How To Visit Salt Cathedral Of Zipaquirá, Bogota: Colombia 2025

If you’re heading to Bogota, I recommend making a day trip over to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá; it’s an interesting place to visit in the heart of Colombia and the only underground temple in the world. 

We went with my cousin and his family for a day trip while visiting them in Bogota. None of us really knew what to expect. Jack had done all the research for this one, and I was excited to see what all the fuss was about – the Salt Cathedral being one of Colombia’s most famous attractions.

During our time in Colombia, we visited many places and sites, but I will say that the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá was one of the most unique experiences we had. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s a fascinating landmark that everyone can enjoy. 

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Understand Everything You Need To Know To Visit The Salt Cathedral Of Zipaquirá With Or Without A Tour!

In this post, I’m covering how to plan your visit to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, 49km north of Bogota, Colombia. I’m also covering topics like:

• A bit of history about the cathedral.
• How to visit on an organised tour and/or without a tour.
• Transportation options, ideas on where to stay, what to expect and our experience visiting.

🏨 Accommodation // Where To Stay In Bogota // 8.3+ ratings
Budget-friendly: Hostal R10 | Mid-range: Botanico Hostel | Luxury:  Candelaria House Boutique

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Where Is The Salt Cathedral Of Zipaquirá?

The Salt Cathedral is in the city of Zipaquirá, in Cundinamarca, Colombia. It’s about 30 miles (49km) north of Colombia’s capital, Bogota and sits 2,652 meters (8,701 ft) above sea level. It’s easy to get to with good road and rail links; the 45A connects the capital to Zipaquirá, while the heritage train links to two cities from Sabana Station.

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About The Salt Cathedral, Colombia

The Salt Cathedral is a fascinating underground Catholic church which has been built inside a Halite mountain 200 meters underground. It’s a popular tourist destination and a place of pilgrimage in the country for thousands of worshippers. 

The cathedral you’ll visit today isn’t the original, as it was shut down in 1992 for safety concerns. Instead, you’ll visit the new cathedral, which opened in 1995 and was built underneath the old one.

Inside, the temple has three sections representing the birth, life, and death of Jesus. You’ll find all the icons and architectural details are hand-carved into the halite rock, including some beautiful marble sculptures.

Many have described the Salt Cathedral as one of Colombia’s most remarkable landmarks, often referred to as the “Jewel of Modern Colombian Architecture.” 

Today, the cathedral is a functional church open to visitors and worshippers alike. On Sunday, the cathedral often receives up to 3,000 visitors. Interestingly, it doesn’t have an official status as a cathedral because it has no Bishop! Nevertheless, the Salt Cathedral welcomes over 600,000 people a year.

Why Is It Called A Salt Cathedral?

When the Andes mountain range was formed over 250 million years ago, salt deposits in Zipaquirá rose above sea level, forming the Halite (alias, rock salt) mountain. It’s called a Salt Cathedral because the cathedral was carved inside this salt mountain.

After Colombia’s colonisation, miners began carving chapels into the salt mine to prey for their safety for years before building the underground church. However, even before this, the mountain was used for centuries for its salt, initially exploited by the indigenous Musica culture since the 5th century BC; it’s been a sacred place for centuries.

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Is The Salt Cathedral Of Zipaquirá Worth Visiting?

Personally, I think the Salt Cathedral is 100% worth visiting. It’s a unique and fascinating place which welcomes everyone, no matter your belief. 

As an architectural wonder with an ancient story, it attracts culture and history enthusiasts. Of course, if you’re religious, then it’s a site not to be missed. Still, thanks to multiple attractions within the Salt Park itself, it’s also a fantastic place to bring children (and adults) for an educational yet fun experience. 

We went with my cousin and his family, which included three young children. Although they didn’t fully understand where they were, they were entirely transfixed nonetheless.

The official website is actually helpful and describes all of the activities available, such as guided tours, climbing walls and museum visits. As I mentioned, there’s much more to the Salt Cathedral than just the church. 

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How To Plan Your Visit To The Salt Cathedral, Colombia: Without A Tour

The following information covers all the need-to-know details about visiting the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, which is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, the Patron saint of miners. 

Salt Cathedral Entrance Fees

There are three ticket tiers depending on the activities you wish to undertake. No matter which ticket you choose, a guide or an audio guide is included to walk you through the Stations of the Cross, which includes fourteen small chapels. This service leaves every twenty minutes from the entry point.

These are prices; there is a separate rate for Colombian nationals.

• BASIC (Full): Adult $98,000 COP / Child and elderly $84,000 COP
• BASIC (National): Adult $61,000 COP / Child and elderly $50,000 COP

• STANDARD (Full): Adult $108,000 COP / Child and elderly $89,000 COP
• STANDARD (National): Adult $73,000 COP / Child and elderly $60,000 COP

• PREMIUM (Full): $129,000 COP – Age Restricted
• PREMIUM (National): $93,000 COP – Age Restricted

Salt Cathedral Opening Hours

The Salt Cathedral is open every day, Monday to Sunday. 9:00 am to 5:40 pm. Church services are held every Sunday at midday, where Holy Mass is celebrated 180 meters underground. For office enquiries, contact them from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 12:30 pm / 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

When Should You Visit The Salt Cathedral?

