Colombiafrank’s Sogamoso Colombia Travel Guide

Updated on 03/15/2024

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My name is Frank and I run a tour operator in Bogota, specializing in custom-made and Colombia luxury travel.

At the end of this guide you will find a list of many other helpful travel guides for Colombia.

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Why visit Sogamoso?

The city of Sogamoso, popularly known as the “City of Sun and Steel”, is one of the cities of the department of Boyacá and is located in the Alto Chicamocha region.

Sogamoso is an excellent tourist destination as there are historical sites where the ancient Muisca communities were settled. In addition, the city is surrounded by places rich in nature, ideal for walks admiring the great variety of flora and fauna of the area.

This town borders to the east with the municipalities of Monguí and Mongua, to the south with the municipalities of Cuitiva and Aquitania, to the north with the municipality of Nobsa and to the west with the municipality of Firavitoba.

Facts about Sogamoso

Sogamoso is also known as “the historic and friendly city” and “the red square of Colombia”.
The main shopping centers in Sogamoso are Centro Comercial Iwoka and Plaza Barcelona.
Sogamoso is at an altitude of 2,569 meters above sea level.
Sogamoso is considered the industrial capital of Boyacá.
Because of its location, Sogamoso is the economic epicenter between the East Zone and the center of the country.
Sogamoso is divided into 76 districts and 19 hamlets.
Sogamoso has a temperate climate with temperatures between 10°C and 24°C.
Sogamoso is 74 km (46 miles) from Tunja, the capital of Boyacá department.
The main economic sectors of Sogamoso are trade, the iron and steel industry and the building materials industry.
Sogamoso is considered the second most important town in the department.
The anthem by Sogamoso premiered on September 6, 1986 in the Plaza de la Villa.
Sogamoso has about 135,000 inhabitants.
Sogamoso was founded on September 6, 1810.
Sogamoso was a religious center of the Muisca community.
The Sogamoso anthem was composed by Maestro Luis Antonio Escobar and Dr. Pedro Medina Avendaño created.
Sogamoso has an area of 208 square kilometers.

Tourist attractions in Sogamoso

Here are some of the city’s top attractions:

Archaeological Museum Eliecer Silva Celis

The Eliecer Silva Celis Archaeological Museum is located at Calle 9ª # 6-45.

If you are interested in history, you should not miss this place, founded in the 1940s by Eliecer Silva Celis, where you can get acquainted with the cultural and historical past of the Muiscas.

The museum houses a large number of human bones, animal bones, shell instruments, stones and other archaeological items.

Plaza de la Villa

The Plaza de la Villa is located in the heart of the city center.

The marketplace used to be here.

Today the square is home to the Cathedral of San Martín de Tours and the Monumento al Sol (Monument to the Sun).

Place of the Holy Spirit

The Plazoleta del Cristo is located at Carrera 10 and Calle 10.

Here you will find beautiful gardens, a stone fountain and of course the Christ Chapel.

Monument to the Race (Monumento a la Raza)

The Monumento a la Raza is located at Carrera 10 # 11-25.

This monument was inaugurated on September 4, 1937 to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the arrival of the Spaniards in the Sugamuxi Valley. It consists of four female figures symbolizing the origin of the Colombian race.

Plazuela de la Pilita

The Plazuela de la Pilita is located at the intersection of Carrera VIII and Calle de Mochacá.

This place, which houses the historic Pilita de la Unión Mochacá, is ideal for relaxing and clearing your head as it is very quiet.

Cathedral of San Martin de Tours

The Cathedral of San Martin de Tours is located in the Plaza de la Villa.

The cathedral reopened in 1917 after being damaged in its infrastructure by seismic activity in 1836.

The republican-style cathedral houses statues of Saint Martin of Tours, Saint George and the Virgin of Carmen, the patron saint of Sogamoso, at the top.

Inside the Cathedral there is a painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a stained-glass window depicting Jesus on the cross, a painting by San Martín de Tours and a painting of the Holy Family.

Pilita de la Union Mochaca

The Pilita de la Unión Mochacá is located on Plazuela de la Pilita, more precisely at the intersection of Carrera VIII and Calle de Mochacá.

This pilita has great historical value as it was built at the end of the 19th century to celebrate peace among the Colombians.

Its historical value is so great that it has been included in the collective memory as an element of cultural identity.

Carrera 11 – city center

Carrera 11 leads from Plaza 6 de Septiembre to Plaza de la Villa.

This street corridor is very busy for visitors to Sogamoso because it is lined with tall and beautiful palm trees.

