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• Salvio Parque 93 Bogota, Curio Collection by Hilton
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• Hotel Santa Monica
• Andres Carne de Res DC
• Cantina La 15 Bogotá
• Santa Fe Cafe & Restaurante
• Mount Monserrate
• Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)
• Barrio La Candelaria
• Museo Botero del Banco de la Republica
• Guatavita and Salt Cathedral - Group tour and daily departure
• Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá
• Salt Cathedral Zipaquira - Group tour and daily departure
• La Candelaria, Optional Monserrate and Optional Gold Museum Bogotá City Tour
• Private Tour City Tour Bogotá + Cerro Monserrate (+5Hrs)

Bogotá is Colombia's beating heart, an engaging and vibrant capital cradled by chilly Andean peaks and steeped in sophisticated urban cool.

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Museo del Oro

Bogotá's most famous museum and one of the most fascinating in South America, the Gold Museum contains more than 55,000 pieces of gold and other materials…

Museo Botero

Even if you've never heard of Fernando Botero, you'll probably recognize some of his highly distinctive paintings of oversized (read: chubby) characters,…

Iglesia de San Francisco

Built between 1557 and 1621, the Church of San Francisco is Bogotá's oldest surviving church. In the atmospherically dark interior, with its extravagant…

Plaza de Bolívar

The usual place to start discovering Bogotá is the giant concrete Plaza de Bolívar, the heart of the original town. What it lacks in green foliage it…

Colección de Arte

Most of Banco de la República's permanent art collection, which features 800 pieces by 250 different artists spread over 16 exhibition halls at two…

Casa de Nariño

On the south side of Plaza de Bolívar, beyond the Capitolio Nacional and reached via Carreras 8 or 7, this is Colombia's neoclassical presidential…

Museo Nacional

Housed in the expansive, Greek-cross-shaped building called El Panóptico (designed as a prison by English architect Thomas Reed in 1874), the Museo…

Museo Santa Clara

One of Bogotá's most richly decorated churches, the Santa Clara is also its oldest (along with Iglesia de San Francisco). Deconsecrated in 1968, it was…

Top picks from our travel experts

The 13 best things to do in bogotá.

On a small road between Carreras 9 and 13 in the heart of Chapinero, the classic Theatron is carved from a huge film house. It draws a gay and straight…

Plaza Central de Usaquén

Just north of the main square in the village-like Usaquén, you'll find stallholders selling food, colorful purses, assorted handicrafts and bamboo…

Centro Cultural Gabriel García Márquez

Slotting seamlessly into historic Candelaria, this cleverly constructed arts center anchored by a graceful amphitheater was designed by Franco-Colombian…

Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao

A real-deal, messy Colombian market. Go early on Friday or Sunday – flower days!

This doozy of dining and design is run by Colombian-American husband-and-wife team Mario and Meghan. The sunlit canopy, an unorthodox marriage of bamboo…

El Goce Pagano

Forty years in and this divey salsa and reggae bar near Universidad de Los Andes remains a mainstay with DJs and sweat-soaked bodies from all over…

Plazoleta del Chorro de Quevedo

No one agrees exactly where present-day Bogotá was founded – some say by the Catedral Primada on the Plaza de Bolívar; others say here, in this wee plaza…

Quiebra Canto

Name-dropped first – for years now – by salsa-seekers across town, the Canto is a double-level disco a short walk from La Candelaria. Wednesday is big…

Museo de Arte del Banco de la República

Though indistinguishable as its own museum, this is the space inside Banco de la República's museum complex used for temporary exhibitions. Its auditorium…

Andrés Carne de Res

This legendary steakhouse blows everyone – even repeat visitors – away with its all-out fun atmosphere. The 75-page menu of classics like arepas (corn…

9 of the best free things to do in Bogotá, Colombia's vibrant capital

Catedral Primada

This neoclassical cathedral stands on the site where the first Mass may have been celebrated after Bogotá was founded in 1538 (some historians argue that…

Iglesia La Tercera

Boasts a fine stone facade and lovely wood-carved altars in walnut and cedar set on white walls below a wood-carved ceiling.

Iglesia de la Veracruz

Iglesia de la Veracruz is known as the National Pantheon because many of the heroes of the struggle for independence have been buried here.

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The 20 Best Things to Do in Bogotá, Colombia

The capital of Colombia , Bogotá was the home to the region’s indigenous people, the Muisca, before the Spanish arrived to plunder gold and resources. Centuries later, it’s been the country’s main city ever since.

Before I went, everyone told me Bogotá wasn’t anything special: dirty, crowded, hard to get around, and lacking the charm of the other big cities in Colombia.

“Spend a few days there and move on,” they all said.

Well, I spent a few days there…and then a few more.

Because I LOVED Bogotá.

It felt like the most “Colombian” city I visited. It’s not like the gringofied cities in the rest of the country. Its “gritty” nature was what appealed to me.

