How to Get to El Cocuy, Colombia: The Full Route Guide
If you’re figuring out how to get to El Cocuy, the short answer is: by bus or by car. If by bus, it’s easiest to plan ahead going from Bogotá. But the route has a few decisions worth making ahead of time, and getting them right can save you a rough travel day before you’ve even started hiking.
Here’s what I learned after two trips to the pueblo, including where to stay in Bogotá, which bus company to book, and stops worth making along the way.
Where to Stay in Bogotá Before You Go
My trips to El Cocuy started with at least a night in Bogotá first, since buses tend to leave early in the morning or at night. Where you stay shapes how smooth (or stressful) that first leg feels.
If you have extra time to be a tourist: Staying near Centro Comercial Andino puts you close to good food and within reach of Monserrate, La Candelaria, and Museo del Oro, while still being a reasonable distance from Terminal Norte.
If you’re short on time: Stay as close to Terminal Norte as possible. It means you don’t have to wake up as early as you would coming from Chapinero for a 6 or 7am departure.
On the way back: If you’re adding extra time to explore before flying home, anywhere along the route is fair game. If you need to get home fast, an Airbnb near the airport is worth considering. Bogotá traffic is no joke, no matter the hour, and you don’t want to be cutting it close to a flight.
One more thing: don’t fly in or out the same day as your bus ride. Road closures and traffic delays can be unpredictable, and while it sometimes works out fine, it’s not worth the stress of staring at the clock or fighting with an airline to change your flight if it doesn’t.
Getting to El Cocuy by Bus
Two companies run buses from Bogotá toward El Cocuy: Libertadores and Gacela. Libertadores tickets can be booked through Red Bus. Gacela has to be booked in person in Bogotá. Don’t call the number on Google, it’s a scam.
Before you go, a few things to know:
- Wifi and charging outlets are hit or miss, so don’t count on either.
- Seats recline, when everything is working correctly.
- Bathroom on the bus use should be avoided if you can help it. They make stops along the way for bathroom breaks & food.
- Bring your own supplies. Pack toilet paper or wipes and hand sanitizer, and sit near the front if you can.
The ride is ten hours long, so plan for a full travel day and pack snacks, entertainment, and keep your layers handy for the temperature drop as you climb toward Cocuy.
What About Driving Yourself?
Driving is an option if you’d rather have your own transportation once you arrive. It gives you more flexibility for stops along the way, including Villa de Leyva, but the mountain roads leading into the region involve a lot of switchbacks, so budget extra time either way.
A bus from Santander might look closer to El Cocuy on a map, but between the switchbacks and road conditions, it ends up taking close to as long as the trip from Bogotá. There’s also no direct bus from Paipa, so don’t count on that as a shortcut.
If you’re driving, the route passes right by Puente de Boyacá, just outside Tunja. It’s the site of the Battle of Boyacá, the decisive 1819 battle in Colombia’s independence from Spain, and there’s a historic monument marking the spot. It’s a quick stop, but worth the ten minutes if history is your thing.
Where to Stop Along the Way
Stop in Villa de Leyva
If your schedule allows it, Villa de Leyva is worth building into the drive. It’s one of Colombia’s best-preserved colonial towns, with a massive stone plaza, and it breaks up the trip nicely whether you’re headed to or from El Cocuy.
Other Towns Worth a Stop (If You Have the Time)
Villa de Leyva isn’t the only option along the way! The route from Bogotá passes through several Boyacá towns that are worth building into your trip if your schedule allows for an extra day or two.
- Tunja: Boyacá’s capital, with a well-preserved colonial center. Most buses stop here anyway, so it’s an easy add.
- Paipa: known for thermal springs and Lake Sochagota, and a common overnight stop for anyone driving instead of taking the bus straight through.
- Sogamoso: Home to the Sun Temple archaeological site, tied to Muisca history!
- Lago de Tota: Colombia’s largest lake, with a rare cold-water “beach” at Playa Blanca. Reachable via Sogamoso and Iza, but adds real detour time.
- Monguí: Often called one of Colombia’s most beautiful pueblos, and known for handmade soccer balls. A good pick if you want a slower, quieter stop.
- Soatá: Worth a short stop for the local sweets, including dulces made from dates and candied lemons.
If you’re short on time, Villa de Leyva alone still makes for a solid stop. But if you’re building this into a longer Boyacá road trip, any of these towns can extend the route without taking you far off course.
Before You Book
A few things to sort out before locking in your travel dates:
- Bus schedules change seasonally, so confirm departure days and times close to your trip rather than months in advance.
- Lodging in El Cocuy fills up during high season, so book your stay before your bus tickets if you can.
- Altitude affects everyone differently. Bogotá sits at about 2,640 m (8,660 ft), and El Cocuy is a bit higher still, at roughly 2,700 m (8,860 ft), so the climb doesn’t stop once you land. Trails inside the park push higher from there, with some hikes reaching 4,500 m (14,800 ft) or more. Plan to arrive with at least a day to acclimatize before any major hiking.
Getting to El Cocuy takes some planning, but it’s a straightforward trip once you know the route. Next up: where to stay once you arrive, starting with the woman who made both of my trips feel effortless.
More El Cocuy Guides
- Where to Stay in El Cocuy: Hostal El Caminante: Why this hostal, run by Marta, made both of my trips easy.
- The History of El Cocuy: Pueblo, U’Wa Culture, and the Páramo: the story behind the name, the U’Wa’s connection to the mountain, and what makes the páramo so rare.
- El Cocuy Packing List: What to Bring for the Trek: Everything that made it into my bags for two big hikes and one acclimatization day.
- The El Cocuy Trek: Laguna Grande de la Sierra and Púlpito del Diablo: What the actual hikes are like, what they cost, and what to know if you’re bringing kids.
MEET SARAH
Welcome! I’m Sarah. I started this blog to be a resource for others around a few of my favorite things: living in Colombia, DIY projects, places traveled, and day-to-day life. My hope is that it can a place of inspiration and encouragement to help you plan the next project or adventure of your own!
