Tunja
Tunja is a city in northeast Colombia and the capital of the Boyacá department. It is very much a college town, with several universities despite its small size. With an elevation of 2,820 m (9,250 ft) Tunja has a chilly highland climate.
Get in
The bus terminal is located at the bottom of the hill where the main plaza is. Collectivos to the surrounding cities leave from upstairs.
- From Bogotá : 18,000 COP / 2h30. Buses leave from the terminal, but it may be faster and more convenient to catch one at Portal del Norte.
- From Cocuy National Park : 25,000 COP / 9h
- From San Gil : 20,000 COP / 4 h
- From Sogamoso : 7,000 COP / 1h30
- From Villa de Leyva : 6,000 COP / 1 h / 39 km
Get around
Taxis are plentiful, with a minimum fare of $3.000. Most trips within the city won't cost more than $4.000. tel: 3102183305
Minibuses are usually $1.400, and go pretty much everywhere.
See
There's a cool old train station on Avenida Norte. It's fallen into disrepair, but looks like they might be working on restoring rail service.
- Puente de Boyacá. Famous bridge that was the site of a historic battle and decisive revolutionary victory.
Do
Buy
- Unicentro, Av Universitaria #39-77. The largest mall in Tunja.
Eat
- La Buona Vita, Carrera 9 #23-45, ☏ +57 7422198. Mon-Sat 12:00-21:30, Sun 12:00-16:00. Italian restaurant with great handmade pastas. $20.000 per plate.
- Piqueteadeoro La Novena, Carrera 9 - Calle 22. Cheap traditional Colombian food and fruit salad.
- El Maizal, Carrera 9 #20-30 (Just off the plaza's NE corner). Possibly the cheapest breakfast in town: Hot chocolate and roll with cheese, 1500 COP. Also set lunch and dinner.
Drink
All nightlife closes at 1:30 AM, Sundays being rather dead.
- Bruder Pub, Kra 9 #21-89, ☏ +57 7443444. Microbrewery and pub, good beer and good food at very affordable prices. $12.000 per Liter.
- Berlin, Carrera 10 - Calle 21A; 5th floor. Cocktail bar with roof-top terrace. Nice view over the city.
- Hops & Barley, Avenida Norte (Take a buseta that says Muiscas or UTPC and get off at "La Olimpica", about 1 km after the old train station.). Brew pub that brews an IPA, stout and other craft favorites.
- Pussini, Plaza de Bolivar. Cosy cafe.
Sleep
Dozens of options between the bus terminal and Plaza Bolivar, and somewhat beyond.
- Hosteria San Carlos, Carrera 11 #20-12 (One block NW of Plaza de Bolivar), ☏ +57 387423716. Old colonial house, a bit run down. No breakfast. Single 35000.
Go next
Bogotá is 2 to 3 hours away, $17.000.
Villa de Leyva, one of the nicest colonial towns in Colombia, is 45 minutes to an hour away, take a minibus from the terminal, $6.000.
Paipa has a natural hot springs, with waterpark and spa. 45 minutes by bus, $4.000.
San Gil is the capital of extreme sports in Colombia, and is 4 hours away.