Bogotá was a vibrant, lively city I couldn’t get enough of.

The museum scene is incredible, there’s a lot of history, a blossoming art community, an exciting food scene, a wild nightlife, and super welcoming people.

It is also a huge city with a ton of tours, day trips, and other things to do. You could easily spend a week here and not get bored.

To help you make the most out of your visit, here’s my list of the best things to see and do in Bogotá .

Table of Contents

The Best Things to See and Do in Bogotá

The best day trips from bogotá, where to stay in bogotá, staying safe in bogotá.

1. Take a Free Walking Tour One of my favorite things to do when I get to a new destination is to take a free walking tour. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land, see the main sights, and have a local expert answer any and all of my questions.

BeyondColombia has an insightful free walking tour that will give you a solid introduction to the city. They also offer a free food tour, which is a terrific way to get a taste of some local Colombian dishes (you’ll spend around 37,000 COP on food for the tour). Just be sure to tip your guides at the end!

3. Stroll in the Botanical Gardens Opened in 1955, the Botanical Garden of Bogotá is home to almost 20,000 plants. There is a focus on regional plants, usually those that are endemic to the Andes and other high-alpine regions of the continent. It’s a really peaceful place to walk around, and there are some food stalls nearby so you can grab a quick bite as you explore the gardens and browse the exotic flowers and trees.

Cl. 63 No. 6895, +57 1-437-7060, jbb.gov.co. Open Tuesday-Friday 8am-5pm (9am-5pm on weekends). General admission starts at 7,000 COP. There are separate tickets for the tropical gardens (10,000 COP).

4. Attend Gringo Tuesdays This is a weekly language exchange that evolves into an international party. Every Tuesday, you can meet with other locals and travelers for a few hours of conversation. Once that’s over, the real party begins and goes late into the night. It’s a fun, social night out if you’re looking to meet fellow travelers. A lot of hostels organize party buses to the event, so if you’re coming from La Candelaria, this is a good transportation option.

Street 85 No. 11-53, Promenade del Faro, +57 311-492-0249, instagram.com/gringotuesdays. Every Tuesday, the language exchange occurs 4pm-8pm, followed by the party, which runs 8pm-3am. It’s free entry until 6pm, 10,000 COP from 6pm-8pm, and 20,000 COP from 8pm onwards.

5. Visit the Museo del Oro (The Gold Museum) This is the most interesting museum in the entire country and sees over half a million tourists every year. Opened in 1939, the Gold Museum documents the importance and use of gold in pre-Hispanic civilizations in Colombia and is home to over 55,000 gold items. There’s a lot of information to take in, so be sure to get the audio guide (8,000 COP) or join one of the daily free tours.

Cra. 6 No. 15-88, +57 1-343-2222, banrepcultural.org/bogota/museo-del-oro. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-7pm and Sundays 10am-5pm. Admission is 5,000 COP for adults and free for children. Admission is free for adults on Sundays, but it gets busy quickly so arrive early!

6. Climb Monserrate Standing tall at over 3,000 meters (9,840 feet), you can see Monserrate from pretty much everywhere in town. It’s a popular spot to take in the view, and since there is a church at the summit, it’s also a popular spot for local weddings. You can walk up yourself in under an hour, or you can take a cable car or funicular to the top. Keep in mind that the walk up isn’t that safe at night or alone as thieves scout out the route. Travel during the day and with a group if possible, just to be safe.

monserrate.co. The funicular runs Monday-Friday 5:30am-11:45am, Saturdays 5:30am-4pm, and Sundays 5:30am-6pm. The cable car is available Monday-Saturday 12pm-10pm and Sundays 5:30am-6pm (ticket offices close one hour beforehand). Tickets for either vehicle are the same price: round-trip tickets cost 27,000 COP (16,000 COP on Sundays).

7. Check out the Museo de Botero Founded in 2000, this museum is home to one of Latin America’s most important art collections. The museum was created after artist and sculptor Fernando Botero donated hundreds of his works to the Banco de la República de Colombia with the promise that they would be displayed in a free museum for everyone to see. In addition to his own pieces, included in the donation were works by Monet, Picasso, and other world-famous artists.

Cl. 11 No. 4-41, +57 1-343-1316, banrepcultural.org/bogota/museo-botero. Open Monday and Wednesday-Saturday 9am-7pm and Sundays 10am-5pm (closed Tuesdays). Admission is free with free audio guides as well.

8. Wander the Usaquén Market Every Sunday, artisans line the cobblestoned streets to sell all sorts of local crafts and goods. While it’s usually referred to as a flea market, things here are a bit nicer and more upscale than some of the other markets. It’s still quite affordable, though, and makes for a fun way to spend the day. It’s a great place to people-watch too.

Carrera 6A entre Calles 119 y 120A, mercadopulgasusaquen.com. The market runs 9am-5:30pm every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Mondays.  

