Experience in Tunja, Colombia by Leidy

What is it like to live in Tunja? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It's a lovely city and a university city, too. There isn't much pollution, it's easy to get from one place to another, it's big and there are a lot of places to visit and enjoy.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Tunja?

It's great, there is a whole range of university students and, of course, a range of universities. The young people are really cool and friendly.

How much does it cost to live in Tunja?

The cost depends on which area of the city you'd like to live in. Places closer to the university cost a bit more, but don't worry about accommodation, it's easy to find different kinds of places to stay.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Tunja? Do you have any advice?

No, it's easy to find and, in general, you'll see a lot of advertisements for renting student accommodation.

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What is the food like there? What are some of your favourite dishes?

The food is incredible. My favourite dishes from there are: bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, suckling pig, etc.

Where would you recommend to visit in Tunja?

The churches: the Santiago de Tunja Cathedral, Santo Domingo where you'll find the Rosario Chapel, which is considered to be the Sistine Chapel of Hispano-American Baroque art, San Francisco, Convent of San Agustín de Loyola, the church and convent of Santa Clara la Real, Topo Monastery, Santa Barbara, San Laureano, San Lazaro.

Historic sites: Casa del Fundador, Casa del Estribano Real Don Juan de Vargas, House of Jerónimo Hoguín, Plaza de Bolívar, the group of Monkey Sculptures: Mono de la Pila, Paredón de los Mártires, UPTC archaeological museum and the Pozo de Hunzahúa.

The Cojines del Zaque

To the west of Tunja. It was where the ancient Indians worshipped the sun.

The Well of Donato

To the north of the city. The origin site of a Muisca Legend, its name comes from the surname of Spanish man who tried to drain the well to try and get the treasures that were thrown in by the Muiscas.

The monument to the Race

Located in Glorieta Norte, this monument is a tribute to the indigenous people: the Muiscas. They enriched the region with their culture and life force.

Wheat Monument

Nicknamed the Big Fountain, it's found on the diagonal of 11 with carrera 16, where the wheat crops were first cultivated, which were brought to Tunja by Captain Don Jerónimo de Aguayo.

The House of the Founder

Located on the eastern side of the Plaza de Bolívar; it was where the founder of Tunja lived and died. The mural painting from the sixteenth century has been preserved. It is now used by the Boyacense Academy of History and the Municipal Culture and Tourism Office.

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El Mono de la Pila

El Mono de la Pila is treated with the utmost respect in Tunja and when you walk in front of him, you must be absolutely silent. This monument was erected in the main square of Tunja and for 3 centuries, almost all the inhabitants of the capital of Boyacá were provided with water from this public pile, which came from the ditches of Varón and Detrás del Alto. The monkey represents the God of silence. He has his right index finger on his lips, as if telling the people not to talk so much when they came to collect the water.

Museum of Colonial Art

An example of colonial artistic architecture, found in the Teaching and Technological University of Colombia. It has many collections of reproductions of masterpieces, paintings, oil paintings and works of art. Open in accordance with the academic calendar.

The Chapel of the Rosary

In the Temple of Santo Domingo: (road 11 between streets 19 and 20)

Two blocks from the Plaza Mayor, the most amazing creation in Nueva Granada, crafted in wood and gold in the sixteenth century. It has been recently restored and is the equivalent of the Sistine Chapel in Latin America.

The Cathedral

Main Square

In spite of its numerous renovations - mainly to its tower and facade - the Cathedral and its altarpieces is the best work of architecture in the city, along with its great stone vestibule made by Bartolomé Carrión.

Santa Clara

Completed in 574 in the Mudejar style, they have preserved room where the Colony's most famous religious writer, Teresa Del Castillo, stayed.

Rogitama

The Rogitama Biodiversity Nature Reserve is located in the Veñas Peñas Blancas, municipality of Arcabuco, Province of Alto Ricaurte, Department of Boyacá, in the buffer zone of the SFF de Iguaque National Park. It measures 29 hectares squared and environmental recovery and conservation processes have been carried out throughout the reserve. It was bought in 1982 and the first thing that was done was to save a forest of oak trees (Quercus humboldtii), described by the Inderena as "... severely damaged and interfered with". It was fenced off, whereas grazing, felling, logging and collecting firewood was made illegal.

Nevado del Cocuy

Located in the eastern middle of the eastern mountain range, between the departments of Boyacá (municipalities of Cubará, Chiscas, Las Mercedes, El Espino, Güicán, El Cocuy and Chita), Arauca (between the municipalities of Tame and San Lope) and Casanare (between the municipalities of La Salina and Samacá).

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And to eat in Tunja? What are some of your favourite places?

You'll find a lot of restaurants to suit all different tastes in Tunja:

Sushi del Mejor

For great service and quality

Address: Dg33 4 A-41 Villa Olimpica L 103 Tunja, Colombia

Phone number: (57) 3202104976

Hoteles Santa Elena

A good place to relax in the best part of town

Address: Av Norte 54-5 Tunja, Colombia

Tel: (57) (8) 7457193

Mi Peru Gourmet

Address: Cr11 21-40 Esq L-3 Patio Principal Tunja, Colombia

Phone number: (57) 3208153460

Hamburguesas el Corral

Address: Cr1 A Cl 40 L-1099 Tunja, Colombia

Phone number: (57) (8) 7454223

Kokoriko

Address: Cl 42 A Av Universitaria L-103-104 Tunja, Colombia

Phone number: 018000114111

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Where would you recommend for a night out in Tunja?

I'm not sure I have anywhere specific to recommend, but you'll find various places around the universities in the north of the city as well as in the centre in Bolívar square.

Do you have any advice for future students in Tunja?

You have to come and have a great time in one of the best university cities in Colombia.