Boyacá is a department characterized by having 15 subregions, which comprise a population of 1,217 million inhabitants in 123 municipalities and where half of its population resides in the central province of the department on the eastern Andes mountain range, 115 km to the northeast from Bogotá, which is where its capital Tunja is located.
Boyacá is a magical department of picturesque landscapes, artisans, and traditions. The capital of the department is Tunja but some of the most touristic towns are Villa de Leyva, Duitama, Monguí and Cocuy among many others. As for tourism, the best thing you can do is visit its towns, in each one there are emblematic places, cobbled streets, colonial architecture and many natural attractions in its surroundings.
The towns of Boyacá are also identified for having areas of páramo tropical humid forest, foothills, and Andean and high Andean forest; in which it is presumed that there is a high diversity of species. The climate in most of the Boyacá towns to visit is cold and very cold at all humidity levels, mainly to the east, while semi-arid and semi-humid colds appear to the west and in the Cundiboyacense highlands.
Something very attractive for tourism in the towns near Tunja is places like Pueblito Boyacense, Playa Blanca, the Battle of Boyacá Bridge, the Chocolate Museum, the Pueblito Antiguo Nature Reserve, the Malmo Nature Reserve, and the National Park Natural El Cocuy. In addition to a wealth of customs such as having a large production of potatoes, vegetables, brown sugar cane, bananas, and coffee; as well as producing handicrafts where tagua miniatures, the production of musical instruments and the famous Ráquira handicrafts stand out.
So that you can get to know what this beautiful department has to offer you, we have left you a tour of the towns that we consider to be the best tourist towns in Boyacá that have their own “charm”, enjoy an excellent climate and you will find with a gastronomic and historical wealth.
Villa de Leyva
It is one of the towns in Boyacá closest to Tunja that you should visit. It is located northeast of Bogotá, 40 km west of Tunja within the province of Ricaurte in the department of Boyacá. It is one of the most important in the department because it is a historic town heritage of Colombia with whitewashed colonial architecture houses, cobblestone streets, and a large Plaza Mayor, it was declared a national monument in 1954. It is considered a town with a warm temperate climate with a temperature annual average of 13.4 °C, although the weather is cold on the day it is sunny, which is why we recommend you bring warm clothes. In the town you must know the mountains that frame it, the traditions, the streets, its museums, and the architecture transmit intact details of 500 years after its colonization; highlighting it as one of the most beautiful in Colombia.
Villa de Leyva has its festivals such as the Equine Fair in December, the International Jazz Festival, and Fiestas in Honor of La Virgen del Carmen in Villa de Leyva during July. Also tourist places such as Plaza Mayor of Villa de Leyva, which is the first thing you should know, then the Antonio Nariño House Museum, the El Fósil Community Museum, Gondava, the Paleontological Research Center, the Luis Alberto Acuña Museum and the Casa Terracota in its surroundings. , the Blue Wells, the La Periquera Waterfalls Sacred Sanctuary, the Conscientia Universalis Villa de Leyva Ecopark, and the Paramo de Iguaque National Natural Park.
If you decide to get to know this beautiful town, you should eat at the Casa San Pedro restaurant, El Patio Villa de Leyva, the French restaurant Chez Remy, and La Feria Piqueteadero. To stay we recommend Villa Macondo Hotel Villa De Leyva, the Hotel & Gethsemane Spa, the Casa Real Villa De Leyva Hotel, and the Plaza Mayor Villa de Leyva Hotel.
Nobsa
Nobsa is one of the largest towns in Boyacá, it is a quiet and cold town where the icy wind from the páramo comes down to the central park.
It is located in the province of Sugamuxi, in the center-east of Colombia in the Alto Chicamocha region, 195 km north of Bogotá, which is why its climate is cold with temperatures between 8 °C and 14°C Nobsa is a town that stands out for its landscapes of high Andean forest, its waterfalls and its Muisca tradition in the elaboration of traditional fabrics such as the famous ruanas. Nobsa, as one of the towns to visit in Boyacá, has its festivals, so a good date to go is in September for the Festivities in Honor of San Roque and the festival of the ruana, carranga, and vallenato that yields homage to artisans from July 1 to 4.