Since the cathedral is underground, it can be visited all year round. If you want to attend mass, you’ll need to visit on a Sunday. The weekends are the busiest, as are holiday periods, so expect crowds and queues. Visit during the weekdays for fewer crowds.

That said, for some of the other attractions within the Salt Park and around Zipaquirá, such as the heritage train, El Abra (archaeological site) and city tours, you might want to consider visiting Zipaquirá for the warmer weather. Generally, late May to September and mid-December to late February are the best times to visit.

⭐ Pro tip >> Colombia has a tropical climate and, therefore, experiences a wet and dry season. The dry season runs from December to March and June to August and is favoured by tourists. In Zipaquirá, summers are cool, around 18°C, whereas winters are short and cold. Average temperatures vary from 6°C to 18°C throughout the year, but it can get as low as 2°C. 

How Long Do You Need At The Salt Cathedral?

The amount of time you need at the cathedral will depend on the ticket you purchase. We spent about two hours inside, which, considering we had young children with us, was quite an achievement. 

It’s recommended that for the basic ticket, you’ll need three hours; for the standard ticket, allow four hours, and for the premium ticket, give yourself six hours. 

⭐ Pro tip >> You also need to factor in travel time. From Bogota, it takes around one hour, give or take fifteen minutes, depending on traffic and time of day.

How Much Money Should You Take?

Good question! You’ll need enough to cover your admission; however, there are additional items you might want to budget for, including:

• Snacks: We grabbed an ice cream while we were inside.
• Gift Shop: There’s a gift shop selling souvenirs and trinkets
• Jewellery Shop: There is an emerald jeweller.
• Fuel: don’t forget about fuel if renting a car for the journey.

What Should You Pack?

There is no official dress code that I can see, but since the Salt Cathedral is a place of worship, it’s important to dress modestly.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes; you’ll be on your feet for most of the day. I would strongly advise you to cover your shoulders and knees; never wear something too revealing, like cut-off shorts, mini-skirts, tank tops, and crop tops. 

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance

Jack and I use SAFETYWING to book our travel medical insurance when we are overseas. It’s important to us as it ensures a safe trip.

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How To Get To The Salt Cathedral From Bogota

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is very well connected from Bogota, and there are multiple ways to reach it. Depending on your travel style, you can use both public or private transport options, including private car, private tour, taxi, bus and/or train. 

Travel By Taxi

As there were seven of us (four adults and three young children), we decided to take a taxi from Bogota. We actually used an Uber and squeezed into one taxi for the one-hour drive. Considering how full the car was, the journey was comfortable enough. 

⭐ At the time of writing, it costs just under $100,000 COP (one-way), which is about £20/$25. 

For ease and peace of mind, it made sense for us to use a taxi service instead of trying to navigate the buses with the children. Had Jack and I visited alone, we would have used the bus service. 

Travel By Bus

The most cost-effective way to reach Zipaquirá is to hop on a public bus. They leave from the Porte Norte bus terminal in Bogota and will usually say “ZIPA” on the front window. Zipaquirá is a popular destination, and the locals will be able to help direct you to the correct bus stop if you ask around.

⭐ It should cost between $5,000 COP and $5,500 COP (one-way)

It’s also possible to take a taxi from the Zipaquirá bus terminal to the Salt Cathedral; this will take about 5 minutes; otherwise, it’s a 20-minute walk.

Travel By Train

Something we didn’t find out until afterwards is that there is a heritage train connecting Bogota and Zipaquirá. From Sabana Station (located on Calle 13 with Carrara 18), the Tren Turístico de la Sabana runs steam trains from Bogota to Zipaquirá.

During the journey, you will pass through Usaquén, La Caro and Cajicá before arriving at the train station in Zipaquirá. Jack would have loved this, and it’s a shame we didn’t know about it sooner! If you have an interest in steam trains, be sure not to miss this activity in Colombia!

Travel By Rental Car

Another popular option is to drive there yourselves. If you’re planning on renting a car in Colombia, we recommend DISCOVER CARS. They are an affordable third-party company that we’ve used a number of times without issues.

The Salt Cathedral is well connected by road with the 45A connecting Bogota and Zipaquirá on the Cajicá – Chía and Cajicá – Zipaquirá to La Fraguita motorway. You’ll need to jump on the motorway heading north, but keep in mind there is a toll road charge – I can’t remember how much it was, but it wasn’t a lot.

⭐ There is parking available at the Salt Cathedral for all types of vehicles, and the cost is $9,000 COP.

Travel By Tour

Finally, you can visit the Salt Cathedral from Bogota on a group/private tour. This is a great way to travel if you’re new to travelling, looking for a comfortable and easy experience, or want a professional company to arrange everything for you.