El Laguito Park

El Laguito Park is located at Calle 21 #11.

Here is the monument to the heroes of La Ramada and the gate that belonged to the old cemetery, which was in use until the 1920s before it was turned into a park.

Sogamoso Theater

The Sogamoso Theater is located at Carrera 9 and Calle 12.

Completed in 1940 by engineer Daniel Hernandez, it can accommodate 500 people who can enjoy the various performances throughout the year.

The importance of this theater is such that it was declared a national monument in 1996.

6th place in September

Plaza 6 de Septiembre is located at Carrera 12 # 15-50.

This square was named in honor of the date Sogamoso was elected Villa Republicana in 1810.

This square features the mayor’s building, built in the shape of a Y, a stone sculpture with the city’s coat of arms, and a stage for cultural events.

El Corregidor Palace

The Palacio del Corregidor is located on the south side of the Plaza de la Villa.

This palace is of great historical importance as for many years it was the seat of the police, the courts and the House of Culture.

Today the palace houses a public library.

Christ Chapel

The Chapel of Christ is located one block from the Plazoleta del Cristo, more specifically on Carrera 10 and Calle 10.

This chapel was built in 1872 by the priest Juan Nepomuceno Rueda and has kept its colonial style.

The peculiarity of the Chapel of Christ is that it was built over a chapel that served to guard the deceased who had little money.

Santander Park

Santander Park is on the corner of 12th Street and 9th Street.

This park, named in honor of General Santander, is very popular with culture lovers as the Sogamoso Theater is just a few steps away.

Monument to the heroes of La Ramada

The Monument to the Heroes of the Ramada commemorates the soldiers who were murdered on July 10, 1819 on the orders of General Barreiro after being caught watching his barracks at the site known as the Ramada.

This monument was inaugurated in 1955 and is located in El Laguito Park.

Chapel of Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Chapel was built in 1872 to honor the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception and has a very colonial design.

The chapel is located on Santa Barbara Hill.

Railway station

The train station is in Plaza 6 de Septiembre.

Built in the 1940s and redesigned by FENOCO in 2006, it is considered one of the most important train stations in the country.

Fountain honoring the heroes of La Ramada

The Fuente a los Heroes de la Ramada is located in the Plaza de la Villa.

The fountain was inaugurated in 1969 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of the 34 soldiers killed in La Ramada on the orders of General Barreiro.

Loma del Chacon

The Loma del Chacon is located in the southeast of the city.

From here there is a beautiful view of Sogamoso and you will find a large cross that is heavily visited by parishioners during Holy Week.

Comfaboy Sogamoso Leisure and Convention Center

The Centro Recreacional y Convenciones Comfaboy Sogamoso is the ideal place to relax and clear your head.

Here there are soccer fields, basketball, beach volleyball, shuffleboard, mini-tennis, swimming pools, sauna, jacuzzi, restaurant, cafeteria, meeting rooms and table tennis tables, billiards, pool table and much more.

Tourist attractions around Sogamoso

Below are some interesting places near Sogamoso.

Morca

Morcá is a religious center located 7 km (4.3 miles) from Sogamoso.

Here is the image of the Virgin Mary, discovered more than a century ago on a stone near the main park.

This image is heavily visited by parishioners as many attribute miraculous and healing powers to it. In fact, every first Saturday of the month there is a great pilgrimage to Morcá in honor of the Virgin Mary.

In this place you can also admire a large number of handicrafts made with objects from Sogamoso.

White Beach

Playa Blanca beach is 67 km (41.6 miles) from Sogamoso.

Also known as Boyacá Beach, this place is ideal for relaxing, since here you can enjoy the pleasant sand and incredible views of Lake Tota, considered the largest lake in Colombia.

Tibasosa

The municipality of Tibasosa is 9 km (5.5 miles) from Sogamoso.

In this municipality, which has preserved the architectural style of the colonial era, is the Guátika Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, where animals that have fallen victim to the illegal trade in species can be found.

Paramo and the Siscunsí Lagoon

Paramo y Laguna de Siscunsí is 40 km (24.8 miles) from Sogamoso.

This nature reserve offers a wide variety of flora and fauna including insects, amphibians, mammals and others.

This place is ideal for bird watching as it is possible to see various species of birds such as blackbirds, tree sparrows, moor eagles, Andean hawks, diving ducks, Apoline arctic cockatoos, Andean condors, Andean goldfinches and partridges.

Mongui

The municipality of Mongui is 19 km (12 miles) from Sogamoso.

This colonial-style community is best known for the production of handcrafted soccer balls.