Nobsa has large hotels such as the Hotel Campestre Inaoska Ecospa, the Hotel Campestre San Mateo, and the Hotel La Mana Nobsa. Famous restaurants such as the Altiplano restaurant, the Gourmet Casa Ibañez pizzeria, and Aranda Restaurant, and the most important tourist sites in the department such as the Nobsa Boyacá main park, El Páramo de Rusia, Cruz De Aranda hill, the Salt Caves, Las Cascadas de Santa Ana, the Steel Museum and the San Jerónimo church in the main square.
Duitama
The next town to know about the beautiful towns of Boyacá is Duitama, it is in the center-east of Colombia within the province of Tundama to the north of the department of Boyacá and 54 km from Tunja. This small city is called "The Civic Capital of Boyacá" and "La Perla de Boyacá" but the name "Duitama" is due to the Indian hamlet inhabited by settlers of Muisca origin governed by Cacique Tundama. There are places like the Pueblito Boyacense which is the first thing you should visit and then visit the San Lorenzo Mártir Cathedral, the Trinity Chapel, the Monument to the lancers of the Pantano de Vargas, the Casilda Zafra Center, the Los Libertadores Park and its surroundings you should go to the Sendero Ecológico la Zarza and the Páramo Pan de Azúcar in its surroundings. We can also highlight its cold humid climate with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius to 24 °C, its patron saint festivities such as the Duitama Municipality Fairs and festivities during January, and the Bolivarian Week festivities in July. Duitama is considered the second most important city in Boyacá for its grandeur, landscapes, and its historical corners of the independence of New Granada.
As for accommodation, you can stay at the Hotel Suite and Deluxe Duitama, the Hotel Villa Claudia Nobsa and La Carolita Glamping and try the delicious typical dishes in restaurants such as the Valzarsa restaurant and Pásele Comida Mexicana & Grill.
Monguí
Monguí is also one of the tourist towns in Boyacá with which you can start your tour of the department of Boyacá. Monguí is a Colombian heritage town in Boyacá known for its colonial and republican constructions, its cobbled streets, and the tradition of sewing and vulcanizing leather balls using an autochthonous artisan technique. It is located in the province of Sugamuxi to the east of the department of Boyacá and 97 km from the city of Tunja, which makes its climate dry and cold with a minimum temperature of 8 °C to 16.6 °C during the year, for this reason, It is common to see its inhabitants wrap up with ruanas. Monguí is an attractive town for its colonial buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, and also for its 20 balloon factories, which are traditional craftsmanship and one of the main economic sources of the population. But if you want to know something typical of the town, you should go to the Festival of the Virgin of Monguí in September, the Festival of the Ball in October, and its Fairs and Festivals of Monguí in January.
As for tourist places in Monguí, in one morning you can visit the Calicanto Bridge, the Basilica of Our Lady of Monguí, the Chapel of San Antonio, the Convent of the Franciscans, the Museum of the Ball and its surroundings. the Peña de Otí and the Páramo de Ocetá. If you are looking for accommodation in Monguí, some recommended hotels are the Villa de Monguí hotel, Hakuna Matata Glamping, and the Hotel Portón de Ocetá. And finally, if you want to try the typical food of the town, we recommend the restaurant La Casona de San Francisco de Asís, the Dipisa Gourmet restaurant, and the Camino a Calicanto restaurant.
