Monserrate — Attraction in Bogota, Capital District

Get there early. Prepare to wait in line.

As a traveler seeking unique experiences, my visit to this iconic hilltop sanctuary left an indelible mark on my heart and soul.

The journey to Monserrate begins with a thrilling cable car ride or a challenging hike, both offering a different perspective of the city's breathtaking landscape. I opted for the cable car, which allowed me to appreciate the ever-expanding panorama of Bogotá as I ascended towards the peak.

Once at the top, I was greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of the imposing Monserrate Sanctuary, a symbol of devotion and faith for locals and visitors alike. The combination of the majestic church, the intricate architectural details, and the stunning views of Bogotá below created an atmosphere of profound tranquility.

Exploring the sanctuary, I felt an overwhelming sense of spiritual serenity, captivated by the intricate religious artifacts and sacred artwork. The grandeur of the basilica's interior, coupled with the fervent devotion of the worshippers, evoked a deep respect for Colombia's religious heritage.

In addition to its religious significance, Monserrate is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. The surrounding mountainside offers numerous hiking trails and verdant gardens, providing a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city below. For photography enthusiasts, the panoramic vistas of Bogotá and its sprawling landscape present endless opportunities for capturing breathtaking shots.

While visiting Monserrate during the day is a remarkable experience, I must recommend witnessing the awe-inspiring sunset from this vantage point. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the city's skyline transformed into a canvas of vibrant hues, creating a surreal and unforgettable moment that etched itself into my memory forever.

Whether you seek a spiritual retreat, a communion with nature, or simply a mesmerizing view of Bogotá, Monserrate will not disappoint. This iconic landmark showcases the harmonious blend of Colombia's cultural and natural splendors, making it an essential destination for any traveler exploring the wonders of Bogotá.

Monserrate is a cultural gem that offers an enriching experience like no other. The spiritual aura, the stunning vistas, and the warm hospitality of the people create a harmonious and unforgettable visit that will resonate with you long after you leave. Don't miss the chance to embrace the soul-stirring allure of...

Monserrate is one of Bogota’s most popular tourist attractions and is absolutely a must for visitors who come to Bogota. From its peak at 3200 meters above sea level, visitors can enjoy amazing views of the city below. The hill of Monserrate is not just a tourist attraction but it is also a sacred hill for the indigenous Muiscas. It was a pilgrimage site for them well before the Spanish arrived. It remained a pilgrimage site for the Catholics today and a sacred place of miracle. On the top, visitors may find the church built in the 17th century, a shrine, a handicraft market, restaurants, the remnants of the original chapel, stations of the cross, and other tourist facilities and of course amazing views of Bogota. There are many ways to reach the top, including walking up the steps, taking a funicular, or a cable car. Given the hill's height, a hike to the top is not an easy task but is definitely worth a try. And the hike is free. The hike is a steep 2.4-kilometre trail where visitors will gain 1,968 ft in elevation along the way. There are about 1800 steps. Although I saw visitors of all ages climbing up the hill, everybody should assess their ability to do it and need to remember to take your time. Visitors also need to take the opening and closing times of the Monserrate trail into account. It's open every day, except Tuesdays, from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm to go up and from 5:00 am to 4:00 pm to go down. If hike is not an option, the funicular and cable car can get you there a lot faster and without strenuous exercise. They both cost the same although the funicular was under renovations in May 2023. The funicular is open every day and in 2023 costs 27,000 COP for a return journey or 16,000 COP one way. On Sundays, the cost is cheaper at 16,000 COP return or 9,000 COP one way. The cable car is also open every day except for Monday and holidays. It costs the same as the funicular. Remember to bring sunscreen, rain jacket, glasses, a hat, and water; however, along the way visitors will find little stalls with food and water (and even chicha - the local...

Dangerous: waited 2.5 hours in the freezing rain to leave.

This is without a doubt the worst attraction related incident I’ve seen. When I arrived at 5pm to see the church it was a short ride up with the train, followed by 2.5 hours in line to leave. This is not an exaggeration: I lined up at 5:30pm and got onto a train down at 8pm. It was raining the whole time and with night time weather it was freezing. Myself and hundreds of people waited in line with zero direction, slowly moving along winding paths - it would not end. Every part of us was drenched. Children, seniors, everyone was put in a dangerous position. The management of this attraction are absolutely liable and I am extremely disgusted. Horribly run attractions like this are detrimental to the tourism industry and someone should be fired. Management should: Develop a cap on people allowed up. Because they scan tickets on the way up and down their system should know the volume of people up the mountain and should be able to calculate the number of people able to come down per train/gondola per departure. This could give them an estimate for the average wait time for departure, and indicate when to stop admissions after a certain threshold. If not stop admissions then: Communicate to people buying tickets of expected delays in departure. Had i known the time to get off the mountain was 3 hours i would NOT have gone. Have staff throughout the lines explaining time estimates and troubleshooting crowd issues. People were screaming and yelling at each other because of budding. Not professional. Have a dedicated line for people with disabilities, old age, with children, or pregnant so they don’t have to wait three hours in the rain. This is an equity issue and a glaring problem that needs reassessment. Someone should be held responsible for this. This is highly inappropriate, and management should enact common sense policies...