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. At an elevation of 2,820 m (9,250 ft), Tunja has a chilly highland climate.
Get in
By bus
The bus terminal is at the bottom of the hill where the main plaza is. Collectivos to the surrounding cities leave from upstairs.
- From Bogotá: COP$18,000, 2hr 30min. Buses leave from the terminal, but it may be faster and more convenient to catch one at Portal del Norte.
- From Cocuy National Park: COP$25,000, 9 hr
- From San Gil: COP$20,000, 4 hr
- From Sogamoso: COP$7,000, 1hr 30min
- From Villa de Leyva: COP$6,000, 1 hr, 39 km
Get around
By taxi
Taxis are plentiful, with a minimum fare of $3.000. Most trips within the city won't cost more than COP$4,000. tel: 3102183305
By bus
Minibuses are usually COP$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. M-Sa 12:00-21:30, Su 12:00-16:00. Italian restaurant with great handmade pastas. COP$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, COP$1500. Also set lunch and dinner.
Drink
All nightlife closes at 1:30AM, Sundays being rather dead.
- Bruder Pub, Kra 9 #21-89, ☎ +57 7443444. Microbrewery and pub, good beer and good food at very affordable prices. COP$12z000 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, COP$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, COP$6,000.
- Paipa has a natural hot springs, with waterpark and spa. It is 45 minutes away by bus, COP$4,000.
- San Gil is the capital of extreme sports in Colombia, and is 4 hours away.
- Suesca is one of the major sites for rock climbing in Colombia.