for short trips north of Bogotá, and most of these return the same day by bus.
Nemocón Salt Mine: Smaller and less polished than the Zipaquirá mine, with salt caverns and a quirky film-set feel. Buses leave from the terminal in about 40 minutes for US$1 to 1.50, and entry runs around US$10 to 15. Visit on a weekday when it is calm.

Laguna de Guatavita: The sacred lake tied to the El Dorado legend. Reaching it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours with a change in Sesquilé or Guatavita town, then a short taxi or walk. Budget US$10 to 20 including entry. First-timers often forget that access is by guided visit only and times are limited, so go in the morning.

Cogua and Páramo de Guerrero: A cool highland hike over frailejón-dotted terrain. Take a bus to Cogua in about 30 minutes for US$1, then walk or hire a ride to the trailhead. Dry months are best, and bring a rain jacket.

Villa de Leyva: This is a long day, about 3.5 to 4 hours each way with a change in Tunja or Chiquinquirá, and it suits only early starters. The cobbled colonial plaza justifies it if you cannot stay overnight, with costs around US$15 to 25.
👉 Explore Villa de Leyva

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Zipaquirá’s food leans on the cool highland table, and the almojábanas and pandeyuca from local bakeries are the quick fix, warm and cheesy for around US$0.40 to 0.80. Try ajiaco in its Cundiboyacense version, a thick chicken and three-potato soup with corn, capers and cream, usually US$4 to 7. Another local favorite is arepas with cheese and tamales on weekend mornings, along with chocolate santafereño, hot chocolate served with a slab of cheese you drop in and fish out with a spoon.
The plaza and the pedestrian streets around it have the cheapest set lunches (corrientazo, about US$3 to 5) in small family restaurants. The covered market is good for fresh fruit juices and bargain soups. Cafés near the cathedral cost more, so eat in town before heading uphill. For a drink, look for canelazo or a local beer on the plaza in the evening.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Zipaquirá is calm and mostly relaxed, with the main risk being petty theft in crowds. Keep your phone and wallet zipped away at the Parque Principal and on packed weekend buses and TransMilenio rides to Bogotá. Walking in the center is comfortable by day and until early evening, but side streets away from the plaza and the terminal area get quiet after about 9 p.m., so take a taxi then. Solo travelers, including women, rarely have trouble. Taxi drivers without meters may start high, so agree the fare first. Tour touts near the cathedral are persistent but easy to ignore, and the official ticket office is the place to buy entry.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

One full day is enough for Zipaquirá, and a half day works if you only want the Salt Cathedral and the plaza. Add a second day if you want to include Nemocón or the Laguna de Guatavita. The trip from Bogotá takes about 1.5 hours each way for roughly US$1.50 to 2.50.
Zipaquirá is considered safe for solo backpackers, especially by day in the Parque Principal and around the cathedral. Petty theft is the main concern on crowded buses, so keep valuables zipped. After about 9 p.m., take a taxi (US$2 to 3) rather than walking quiet side streets.
Zipaquirá is known for its underground Salt Cathedral, built inside a working salt mine about 180 m below the surface of Cerro de Zipa. Entry costs about US$27 to 35 for foreign adults, and a visit takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. The colonial plaza and the cheese-and-chocolate tradition round out a day here.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Colombian cities near Zipaquirá

Explore more nearby:

  • Bogotá—Gold Museum, Candelaria lanes, Monserrate, Sunday Ciclovía| 36 km away
  • Tunja—Painted colonial ceilings, gilded chapels, Boyacá capital, student streets| 92 km away
  • Duitama—Potato market, Boyacá crossroads, páramo moorland| 139 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Zipaquirá deserves one full day and no more, unless you want a calm night away from Bogotá. I would go on a weekday, reach the Salt Cathedral when it opens, and spend the afternoon eating around the plaza. Two nights would be too long here.

✈️ When did I visit Colombia?
Did a good 3-week trip around Colombia in August 2014.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Colombia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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