Watch live music while hanging at Plaza Chorro de Quevedo, try the local chicha (a drink made from corn, often fermented to be alcoholic) on the side streets, and take in some of the amazing restaurants in this district.

Gran Colombia Tours offers a tour of the neighborhood that also includes local coffee and fruit juice tastings. It’s a really fun tour and provides a lot of information about the neighborhood and culture.

10. Discover the National Museum of Colombia Situated in the heart of Bogotá, this is the oldest and biggest museum in the entire country (and one of the oldest on the continent). Built in 1823, it’s home to over 20,000 pieces of art and historical artifacts, some dating as far back as 10,000 BCE. The building was actually used as a prison initially (it definitely looks imposing) until it transitioned into a museum in 1946. If you’re a history buff or just want to learn more about the country, this museum is a must.

Carrera 7 No 28-66, +57 1-381-6470, museonacional.gov.co. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm. Admission is around 39,000 COP for foreign adults. Entrance is free on Wednesdays from 3pm-5pm, and on the last Sunday of the month.

11. See the Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen The National Shrine of Our Lady of Carmen is a Gothic church located in La Candelaria. The church has a red-and-white striped pattern (both on the outside and inside) making it look like a giant candy cane. Built from 1926 to 1938 and designed by architect Giovanni Buscaglione, the church stands almost 60 meters tall (196 feet) and has some incredible Byzantine and Moorish art. It was designated a National Monument in 1993 and is worth a quick visit to snap photos as it is one of the most unique churches you’ll ever see.

Cra. 5 No. 8-36, +57 1-342-0972. Unfortunately, opening hours for the interior are erratic but are listed as 7:30am-11:30am.

The best way to get a sense of the city’s culinary offerings, though, is to take a food tour. The True Colombian Experience takes you on a food-tasting extravaganza that lasts three hours, stopping at seven different eateries within the La Candelaria neighborhood. It’s the best food tour in the city.

13. Sample the local brews Bogotá (and the country as a whole) has a growing craft beer scene. On this three-hour tour , you’ll learn the history of Colombian beer and taste some of the best craft brews in town at a mix of historic and trendy bars and breweries. The tour includes a bottle of beer, five pints of beer, plus samples, so it’s definitely one for beer lovers! I had a blast and learned a lot.

14. Visit Simon Bolívar Metropolitan Park This is one of the most popular parks in Bogotá. Created in 1979, it spans almost 1,000 acres. You can find people exercising, relaxing, or attending concerts here. The park is named after the famous Simón Bolívar, who led the liberation of the region from its Spanish overlords. It’s a nice place to relax with a book or take a stroll when the sun is shining.

Open daily 6am-6pm. Admission is free unless there is a concert or event in progress.

15. Explore Parque 93 This park is in the district of Chapinero, one of the nicer areas of town, known for having some of the best restaurants, nightclubs, and bars in the entire city. The park itself is fairly new, having opened in 1979. It’s home to an ongoing rotation of temporary art exhibitions and is a great place to just stroll around or have a picnic. It’s more frequented by locals than tourists, so it’s a great place to really soak up local life.

16. Visit the Iglesia de San Francisco Built in the 16th century, this Catholic church is the oldest surviving church in Bogotá. The interior is incredibly ornate, with a beautiful altar that dates back to the 17th century. It’s still in use, and you’ll likely see some locals praying during your visit, so make sure to dress appropriately and be respectful.

Av. Jimenez De Quesada No. 7-10, +57 1-341-2357. Open Monday-Friday 6:30am-10:30pm, Saturdays 6:30am-12:30pm and 4pm-6:30pm, and Sundays 7:30am-1:30pm and 4:30-7:30pm. Admission is free.

17. Explore the Museo Santa Clara This church was built in the 17th century and is one of the oldest in the entire country. It was deconsecrated in the 1960s and converted into a museum by the government. There are over 148 baroque paintings that almost entirely cover its walls, making this one of the most beautifully decorated churches you’ll see in Colombia.

Cra. 8 No. 8-91, +57 1-337-6762, museocolonial.gov.co. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm. Admission is 6,000 COP and is free on the last Sunday of the month. There is also free admission every Wednesday from 3pm-5pm.

19. See Bogotá by bike Exploring a city by bike is a great way to cover more ground, and while it might seem surprising, Bogotá is a pioneer in urban cycling. Every Sunday since the 1970s, cyclists (and pedestrians) take over the city’s streets during La Ciclovía, when 120 kilometers of the city’s streets are closed to traffic from 7am-2pm. It’s a great way to enjoy the city like the locals do in this beloved institution. You can rent a bike for 15,000 COP per hour, or 80,000 COP for eight hours.

If you won’t be in the city on a Sunday or want a more guided experience, Bogota Bike Tours offers daily tours. You’ll visit local fruit markets, a traditional coffee roastery, the bullfighting stadium, the historic center, and many different plazas, parks, and neighborhoods. Tours last around four hours and cover a lot of ground. It’s really fun but still quite leisurely.

