The magic of Christmas always begins with lights and candles, so there’s no better way to experience it than following one of Colombia’s Christmas light routes.
In this article, we’ll take you along a very special Christmas light route between Bogotá and Corrales (Boyacá).
We recommend planning at least three days for this trip. That way, you don’t just enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights, but also everything along the way.
Part of the magic lies in traveling through the stunning landscapes and small towns on this route, a journey that will fill you with good holiday energy.
To kick off your Christmas light route, Bogotá offers several options through what is known as the Ruta de la Navidad (Christmas Route).
The Christmas Route covers three sectors in the city: Corredor Centro, Parque El Tunal and Sector Norte, and the main switch-on takes place on December 5.
After that, it’s time to pack your bags and start enjoying this journey that begins in Bogotá, heads north across the Bogotá savanna, and ends in Corrales (Boyacá).
Get ready to experience a Christmas light route that combines colonial towns, scenic roads, and a mix of light and nature.
The Charm of Traveling the Christmas Light Route from Bogotá to Corrales
This is the kind of plan you can enjoy as a couple, with your family, with your pet, with friends… in short, with whoever you consider your best travel company.
This route will take you through some of the most emblematic towns in Cundinamarca and Boyacá, a region that has become one of the main hubs of holiday tourism in December.
Depending on how much time you have, you can stretch or shorten the route. The key is good planning, so you don’t miss anything important.
The itinerary we’re suggesting includes 10 towns that have stood out in previous years for their beautiful Christmas light displays:
- Chía
- Zipaquirá
- Sutatausa
- Ubaté
- Chiquinquirá
- Ráquira
- Villa de Leyva
- Paipa
- Nobsa
- Corrales
You should set aside at least 4 days, so that in addition to the lights you can walk cobblestone streets, visit historic places and breathe pure mountain air.
Tips to Make Your Christmas Light Route Safe and Enjoyable
As we mentioned before, planning is the secret to turning this Christmas route into a truly wonderful experience.
Below you’ll find some recommendations we suggest you keep in mind before you hit the road:
- Have your car fully checked a couple of days before your departure date. Make sure your paperwork and required safety equipment are all up to date.
- Plan how you’ll leave Bogotá, since there are several possible routes to your first stop (Chía).
- Check current road conditions and take into account things like pico y placa regional and any special holiday restrictions.
- Fill up your tank ahead of time; some gas stations on the road can be very crowded in high season.
- Avoid driving after midnight. It’s better to plan short segments and stay overnight in the town that’s your final destination for the day.
- If you’re traveling with your dog, make sure the hotels you’ve chosen are truly pet friendly (they accept dogs in the rooms and have green areas for walks).
The idea is simple: enjoy the hotel and the towns during the day, and then head out again at dusk to see the lights, without turning the trip into a driving marathon.
Day 1: Start Your Christmas Light Route from Bogotá to Sutatausa
Plan to leave Bogotá no later than 4:00 p.m. Remember that during the Christmas season—and due to roadworks—traffic can be quite heavy.
First Stretch: Bogotá – Chía
To start this first stretch, the most common routes out of the city are Carrera 7 and the Autopista Norte. Head north along Highway 45A.
The drive is approximately 25 kilometers, which can take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your starting point and the traffic.
In Chía, you can walk through some of the main illuminated spots, such as Plazoleta Hoqabija, Parque Ospina Pérez and Parque Principal Santander.
You’ll also be able to enjoy the Christmas decorations in the malls Centro Chía and Fontanar, which are always impressive and spectacular.
Second Stretch: Chía – Zipaquirá
Continue north on Highway 45A to reach Zipaquirá, the “City of Salt”. This stretch is about 20 kilometers and will take you between 30 and 40 minutes.
This year, the Christmas light route in Zipaquirá will cover the main square, Plaza de los Comuneros, Parque de la Sal, the historic center and Parque de la Esperanza.
But it’s not just about the lights—you’ll also find various cultural activities throughout the town.
The Salt Cathedral adds another layer to the experience with its own light displays and mapping shows.
Third Stretch: Zipaquirá – Sutatausa
This is the final stretch of your first day, covering approximately 35 kilometers. Depending on traffic, it will take you between 40 and 50 minutes.
The most attractive part of this segment is that you leave behind the more urban corridors and enter a landscape of mountains, cliffs and starry skies.
Once in Sutatausa, head to the Plaza Doctrinera, where you’ll find the Christmas light display known as “Navidad en la Cumbre” (Christmas on the Summit).
You can also explore the town’s colonial history at the Doctrinal Temple of San Juan Bautista, one of Sutatausa’s most emblematic landmarks.
The Best Place to Rest: Hotel Boutique Sumangá
Hotel Boutique Sumangá is a mountain hotel with views of the farallones (rocky cliffs), designed for travelers who enjoy silence, cool nights and nature.
After a day of easy driving and two stops for Christmas lights, it’s the perfect place to end the evening with a fireplace, good food and real rest.