Paipa
Start populating Boyacá traveling to Paipa, this town is known as the tourist capital of Boyacá due to its beautiful Historic Center full of many houses and haciendas of colonial architecture where it is said that Simón Bolívar slept. It is located in the province of Tundama to the Northeast of the department and 41 kilometers from the north of Tunja. Paipa is one of the places to visit in Boyacá with a cold climate with a temperature that generally varies from 7 °C to 20 °C and drops to 4 °C in December and January. What its visitors fall in love with are its thermal waters to which they attribute therapeutic benefits, its historic haciendas, the practice of water sports in Lake Sochagota, and its gastronomy of typical food that consists of almojábanas and cassava bread.
As for tourism in the municipality of Paipa, you can enjoy the National Festival of the Ruana and the Pañolón, the Almojabana, and the Amasijo in June. Also of plans in its surroundings such as visiting Lake Sochagota, the Monuments to Los Lanceros or Pantano de Vargas which is the largest sculpture in Colombia, the Hacienda El Salitre, the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel, the Acoustic Shell and the Hot Springs of Paipa. It is for all this that for many travelers, Paipa is considered "The most beautiful town in Boyacá".
As for accommodation, we can recommend the Hotel Lanceros, Hotel el Lago, the Refugio Baja Montaña, and the Hotel Hacienda El Salitre. As for restaurants to eat in town, you should go to the Casona Camacho restaurant, the Lancieri Bistro restaurant, and Rugantino Di Roma Pizza Paipa.
El Cocuy
This town is a quiet, peasant, old town with the particularity that the houses are painted emerald green; that is why it is also called "the green town of Boyacá". El Cocuy is part of the beautiful town of Boyacá, it is located in the province of Gutiérrez to the north in the department of Boyacá and 244 km from Tunja. It has a cold, moorland, and temperate climate with a temperature between 7 °C to 20 °C where the best months to visit the PNN El Cocuy are in July and August. The town is characterized by its urban area with a republican and colonial architectural style, its cobbled streets, and the privilege of sharing the entrance to the El Cocuy National Natural Park where you can see one of the snow-capped peaks in Colombia.
In addition to the historical beauty of the town, El Cocuy is also attractive for tourist sites such as Calle Real where the House of General Santos Gutiérrez is located, the Boyacá Theater, the Palace of Justice, the Casa Muñoz hotel, the Casa de la Cultura and its surroundings you should visit Cerro Mahoma, Laguna Grande Palchacua and the El Cocuy National Natural Park where the largest glacier in the tropical zone is located within the Sierra Nevada Güican, Cocuy, and Chita. For village festivities, you must attend the Fiestas de La Virgen del Carmen during the first days of July, in cozy lodging options such as the El Caminante hostel, the Pinares Del Carrizalito hotel, and the Nevado El Cocuy Hotel.
Chiquinquirá
It is one of the towns closest to Tunja that you should visit. It is located in the western province to the north in the department of Boyacá and 134 km from Bogotá and is one of the most important in the department because it is an ancient religious town that was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1986 at headquarters of the Basilica of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá. It is considered a small town with a cold climate in Boyacá, with a temperature between 6 °C and 19 °C where the coldest months are April and May. In the town, its religious monuments stand out, making it the "Religious Capital of Colombia", as well as its architecture on Pedestrian Street, its cobbled square, and several religious buildings.
Chiquinquirá has its festivities such as the feast of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá on July 9 and the Renovation of the painting of the Virgen del Rosario on December 26. Also tourist places such as the Basilica of Nuestra Señora Del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, the Monument to the Guabina Chiquinquireña, the Rómulo Rozo Palace of Culture where the Old Train Station is located, the Plaza de la Libertad, the Sanctuary of Santa Bárbara, the Workshop In Tagua El Ajedrez and its surroundings the viewpoint within the Los Currucuyes Ecotourism Park, the Pico de las Guacamayas and the Laguna Verde. If you decide to get to know this beautiful town, you should eat at the Bife Parrilla Campestre restaurant, El Taller Pizzería, and the Enruanados Gourmet restaurant. To stay there is the Hostal Amuya and the Hotel Boutique San Marcos.
Firavitoba
Firavitoba is one of the largest towns in the Boyacá department, it is a picturesque, religious town surrounded by natural landscapes.
