One of the best things to do in Bogotá is visit Monseratte. This mountain towers over the city and gives you a bird’s eye view of Bogotá. Once you’re up here, you can truly appreciate how massive the city of Bogotá actually is. But beyond the views of the city, there’s also a few more activities that you can do.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to plan your trip to Monseratte.
About Monseratte
Monseratte has a long history in the city of Bogotá. The first chapel was built in the 1600s. It wasn’t until 1925 that a new building was constructed to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims to the site. In 1929, the first funicular was constructed which helped to bring even more pilgrims to the top of Monseratte. Later in 1949, the church was consecrated by Pope Pius XII as a minor basilica. As the years went on, the sight continued to develop with the introduction of a cable car, the renovation of a mansion into a restaurant, the addition of a walking trail, and even more.
Now days, Monseratte is visited my Colombians and tourists alike. It is still a pilgrimage sight, but it also has developed into more than that. Yes, visit the basilica, but don’t miss the views of Bogotá, the gardens, and the birdwatching trails.
Three Ways to the Top of Monseratte
There are three different ways to travel to the top of Monseratte. Each has their pros and cons, so let’s talk about each of them.
Hiking to Monseratte
This first option is the cheapest, but the most labor intensive. A trail leads all the way to the top of Monseratte and it is free to hike. The trail is relatively short, coming in at about 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) one way, or a 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers) round trip. What makes this difficult is that you’re climbing up a steep mountain. Expect to gain about 1400 feet (over 400 meters) of elevation during your hike. And don’t forget to account for the starting elevation. The trail starts at about 8700 feet (2600 meters).
There is an important caveat for those planning to hike. The trail will close throughout the day. You are only allowed to hike up between 5:00 am and 1:00 pm, but you’ll have until 4:00 pm to descend the mountain. If you want to hike, plan to hike in the morning. Also note that the trail is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance.
I had debated if I wanted to hike to Monseratte and thought that I could do it. However, the altitude in Bogotá hit me harder than I was expecting. I live at sea level, so it always takes me awhile to adjust to moving at higher elevations. Since I was already huffing and puffing up smaller hills in Bogotá, I sat out the hike and moved onto another option. One day I’ll return to Bogotá and maybe then it will go better.
Cable Car & Funicular
The next option costs money, but doesn’t require exercise to get to the top. This popular option is great for people who don’t want to hike to the top, but still want to visit. Yes, you’ll pay for it, but you may save time depending on how long the line is. And technically, you have two options here. You can take the cable car or the funicular. Each costs the same and has similar operating hours, so I’m including these two options together.
My plan was to take the cable car, but when I arrived at Monseratte, the cable car was not running. I’m not sure if this was just temporary for the day or something permanent, but everyone who wanted to go up in the morning needed to take the funicular. But since these cost the same amount, it doesn’t really matter which you choose.
You have the option to purchase your ticket online in advance, but I’m not sure if it’s really necessary, unless you plan to come at a busy time. I visited in the morning (simply because it was not raining) and had no issues buying my ticket at the gate. The line was longer an hour later when I came back down, so that’s something to keep in mind. If you plan to visit early in the day, I don’t think there’s a need to purchase your ticket in advance.
Please note that the line can get long (although it wasn’t terrible at 9:30 in the morning), but you will wait in a very open area, so if it’s a sunny day, it can get hot.
Prices for the Cable Car
Round trip: 29,500 COP (17,500 COP on Sundays)
One way: 17,500 COP (10,000 COP on Sundays)
Hours for the Cable Car
Monday – Saturday: 6:30 am until midnight
Sunday: 5:30 am until 6:00 pm
Holidays: 6:30 am until 6:00 pm
Get up today schedules and hours at the official website.
What to Do at the Top of Monseratte
Now that we’ve covered how you can reach the top of Monseratte, let’s talk about what you’ll do when you’re up here.
Basilica of Monseratte
Aside from the views of the city of Bogotá, the big draw here is the Basilica of Monseratte. While many tourists visit Monseratte for the views, it’s the Basilica that draws religious pilgrims here.
As far as churches, cathedrals, and basilicas go, this one is pretty average. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t visit. You came all the way up to Monseratte, so take quick stroll or stay for a mass.