There are also combination tours available, which include other attractions such as Lake Guatavita, another popular attraction outside of Bogota.

⭐ Pro tip >> Alternatively, if you want to, you could hire a private driver for the day. This is quite common, and if you find a good one, they can sometimes act as a private tour guide, too.

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Ideas On Where To Stay Near Salt Cathedral/Bogota

There are two options for accommodation: Bogota or Zipaquirá. We didn’t have time to explore Zipaquirá, but the more I looked into it, the more I wished we had spent a night in the city. There are several other attractions which look interesting, but mostly the rock art at El Abra Archaeological Site would have been nice to see.

In Zipaquirá

• Top-end option: RESERVA CATEDRAL Glamping (double tipi tent from £70/$90)– Check and review prices on Booking.
• Mid-range option: Hotel Cacique Real (double from £35/$45) – Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda at Hotel Camino de la Sal.
• Budget option: Venta del Espino (double from £18/$22)- Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.

In Bogota

• Top-end option: Candelaria House Boutique (double from £70/$88) – Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
• Mid-range option: Botanico Hostel (double from £36/$45)- Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
• Budget option: Hostal R10 (single from £9/$11)- Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.

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What To Expect: Our Experience At The Salt Cathedral

From the moment we reached the Salt Cathedral, we were impressed. It was an uphill ride to the entrance, where the ticket office was. In fact, we bought the tickets from the hotel reception, but after we entered, we found the actual ticket box. Luckily, we had paid the same fee.

There was only a small queue to enter. The staff were friendly and guided us to the audio-guide counter, where we selected our languages. We were ready and waiting to enter within ten minutes of arriving; I think we must have just missed the previous tour as we were waiting for the full twenty minutes. 

Way Of The Cross

Upon entering, we followed the guide through a long, dark tunnel. I will say that my first impression was a little bleak. I was shocked to see bright red steel beams arching above the entrance. It didn’t look too heavenly; rather, we were passing into hell.

Nevertheless, as we progressed further into the darkness, passing under spotlights honouring the colours of Colombia and changing between neon shades of green, red and blue. 

Eventually, we came upon the first chapel. There are fourteen in total representing the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. You’ll notice kneeling platforms at each station. By all accounts, these are working chapels, so please be respectful to those in prayer.

The tunnel went on for a while, with separate paths leading off into the different stations. Since the guide was talking in Spanish, we ended up falling back to be able to hear our audio guide, half losing the group as we did. My cousin (speaking Spanish) was lost in the depths of the group.

It was a fascinating place, lit up with colourful lighting, rather dark and peaceful in a way, especially after we fell back, with the noise of the group dissipating.

The Chamber Of Life

After the stations, we came up to a balcony overlooking the main nave below. It was a nice view, and after a few quick photos of all of us (which I seem to have lost), we headed down. At this point, the guide leaves the group, taking those who have paid for additional activities with him.

This is also where you’ll encounter the Dome. It’s where the tunnels end, and the Stations of the Cross converge with the stairs of the penitent and the Choir of the Cathedral. 

We were left to wander around the church. The central nave had a long aisle leading to the large salt cross, lit up in blue; it’s the largest cross carved in salt in the world. There is a light display here, too, which the kids loved! 

Chapel Of The Virgin

Once at the bottom, it’s possible to walk between cracks in the walls to the two smaller chapels. This was quite fun, and again, the children enjoyed the passageways. There is a really pretty chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the Chapel of the Virgin.

After we’d explored the church, we watched the Nucuma 3D movie. If I’m honest, it wasn’t that great, and it didn’t really explain anything about the salt mine or cathedral. If we’d missed this, it wouldn’t have been a regret.

We took a walk around the shops and grabbed an ice cream before queuing up for the train to take us back to the surface. In total, we were there for about two and a half hours.

Overall, I wouldn’t say it was a “blow your socks off” kind of attraction, but it was a fascinating place to visit and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

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Is The Salt Cathedral Of Zipaquirá Safe?

Yes, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is safe to visit. It’s a popular tourist destination and has many security measures in place to ensure the safety of visitors. However, like any public place, it’s always good to be aware of your surroundings and take necessary precautions to avoid any potential risks.

In Summary: Salt Cathedral Of Zipaquirá, Bogota, Colombia

As always, I leave you with some of my final thoughts about visiting the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Since this is the only underground cathedral in the world and one of Colombia’s most famous landmarks, I really do think it is worth visiting. 

In hindsight, we should have paid for the standard or premium tickets and spent longer exploring the hidden gems inside the salt mine. I would have also liked to have stayed one night in Zipaquirá, so I suggest you do the same if time permits.

The city plaza is quite pretty. There are parks, the archaeological site isn’t too far, and be sure to visit Andrés Carne de Res (Chía) restaurant!  We all enjoyed the experience and do recommend adding a visit to your Colombia itinerary.