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Salt Cathedral - gem near Bogota
Just an hour from Bogotá you can visit one of the most extraordinary places in Colombia, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. This is not a typical cathedral standing on a town square but an underground sanctuary carved deep inside a former salt mine. It ranks among the country’s most visited attractions and has earned a place on UNESCO’s tentative list, a recognition of its cultural and historical value.
Although we hadn’t planned to visit the Salt Cathedral at first, since we had already been to the Wieliczka salt mine in Poland, we were glad we changed our minds. The Colombian cathedral turned out to be something truly unique, filled with beauty and decorative details that made the whole experience unforgettable.
Salt Cathedral
- What is the Salt Cathedral
- Route from Bogota to Salt Cathedral and entrance fee
- History of mining
- Entrance to the Salt Cathedral
- Way of the Cross in Salt Cathedral
- The main chapel and the story of light
- Emeralds
- Several museums
- Return trip on the "Thomas" train
- The town of Zipaquira
- Practical information
- Where to stay in the Bogota area?
- What to see around Bogota?
What is the Salt Cathedral
At first We were surprised to learn that the Salt Cathedral is not a cathedral in the official church sense, since it has never been the seat of a bishop. What it truly represents is a Roman Catholic sanctuary born out of gratitude from the miners who once worked in the salt mine. They were the ones who first carved a small chapel here, a place where they could pray before stepping into their dangerous shifts underground. Much later, in the twentieth century, the idea of creating something larger took shape, and the result is the vast underground complex that today leaves visitors in awe with its sheer size and atmosphere.
The entire complex lies about 180 meters underground, and exploring it feels like stepping into a hidden world. Along the way you pass 14 stations of the cross carved in salt, smaller chapels tucked into the rock, and finally the vast open space of the main cathedral. The architects made use of the mine’s natural cavities and filled them with artistic and spiritual elements. What you see today is a powerful blend of nature, faith, and human craftsmanship that leaves a lasting impression.
Route from Bogota to Salt Cathedral and entrance fee
Getting from Bogota to Zipaquirá is fairly straightforward. At first, the easiest option is to catch a northbound bus from the Usaquén terminal. The ride usually takes around two hours, although traffic can stretch it longer. Once you arrive in Zipaquirá, you face a pleasant choice. You can stroll for twenty minutes through the town’s charming center, or instead take a short taxi ride that drops you right at the entrance to the Salt Cathedral complex.
If you are driving a rental car, as we did, the trip takes about an hour and follows the local highway most of the way. Right in front of the cathedral is a huge parking lot, so you never need to worry about finding a spot. That makes it easy to combine the visit with another stop in the area.
Right next to the parking lot there is also a maze, a fun surprise if you are traveling with kids. Ours ran straight into it after the tour and spent a good while exploring, and it quickly became one of their favorite parts of the visit.
🎟️ Entry fees vary depending on the experience you desire:
Basic ticket takes you through the cathedral itself and also includes an audio guide, entry to the emerald museum and also the small archaeological museum. To make it more fun, the ticket even covers a short ride on the little train (Thomas) that carries visitors from the mine back to the parking area. The price is 118,000 COP per person (24 €).
Standard ticket gives you a little extra on top of the basic package. With it you can also visit the Egyptian museum and join a guided tour of Zipaquirá itself. The price is 126,000 COP per person (26 €).
Premium ticket takes the experience a step further by adding a miner’s tour through the tunnels of the salt mine. If you have never visited a mine before, it is definitely worth considering. Keep in mind though that with this option you will spend around four hours inside the cathedral complex. The price is 150,000 COP per person (33 €).
If the audio guide is not really your thing, you can always book an organized tour through a travel agency such as (e.g. GetYourGuide). It costs around 60 € per person.
History of mining
Salt mining in Zipaquirá reaches far back into history. Long before the Spanish arrived, the Muisca people who lived in this region treated salt as one of their most valuable resources. It was not only a way to season food but also a form of currency. Because of it, the Muisca maintained strong trade connections with other communities across the region, turning Zipaquirá into an important hub of exchange and culture.
During the colonial period the Spanish organized salt mining and turned it into one of the main pillars of the economy in New Granada. In the 19th and 20th centuries the mine expanded and modern techniques were introduced, yet the work remained dangerous. That is why the miners sought protection in prayer. In the 1930s they carved a small underground chapel, and by 1954 the very first version of the cathedral was consecrated.
Safety concerns eventually forced the closure of the first cathedral, and in the 1990s construction began on a new, larger, and more stable sanctuary. By 1995 the present‑day Salt Cathedral was opened to the public, and since then it has grown into both a national symbol and one of Colombia’s most visited attractions.
Entrance to the Salt Cathedral
After buying our tickets we walked straight into the mine, and right away the unusual decoration pulled us in. Unlike any other mine we’ve visited, this one feels alive with color. Corridors glow in shifting lights that slowly change shades, so every few steps the atmosphere transforms into something new. It’s worth keeping your eyes not only on the walls but also on the ceiling, where the play of light is just as mesmerizing.