20. Grab a snack from La Puerta Falsa This little shop has been serving locals for over 200 years! La Puerta Falsa (The False Door) is a small restaurant with room for fewer than 20 people, yet the tamales and ajiaco soup have been community staples for generations. If you’re looking to try traditional Colombian food, this is the place to go!

Calle 11 No. 6-50, +57 1-286-5091, restaurantelapuertafalsa.inf.travel. Open daily 7am-7:30pm (Sundays until 6pm) though its schedule isn’t set in stone.  

Day trips to the area last around six hours and vary in price. Many day trips, such as this one , combine a trip to Guatavita and the Salt Cathedral (see below) in one adventure-filled day. This is one of the most popular activities and it’s best to visit on a tour because it’s hard to get there on your own.

See the Salt Cathedral Located about an hour’s drive from Bogotá in the city of Zipaquirá, the Salt Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church built in the tunnels of an old salt mine. It’s 200 meters (656 feet) below ground, making this one of the more unique religious sites in the country, if not the world. Every Sunday, up to 3,000 people attend church services here. Bogotá City Bus runs day trips to the cathedral, including round-trip transportation and skip-the-line entrance.

Parque de la Sal, +57 315-760-7376, catedraldesal.gov.co. Open daily 9am-5:40pm. Basic admission is 98,000 COP.  

Two other areas of the city that are considered safe are Zona Rosa and Chapinero. However, they are both more expensive areas and too far away from downtown to walk to all of the main tourist attractions.

With that in mind, here are some of my suggested places to stay in Bogotá:

• Selina (Chapinero)
• The Cranky Croc Backpackers Hostel (La Candelaria)
• Masaya (La Candelaria)
• Botinico Hostel (La Candelaria)

That means no walking around with your phone out, never keeping anything in your pockets (especially when on public transport), and always keeping hold of your bag. If you are eating out, keep your backpack on your lap or place your foot or a chair leg through your strap. It is very common for someone to try to do a bag swap (meaning they swap their empty bag for yours).

For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Colombia, check out this post that answers some frequently asked questions and concerns.

Lastly, make sure to purchase good travel insurance before you go. I recommend SafetyWing if you’re on a budget and just need basic coverage and World Nomads if you want something more comprehensive.

It’s true that Bogotá is an “edgy city” where you have to be more alert than in other places. Yet I loved the atmosphere and vibe of the city. It had grit (kind of like Naples , Italy). I loved the art, the museums, and the food. The city has so much to offer travelers. You can really fill a lot of time between all the sights, tours, parks, and activities. I would have liked to stay longer in Bogotá if I could.

I’d budget three to five days for your visit. It will definitely be worth it.

Book Your Trip to Colombia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of favorite places to stay are:

• Masaya Hostel
• Botánico Hostel

For all the best neighborhoods and more suggestions on where to stay, here’s my detailed neighborhood breakdown of the city .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Colombia? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Colombia for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Home » Travel Guides » Colombia » 25 Best Things to Do in Bogotá (Colombia)

25 Best Things to Do in Bogotá (Colombia)

Don’t be intimidated by the sprawling, bustling city of Bogotá. Colombia’s capital is truly historic and packed with touristy things to do, but it’s also got a cool, hip, and even chic side to it as well. From its weekly Ciclovía bike route through the streets to its upscale neighborhoods filled with great restaurants, parks, and excellent nightlife, Bogotá is a real cosmopolitan city.

At the same time though, you’ll love all of the authentic culture, markets, and street art that you’re surrounded by on a daily basis. And after you’ve explored La Candelaria all the way up through Zona Rosa, you can head out of town for some day trips to colonial villages, beautiful lakes, and dramatic waterfalls.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Bogotá :

1. Stroll Through La Candelaria

This is probably the first thing tourists do in Bogotá because La Candelaria the historic center of the city.

These colorful, bohemian streets are convenient to several tourist attractions, but the area can but a little sketchy, especially at night, so be aware of pickpockets.

Follow the cobblestone streets past colorful Spanish colonial buildings and university halls, check out the street art, and pop into a few cathedrals.

Have a drink at one of the many bars, cafes, and restaurants, and people watch – there are many artists and musicians around the area.

Available tour : Bogotá: private historical tour of La Candelaria

2. The Gold Museum

Bogotá’s Museo del Oro is the most popular (and possibly the most interesting) museum in the city, and it’s home to more than 30,000 pieces of gold.

There are three floors filled with artifacts collected from Colombia’s pre-Hispanic cultures, each focusing on a different theme.

Learn how these people discovered, mined, and then worked the metals, making jewelry, masks, bowls, offerings, and armor.

Discover the symbolism and spiritual aspects of gold’s everyday uses.

The whole museum is very well done and absolutely stunning, plus the entrance fee is small for this dramatic and detailed look into the past.

