Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira—Best Day Trip from Bogotá

Bogotá is one of the most visited cities in Colombia. The best day trip to consider when there is the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá (Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá).

When the Spanish Conquistadors came to Latin America seeking gold, they found themselves in Bogotá. However, they didn’t find gold there. It was hiding in the small town of Zipaquirá, along with “white gold,” an even more valuable item to the indigenous people.

Here’s the story of Zipaquirá, the Salt Cathedral, and what you can expect when you visit.

Catedral de Sal, catedral de sal de zipaquira, Salt Cathedral — Entrance to the Catedral de Sal

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Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá Visit Details

If you decide to visit the Salt Cathedral without a tour, here is all the information you’ll need.

Hours: 9 to 5:30 daily.
Tours in English start at nine hourly, and in Spanish are every ten minutes from 9 on.
You can get audio guides in English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Mandarin, and Portuguese.
The cost to visit is 98k COP (around $25 USD) for non-Colombian citizens. It does include a guided tour, which is not optional.
The Salt Museum costs 3k COP (under $1 USD).

Visiting the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral (Catedral de Sal)

Catedral de Sal Colombia is quite impressive with its large, cavernous tunnels. We walked through using an audioguide that told about the creation of this massive cathedral, the 15 or so stations included, and the significance of each of the carvings.

This pilgrimage site has three main sections representing the birth, life, and death of Jesus. Lights range in colors, accenting each station, and the tour overall takes a couple of hours.

The caves are quite large, with many areas to walk through. Depending on your page and how often you stop to look at the various rooms and areas, it takes an hour or two.

Catedral de Sal, catedral de sal de zipaquira, Salt Cathedral, salt cathedral zipaquira, salt cathedral colombia, blue cross — La Catedral de Sal

The color of the walls mostly varies in shades of grey, and there are a couple of really impressive carvings. There is a carved wall and a manger scene.

One thing I thought was really interesting is the pond full of highly-salinated water, known as the Salt Cathedral Lake. It was so clear you could see to the depths below and only marked by some coins people threw onto the water that remained on the surface. (Don’t be misled by the picture—the lake is very deep)!

And please, be kind and do not toss coins on the water. You can see the coins other people threw out well enough.

Catedral de Sal, catedral de sal de zipaquira, salt cathedral, catedral de sal colombia — Wall Sculpture in Salt Cathedral

Of course, like any tourist attraction, many shops sell items mined and carved from the salt in the cathedral. There are also lots of gemstones, including locally mined emeralds.

Salt Park (Parque de la Sal) also includes a museum, the Brine Museum. For those who want to learn more about the mining process, it’s a great place to visit.

There is also a beautiful view of Zipaquirá and the surrounding area. You can walk outside and enjoy some statues and art installations of metal carvings. There is also an area where you can get some food.

The Town of Zipaquirá

When you visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, it’s also worth seeing the town.

The town of Zipaquirá has many white buildings marked with red or blue accents in support of the liberal (red) party or conservative (blue) party. This is a historical tradition in this city.

Zipaquirá is also known for its nightlife, and we passed a street occupied only by bars. So, in addition to being a fun day trip, Zipaquirá can be a great overnight destination from Bogota and a thriving nightlife.

Of course, if you decide to party there, spending the night is a great idea.

catedral de sal, catedral de sal de zipaquira, colombia — Traditional Red and Blue Houses

Brief History of Zipaquirá

Zipaquirá is a small town with a Spanish Colonial center marked by a large church and a vibrant square. It is a little over an hour from the outskirts of Bogotá, and while there is a train that goes there, it is very slow.

The town is known for its famous Salt Cathedral, an underground Roman Catholic church built in large tunnels while salt was excavated. This is a huge draw to visit, and the city is charming.

The indigenous people, the Muisca, traded many items, including gold. However, they found the value of salt to be much higher for its many uses.

Excavation of the salt mine began in pre-Colombian times with the Muisca and continued during the Spanish colonization. According to Wikipedia, this town is not only known for the Salt Cathedral but also for being one of the oldest human settlements in the Americas.

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Where to Eat in Zipaquirá—Restaurante Brasas del Llano

We went to lunch at a great place called Restaurante Brasas del Llano. A man was grilling meats at the entrance, and the scent was tantalizing. He gave us a taste, and on our way out, he had us pose at the grill for a laugh.