The deeper you go, the more captivating the light effects become. At one point the ceiling suddenly lights up with the flags of different countries, glowing above your head like a colorful constellation. Of course the Colombian flag is there, but we also spotted the British one along with several others, which made the whole walk feel even more playful and unexpected.
After a short walk we reached the first crossroads, and already it felt like we might be losing our sense of direction. Salt Cathedral is truly vast, and what makes it fascinating is that whichever way you go, there is always another path leading back. We chose the left turn, and to our surprise it brought us straight to the Stations of the Cross, something we had not even realized was hidden down here.
Way of the Cross in Salt Cathedral
Taking the left path brought us to one of the most powerful places in the entire complex, the Way of the Cross. Each of the fourteen stops represents a stage of Christ’s suffering, yet instead of the usual paintings or statues you find in churches, here stand massive salt crosses, each carved in a different shape and size.
As we moved along, the crosses lit up in different colors, and each shade shifted the atmosphere around us. In particular, blue created a sense of peace and sky. By contrast, red brought to mind sacrifice and blood. Finally, green suggested hope and life, adding a softer note to the experience.
Behind each cross there are corridors leading deeper into the underground. Some of them you can enter right away, others are closed off, and a few only become accessible further along the route. As you move through these passages, the lighting keeps shifting and completely changes the mood. At times the walls glow with a soft yellow hue, while in other spots the space is bathed in a stronger purple light, giving every turn a different atmosphere.
The paths between each stop are short and easy to manage, even if you are pushing a stroller. Although there isn’t much decoration along these stretches, the walk still feels like a bridge between spiritual experience and artistic expression. As you move through, you notice not only the symbolism of the crosses but also the immense effort that went into carving out these underground spaces.
Moon hanging on the ceiling
One of the most striking features was a circular ceiling that looked like a model of the moon. Even though it was only an optical illusion, the room completely drew us in. As the colors shifted from white to blue and then to purple, the effect became almost hypnotic. What’s more, it managed to capture the attention of our kids, who by that point had grown tired of seeing so many crosses.
The main chapel and the story of light
In the end, the true highlight of the visit comes when you step into the vast underground cathedral. At first, it’s the view from above that captures your attention, stretching out across a space 120 meters long and 22 meters high. As your eyes adjust, the main altar begins to glow in shifting shades of blue, purple, and red, each color blending into the next to create a dynamic story told through light. Meanwhile, in the background, a massive salt cross rises sixteen meters high, dominating the scene with quiet power.
Don’t be fooled by the apparent simplicity. Beyond the shifting colors and the cross, the cathedral also offers a light show that tells its own story. From above the effects are far more impressive than from below, which is why we’d definitely recommend waiting a few minutes until the performance begins. In our case the wait was short (around 10min).
Surrounding the main chapel stand six massive pillars that hold up the entire space and keep it stable. At the same time, they carry a deeper meaning, symbolizing the solid pillars of faith that guard this sacred place hidden deep inside the salt mountain.
Salt everywhere
After visiting the chapel we finally took the time to look around the lower level. Up until then the Salt Cathedral had felt more like an underground church than a mine, but this floor revealed a very different side of the place. Suddenly we began noticing salt everywhere around us, and the setting started to resemble other salt mines we had seen before. At the same time, there was one big difference: here the salt walls were lit up and kept shifting in color, moving from white to blue, then to purple, and finally glowing in deep red.
Although the soft white glow stood out in the sea of blue, before long the shifting lights drew us toward another part of the mine. At first we noticed what looked like an ordinary rock, fenced off on every side, and we could not understand why it was so protected. After a few minutes it finally became clear that we were not looking at a rock at all but at a pool of water so perfectly still and clean that it mirrored the ceiling above. In that moment the children were completely amazed, and to them it felt so unreal that I am not sure they believe it even now.
Emeralds
Colombia is one of the world’s leading producers of emeralds, so it makes sense that the cathedral complex also includes a small exhibition dedicated to these gems. As you walk through, you see emeralds in many forms, ranging from raw crystals to polished stones ready to be set into jewelry. What impressed us most, however, was the replica of an emerald mine. Inside its walls you find sparkling imitations of the gems, giving you a vivid idea of how they look in their natural state and how miners once extracted them from deep underground.
After leaving the mine you come across a museum with a shop, and in fact there are several of them scattered around the area. Inside, emeralds of every shape and size are displayed. Some are simply meant to be admired, while others can be purchased if you want to take a piece of Colombia home with you.
The only thing I regret is that my dear husband didn’t buy me one of the beautiful necklaces or rings in the mine. He was worried there might be a tourist markup, yet in reality the prices here were the lowest we had seen anywhere in Colombia.
When he realized his mistake, he was pretty angry too
.
The prices of the jewelry started at 40 € for silver pieces and around 100 € for gold pieces.
