Sogamoso, Colombia may not be on your list of must-visit destinations, but it definitely should be!
This “hidden gem” is nestled in the heart of Boyacá, a department in Colombia that is renowned for its rich culture, natural beauty, and adventurous spirit.
As an avid traveler searching for the lesser known “shithole” towns, I can tell you firsthand that this town has a lot to offer.
Buckle Up! There’s a lot to uncover here.
Guest post by: Sean Hall
Sogamoso, Colombia 🇨🇴
Population:
131,000
Weather:
Sogamoso is known for its cold climate, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 22°C — or 47°F to 72°F. However, the weather is comfortable year-round, with January being the warmest month.
It rains a good bit but nothing too out of the ordinary:
Why Visit Sogamoso, Colombia?
If you’re subscribed to Jake Nomada’s newsletter, then you must be in constant search for that “gringo-less city” that you can be at peace living with your Colombiana or three — not worried about hearing those ear-bleeding gringo conversations about politics…
Well good sers, Sogamoso is the spot to be.
A true Colombian town where you’re fully immersed in the culture and beautiful surrounding towns to visit.
The locals of Sogamoso are some of the kindest people I’ve met, as you truly get that local authentic vibe from this town. Everyone kinda knows everyone and with very little gringos coming here, the locals are super welcoming to you.
The best part of Sogamoso is the endless excursions and activities you can do in and out of the city.
From Iza to Paipa to Duitama to Nobsa, you’ll get a true feel of what life is like outside the touristy cities of Colombia. Complete opposite feels of Bogota or Medellin and there’s just something so inviting about small towns like Sogamoso.
How to Get to Sogamoso 🇨🇴
Getting to Sogamoso is easy, with a couple options available…
Bus from Bogota:
You can take a bus from Bogota, which takes approximately 3.5 hours and costs around $8.
Flight from Medellin:
If you're coming from Medellin, you can take a 1 hour flight to Paipa and then take a 40 minute bus to Sogamoso, which takes about 40 minutes. The whole trip will run you about $30 total if you can find good deal on the flight.
Best Neighborhoods in Sogamoso
The center of Sogamoso is the most active area, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars.
As long as you stay around Plaza de la Villa or Plaza 6 De Septiembre you’re set…
No need to overcomplicate this, as it’s a small town and there’s only a couple areas you’ll really want to stay.
Where to Stay in Sogamoso, Colombia 🇨🇴
When it comes to accommodation in Sogamoso, you have several options available.
You can rent an apartment in the best area for around $300 USD per month:
If you prefer a hotel stay, expect to pay more here.
While there’s a range of options, the best hotel is Hotel Sogamoso Real — which will run you $45 a night.
Cost Of Living in Sogamoso 🇨🇴
This small Colombian city is exceptionally affordable. Prices in USD on a monthly spend…
Airbnb: $200-$400
Maid: $300-$400
Grocery Store: $100-$300
Eating Out/Delivery: $200-$400
Gym: $16-$20
Partying / Dating / Social: $60-$120
Cell Data: $12-$15
Do note…
Uber is not available in Sogamoso. Taxis are much more common and expect to pay around $2 for a ride within the city or $5 for a ride outside the city.
Is Sogamoso Safe?
One of the biggest concerns when traveling to a new place is safety, and Sogamoso is no exception.
I can tell you that Sogamoso is a safe place to visit.
As with any city in Latin America, you must exercise caution and use common sense.
As the Colombians say “Don’t Give Papaya” or in other words, don't leave your belongings unattended or show off your valuables. But overall, you don't see high crime or robberies here.
One important thing to keep in mind is that taxis are the primary mode of transportation in Sogamoso, as there is no Uber here. Taxis are generally safe to use, but make sure you take official taxis and negotiate the price before getting in.
And if you're traveling alone at night, it's always a good idea to be cautious.
Dating in Sogamoso, Colombia 🇨🇴
If you're single, Sogamoso might not be the liveliest place for dating.
However, there are still plenty of opportunities to meet new people and have fun. When you're dating in Sogamoso, you'll likely go to little towns outside of Sogamoso or some restaurants in the city.
Dating apps are not widely used here, but you can still use Tinder to meet people.