Our philosophy is not “just a place to sleep.” You can plan a relaxed dinner, unwind in the common areas, stargaze or enjoy the gardens.
And if you’re traveling with your dog, we welcome them with the affection and attention they deserve. The area around the hotel is ideal for short, safe walks they’ll love.
After a good night’s sleep and recharging your energy, you can relax in our spa with jacuzzi and massage area, or go for a walk around the farallones.
Day 2: A Route of Lights and Colonial Streets
After a full day of rest, nature and the peaceful landscape of Sutatausa, it’s time to get back on the road and continue our route.
First Stretch: Sutatausa – Ubaté
This is the shortest drive of the route—just 8 kilometers, which you’ll cover in about 15 minutes.
Your destination in Ubaté is the main square, where the imposing colonial Basílica del Santo Cristo welcomes you with beautiful Christmas lighting.
Second Stretch: Ubaté – Chiquinquirá
This stretch is your gateway into the department of Boyacá, filled with beautiful landscapes and colonial history.
Leaving Ubaté towards the bypass, you’ll have a drive of approximately 50 kilometers, taking 60 to 90 minutes.
This year, the Christmas light display pays tribute to the Guabina Chiquinquireña and the master luthiers who craft tiples, guitars and requintos.
Several illuminated figures will be set up in and around the main park, each one telling part of the town’s cultural and musical story.
Scenes around the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary also become the spiritual and visual heart of the Christmas lights.
Third Stretch: Chiquinquirá – Ráquira
After about 50 kilometers—a drive of roughly 50 minutes—you’ll reach the famous “Pueblo de la Cerámica” (Ceramics Town).
Even though Ráquira doesn’t have a massive light display like some other municipalities, its colorful streets and artisan workshops are a must-see on our Christmas light route.
Fourth Stretch: Ráquira – Villa de Leyva
For the last stretch of the second day, your destination is one of the most illuminated town squares in Colombia.
These two beautiful towns are separated by 25 kilometers, so in about 40 minutes you’ll be at your next stop.
In Villa de Leyva, Christmas begins with its iconic Festival de Luces, which this year will take place from December 5 to 7.
The colonial main square dresses up in lights to welcome visitors, with various cultural activities and fireworks shows.
Enjoy a Night of Rest in Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva offers a wide range of hotels and restaurants, so finding a cozy place to sleep and enjoy a good dinner won’t be a problem.
The next day, a great plan is to visit “Pozos Azules”, a beautiful tourist spot located just 5 minutes from the main square.
The stunning color contrast of the seven pools, whose bluish tones come from selenium, sulfur and other minerals in the water, makes it a perfect place for photos and videos.
Day 3: From Villa de Leyva to Corrales, the Heart of Boyacá’s Christmas Lights
The last day is the most intense in terms of distances and stops, but it can still be done calmly if you start your journey in the mid-afternoon.
First Stretch: Villa de Leyva – Paipa
You’ll drive 80 kilometers to reach your first stop, the longest stretch of the route. Since it can take around 2 hours, it’s a good idea to leave before 4:00 p.m.
Paipa is known as the tourist capital of Boyacá and, at Christmas, as one of the department’s main light hubs.
The Pantano de Vargas is our recommended spot to begin your Christmas light experience here.
This year, the entire road linking this historic site with the town of Paipa will be illuminated, giving you a wonderful light-filled drive.
Once in Paipa, Parque Jaime Rook offers a beautiful and bright setting to close the first part of your Christmas light route in Boyacá.
Second Stretch: Paipa – Nobsa
The distance between these two towns is 27 kilometers, so it will take you about 30 minutes to get there.
The main square becomes the central stage of the Christmas lights, which blend perfectly with Nobsa’s picturesque streets and colorful facades.
Take your time to enjoy the local crafts and textiles, especially the virgin wool ruanas, the region’s signature product.
Third Stretch: Nobsa – Corrales
The distance to the final destination of your Christmas light route is 20 kilometers, which you’ll cover in about 35 minutes.
Here comes the climax of the trip. Corrales is known as “El Municipio Luz de Colombia” thanks to its impressive Christmas light displays.
The experience is like walking through an entire town turned into a nativity scene and open-air stage, with lights on almost every corner.
It’s the perfect way to end the route, with unforgettable photos and a completely festive atmosphere.
Start Your Journey Home with a Restful Night in Nobsa
Begin your return home with a well-deserved night of rest in Nobsa, where you’ll find several options including colonial-style hotels and cabins.
Even though the roads are busy at night due to the large number of visitors, it’s best not to drive after midnight.
To head back to Bogotá and enjoy a different landscape, you can take the Duitama–Tunja–Bogotá route.
You can also combine your return with other stops along the Boyacá Christmas route, such as Tibasosa or the Puente de Boyacá.
In the end, this Christmas light route from Bogotá to Corrales is not just a trip to see lights.
It becomes the perfect excuse to give yourself quality time with the people you love most.
Walking historic towns, breathing cold mountain air and coming back each night to a place that feels like home is one of the most beautiful ways to experience Christmas.