Several museums
Besides the emeralds and the mining exhibit, the Salt Cathedral also offers several other museums. To begin with, there is a 3D cinema about salt mining, which we would recommend if you have never visited another salt mine. In our case we decided to skip it. Another interesting option is the Egyptian museum, which you can only enter with the more expensive ticket. Inside you find a collection of replicas from ancient Egypt, yet we chose not to go in since we had already visited the Egyptian Museum in Cairo itself.
Return trip on the "Thomas" train
After finishing the tour of the cathedral and the museums the visit does not end, because the way back is arranged in a rather unusual way. You cannot simply walk out on your own. Instead, every visitor boards a small train that looks like Thomas the train from the cartoon. This cheerful ride is already included in the ticket price and waits right at the exit from the underground section. The journey itself lasts only a few minutes, yet it feels wonderfully relaxing after such a long walk through endless corridors. Gradually the train carries you through a narrow tunnel toward the outside, and finally you emerge directly at the main entrance of the complex, where souvenir shops and restaurants are ready to welcome you.
The town of Zipaquira
Zipaquirá is a charming colonial town that deserves attention well beyond its famous cathedral. As you wander through the historic center, you arrive at the Plaza de los Comuneros, a classic square framed by colorful houses, cafés, and restaurants. At its heart rises the beautiful Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, which dominates the scene with quiet elegance. From there the narrow streets lined with flower‑filled balconies invite you to slow down, enjoy a gentle walk, and perhaps pause for a cup of traditional Colombian coffee or a local specialty. By that point the children had already had enough of monuments, yet when they spotted The Simpsons they simply could not resist, and their excitement brought a playful end to our stroll.
On our way back to Bogota we drove at night, and even then the roads felt completely safe and easy.
Practical information
Transport: From Bogota’s northern terminal, buses to Zipaquira leave every 20–30 minutes, and the ride takes around 2 hours. Once you arrive at the station, it is about 15–20 minutes on foot to the cathedral entrance, or you can take a short taxi ride. The simplest option, however, is to come by car, since the drive usually takes 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. Right next to the cathedral complex you will also find a free parking lot
Admission: Tickets can be purchased directly at the entrance. There are several options: the basic ticket, the extended ticket that includes the 3D cinema and museums, or the premium package that also gives access to the Egyptian exhibition. Children receive discounts, and the youngest visitors enter free of charge.
Tour: The entire complex includes several corridors and sections that you can comfortably explore in about 1.5–2 hours.
Food and Drinks: After the tour you can eat right at the exit. The restaurants and cafés serve traditional Colombian dishes as well as small snacks.
Weather: Inside the mine it is noticeably cooler than outside, so it is best to bring a light sweater or jacket.
Souvenirs: At the entrance as well as underground you will find shops offering emeralds, salt‑based products, and typical Colombian souvenirs.
Where to stay in the Bogota area?
Accommodation: If you are traveling by car, it is worth staying near the airport in Bogotá. This location gives you easy parking and a quick exit from the city, which is especially useful when you plan to explore other places in the region. We stayed at Habitel Hotel, where we shared the lobby and breakfast room with pilots and flight attendants, which added a pleasant travel atmosphere to the stay.
If you are traveling by bus, the best choice is to stay directly in the center of Bogotá. From there, buses depart toward Usaquén, where you transfer to the line heading to Zipaquirá. The most convenient option is to book a hotel just a short walk from the bus terminal, so you can reach your connection quickly and without stress. Here you can choose the ideal hotel for you.
What to see around Bogota?
If the bustle of Bogota wears you out, just an hour’s drive will take you into a completely different world — misty mountains, green valleys, and small towns where time seems to move more slowly. Day trips from the capital are varied, easily accessible by car or bus, and perfectly manageable as single‑day excursions. And you don’t have to limit yourself to the city center alone, because the surroundings offer countless places worth discovering.
The best way to explore beyond Bogotá is to rent a car for two days after you’ve finished discovering the city itself. Prices start at around €20 per day, and driving in Colombia outside the capital feels very similar to being on the roads anywhere in Europe. You can easily reserve a vehicle here: car rental
If dramatic scenery calls to you, head to Tequendama Falls. This 132‑meter waterfall plunges straight into a deep canyon, its roar audible long before you arrive. The site is wrapped in legends of the Indigenous people, but also carries a darker history from the 20th century. Today you can visit a museum housed in the old hotel and step out onto a terrace with sweeping views. In the evening the waterfall is illuminated with colorful lights, adding an unforgettable atmosphere to the entire scene.
Just a little further on awaits Salto La Chorrera, the highest waterfall in Colombia at 590 meters. The hike to reach it follows a 7km trail that winds through pastures and Andean forests. Along the way you pass the Trees of Wishes and the Spring of Beauty, small stops that add charm to the journey. On the return path the route leads by the smaller El Chiflón waterfall, where a hidden cave invites a short detour.