However, you may not find high-quality matches on the app. Instagram can be a better tool for meeting new people. You'll likely find that Sogamoseñas will invite you to a somewhat expensive restaurant in a town like Mongui or Iza. Because the weather is cold, you can enjoy a cup of coffee together and see the architecture while walking around. Dessert is also a typical part of the date, as from my experience the girls here have sweet tooth’s.
If you're interested in catching a movie, Cinelandia in the Iwoka Mall is the best option. Brush up on your Spanish though because all the movies will be in spanish with no subtitles.
Nightlife in Sogamoso 🇨🇴
If you enjoy your wild weekend night out, you'll be pleased to know that there are plenty of options for nightlife in Sogamoso.
The best way to start your night is to head to a bar to drink cervezas with the locals.
Then, head to a club like Clocks or Garden Backyard.
Both are great options for dancing to reggaeton, electronic, salsa, bachata, merengue, and sometimes champeta, salsa choque — but ALWAYS reggaeton. Sometimes you might hear vallenato or música de despecho, depending on the DJ.
Keep in mind, Sogamoseños can drink their asses off.
After the disco if you’re still feeling it, you can go to an afterparty at a club until the wee hours of the morning. Or, you can visit a local tienda, where you can sit and drink with locals.
After a long night of clubbing, you can head to El Taxista or Punto Rojo to eat drunk food.
If you're not into big crowds or partying, you can also play “Bollirana” at La Boutique. "Bollirana” is a little metal ball throwing game.
They have machines set up and you try to score the most points by tossing these balls into the holes of the machine shown below. Or try your hand at Colombia’s national sport Tejo.
BJJ / MMA in Sogamoso, Colombia
BJJ or martial arts aren’t too popular in Sogamoso, but I did find one spot on Google. Never been here personally but it’s gotten good reviews.
It’s called: Academia de Capoeria & BJJ Sogamoso
Cool Tings’ to Do
First off, you gotta check out the towns Iza, Mongui, Paipa, Tibasosa, Aquitania, and Curitiba.
These towns are just a short trip away and are what you’d expect from little towns in Colombia: Vibrant in colors!
IZA
Mongui
Paipa
Another dope excursion is to hit up the hot springs in Iza or Paipa for some real relaxation vibes…
If you're into museums, you gotta check out the Museo Arqueologico de Sogamoso too…
But that's not all, good sers. You can go to Tota Lake or Sochagota Lake for some nice time by the water.
They offer amazing camping options and Tota Lake is the second largest lake in Colombia.
So it's can’t miss around this city…
And if you're feeling up for it, hit up the paramo ecosystem for some epic trekking and camping.
This is one of the only places in the world where you can experience a paramo ecosystem, so you don't want to miss it…
Do You Need to Speak Spanish in Sogamoso?
Look, I’m gonna be blunt with y’all, you need to speak Spanish here.
Point. Blank. Period.
I’ve barely met any English speakers here, but don't worry too much about it.
The locals are friendly as hell, and they'll be excited to see some foreigners in their town. Use google translate if needed.
Here’s how to actually learn Spanish before your trip.
Recommended Length of Stay
If you want to see everything that Sogamoso and the surrounding areas have to offer, I recommend staying for at least a week.
But if you really want to get the full experience and check out places like Raquira, Villa de Leyva, and Tunja, you might want to consider staying up to a month.
Other Notes…
Now, this city is known as the "City of Sun and Iron" for a reason.
It may be small, but it's industrial as hell and can get a little polluted. But don't let that stop you from having a true rural experience in Colombia. You’ll be seeing lots of horses, cows, roosters and pups on the street.
Another plus, there are literally zero gringos here.
Sogamoso, Colombia 🇨🇴 Overall
Overall, Sogamoso is a must-visit spot in Colombia — but ONLY if you’re the type of person who’s into rural and relax style of travel.
Sogamoso is a perfect mix of shithole and adventure.
With so many cool things to do, amazing food, and welcoming locals, you won't regret making the trip. It’s not a great starter city for your Colombian travels, but I’d highly recommend it to the intermediate traveler who wants to break off the touristy path and into a city of true culture.
