Bogota Salt Cathedral Tour Review: Is It Worth It?

Looking at places to visit near Bogota? The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira often comes up, and rightfully so. This below-ground church carved inside a salt mine is something you won’t see every day. There are tour options aplenty, so it’s a bit hard choosing which one is the right thing for you. That being said, what about looking into the ‘Bogota Private Tour Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira with Pickup’? Sounds fancy, right? But is it, you know, actually worth loosening your purse strings for? I checked it out and let me walk you through my experience, some things I noticed, and what you might think about when considering booking your visit.

What to Anticipate From This Tour

Basically, the main grab about this tour is in the name: it is that it’s private, and it includes pickup. That sounds like you do get the royal treatment from the start, getting whisked away from your hotel in Bogota right to the front doors of the Salt Cathedral. In effect, what you get isn’t just transit. Your own dedicated guide joins the party, ready, in theory, to walk you through all the ins and outs of this, very, unique spot.

I found that the journey itself can be a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Bogota. Leaving the city, you start seeing the scenery shift, as it moves toward the kind of green hills and open spaces of the Colombian countryside. Actually seeing this shift adds a great prelude, giving you something more than just, maybe, standing in line and then going into a church.

And that church, let me tell you, it isn’t just any church. Going, then, nearly 600 feet underground, you are moving into what miners carved out of a mountain of salt. Stations of the Cross mark a path leading deeper and deeper, coming down at the, pretty striking, main cathedral area. Light plays off the salt in surprising ways, as it makes a, you know, somewhat surreal environment. Seeing the size of the place is something else, too. In effect, what an unbelievable effort went into it, both from an artistic angle and one of engineering.

The Good Points

For real, going the private tour route comes with a bunch of perks, and I mean, really. A, rather major one, to be honest, is the attention you receive from your guide. Unlike shuffling around in a big group, you are able to ask questions and chat with the guide on things that catch your interest. That bit of back-and-forth really adds dimensions to the visit. To really benefit, I suggest doing some digging ahead of time, maybe about the mining history of the area, or knowing about religious symbolism so you can ask pointed questions.

Then, there’s also that whole “go when you want” kind of flexibility. Have you been dragging your feet today? Or you want to hang in the gift shop forever? A private tour lets you go a bit slower or quicker as, arguably, the mood suits you. No stress about keeping up with a big crowd or wasting time someplace that just isn’t your thing. That’s really golden, especially if you aren’t a fan of, well, adhering to strict schedules.

The ride is smooth too. Knowing you don’t have to try finding local transportation or, similarly, be crammed into a shared van makes you, in fact, much more relaxed as you begin and wind down your visit. You are, you know, picked up from where you are, you are driven there and back with no stops, and that convenience has serious value if, frankly, you’re the kind of person who puts comfort pretty high up on your list.

Potential Downsides

Let’s be real here: Price is something to think of when looking at these private tours. Splurging on something special can be awesome, of course, it can, yet knowing what the alternatives are is useful, too. Public transport to Zipaquira is usually the way cheaper, yet obviously lacking some bells and whistles.

Being underground might not click with some people, also. It didn’t bother me much. To really give you an idea, once you get beyond the scale of the place and the colored lights, you may not feel some overwhelming connection with a higher power or some big epiphany. The, maybe manufactured, sacredness of the space can strike some folks as just a little too touristy, and not quite as spiritual as they hoped. It’s something, though, to, almost, keep in the back of your head if you come with too many hopes and dreams.

Also, remember what “private” means, or more like, doesn’t mean. All you’re paying for here is the transit and a dedicated guide. So, for one, that private bit only counts during the drive and when you’re walking through the Cathedral. Secondly, you should factor that in so that the ticket into the Salt Cathedral isn’t always a part of the package; similarly, lunch or treats are also usually up to you. And just like I said earlier, that makes you really research how much stuff usually costs in order to figure out whether the whole thing fits inside your budget.

Other Things To Do Nearby

Just so you aren’t spending all day going underground and going back to Bogota, spending some hours poking around the town of Zipaquira isn’t such a bad idea either. It’s almost the same, but feels calmer, too, than Bogota. You are able to wander through local squares, maybe try some genuine Colombian eats, and see more about how life goes on for regular people in this area. It could just make your day trip something that leaves you with way more lasting stuff than the, really fascinating, Salt Cathedral itself.

That aside, if, in a way, history gives you a buzz, check out the Independence Square. It’s there that they signed documents of importance waaaay back in the early 1800s. So, it is just great walking around the area and imagining just how long that location has stood as a beacon in the community.

Last bit to remember, consider doing some wandering about in the shops to pick up keepsakes made from salt. After looking into this unique spot it really helps show off where you have been. The shop also makes, arguably, finding that present a cinch if you’ve promised friends and family you’d come back bearing stuff.

Making Your Choice: Things to Ponder

Planning to travel to the Salt Cathedral out near Bogota can really be rewarding, especially since there’s just a number of different routes. While choosing is really up to the kind of things you like, what kind of budget that is good for you, you are almost making things good whenever you know ahead of time things such as, what actually interests you, the length of time you really want to dedicate, or, similarly, just how flexible you would like things to be. In conclusion, doing something in order to figure this kind of stuff almost sets up any trip, especially if you happen to have, well, big aspirations.

Think about what’s interesting to you: How does having that person there matter to you as a plus? Do you enjoy going off and doing all sorts of questions to learn about the backdrops of whatever spots you check out, or are you the sort of person where things almost start from the scenery and architecture? To clarify, realizing the method with which you approach getting some knowledge about an area lets any choice shine whenever planning that route.

Work the dollars right: The total number on things could potentially be bigger by going on this private route, and in truth, so, so, should there also be just little considerations you actually do keep as you’re coming on over. Thinking to save money on something? That is just a little reason why local public transits can be the thing when keeping funds at a, you know, nice steady pace, to then prioritize spending money to be used some other place.

Have some free time available: Some free time has an impact whenever taking in what the Cathedral shows off in terms of views. So, would it almost be just more favorable to instead slowly take things as is with everything nearby? Taking transit solo to get there would almost let you take advantage in how any extra pause with the visit lets you hang with shops or parks. To emphasize this point, always being organized could actually set one up very appropriately.

So there it is. By booking this private tour option you do get a very tailored, easier kind of outing. It does, obviously, cost extra cash, but getting picked up easy, that personal guide, that’s worth a bit. If seeing Zipaquira in total style is important, absolutely book this one. Although, you know, going another way to get there opens your day up more, giving you that leeway to explore and wander some extra time.

FAQ

Is the Salt Cathedral worth seeing?

Really, it hinges on personal tastes. Plenty find the Salt Cathedral impressive and almost a must-see for a site. However, in case you are short on something for you, like some dough, for the trip itself, that the area’s landscapes provide something with just a bit less for whatever money has set at that moment.

So, how cold could the cathedral be?

Remember, since you actually come down there near 600 feet underground there might come to just a few spots being that sort of temperature. So I suggest having many pieces as is.

When could the place stay swamped with tourists?

As far as one is there just planning with timing wise. It turns almost everyone might wish something quieter? Go there that the afternoons begin right when there has been a normal tourist type deal since things might shift towards something being a good day.