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One of the best extreme sports destinations in Colombia is located a short drive north of Bogotá in the small town of Suesca. Although we didn’t visit Suesca specifically for that purpose (it was a great place to break up our drive to Boyacá), we took a couple hours in the morning to check out what outdoor activities are available.
Plaza
First, I’ll start with the town plaza. It’s small, quiet, and pleasant, surrounded by colonial buildings and a church, and has a fountain in the middle. Strangely, I didn’t feel like I was in Colombia, but rather in Chile. The only negative was the garbage that seemed to be scattered all along the plaza.
Suesca Rocks
While you can find mountain biking, hiking, paintball, bungee jumping, and white water rafting, the biggest draw in Suesca is the rock climbing. The Suesca Rocks are a short walk outside of town down the railroad tracks.
At the rocks, there’s a base camp allowing for camping, but climbs should only be done with an authorized guide. It’s very easy to find a bilingual guide once in Suesca by simply asking at one of the shops or hostels near the rocks.
Casona Quesada
We stayed at Casona Quesada, a historic mansion originally built in 1572 and restored as a hotel in 2013. It’s easily the most luxurious place in town, and we enjoyed the cozy rooms and wonderful service. We would happily stay there again.
The hotel features a restaurant, bar, and spa (none of which are open daily), as well as a beautiful courtyard in the center. Free private parking is located near the hotel’s yard, which often features cookouts for guests.
Ask the staff to show you the beautifully decorated suites and the bar if it’s not open.
Getting There and Around
You can get to Suesca on a short bus ride from Bogotá. Getting around town can be done on foot. The city center is compact and a short walk from the rocks as well.
La Parrilla Brava
Suesca lacks good choices for food. There are a few fast food places around, but if you’re looking for something better, try La Parrilla Brava. They serve grilled meats as well as fast food. It’s not the best, but the prices are good. The restaurant is located on the second floor of a building a block west of the plaza.
Sisga Dam
If you’re heading north towards Boyacá, not too far from town is a rest area next to the Sisga Reservoir (Embalse del Sisga). There are two places to stop and have a snack and a look at the reservoir. We stopped at the first one just before the large bridge. There are also recreational opportunities at the reservoir.