Guided tour : Bogotá Gold Museum: 3-Hour Guided Tour

3. Climb Monserrate

Walk the steep steps up the hill (or take the funicular) to this incredible viewpoint of sprawling Bogotá.

There’s a little white church at the top, but the act of climbing Cerro Monserrate and seeing the city from above is the real attraction here – be sure to stay hydrated and aware of the altitude though. There are a couple of overpriced fancy restaurants up top, but there’s also a snack bar where you can grab drinks and food while you take in the views (they have coca tea if you’re hurting from the climb). Be careful who you go with though, the Colombian superstition surrounding the hill says that couples who visit Monserrate together will never get married.

Suggested tour : Private Tour of Monserrate

4. Plaza Bolívar

Head to the center of this capital city to see where government business gets done.

This sprawling, pigeon-filled plaza is home to Colombia’s Palace of Justice, the Capitol Building, the Cathedral of Bogotá, and the city mayor’s office.

You’ll see lots of police around, but they’re just for security as the Presidential Palace – the Palacio de Narino – is just around the square too.

Learn a little about Colombia’s history, from its fight for independence to the days of Pablo Escobar’s siege of the Palace of Justice, to really get the most out of your visit here.

5. The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

One of the most popular day trips from Bogotá, the Salt Cathedral is located in the town of Zipaquirá about an hour outside the city.

This whole cathedral was carved deep underground in a salt mine, and it contains alcoves for worshipping and beautifully lit crosses.

It’s huge too, like a small town set 590 feet (180 meters) beneath the earth with places to eat and buy trinkets as well.

Get here early to beat the crowds, sign up for one of the frequent tours, and take some time to explore the colonial town nearby once you’re done.

Recommended tour : From Bogotá: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral Guided Tour

6. Andrés Carne de Res

It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an experience.

The original Andrés Carne de Res is in Chia, a little town outside of Bogotá, but now there’s a location in Zona Rosa as well.

When you’re ready for a wild night out, go with a big group or sign up for a trip with a hotel or hostel that’ll provide transportation (and instant friends). This is a restaurant turned nightclub turned carnaval where you can get your fill of Colombian food and all the merengue and salsa dancing you can handle.

With different themed rooms, the atmosphere is like a festival or circus with tons of vibrant decor, cocktails, confetti, and even parades.

Book online (with transfer) : The Best of the Night: Andres Carne de Res

7. The Botero Museum

Colombia’s (probably) most famous artist, Fernando Botero, was from Medellín and he painted portraits, famous people, animals, and fruits… all chubby.

The artist is known for his paintings of overweight folks, and many of his works now hang in the Botero Museum in Bogotá.

Located in a lovely, renovated colonial house with an internal courtyard, admission to this internationally important collection of art is free.

The museum is also home to several pieces of art by other famous painters like Picasso, Monet, and Renoir.

Guided tour : Guided Visit to Botero Museum

8. Street Art Tour

You could just stroll aimlessly through Bogotá and stumble upon a ton of great street art, but why not get the pros to show you around? Graffiti tours are another super popular activity here, and they’re a great way to see the best of the best.

Local guides will tell you a little something about the artist and the social movements that the paintings represent or the politics they’re speaking out against.

It’s an eye-opening look into both Bogotá and Colombia’s tumultuous past and hopeful future.

Book online : Bogotá: Capital Street Art

9. Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquén

This street market takes place on Sundays in Usaquén, a neighborhood in the north of Bogotá.

Vendors set up stalls and tents in the park and down the streets to sell handicrafts, trinkets, and lots of stuff that’s different from the typical souvenirs you’ll find in Colombia.

You can buy high quality, handmade goods like bags, shoes, and jewelry here.

This area is filled with upscale restaurants and cafes, but during market days you’ll find tons of cheap foods options on the street – like cupcakes, sausages, fresh juices, and cheesecakes – plus Bogotá Beer Company has a location here for when you’re done shopping.

10. Take a Bicycle Tour of the City

While it wouldn’t seem like the best thing to do in a big, bustling city, bike tours of Bogotá are really popular.

They’re also an excellent way to see a few neighborhoods that are rather spread out and some you wouldn’t stop by on your own.

From fruit markets to tejo games to the Plaza de Toros and a stop for coffee, you’ll get to taste (literally in some cases) many different parts of the city.

The guides are great at storytelling and keeping you safe, and it’s way easier to make it through that heavy traffic on a bike than you might think.

Bogotá Bike Tours has two tours leaving daily from La Candelaria.

Suggested tour : Bogotá Bicycle Tours, 4-5 Hours

11. Take a Day Trip to Villa de Leyva

Get out of the city and experience one of the most lovely little colonial towns in Colombia.

This village has an impressive central square, cobblestone streets, and very well-preserved Spanish architecture.

While you’re here, check out some unique attractions like Casa Terracotta, a whole functioning house made out of clay – many say it’s the largest piece of pottery in the world.

There’s also a museum of fossils and even a vineyard.

