The closest thermal baths to Bogota, fed by naturally warm mineral springs in the Rio Frio valley below Tabio. The complex has a large recreational pool, a smaller medicinal pool, a steam room and gardens with a small lake, and Tabio village itself has a pleasant square, a Sunday market and several trout restaurants.
| Distance | 45 km northwest of Bogota |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1-1.5 hours by car; about 1.5-2 hours by bus with a change |
| Getting there | Mode: Bus; Detail: Bus from Portal del Norte to Chia, then a local Tabio bus, and a short taxi or 25-minute walk to the baths |
| Cost | Adults about COP 37,000 (about USD 11.75), children 3-12 about COP 25,000 (about USD 7.94); under-3s free |
| Address | Balneario Termales El Zipa, Vereda Rio Frio, Via Tabio - Tenjo, Tabio, Cundinamarca, Colombia |
How to get there
- Bus: Portal del Norte to Chia then Tabio, roughly COP 12,000 total (about USD 3.81)
- Car: Autopista Norte to Chia then the Tabio road, with parking at the balneario
- Taxi or ride-hailing from northern Bogota, COP 70,000-110,000 (about USD 22.22-34.92)
- Bicycle: a classic weekend road ride through Tenjo and the Rio Frio valley
Location
Balneario Termales El Zipa, Vereda Rio Frio, Via Tabio - Tenjo, Tabio, Cundinamarca, Colombia
4.9243, -74.0945 View on map
Highlights
- Naturally warm mineral pools at 2,600 m
- Turkish bath and jacuzzi in the balneario complex
- Tabio's colonial square and weekend market
- Trout and sancocho restaurants along the valley road
Tips for visiting
- Weekends and school holidays fill the pools quickly - weekday mornings are calm
- Towels and lockers are not always included, so bringing them saves a rental fee
- The complex closes on some Mondays for maintenance
- Pairing the baths with lunch in Tabio village makes a relaxed half day