El Cocuy National Park is one of the most beautiful and visited parks in Colombia. It is located in the municipalities of Boyacá and Arauca. It has an area of 3,060 km2 and is home to a variety of species of fauna and flora.
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How to get to Cocuy National Natural Park?
Getting to the Cocuy National Natural Park does not require so much complexity, however, it is recommended to arrive at least one day before to the area for the acclimatization process. To get to the Park the Cocuy you must travel to Boyacá, you can arrive by land or a flight to Tunja. In Tunja you will find transport that takes you to the municipality of Cocuy, another option is to go to the municipality of Güicán from Duitama, in either of these two municipalities you will find entrance to the park, from each of them you must hire a service that moves you to the entrance of the park, although if you are an adventurous traveler and prefer to make the walk, this will take about 5 hours.
Geography and climate in El Cocuy
In the Cocuy National Natural Park you will experience differents environments and ecosystems, you will find temperatures between 0° and 30°C as the park is located at altitudes from 600 to 5,300 meters above sea level. It is important that you wear comfortable clothing and good grip shoes for the tour, clothing should be warm, use a hat and gloves and sunscreen is mandatory. It is advisable to use a raincoat and light luggage.
Tourism in Cocuy National Natural Park
Undoubtedly, the Cocuy Park is one of the great attractions of Colombia as it is there where the snow takes over the space and covers the landscape of a white color that suggests peace and tranquility, in your visit to this natural park you must make long walks in which you will be surprised with the ecological richness with which the place has. Plants and animals have stayed in these kilometers in which the variety is at sight.
Cocuy Park has around 20 peaks, many of them are open to visitors and you will be able to climb them, remember to hydrate properly and allow your body to advance according to your physical condition. The highest peak of the park carries the name of Ritacuba Blanco, is about 5.330 meters above sea level, at this peak is forbidden to have contact with snow as this place is sacred to the Indians of the U’wa tribe or tunebos.
Image by Situr.boyaca.gov.co
It is recommended to do the tour in the Park accompanied by an expert guide in the area, this way you can get more out of the visit and you can know more areas of the park.
It is advisable to visit the park El Cocuy in the months of December to March, as they have less rainfall than others.
The visit to El Cocuy Park is an incredible experience, for lovers of snow and adventure is a tourist destination that can not pass.
Where to Eat in Cocuy National Natural Park
Inside the park you will not find any restaurant services, bring your own food and enough hydration for the tour. Do not contaminate the place and return with all garbage and contaminating materials.
Lodging in El Cocuy snow-covered mountain
In the Natural National Park the cocuy is not allowed the nocturnal stay, for this reason, it is advisable to arrange the lodging with the locals that have estates or houses in the surroundings of the park before beginning the trip. In the towns of Cocuy and Güicán you will find different estates where you will be able to spend the night and will be offered food service.
Costs
Information retrieved from http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co in June 2019
National or foreign person residing in Colombia (Over 5 years old and up to 25 years old): $20.000
National or foreign adult resident in Colombia (Over 25 years old): $34.500
Non-resident foreign person in Colombia: $71.000
