Monguí
Monguí is a village in the Boyacá department of Colombia.
Understand
Founded in 1601, Monguí is a small village high in the Andes that preserves most of its original colonial architecture. The whole village is a national heritage site officially recognised and protected by the national government. Monguí was also officially awarded the title of "Boyacá's most beautiful town" in 1980. The village is known for its impressive 17th-century Basilica and Franciscan convent, some of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the country. The Ocetá and Siscunsí páramos are easily accessed from Monguí.
Get in
Buses depart from Sogamoso bus terminal every half an hour (18 km, 4000 COP)
Get around
Monguí is a small village and easily covered on foot.
See
- Basilica of Our Lady of Monguí
- Franciscan Monastery
- Calicanto bridge
Do
- Trek the Oceta páramo
- Visit the Marques de Puntalarga winery (20km away)
- Horse riding
- Ball festival (October)
Buy
For over a century, football manufacturing has played a major role in the local economy. Numerous shops around the main square sell balls made by local artisans.
Eat
- 1 Cafe Amor, Calle 5, 3-02 (Corner of the main plaza). Coffee shop also offering cakes, cookies, brownies, desserts, lasagna and a small selection of craft beers.
Drink
- El Indio Rómulo (Just past the Calicanto bridge). One of the few places that sells beer and is open after sunset, pretty unremarkable otherwise.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Otti Colonial, Carrera 3, 1-72 (Close to the Calicanto bridge), ☏ +573106883150. The most upmarket option in town. Double room: 160,000 COP.
- 2 Monguí Plaza Hotel, Carrera 4, 4-13 (On a corner of the main plaza), ☏ +573214294772, monguiplaza@gmail.com. Double room: 120,000 COP.
- 3 Hospedaje Villa de Monguí, Calle 5, 4-68. Offers basic accommodation. Double room: 85,000 COP.
- 4 [formerly dead link] Hostal Villa San Juan, Km. 2.8 Sogamoso-Monguí Road (300 m before Puente Moyas), ☏ +573182648671, hostalvillasanjuan@gmail.com. The only hostel in the area, 4 km from town. Double room: 70,000 COP, dorms 30,000 COP.