Lunch was pretty amazing. I recommended the Bandeja Paisa, a traditional meal of your choice of meat, beans, avocado, fried plantain, arepa, and rice. It was monstrous and the best I had. Someone in the group got a steak that was incredibly tender and tasty.

I also recommended fruit juices and got a lulo, my new favorite. It has a taste that was described to me as rhubarby citrus. I completely agree, as it has a tart but sweet citrus taste. We also got empanadas as an appetizer.

Including coffee, the meal came to around $30 USD total (our guide, Alex, scored us a discount as well) and fed four of us.

Catedral de Sal, catedral de sal de zipaquira — Traditional Bandeja Paisa

I was a little suspicious we were going to a tourist trap restaurant. It turned out to be fantastic. The restaurant has some funky antiques and Western things, as well as American things, so it was interesting to walk around.

I did this tour, and another family of three was just starting in Colombia. They were wonderful and we had a great time.

Zipaquirá Cathedral (Catedral de Zipaquirá)

The magnificent Zipaquirá Cathedral overlooks the central square. It is stunning! You can see it was built in two parts, adding the upper level many years after the bottom was completed.

The square was decorated with all the festivity of the upcoming Christmas holiday while I was there. It was a nice treat.

Around the square, you can see many buildings showcasing traditional red and blue colors. Most of the buildings are shops, banks, and restaurants. Many people are out walking, and it’s a lively area.

catedral de zipaquira, zipaquira cathedral, Catedral de Sal, catedral de sal de zipaquira, salt cathedral — Zipaquira Cathedral

Overlooking Bogota

On the way back into town, if you visit with a tour or with a driver, ask if you can stop at the overlook above Bogotá.

My tour guide stopped there, and it was amazing! From our vantage point, we could see many of the distinct neighborhoods in Bogotá.

When we looked up and behind us, we could see Monserrate. It’s the highest viewpoint over the city of Bogota and the #2 thing to do in Bogotá according to Tripadvisor as of this writing.

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The tour was supposed to end at around 2:30, but we got back at 4:30. We never felt rushed, and he was great—he gave us lots of extra time at the places we were interested in and was a wealth of knowledge. He even dropped us off in different places from where he picked us up.

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How to Get to the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

I generally go my own way when it comes to seeing new places. When I booked my trip to Colombia, it took many hours to book the flight, determine where I wanted to go, plan the trip, and book everything.

I like doing it myself for the cost savings and because I can do exactly what I want. It’s a custom-made trip for me!

When learning more about a city I’m visiting, I enjoy doing walking tours and day trips with a guide. It is beneficial to find some of those little local places to see, and it often provides a wealth of knowledge. I can be quite a nerd about learning about history and culture and enjoy the depth of information guides usually share.

I debated going my own way and was glad to have done the tour. Alex is great and is a subcontractor for Bogotá Pass. He also does tours directly, and I’d highly recommend him for any Bogota city tour. If you are going to tour Bogota, Alex is your man!

Alex Forero +57 320 325 1184 [email protected]

It’s up to you whether you take a tour of Zipaquirá and the Salt Cathedral or go yourself. Going on your own would save you money as public transportation is very inexpensive in Colombia.

This page shows the different options and costs to go to Zipaquira, ranging from a couple of US dollars each way to a tour costing $65+.

When to Visit the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

Visiting the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral is one of the most popular day trips from Bogotá. Your best bet is to visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.

Services are offered on Sundays, so it’s a good idea to go on a different day of the week to avoid the largest crowds.

Should You Visit the Zipaquirá, Colombia Salt Cathedral?

Regardless of how you decide to get there, be prepared for a great day walking you back through hundreds of years of history to enjoy the Salt Cathedral, the quaint town of Zipaquirá, and the glorious view of Bogotá upon your return to the city.

According to Google, Bogotá is the largest city in Colombia, with over 8 million people, and in the top 30 cities by population. So, if you need a city break, this is a great day trip to consider.

Should you visit? You bet! It’s a fantastic place to see for anyone to enjoy.

For information about other great places to visit when in Bogotá or other areas of Colombia, this article offers information on the best places to visit in Colombia.