La Calera: Architecture, Festivals and Routes to Chingaza

La Calera combines colonial architecture and local culture with experiences in the wider municipality and surrounding travel area. In town, the Casa Municipal and events in Parque Principal offer an introduction to its history and cultural life. Beyond the town centre, enjoy views from Cerro de La Pita; in the wider travel area, guided hikes in Chingaza National Natural Park beckon. Which of these aspects you choose to focus on can also shape your choice of holiday rental and the right location.

Architecture and Festivals in Town

The Casa Municipal is regarded as an important example of colonial architecture and as a prominent administrative and meeting centre for La Calera. It thus represents two facets of the town: a landmark building and a place for community gatherings. Those interested in architecture or the public life of a community will find a tangible point of interest here before turning their attention to events in the town centre.

The free Festival del Sol y la Astronomía takes place in Parque Principal. Its programme brings together academic, cultural and scientific topics and is intended for the whole family. The Festival del Patiasao celebrates the history and traditions of La Calera and creates a space for cultural and artistic exchange between the community and visitors. If you want a festival to influence your travel dates, check the event dates before making plans.

Views and Hikes in the Wider Travel Area

Cerro de La Pita is in the municipality, in the hamlets of La Toma, San José and San Rafael, about ten minutes from the town centre. From there, you can see Bogotá and La Calera. The hill is also a launch site for paragliders. Its views and paragliding launch site make the hill a different kind of excursion from the cultural offerings in town; the launch site should not be taken to mean that flights are offered to visitors.

Chingaza National Natural Park spans several municipalities, including La Calera. Its hiking trails are in the wider travel area and should not be confused with trails within the town. The park offers guided hikes on authorised trails, as day trips or with overnight stays. The named trails include De los Sentidos (accessible), Suasie, Laguna Seca, Plantas del Camino-Laguna de Chingaza, Lagunas de Siecha, Cuchillas de Siecha and Lagunas de Buitrago. There are several named routes to choose from; guided tours and the restriction to authorised trails are part of the visitor experience.

One access route to the park starts in La Calera town centre, passes the ruins of Cementos Samper and goes through the hamlet of Buenos Aires to the Piedras Gordas control post, 22 kilometres farther on. From there, it is another 28 kilometres to the Monterredondo administrative centre. As route details may change, check the park’s current access conditions before setting out.

Tailor Your Stay to Your Activities

When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between time in town and excursions into the wider area: the Casa Municipal and festivals offer a cultural focus, while Cerro de La Pita and Chingaza provide other destinations and experiences. Consider which of these matter most to your trip, and choose your holiday rental to suit your priorities. The places in town and excursion destinations described here can help you plan, even though they are not all in the same location.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: La Vega, Balastera, El Ocaso, Llano Del Pozo, Quebradanegra, Guaduas, Briceño, La Mesa.

See the broader travel guide: Cundinamarca.