Basilica Hours
Monday, Wednesday to Saturday: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 11:30 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday & Holidays: 6:00 am to 5:30 pm
Stations of the Cross
If you visit Monseratte via the funicular or cable car, you’ll be on the pathway for the Stations of the Cross. Like so many other religious sites in Colombia and South America, you can walk through and pray the Stations. Even if you aren’t religious, you can use the Stations of the Cross as a sightseeing path as you wind your way through the gardens at Monseratte.
Shop at the Market
Behind the Basilica, you’ll find several market stalls. Quite honestly, these stalls are selling the same tourist trinkets that you will find in the city of Bogotá. However, there are a few stalls dedicated to religious souvenirs that are more specific to Monseratte. Also note that there are places selling food and drinks.
Shopping here wasn’t a big priority for me and I don’t think it needs to be one for you either. But I think it’s important to note that you’ll find it up here.
Stroll the Gardens
The gardens at Monseratte can offer a bit of calm in an otherwise chaotic place. It seems that most visitors only focus on the area near the Basilica of Monseratte. Yes, this is where the best views of the city are, but there’s more to this mountain than just those views. Stroll through the gardens, specifically on the bird watching paths and keep your eyes open for some of the many birds that can be found here.
How Long Do You Need at Monseratte
Truthfully, I think one hour at the top of Monseratte is plenty. You have enough time to take some photos, visit the Basilica, browse the market, and wander the gardens. Absolutely you can spend more time at the top of Monseratte, but for the average visitor, I think one hour is plenty.
This one hour does not include time spent getting to and from Monseratte. You’ll need to budget additional time, regardless of how you plan to get to the top. Yes, even if you plan to take the cable car or the funicular, you need to make sure to include enough time to wait for your turn to take the vehicle to the top.
More in Bogotá
A visit to Monseratte should just be one stop on your Bogotá itinerary. Bogotá is loaded with museums, including the favorite Museo del Oro, or Gold Museum. Don’t miss the street are in La Candelaria either. For more information, check out my guide for all the details for spending one day in Bogotá.
Where to Stay in Bogotá
Bogotá is huge, so there are a lot of options for where to stay. I chose to stay in La Candelaria as it was the closest to everything I wanted to do in Bogotá. While I felt completely safe during the day as I explored La Candelaria, this area of the city doesn’t have the best reputation at night. A safer option is the nearby Chapenero neighborhood or the even further Parque 93 neighborhood.
I stayed in La Candelaria because I wanted a hotel that was centrally located to what I wanted to see. I very rarely go out after dark, so the nighttime safety wasn’t a huge concern for me (since I made it a point to be back in my hostel once the sun set).
When to Visit Bogotá
Bogotá can be visited all year round. While many countries have weather that can change drastically throughout the year, Colombia has just two seasons: dry season and rainy season.
Dry season is more popular because rain is less likely. Dry season typically runs from December through February or March. Then there is another dry season from June through August.
Rainy season comprises of the other months of the year. April and May and September through November. While it is rainy season, it may not rain every day, but you need to be prepared that it could rain at any time.
While dry season, particularly December through February, is the most popular time to travel, I chose to visit in November. It was rainy season and it did rain every day of my visit. However, the rain typically did not occur until the late afternoon or evening, meaning on most days my mornings were dry and I was able to explore in the dry sunshine.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Monseratte is a must do when you are in Bogotá. Absolutely, go to the top for amazing views of the city, but also visit the basilica and stroll the gardens. It’s a beautiful place and feels more calm than the rest of the city of Bogotá (although there’s plenty of other people here so it won’t be that calm). Whether you hike up or ride the cable car or funicular, you’re sure to have an enjoyable visit.
Continue Your Adventure
Bogotá: The capital city of Colombia is Bogotá and it deserves at least one day on your itinerary. Escape the city with a day trip to Guatavita Lagoon and Zipaquirá. Or venture slightly further for the colonial town of Villa de Leyva.
Colombia: Start planning your trip with my Colombia Travel Guide and my nine day itinerary from Bogotá to San Gil. Learn about my top Colombia safety tips. Plus don’t my my realistic Colombia Travel Budget.