It is located in the Province of Sugamuxi in the central east of the department and 80 km from Tunja, which is why its climate is cold temperate with an average temperature of 14 °C. Firavitoba is a town with two imposing religious temples, handicrafts made from sheep's wool, and surrounding natural landscapes that include rivers, waterfalls, and caves. Firavitoba, as one of the towns in Boyacá, has its festivals, so a good date to go is in August for the Virgen de Las Nieves Festival during December they celebrate the Torbellino festival, the Bread Festival, the Cheese and the National Country Music Contest.
Firavitoba has large hotels such as Rancho Jerónimo, Finca Victoria, and Finca Saron, famous restaurants such as the Horno Zea restaurant and the "La Josefa" restaurant, and tourist sites where the most important is the stone church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, the Church of Mercy, the Sor Gabriela Park, the Hacienda La Duranera and in its surroundings are the Peña de las Águilas, the Tajamar foggy moors, the Cerro de Guática, the San Antonio lagoon and the Cave del Viejo for hiking.
Macanal
The next town to know of the towns to visit in Boyacá is Macanal, it is in the province of Neira in the southern area of Boyacá and 150 kilometers from Bogotá. In this small city, its tourism is based on bird watching and extreme sports due to its proximity to the Chivor dam. There are places in its surroundings such as the Esmeralda or Chivor Reservoir, the viewpoint, the 70 waterfalls, and other waterfalls in the Tenza Valley that make it cozy. Finally, its natural resources, near the Esmeralda reservoir, make it a perfect town for adventure tourism because you can practice paragliding, climbing, and hiking through the mountains around the reservoir.
As for accommodation, you can stay at the Clavellino Hotel and Diamante Glamping and try the delicious typical dishes in restaurants such as La Estancia restaurant and Mi cabañita restaurant.
Tibasosa
Tibasosa is also one of the towns to go to in Boyacá with which you can start the tour. Tibasosa is a pre-Columbian town that preserves the architecture typical of the colonial era and famous for the variety of products derived from the feijoa fruit. It is located in the Alto Chicamocha region, 60 km from Tunja and 3 hours from Bogotá, which makes its climate cold with a temperature of 8°C, especially in December. Tibasosa is a town with colonial buildings, artisan workshops, and a delicious gastronomy of arequipe sweets, esponjado, sabajón and sweets made with feijoa, a fruit typical of the region; but if you want to know something typical of the town, you should go to the feijoa festival in July.
As for tourist places in Tibasosa, in one morning you can visit the town center, the Tibasosa Theater, the Guátika Biopark, its murals, and the Casa del Bosque Al Amanecer. If you are looking for accommodation in Tibasosa, some recommended hotels are the hotel inside the Bioparque Guátika, San Gabriel Hospedería, and the Hotel Boutique Los Vagones De William. And finally, if you want to try the typical food of the town, we recommend the Tierra de Feijoa restaurant, the Corazón de Melón restaurant, and Ostaietta Artisanal Italian Pizzeria.
Sogamoso
Continue populating Boyacá traveling to Sogamoso, it is an old town that has grown to become one of the most important cities in the department and one of the municipalities with the highest quality of life in Colombia. It is located in the Province of Sugamuxi in the center-east of the department of Boyacá and 70 km from Tunja. Sogamoso is one of the towns in Boyacá with a cold climate with a temperature of 10°C in the months between November and February, the rest of the year its temperature can rise to 21°C. More than a town, Sogamoso is the second largest city in the department and is known as the City of the Sun and Steel due to the exploitation of limestone, coal, and marble.
As for tourism in the municipality of Sogamoso, you can enjoy the Sun and Steel Fairs and Festivals from July 8 to 23, the Corn Festival in October, and the Huan Festival in December. Some plans are to visit the Plaza de la Villa, the Cathedral of San Martín de Tours, the Cerro de Santa Bárbara, the Eliécer Silva Celis Archaeological Museum, El Laguito Park, the Monument to La Raza and its surroundings the Hidrosogamoso Dam, the Páramo and the Siscunsí lagoon.
