UPDATED JANUARY 2024

Monserrate DAILY TRIP- BOGOTA 

Monserrate Hill is a 3152 mt hill that dominates the city centre of Bogotá.
The temperature varies between 9°C to 14°C.
It is a spiritual place since local Muisca indigenous people. People often go there to pray or to look for peace.
It is very crowded during the weekends and religious holidays.
You can climb by cable car, funicular railway or hike one way 50 minutes.
Be aware of the altitude, if you feel sick, drink tea of the coca leaves (not drug, just tea) in one of the kiosks.

What do to:

It is not too big, a couple of hours is enough to visit all, except if you want to spend some time at the restaurants or cafes.

• Enjoy Bogota view
• Have a walk, observe flora, wildlife and view. There is a great diversity of species on the higher and lower part of the Hill in the Andine Forest.
• Visit the Basílica Santuario del Señor de Monserrate built between 1650 and 1657. The fallen lord of Monserrate inside the Sanctuary is famous for his miracles and over time became the patron saint of the Bogotanos.
• Eat and Drink There are plenty of spartan stall restaurants with terraces viewing the forest and cloudy mountains.
• There are also two fancy and romantic options on Monserrate; Casa San Isidro Restaurant (French Menu) and Santa Clara Restaurant (Colombian Menu). The latest has also a cafe to enjoy the sunset. For both reservations needed.
• Shop On the way to the food stalls and restaurants are full of souvenir shops

How to get there:

• Monserrate is just behind the La Candelaria zone, the best way is to take a taxi. From La Candelaria, it will cost you 9000 COP.
• If you prefer public transportation, take a Transmilenio and get off either in AGUAS or UNIVERSIDADES stop. Then walk 15 min (Aguas neighbourhood is not very safe) or take another taxi which should cost 5000-6000 cop.
  

How to climB:

On foot: The traditional way, the pilgrimage, is secure and frequently used. It takes around a 40-50 min walk on a panoramic trail of 2,5 km. If you walk then the entrance is free of charge.
Cable car: It costs 27,000 COP for a return journey. On Sundays, cost drops to 16,000 COP.
You can purchase on line your tickets from the following link:
Monserrate Ticket Purchase
Funicular railway: It may have less spectacular views but also fewer queues. The operation hours and costs are the same as cable cars.
 
Monserrate's Hill is open 365 days a year, the schedule is as follows:

• Monday to Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. ticket sales is until 10:30 p.m.
• On Sundays the opening hours are from 5:30 am until 6:30 pm, ticket sales are until 5:30 pm. there is no access at night.
• Holidays operation is from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• The Pedestrian Trail is open from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm daily to climb and 5 am-4 pm to come back down