Major city · Colombia
Choachí
Go for a half-day or full day from Bogotá: the mountain road and hot springs are the draw. One night if you want the full thermal bath and Swiss food experience.
Choachí is a small town east of Bogotá, at 1,923 m, noticeably warmer than the capital. The main reason to visit is the scenic mountain road that leaves from downtown Bogotá, avoiding the traffic to the north and west. The town itself is quiet, with a clean main plaza, but the real attractions are the hot springs at Termales Santa Mónica and the Swiss restaurant Restaurante Suizo.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug
- avoid Apr–May, Oct–Nov (rainy)
- Airport
- BOG
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Choachí123 ▾
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Choachí, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetyChoachí is generally safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police, ambulance, fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBOG El Dorado International Airport (About 1.5 h by car; take a taxi or bus to the bus station on Av.
- Getting aroundWalking covers the town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in townCOP$2,000–4,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from town to hot springscheckCOP$10,000–15,000
- Metro or bus rideBus Bogotá–Choachí, one waycheckCOP$7,000
- Museum or sight ticketSunday entry to Termales Santa MónicacheckCOP$20,000
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personCOP 30,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a guesthouse, a night, per roomCOP 150,000
- High-end bedDouble room in a guesthouse, a night, per roomCOP 250,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 70,000 · Mid COP 130,000 · High COP 250,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOG El Dorado International Airport (About 1.5 h by car; take a taxi or bus to the bus station on Av. Calle 6 at Av. Caracas.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jul (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest May (17 rain days), driest Jan (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Choachí: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
17 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
14 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
17 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
15 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking covers the town. A taxi to the hot springs is needed for most tourists.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus from Av. Calle 6 at Av. Caracas, about 1 h
Return to Bogotá for more sights.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus to Bogotá, then bus to Zipaquirá, about 2 h total
Long day; combine with Bogotá.
La Calera
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus to Bogotá, then bus to La Calera, about 1.5 h total
Another scenic mountain town.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Walking distance to the plaza, restaurants and bars.
Termales Santa Mónica
5-min drive from town; hotel and restaurant on site.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP$70,000–100,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP$100,000–180,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP$180,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a guesthouse1 × 1 night × COP 150,000 | COP 150,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × COP 130,000 | COP 260,000 |
| Bus Bogotá–Choachí, one way2 × COP 7,000 · check | COP 14,000 |
| Taxi to hot springs1 × COP 15,000 · check | COP 15,000 |
| Sunday entry to Termales Santa Mónica2 × COP 20,000 · check | COP 40,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 47,900 |
| Trip total≈ COP 263,500 per person per day, bed included | COP 526,900 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Bogotá–Choachí, one waycheck | COP$7,000 |
| Sunday entry to Termales Santa Mónicacheck | COP$20,000 |
| Meal at Restaurante Suizocheck | COP$25,000–45,000 |
| Coffee in town | COP$2,000–4,000 |
| Taxi from town to hot springscheck | COP$10,000–15,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The road has large potholes; drive carefully or take the bus.
- Buses to Choachí do NOT leave from the main Bogotá bus terminal: go to Av. Calle 6 at Av. Caracas.
- Sunday entry to Termales Santa Mónica is COP$20,000 (check).
- Restaurante Suizo is open 11AM–4:30PM; plan accordingly.Restaurante Suizo is open 11AM–4:30 AMPM; plan accordingly.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChoachíChoachí
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Embassy
Most embassies are in Bogotá. The US embassy is at Carrera 45 #24B-27, Bogotá.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Bogotá–Choachí: COP$7,000, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi town centre → hot springs: COP$10,000–15,000 (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (KWAN-toh)
- ¿Dónde está la parada de bus? — Where is the bus stop? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah pah-RAH-dah deh boos)
- Quisiera comer — I would like to eat (kee-SYEH-rah koh-MEHR)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Choachí. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug · avoid Apr–May, Oct–Nov (rainy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Termales Santa Mónica and Restaurante Suizo with verified hours and prices.
- Walking cluster with rescue anchor: town centre.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the bus stop on Av. Calle 6.
Sources
- officialTermales Santa Mónica
- officialRestaurante Suizo
- secondaryWikivoyage: Choachí, revision 5241542 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Choachí
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