As for lodging we can recommend the La Loma Del Sol hotel, the Sogamoso Real Hotel, and the Alta Montaña Hotel, and as for restaurants to eat in the town you should go to the restaurant La Cabaña Parrilla-Chimenea, La Soga Restaurante and the Susacá Restaurant.
Iza Boyacá
It is a town full of history, nature, and peasant-style architecture with a colonial Muisca appearance. Iza is part of the most beautiful towns in Boyacá to visit, it is located in the province of Sugamuxi between Tunja and Sogamoso; only 84 kilometers. It has a warm temperate climate with an average temperature of 21 °C and is characterized by its delicious gastronomy of curd desserts with molasses, roasted milk, three milk dessert, fruit sweets, pillows, genoas, and its proximity to the white beach. in Laguna de Tota.
In addition to the historical beauty of the town, Iza is also attractive for tourist sites such as the historic center, the main square, the ruana craft workshop, and the Tota Lake in its surroundings. For village festivals such as the Fairs and Festivals in Iza in August. And for cozy lodging options such as Glamping Nido Verde, Hotel Portal de Iza, and Hospedaje Tonsuca.
Cuítiva
It is one of the towns closest to the capital of Boyacá that you should visit. It is located in the province of Sugamuxi a few kilometers from the town of Iza and 85 km east of Tunja. It is one of the most important in the department because it was a hamlet town of Muisca indigenous people full of myths and legends and it is also located bordering the Tota Lagoon. It is considered a small town with a warm temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 26 °C and its architecture stands out in the main park, the church of the Lord of Miracles, and its beautiful historic center.
Cuítiva has its festivals such as the Llano Grande traditional festivals in January and the town's festivals in September. Tourist places such as rural landscapes, Lake Tota, Lake Titicaca, and El Batán hot springs. If you decide to get to know this beautiful town, you should eat at the restaurants in the surrounding towns and stay at Quinta Glamping and Camping Los Balcones.
Guateque
Guateque is one of the largest towns in Boyacá, it is an ancient indigenous town in which its trade and fireworks tradition is currently highlighted.
It is located in the Province of the Oriente in the southwest of the department and 125 kilometers south of Tunja, which is why its climate is warm with an average annual temperature of 23 °C. Guateque is a town in Boyacá where you should know its crafts, its gastronomy, and its precious emeralds. Guateque, as one of the towns close to Tunja, has its festivals, so a good time to go is in January for the Fiesta del Polvorero at the end with open-air dances, fireworks, and comparsas.
Guateque has large hotels such as the Casa Grande Rosales hotel and the Villa San Salvador hotel; famous restaurants such as the Typical Colombian Restaurant Son Arrieros and the Delirio Tex Mex restaurant. It also has important tourist sites within the department such as the Garagoa Principal Park, the Chivor Dam, the Guateque Church, and the Cueva del Murciélago Hill.
Sutamarchán
The next town to know about the towns to visit in Boyacá is Sutamarchán. It is to the west of the Department of Boyacá on the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes and 40 km from Tunja. This small town is a small town known for its wine tourism for wine lovers. There are places like the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, the Santo Ecce Homo Museum, the Juraco del Diablo, El Salto del Ermitaño, the Gondava theme park, and the Iguaque Lagoon that make it welcoming. We can also highlight its warm climate in December to May, its patron saint festivities such as La Tomatina Colombiana in June where a battle with tomatoes is carried out among the attendees, and its largest grape fields in the country where in the vineyards you can take guided tours to the cellar.
As for lodging, you can stay at the Hotel Cabañas Sutamarchán and the Hospederia El Oasis. You must try the delicious typical dishes in restaurants such as La Foguera Sutamarchan restaurant and La Fogatica restaurant.