Belen

The municipality of Belén is 44 km (27 miles) from Sogamoso.

This community is known for being surrounded by nature such as valleys, meadows and moors.

Handmade clay crafts are also sold in Belén.

La Colorada Lagoon

La Colorada Lagoon is located 105 km (65 miles) from Sogamoso.

This place is ideal for camping, fishing and ecotourism because the area is rich in vegetation, especially daisy family.

Nobsa

The municipality of Nobsa is located 7 km (4 miles) from Sogamoso.

This community is known for the production of handmade sheep’s wool fabrics and for the beautiful architecture of its colonial streets.

Iza

The municipality of Iza is 15 km (9 miles) from Sogamoso.

This community is known for the production of sheep’s wool fabrics and also for its colonial architecture. Iza is also known for the sweets that are offered in the main square.

Paipa

The municipality of Paipa is 30 km (18 miles) from Sogamoso.

There are a number of historical monuments in this municipality such as the famous Monumento a los Lanceros (Memorial to the Lancers) by Colombian artist Rodrigo Arenas Betancur.

In addition, the municipality has hot springs with medicinal properties.

Boyacá Bridge

The Boyacá Bridge is located in the municipality of Ventaquemada, 90 km (56 miles) from Sogamoso.

This bridge is one of the monuments that have been declared a national heritage site for its historical importance, since it was here that the battle that gave Colombia its independence took place.

Duitama

The municipality of Duitama is 20 km (12.5 miles) from Sogamoso.

There are various tourist attractions in this municipality, including the Plaza de los Libertadores, El Pueblito Boyacense and the Páramo Pan de Azúcar.

Oceta Bog

The Páramo de Oceta is 19 km (12 miles) from Sogamoso.

In this marsh, located at 3800 meters above sea level, one can meet different species of animals such as frogs, eagles, rabbits, condors, agoutis, sabaneros and others.

Frailejones and various types of orchids can also be found here.

Best time to visit Sogamoso

The best time to visit Sogamoso is between December and February, when weather conditions are more favorable for visiting the city’s various tourist attractions.

Also, in December you can enjoy the Fiesta Mayor de la Virgen de Morca.

Events in Sogamoso

Here are the main events that take place in Sogamoso throughout the year that you should not miss.

Feasts of Sun and Steel

The Fiestas del Sol y del Acero is an event that hosts various activities such as bullfights, float parades, equestrian tournaments, horse shows and the Reign of the Sun, which draws contestants from all over the country.

The Fiestas del Sol y del Acero take place in July.

Main festival of the Virgin of Morca

The Fiesta Mayor de la Virgen de Morca is a festival that attracts many pilgrims every year.

Various artistic events and processions take place during this festival, which is celebrated in December.

Huan Festival

The Huan Festival is a worldwide religious festival that marks the change of the solar year in ancestral cultures.

The day of the solstice can be celebrated in Sogamoso, which is why people gather at the Archaeological Museum on December 19, 20 and 21.

Feast of San Pascual Bailon

The feast of San Pascual Bailon pays homage to a Spanish shepherd who had a great love for the Eucharist and feasts.

This peasant festival is celebrated in the month of May and it is customary for people to gather indoors to dance in silence in front of an altar with an image of San Pascual Bailon.

Festivities of San Isidro Labrador

The Fiesta de San Isidro Labrador is a celebration of the patron saint of farmers.

During this festival, celebrated between September and October, people display the best of their harvests and also erect an altar in the church’s atrium to give thanks for all the gifts received.

Sogamoso’s birthday

The founding of the city is celebrated on September 6th of each year. Various folklore parades take place on this day.

Feast of the Virgen del Carmen

The Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen is celebrated in the month of July.

Various processions, fireworks and folk dances take place during this festival.

Nightlife in Sogamoso

In Sogamoso there are some places where you can enjoy music and dancing, we mention some of them here.

Terral Cafe-Bar

Carrera 13 # 13-52

https://www.facebook.com/cafeterralbar/

Terral Cafe – Bar has a wide selection of music as well as cocktails and snacks.

Project X Cafe Bar

Carrera 13 # 14-53

https://www.facebook.com/proyectoxcafebar22/

At Proyecto X Café Bar you can enjoy various events and shows where you can sing, drink and dance.

sky 53

Carrera 13 # 13-53

https://www.facebook.com/sky53skylounge/

Sky 53 is known for its warm atmosphere and attentive staff.

Here you will find alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to accompany your meetings with friends and family.

Typical dishes in Sogamoso

These are some of the typical dishes that you can find in Sogamoso.