There are now plenty of boutique hotels if you want to spend the night, but avoid the weekends as that’s when the tourists from Bogotá flock here to visit and it gets crowded.

12. Zona Rosa

This Bogotá neighborhood is upscale, trendy, and known for its nightlife.

It’s also a good place to base yourself if you’re not too fussed about being located next to all the touristy stuff in town.

It’s home to tons of restaurants, boutiques, malls, bars, and the very nice Parque 93 which is surrounded by shops and even more places to eat.

You’ll find whatever evening activities your heart desires here, from laid back pubs serving craft beer to raging nightclubs and the party restaurant Andres D.C. “Zona T” is a great pedestrian area with outdoor seating and plenty of places for dancing when nighttime rolls around.

And El Chapinero is the gay friendly area within Zona Rosa with lots of gay and lesbian bars.

13. Laguna de Guatavita

Wanna take a break from the city and get a dose of nature? North of Bogotá and surrounded by green rolling hills, you’ll find Lake Guatavita, the place where the story of El Dorado originated and a spiritually significant area for local indigenous groups.

Trek through the biodiverse, jungle-like Paramo to get to the rim of this crater lake for views of the water below.

Arrange for a guide if you’d like transportation and to hear more about the Muisca people, the myth of the golden kingdom, and the flora and fauna of the area.

Suggested tour : Golden Guatavita

14. Parque Central Simón Bolívar

For a big capital city, Bogotá is full of green open spaces where people congregate, exercise, eat, and spend time with their families.

Simón Bolívar is the Central Park of the city, and it’s an enormous free park that gets super busy on the weekends.

There’s a lake with ducks where you can rent small boats and lots of trails where you can walk, jog, or ride bikes.

In the summer, bands and performers take the stage, and a popular event called Rock in the Park attracts famous performers and tons of fans.

Pack a picnic or grab a bite at the cheap cafeterías nearby for lunch on a bench, in the grass, or on the sand by the lake.

15. Play Tejo

The national sport of Colombia is tejo, a game that involves gunpowder, targets, and loud explosions.

It’s usually accompanied by a few beers, so you should definitely play a couple of rounds while you’re in Bogotá.

Players throw heavy metal disks across the room (about 20 meters) at small gunpowder-filled targets stuck into clay.

Hitting one results in a loud bang, cheers, and points for your team if you’re actually keeping score.

Try Club de Tejo La 76 if you want to play, and maybe head upstairs for “mini tejo” where it’ll be easier for beginners to hit the targets.

Some bicycle tours of Bogotá might also take you to a tejo joint.

16. Try Ajiaco and Chocolate Completo at La Puerta Falsa

Try some classic local cuisine while you’re in Bogotá, starting with ajiaco – a chicken stew with potatoes and corn, accompanied by toppings of capers, avocado, and cream – at La Puerta Falsa.

Established in 1816, La Puerta Falsa is a famous old restaurant near Plaza Bolívar that serves up traditional dishes.

Also order the the chocolate completo – hot chocolate, cheese, and fresh bread – a typical mid-morning snack in Colombia.

While it sounds like a weird combination, dipping your cheese into hot chocolate until it melts is delicious.

There are several restaurants alongside La Puerta Falsa serving the same things if it happens to be super busy.

17. Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao

Visit an authentic market while you’re in Bogotá to browse the fresh selection of foods and see how the locals shop for groceries.

Plaza Paloquemao is home to a brilliant selection of vendors who sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, eggs, seafood, and recently-butchered meats.

There are also stalls selling cooked foods like ajiaco, tamales, fried fish, and soups along the outside of the market.

Go early, don’t expect any English, and be prepared for an amazing sensory overload.

You can have breakfast at the market before roaming around to take photos and try a few exotic fruits.

18. Teatro Colón

Built in the late 1800s and designed by an Italian architect, the Teatro Colón was named after Christopher Columbus and it’s the national theater of Colombia.

This majestic building was constructed in the neoclassical style and it has beautiful interiors decorated by frescoes.

The seats are set in a horseshoe shape modeled around the Palais Garnier in Paris, though it’s only half the size.

Check online to see what shows are on and head to the theater to purchase tickets or take a guided tour to have a look around.

There are operas, concerts, and modern plays to choose from, and the whole experience has a magical, romantic vibe to it.

Just a little south of Zona Rosa is another high-end neighborhood that’s filled with hip restaurants, cafes, bars, elegant hotels, and beautiful tree-lined streets.

Zona G (the “G” stands for “gourmet,” of course) has a range of different cuisines, and though it isn’t that cheap, it’s a fun place to spend an evening eating and bar-hopping.

You’ll have your pick of steak, Mexican, Peruvian, Lebanese, and Colombian, plus a few coffee shops and breweries.

Aside from drinks and fancy, romantic dinners, you can wander your way over to the Plaza de Lourdes for its impressive church and cheap eats like churros and fried arepas.

