A quieter and more atmospheric alternative to Zipaquira, Nemocon's mine descends past mirror-still brine pools that reflect the salt ceiling, curtains of crystallised salt and the heart carved into the rock. The chambers stood in for the Chilean rescue in the film Los 33, and the village above has a pretty colonial plaza and a salt museum.
| Distance | 65 km north of Bogota |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1.5 hours by bus from Portal del Norte; 75 minutes by car |
| Getting there | Mode: Bus; Detail: Intermunicipal bus from Portal del Norte towards Ubate, alighting at Nemocon, then a short walk to the mine entrance on the edge of the village |
| Cost | Entry roughly COP 45,000-60,000 (about USD 14.29-19.05) for foreign visitors, less for Colombian residents |
| Address | Mina de Sal de Nemocon, Calle 5 No. 3-30, Nemocon, Cundinamarca, Colombia |
How to get there
- Bus: Portal del Norte to Nemocon, COP 10,000-14,000 (about USD 3.17-4.44), about 1.5 hours
- Bus: Zipaquira to Nemocon local service, 25 minutes, COP 4,500 (about USD 1.43)
- Car: Autopista Norte then the Zipaquira-Ubate road, with free parking at the mine
- Organised tour: combined Zipaquira and Nemocon day tours
Location
Mina de Sal de Nemocon, Calle 5 No. 3-30, Nemocon, Cundinamarca, Colombia
5.0684, -73.8785 View on map
Highlights
- The mirror pools reflecting the salt vault
- Salt crystal formations and the carved heart chamber
- The film set used for Los 33
- Nemocon's colonial plaza and the Museo de Sal
Tips for visiting
- Nemocon receives a fraction of Zipaquira's crowds, which makes the guided tour markedly more personal
- Guided tours leave on a fixed rotation and take about an hour underground
- The mine is cold and damp - a jacket and grippy shoes help
- Weekday visits often mean a small group or even a private walk-through