Guatavita-cr-colombia.travel
Located Close to The City – 3 Places You Ought to Visit
Tired of the City and in need of fresh air and outdoor activities, here are a few options for all tastes, Guatavita, Suesca and the Sabana Steam Train.
Guatavita
Guatavita is an artificial lake a couple of hours out of Bogota to the North. Created when a dam was erected to control the flow of water to the capital, Guatavita is now the centre for water-sports (if a little brisk) in the Bogota area. Boat trips on the lake are the norm for those who feel they have the luck to discover the lost emeralds and gold that spawned the original El Dorado myth. Otherwise in the summer months jet skis and sailing boats can be rented.
Guatavita’s new town is a purpose built tourist attraction. Immaculately kept white-washed buildings, a pretty bullring and some decent restaurants and cafes, this place makes for a pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of Bogota.
How to get there
Take the Transmillenio bendy bus to its final station in the North, the Portal del Norte and then make the easy connection to the suburban bus route. Journey time 2 hours, cost COP$ 5,500 per person
Suesca
Boasting rock climbing for all abilities, mountain biking, canoeing, rafting and hiking in one sole destination, Suesca is the destination of choice for those in need of some outdoors exhilaration to clear those lungs clogged with the lead-heavy air of Bogota.
Located a mere 25km (45mins to an hour) from Bogota in the Cundinamarca Department and up in the mountains Suesca is easily reached. There are a plethora of hotels to cater to every need and camping is an option although not for the fainthearted as the year round daytime temperature sits at around 14 degrees Centigrade.
How to Get There
Take the Transmillenio to the Portal del Norte (the end station) and from there cross over to the regional bus area. There should be dozens of buses heading towards Tunja in Boyaca and going past Suesca.
Steam Train Trip!
Running on weekends and public holidays the train trip to the salt cathedral at Zipaquira or to Nemacon and back is not to be missed. Departing from either the Sabana station in downtown Bogota (Calle 13 and Carrera 20) or from Usaquen in the north this makes for a great day’s activity. A traditional Papayera band wanders through the gilt edged carriages encouraging people to dance in the aisles and get into the Colombian party spirit.
The train leaves Bogota around 7.30am and returns after 5 in the afternoon. Taking the Zipaquira option means add on costs, entry and transport to the salt cathedral and so on. If you decide on the Nemacon trip the train stops there and you have a couple of hours to explore the town and have lunch.
Tip – Tickets need to be bought a few days in advance, currently COP 28,000 and this can be done at the Sabana station.