20. Museo Nacional de Colombia

Built in 1823, the biggest and oldest museum in Colombia was originally a prison constructed in the style of a fortress.

It’s truly massive and contains over 20,000 pieces of Colombian history that are on display in over 17 permanent galleries which used to be cells.

There are pre-Colombian artifacts as well as exhibits about the colonial times under Spanish rule.

Browse the artwork, furniture, and their Afro-Caribbean collections, and be sure to check which traveling exhibits are there when you visit.

The museum hosts lots of special exhibits, seminars, and musical performances which are quite popular.

21. Biblioteca Público Virgilio Barco

Book nerds and fans of architecture will love this enormous library in Bogotá.

Located just next to Parque Simón Bolívar with plenty of gardens and spaces for reading, it was designed by one of the most important architects in Colombia, Rogelio Salmona.

The round building is encircled by mirror-like waters to create a serene environment.

They have free wifi and art exhibits on display frequently – you know, in addition to all the books.

There’s a cafe offering snacks and drinks, as well as an open air theater on the roof where views of the city are great when it’s sunny.

22. Jardín Botánico de Bogotá

This peaceful place is never too crowded and it’s always super peaceful and lush.

Entry to the botanical gardens is cheap (less than 1 USD), and you’ll have free reign over the 19.5 hectares of gardens for a perfect day of being surrounded by nature.

There’s plenty of room to do some walking, or you can head out in search of lizards, turtles, ducks, peacocks, and other animals.

Because Colombia gets nearly 12 hours of sunlight a day, the range of flora here is superb, and you’ll find exotic flowers as well as a rose garden.

Have a snack from one of the food stalls nearby or take a guided tour to learn more about the plants here.

23. Eat More Colombian Food

There’s a lot to eat here in Colombia.

You’ll need to try sancocho, a thick, meat-filled stew with potatoes and corn, and then some of the succulent, slow roasted pork known as lechona.

You’ve also gotta grab an Aguila or Club Colombia beer and some cheese-filled arepas.

Be sure to taste their amazing Colombian coffee, fruit juices, and the anise-flavored liquor aguardiente.

Or better yet, enlist the help of a seasoned guide and take a Food Safari with the Bogotá Foodie.

You’ll get to hit traditional markets to try exotic fruits and sample foods like fish stew, lechona, pastries, cheesy breads, coffee, and empanadas.

24. Hike to La Chorrera and El Chiflón Waterfalls

These two waterfalls are located outside of Bogotá, and they’re about a 3-hour round-trip trek through lush and bright green vegetation.

The drive there will take you through the edge of the Andes with beautiful views of picturesque colonial villages, cliffs, and forests along the way.

Take the bus there yourself and pay the entrance fee, or opt for an organized trip with a hostel or tour company so that you’ll have transport, guides, and meals all arranged.

The routes can be a bit strenuous and muddy, but the trails are well-marked and the pounding waterfalls are incredible (and great for a swim after all that walking).

25. Ciclovía Sundays

If you’re here on a Sunday, you’ll get to see how awesome Bogotá is when it closes down over 100 kilometers of roads to cars for the weekly Ciclovía.

Families and friends come out with their bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, and dogs to get moving around the city.

Rent a bike and join in on the fun like a local – it’s a great way to experience regular life in Bogotá while getting some exercise yourself.

Roadside food stalls pop up on Sundays so you can grab a fresh juice or arepa as you explore.

And if you feel like joining in on an exercise or dance class, you can pop over to one of the parks along the cycling route for what’s called Recreovía – they’re free!

25 Best Things to Do in Bogotá (Colombia):

• Stroll Through La Candelaria
• The Gold Museum
• Climb Monserrate
• Plaza Bolívar
• The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
• Andrés Carne de Res
• The Botero Museum
• Street Art Tour
• Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquén
• Take a Bicycle Tour of the City
• Take a Day Trip to Villa de Leyva
• Laguna de Guatavita
• Parque Central Simón Bolívar
• Try Ajiaco and Chocolate Completo at La Puerta Falsa
• Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao
• Teatro Colón
• Museo Nacional de Colombia
• Biblioteca Público Virgilio Barco
• Jardín Botánico de Bogotá
• Eat More Colombian Food
• Hike to La Chorrera and El Chiflón Waterfalls
• Ciclovía Sundays

15 Things to do in Bogota, Colombia

Welcome to the sprawling metropolis of Bogota, a melting pot of towering skyscrapers and cobbled streets bordered by green mountains. The capital of Colombia is often missed in favor of other parts of the country, but it’s completely underrated. Spend a few days here enjoying the vibrant street art culture, the historical center, the delicious food, and connect with the friendly locals! Enjoy all the top things to do in Bogota, Colombia.

Things to do in Bogota, Colombia

Bogota is one of the largest cities in South America and the capital of Colombia. It’s a megacity of epic proportions, sprawling out into endless suburbs with gritty streets and glass skyscrapers mixed in with pretty colonial buildings.

