Somondoco is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá. This town and larger municipal area are located in the Valle de Tenza. The Valle de Tenza is the ancient route connecting the Sabanas of Cundinaboyacense and the Llanos. The area is dotted with many such little towns all located at approximately the same altitude (1500–1700 meters). Somondoco is a very old center of population extending back into prehistory. The reason for the development of this town by the Muiscas Indians was the availability of emeralds from the mountain.