Bogotá & Zipaquirá: Salt Cathedral Tour with Town Walk & Pickup

Summary

Salt cathedral silence, Zipaquirá town walk, Tequendama Falls stop

You’ll start with pickup in Bogotá before heading out to see Tequendama Falls and then descending into Zipaquirá’s Salt Cathedral — where silence feels almost physical. There’s time to wander old streets, try local snacks, and listen as your guide shares stories about salt miners and architecture. It’s less about ticking boxes, more about letting Colombia surprise you.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect from a day trip to the Salt Cathedral near Bogotá — I’d seen photos but none of them matched that first step underground. The air changed as soon as we left the van in Zipaquirá; it was cooler, almost damp, and smelled a bit like minerals (or maybe I imagined that). Our guide Camilo handed out audio guides and grinned when I fumbled with my headphones — “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to the echo,” he said. He was right. The walls shimmered under blue lights and everything felt quiet, even though there were other people around. It’s hard to explain how big it is down there until you’re actually walking through salt tunnels carved by hand.

We’d started early in Bogotá — pickup was easy enough at Parque de la 93 (look for the red jackets, can’t miss them). On the way out of the city we stopped at Tequendama Falls for a quick look. There’s this low roar you hear before you see anything. Not sure if it was just morning fog or actual mist from the waterfall but either way, it got on my glasses. The drive itself took about an hour and a half with some traffic (Camilo shrugged and said “Bogotá always has surprises”).

After wandering through the cathedral — honestly, I lost track of time in there — we had free time in Zipaquirá town. The main square is all pastel buildings and people chatting over coffee outside little bakeries. I tried almojábana for the first time (sort of cheesy bread?) and probably mispronounced it badly; the woman behind the counter laughed but gave me an extra one anyway. We had about an hour and a half for lunch or just sitting around watching families feed pigeons. No pressure to rush back.

I still think about that blue light on salt walls sometimes — not sure why it stuck with me so much. If you’re curious about Colombia’s history or just want to feel small (in a good way), this day trip from Bogotá is worth it. Just bring your own headphones if you care about sound quality — Camilo will remind you too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Salt Cathedral and Zipaquira town

• Meet at Parque de la 93
• Travel to Salt Cathedral
• Explore mine and salt cathedral
• Watch salt history movie
• Visit mirror pool
• Tour Zipaquira town
• See cathedral and architecture
• Return to Parque de la 93

Top questions

How long does the Salt Cathedral tour from Bogotá take?

The full day trip lasts around 7-8 hours including travel time from Bogotá, visits to Tequendama Falls and Zipaquirá town.

Is entry to Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral included?

Yes, entrance fees for the Salt Cathedral are included in your booking.

Where does the tour depart from in Bogotá?

The main pickup point is Parque de la 93 in front of Juan Valdez Coffee; look for vans marked Bogotá City Bus.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No set lunch is included but you have free time (about 1.5 hours) in Zipaquirá town for lunch or snacks at your own pace.

Is there a guide during the Salt Cathedral visit?

A bilingual coordinator accompanies you; audio guides are provided inside the cathedral (bring your own headphones).

Are infants or children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants are allowed but must sit on an adult's lap; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

How much walking is involved at Zipaquirá?

You’ll walk through tunnels inside the cathedral plus stroll around Zipaquirá town square; suitable for most fitness levels.

Does this tour include insurance?

Yes, insurance coverage is included for all participants during the tour activities.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip transportation from Bogotá with pickup at Parque de la 93 or Candelaria, fast-track entry tickets for Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral with audio guides (bring your own headphones if possible), a bilingual Spanish-English coordinator throughout, walking time in Zipaquirá town center for lunch or exploring at your own pace, plus insurance during all activities before returning back to Bogotá in the afternoon.