Moniquira: Rivers, Waterfalls and Festival Traditions

Three rivers, waterfalls and a calendar of festivals featuring traditional games give Moniquira a multifaceted character. Depending on your travel plans, you can focus on views and water, history, or events held at specific times of year.

Rivers, Views and Waterfalls

The Moniquira municipality is crossed by the Moniquirá, Pómeca and Pescadero rivers. Trails for ecotourism lead to the Mirador del Granadillo, where you can see the town and some of its rural districts. The viewpoint brings together two perspectives: views of Moniquira and of parts of the municipality’s rural area.

The waterfalls in the Moniquira municipality also offer different experiences. The Salto del Zorro in the Moniquira municipality is 20 meters high and ends in a clear pool. To reach the Salto del Zorro in the Moniquira municipality, take an unpaved road toward Vereda El Ajizal, then continue on a trail. The Cascada Real in the Moniquira municipality is 25 meters high. A watercourse about 12 meters wide in the Moniquira municipality is considered a swimming spot and a route for ecotourism excursions.

Before visiting the Salto del Zorro, check current access and trail conditions. This helps you plan your route according to local conditions, while recognizing that the different destinations—a viewpoint, a waterfall and a swimming spot—each offer their own connection with nature.

Traditions and Festival Dates

The Festival del Mararay takes place in the Moniquira municipality over the extended San Pedro weekend. Traditional games include cucunuba, coca, trompo, tejo, boliche criollo, encostalados and aro. The Festival de Verano in the Moniquira municipality usually falls on the first extended weekend in January and features community festivities, foam competitions and sporting events. Check the latest dates and program details before your trip.

The two festivals have different program focuses: traditional games are central to the Mararay, while the Festival de Verano brings together community festivities, foam competitions and sporting events. The Feria Campesina in the Moniquira municipality also includes an Arriería competition. The Feria del Dulce y el Bocadillo in Moniquira reached its 103rd edition in 2018—a clearly dated glimpse into Moniquira’s festival history.

Agriculture and Local History

Sugarcane, corn, coffee, beans, guava, oranges and cassava are grown in the Moniquira municipality. This range, from field crops to fruit and coffee, adds another dimension to the area’s character alongside its festival traditions: agriculture.

According to the local historical account of the Moniquira municipality, the former settlement of Ubaza was near the Río Saravita. According to this local historical account, it was moved to Vereda Pueblo Nuevo and established at its present location in 1556. The Nuestra Señora del Rosario parish church is located in the Moniquira municipality at Carrera 4 3# 18-50. This places the municipality’s settlement history alongside the parish church’s address, without implying that they refer to the same point in history.

Plan a Stay That Suits You

If you want to travel for a festival, your travel dates will be the main consideration; for a nature-focused stay, the planned destinations, such as the viewpoint or waterfalls, will matter. For trips to the waterfalls, it is also a good idea to check current access and trail conditions.

Discover more destinations: Santa María, Cuitiva, Tibasosa, Pesca, Sutamarchán, Duitama, Villa De Leiva, Puerto Boyaca.

For the broader travel overview: Boyacá.