History is in the making in one of Latin America’s premier destinations!
For the first time in over 50 years, travelers in Colombia will be able to hear the magic words we all love certifying an epic trip ahead, “all aboard!” — or, in this case, more likely, it’s “¡todos a bordo!”.
As huge fans of Colombia ourselves, we at Travel Off Path couldn’t wait to reveal what’s in store.
With major cities like Medellin and Cartagena hogging the spotlight away from picturesque villages and astounding landscapes, rather than live the city grind, travelers can enjoy many unexpected delights at a slower pace as they explore Colombia by train.
No, this is not anywhere close to Japan’s (or allegedly California’s) lightning-fast bullet rides.
The “new” train actually isn’t so new at all — it’s being revived as a tourist train, not a commuter rail line.
What’s dubbed by a recent report as the “Train of Life and Hope” and described as a ‘luxury experience’, we’re living up to our name by going off-path deep into Colombia for the most thrilling adventure this country has seen in over half a century.
Discover Village After Village Off The Typical Tourist Trail
Let’s unpack the full route, shall we?
Before we begin, a little disclosure for you: if you left your sense of adventure back home, this journey is not your jam.
If you’d rather kick back in Medellin, chowing down on empanadas, sipping world-class coffee, and living the urban life to the fullest, you may not be the type to appreciate Colombia’s unknown villages that truly feel stuck in time.
For example, this newly revived train that relaunched in recent weeks takes off from the map-dot town of Paipa, a scenic hideaway known for its majestic hot springs, Sochagota Lake, and sensational cuisine, sandwiched between Bogota and Bucamaranga.
From there, you’ll traverse stunning scenery to the next stopping point, Duitama. This virtually unknown city is known as “the Pearl of Boyaca”, but it’s a full-fledged city of over 130,000 residents.
Discover tranquil waterfalls, authentic Colombian life away from expat-overloaded cities, and most famously, Pueblito Boyacense, which is a replicated village serving as a preview for what’s located in the surrounding hidden villages.
After that, you’ll head to Nobsa. Here, you’ll find a charming town famous for its hand-made wool ponchos, cozy markets, and traditional Andean craftsmanship that’s been passed down for generations.
In other words, you can bring back a souvenir that surely no one you know has in their possession. Who needs a boring magnet anyway?
Lastly, your trip with coming to a screeching halt in Sogamoso, a city steeped in history dating back to the ancient Muisca civilization, long before the Spanish arrived, so a visit to the Suamox Archaeological Museum is an absolute must.
In summary, you’ll visit these 4 off-path towns teeming with culture, authenticity, affordable prices, and experiences the guidebooks typically miss:
- Paipa
- Duitama
- Nobsa
- Sogamoso
Is Colombia Safe To Explore Beyond The Norm?
With just a little bit of research, travelers will surely have a clear image of what to expect in such places as Medellin and Bogota.
But unheard-of towns like Nobsa? Not so much.
Currently, the U.S. State Department has a concerning ‘Level 3′ travel advisory issued for Colombia, largely due to ‘violent crime’.
However, when it comes to Latin America in its entirety, most instances of headline-inducing crime happen near neighboring borders and major cities, not small towns simply just living their lives.
Colombia is well aware of their reputation as a Level 3 advisory is nothing new, nor are Embassy-issued security alerts.
While there are no reports of safety concerns for these trains, once the route becomes more popular, it’s all but certain security forces in one form or another will make their presence known — but so far, so good.
Since the train launched in late September, rides across this lesser-known stretch of Colombia have gone without a hitch, and locals have been nothing short of proud to show off their beloved country’s hidden gems.
Ticket Prices
Colombia may not only want to invest in security to make tourists feel safe, but it may also want to invest in promoting the train, as there is very little information to go by.
One thing we know for certain is this new adventure won’t break the bank.
For less than what you’d spend back home on a Pumpkin Spice Latte, you can venture across Colombia for as little as $4 (depending on which leg of the trip you take).
Getting to Paipa is another question entirely. According to Rome2Rio, if you were to land in Bogota, it’s a 2-hour and 45-minute bus ride to Paipa, costing $18 max.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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