Weekend getaways from Bogota

Colombia's best-preserved colonial town: cobbled streets, the country's largest plaza, fossil museums, Casa Terracota and desert pools at Pozos Azules. The classic overnight escape for Bogotanos.

Best time: Year-round; driest December to March

Home of the Salt Cathedral, a church carved nearly 200 m down inside a salt mine, plus a cheerful colonial center. Ride the weekend Tren Turistico de la Sabana from Usaquen for the full excursion.

Best time: Year-round

The sacred crater lake behind the El Dorado legend. A guided rim walk tells the Muisca story, with views over the Tomine reservoir, the whitewashed lakeside town of Guatavita and the upside-down Casa Loca nearby.

Best time: December to March for drier trails

Birthplace of Colombian rock climbing: 400-plus routes on a 2 km sandstone escarpment above the Bogota River, plus clifftop hikes, horseback rides and mountain biking. Guides and gear rent right in town.

Best time: December to February for dry rock

Hike cloud forest to La Chorrera, Colombia's tallest waterfall (590 m), walk behind the water curtain of El Chiflon, then soak in Choachi's hot springs and refuel at its famous Swiss restaurant.

Best time: Year-round; fullest April to November

Paramo wonderland east of the city: misty moors of frailejones, glacial lakes and a shot at spotting spectacled bears and deer. Book park entry ahead and go with a 4x4 or a tour; trails run up to four hours.

Best time: December to March for clearer skies

A steamy colonial river port on the Magdalena, all cobbled lanes, historic bridges and the lovely El Alto Rosario stone church. Average temps near 30 C make it the cultured way to escape Bogota's chill.

Best time: Year-round; February fishing season

Bogota's classic tierra caliente escape: drop 2,000 m into a warm valley of resort pools (Melgar alone claims 5,000), riverside clubs and mango-scented heat near the Magdalena. Pure weekend decompression.

Best time: Year-round warm weather

The legendary Andres Carne de Res: an 11-dining-room hacienda of grilled meats, costumed staff and all-night dancing in Chia, 45 minutes north. Family circus by day, Colombia's wildest party after dark.

Best time: Year-round; wildest on weekends

Zipaquira's quieter sibling: Colombia's second-largest salt mine, with crystal chambers and a salt museum, in a village where Sunday is market day. It doubled as a film set for The 33.

Best time: Year-round