Cuchuco de trigo con espinazo de cerdo (wheat stew with pork backbone)

Cuchuco de trigo con espinazo de cerdo is a dish made with white cabbage, sabanera potatoes, long onions, peas, beans in their skins, cuchuco de trigo, cilantro, carrots, Creole potatoes, green beans, pastusa potatoes, and pork loin.

Rib broth

Caldo de costilla is a dish that includes boiled potatoes, beef ribs, garlic, onions, and cilantro.

Brevas con arequipe

Brevas con arequipe is a dessert made from figs, arequipe, water, sugar and cheese curd.

Mazamorra chiquita

Mazamorra chiquita is a dish made with ground corn, beef, onion, green beans, peeled arracacha, sabanera potatoes, broad beans, diced carrots, garlic and pepper.

Jute

Jute is a dish made with corn on the cob, green beans, arracacha, green peas, pork backbone, green plantains, and ahuyama.

Mondongo

Mondongo is a dish made with peas, carrots, lemon juice, pork, mondongo, yucca, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, cilantro, egg onions, salt and spices to taste.

Sabajón

Sabajón is a punch made with egg yolks, condensed milk, cornstarch, whole milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and rum or brandy to taste.

Sobrebarriga en salsa criolla

Sobrebarriga en salsa criolla is a dish made with carrots, potatoes, bay leaf, long onions, yucca, garlic, tomatoes, sobrebarriga, peppers, onions and salt.

Changua

Changua is a dish made with milk, water, egg, long onions, butter, cilantro, garlic, salt, bread or toast.

Turmeric Esponjado

Esponjado de curúba is a dessert made from condensed milk, water, powdered milk, curuba (fruit belonging to the genus Passiflora), cream and unflavored gelatin.

Accommodation in Sogamoso

Here are some of the available accommodations in Sogamoso, Colombia:

Hotel Abadia

Carrera 11 # 18-41

CLICK HERE TO GET BEST RATES FOR HOTEL ABADIA

Hotel Abadia has a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk.

The rooms come with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower.

Hotel Abadia is 1 km (0.6 miles) from the city center, 28 km (17 miles) from Tota Lake and 40 km (25 miles) from Manoa Theme Park.

Hotel Sogamoso Real

Carrera 10 # 13-11

CLICK HERE TO GET THE BEST RATES AT SOGAMOSO REAL HOTEL

The Hotel Sogamoso Real offers its guests comfortable spaces such as a garden, a restaurant and a bar.

The rooms have a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe and a minibar.

Hotel Sogamoso Real is 27 km (17 miles) from Tota Lake and 40 km (25 miles) from Manoa Theme Park.

Hotel Prestigio JC

Carrera 13 # 12-76

CLICK HERE TO GET BEST RATES FOR HOTEL PRESTIGIO JC

Hotel Prestigio JC features a shared lounge, restaurant and terrace.

The rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a desk.

Hotel Prestigio JC is 27 km (17 miles) from Tota Lake and 40 km (25 miles) from Manoa Theme Park.

How to reach Sogamoso

The city of Sogamoso is 222 km (138 miles) from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. There are several ways to reach Sogamoso from Bogotá.

Airplane

The quickest way to reach Sogamoso is by plane. Alberto Lleras Camargo Airport is connected to Bogotá and Yopal. This airport is located 7 km (4 miles) away in the neighboring municipality of Firavitoba.

You can fly with different airlines like Avianca or LATAM.

The airlines that offer connections are as follows:

Bus

Sogamoso has a bus terminal at Carrera 17 #11-123, so you can catch buses with companies like Autoboy and Expreso Paz de Rio.

The journey takes about 4 hours.

The easiest way to buy tickets is via Pinbus.

By car

Another option is to travel by car, although this can take between 4 and 5 hours depending on traffic and speed.

Please note that you have to pay about 5 tolls on the way.

The following companies rent cars in Colombia:

Hertz
Avis
ABC

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About Author

Frank

Hello! I'm Frank Spitzer, the founder and the heart behind Pelecanus, a specialized tour operator for Colombia travel. My journey in travel is vast and rich – I've explored over 60 countries, absorbing cultures, experiences, and stories along the way. Since 2017, I've been channeling this wealth of global experience into creating unforgettable travel experiences in Colombia. I'm recognized as a leading authority in Colombian tourism, with a deep-seated passion for sharing this beautiful country with the world. You can catch glimpses of my travel adventures and insights around Colombia on my YouTube channel. I'm also active on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, where I share the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Colombia. For professional networking, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. Join me on this incredible journey, and let's explore the wonders of Colombia together!

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