Ráquira
Ráquira is also one of the beautiful towns of Boyacá with which you can start your tour of the department. Ráquira also called the "city of pots" is a town famous for the manufacture of clay-based handicrafts, it is located in the province of Ricaurte near Villa de Leyva and 60 kilometers from Tunja. Its climate is warm and dry with temperatures between 18 °C and 26 °C. Ráquira is a town with colorful houses and craft workshops with jugs, toys, pots, and ceramic plates made of clay, wool, and precious pieces of basketry; but if you want to know something typical of the town, you should go to the San Antonio festivities in June.
As for tourist places in Ráquira, one morning you can visit the main Church of San Antonio de la Pared, its ceramic workshops, the astronomical observatory, and Muisca sanctuary. If you are looking for accommodation in the town of Ráquira, some recommended hotels are the Paraiso de Arcilla - Suite & Glamping, the Casona 1865 hotel, and the Posada el Artesano de Ráquira. And finally, if you want to try the typical food of the town, we recommend La Guaca Café Restaurante and the Cazuelas Boyacenses restaurant.
Tota
It is a small town that borders the southern part of Lake Tota, a natural body of water with a surface area of close to 55 km². It is located in the province of Sugamuxi de Boyacá very close to Cúítiva, Aquitania, and 95 km from Tunja. Tota is one of the tourist towns of Boyacá with a very pleasant warm temperate climate due to its average temperature of 17°C and light winds; but what makes its visitors fall in love is its proximity to the largest lake in Colombia where you can take boat tours on the lake, ride jet skis and practice guided diving.
As for tourism in the municipality of Tota, you can enjoy the traditional fairs and festivals in honor of the Virgen del Carmen in August and plans in its surroundings for the white beach in Laguna de Tota, the "Pueblito Antiguo" Nature Reserve and onion crops.
As for lodging, we can recommend the Tota Eliseo hotel, and as for restaurants to eat in town, you should go to the Cabaña Ojitos Verdes restaurant.
Cómbita
It is a town surrounded by nature and famous for being the birthplace of road cyclist Nairo Quintana. Cómbita is part of the most beautiful places to visit in Boyacá, it is located in the province of the Center of Boyacá and 12 km from Tunja. It has a cold humid climate with an average temperature between 6°C and 18°C and is characterized by its traditional peasant gastronomy and its green tourism as it is close to the El Valle Regional Natural Park where you can do activities such as bird watching and hiking.< /p>
In addition to the historical beauty of the town, Cómbita is also attractive for tourist sites such as the Honda, Piedecuesta, Toledo, Quebraditas, Los Puentes, and Los Garavito ravines. For village festivals such as the Combita fairs at the end of February and the first days of March. And for cozy lodging options such as the Hotel Rural Casa Peraffan.
Essential tourist sites in the department of Boyacá
The Terracotta House
Casa Terracota is considered the largest ceramic in the world. It is located in Villa de Leyva and is a construction made of mud.
Blue Wells
The Blue Wells of Villa de Leyva are small artificial lakes of blue water turquoise, are located a few minutes from the town center.
Páramo de Ocetá
The Ocetá páramo is a beautiful valley of frailejones and is located on the outskirts of the municipality of Monguí. You will also find waterfalls, lagoons, and natural viewpoints
The Colonial Bridge of Calicanto
It is a bridge that is very famous for its history and because it is surrounded by a ravine full of flowers and tree species.
Nevado del Cocuy
El Cocuy National Natural Park is one of the tourist sites in Boyacá that you should know. It is a place with perpetual snow and surprising fauna.
Sochagota Lake
Sochagota is an artificial lake located very close to the municipality of Paipa in northeastern Colombia.
Boyacense town
It is a replica of the architecture of the towns of Villa de Leyva, Tibasosa, Tenza, Monguí, Ráquira, Sáchica, and El Cocuy. It is located in the municipality of Duitama, 1 hour from Tunja and 3 hours from Bogotá.
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