Also see: The Ultimate 3-week Colombia Itinerary (Travel Guide)

It may have more attractive parts than others, but one thing is for sure, you’ll always find something to marvel at in Bogota. 

The city is usually the starting point of any Colombia itinerary (especially as most people fly into Bogota), so don’t skip it; enjoy all the top things to do instead!

Here are all your hotel options in Bogota.

1. Iconic Plaza Bolivar

The heart of the historic center of Bogota is the Plaza Bolivar, surrounded by some of the most important buildings in the city, like the cathedral and the mayor’s office. Most important of all is the Simon Bolivar statue that sits in the middle of the square. He was the man who liberated South America and was an icon of independence. 

Join the locals who use the square as a meeting point and enjoy imagining what it would have been like when it used to be one of the busiest parts of the city; under Spanish rule, you would have seen bullfights, circus acts, and many stalls here. 

Also visit Cartagena in Colombia .

2. Street Art Tour: Top Thing to do in Bogota

Street art in Bogota is something else, with streets filled with colorful murals depicting stories, myths, and political messages. This kind of art was highly illegal in the past, and the history between artists and the police was very turbulent. These days, CRISP (one of the most famous graffiti artists in Bogota) says that the lack of fear over being jailed allows artists to have more creative freedom, painting murals that have significant value for the community. 

Book your spot at this popular street art tour.

La Candelaria is one of the most famous districts for street art and the location for most of the street art tours in Bogota. Join a tour to learn more about political expression and the importance of street art in the city. After the tour, take advantage of the endless hipster cafes and art galleries nearby—it’s a fantastic place to hang out for a few hours.

These are some of the best streets to spot incredible art:

• Plazoleta Chorro de Quevedo
• Calle Del Embudo
• From Calle Del Embudo, follow to the end of Carrera 2

3. Cerro Monserrate

Bogota sits in the shadow of the majestic Monserrate, a beautiful mountain just outside the city that stands over 3000 meters tall. For those looking for a bit of adventure and exertion, you can hike to the top of the peak. However, be aware that this can take between 2-4 hours, so take a reusable water bottle with plenty of water. It’s safe as guards are posted throughout the hike for safety but keep in mind that you can only enter the trail in the morning.

Read: Tips to travel plastic-free!

If you don’t have that much time, take the exhilarating cable car or funicular instead! The cable car flies high and incredibly fast, sweeping over the forest and providing magical views below. The views get even better once you’re at the top, particularly at sunset. At the top, you can also discover the small church, the tranquil garden walk, or enjoy a coca tea at the English-style cafe. Alternatively, join a guided city walking tour including a stop at Monserrate.

The price is 22000 COP (~5.50 USD) for a return ticket with the cable car.

4. Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are a fantastic thing to do in Bogota. After spending time among the bright lights and noise of this buzzing metropolis, what better way to unwind than to visit this peaceful oasis at the heart of the city. Walk around the 19.5 hectares of land among 20,000 plants, beautiful rose gardens, and animals. 

Entry fee: Best of all, the botanical gardens are a cheap activity in Bogota, costing just 1 USD.

5. La Candelaria 

La Candelaria is the most beautiful and historic district in Bogota, a place you can come to escape the modern buzz of the city and visit the colonial streets and houses.

Also visit: Tatacoa Desert: Colombia’s Best Kept Secret !

The colorful, bohemian neighborhood is full of history and filled with artists and musicians practicing their crafts. Because of this, one of the best things to do in La Candelaria is simply to sit down at one of the cute cafes and people watch.

Tip: While in La Candelaria, visit Casa de la Moneda, a fascinating museum where you can learn more about how money developed in Colombia and the country’s up and down economy in general.

 Join a guided walking tour in La Candelaria and learn more about Colombian history

6. Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen

Nestled within the historic district of La Candelaria is the beautiful church of Santuario Nuestra Senora del Carmen. Unlike the typical look of most churches, this one is covered in red and white stripes, looking like a piece of candy among the city’s roofs. 

The exterior is pretty, but the interior is where the church really comes to life; the red and white theme continues but with the addition of beautifully detailed tiles and ornately carved pews. Open daily from 07:30 AM – 11:30 AM.

7. Dinner at Madre

After spending time in the historic district of La Candelaria, head out for a delicious dinner at the pizza restaurant ‘Madre’. You’ll find a beautiful restaurant with a fun industrial-style interior hidden down a small alley. They do great pizzas, delicious cocktails and often have live music while you eat!

Read about the best things to do in Colombia .

8. Lunch at Quinua y Amaranto   

Another La Candelaria gem, Quinua y Amaranto, is a small intimate restaurant serving tasty vegan and vegetarian food. This is an excellent option for a reasonably priced veggie lunch in Bogota, with lovely wait staff and great vibes. 

9. Sunday Usaquen Market 

A lovely thing to do in Bogota if you happen to be in the city on a Sunday is the Usaquen Market. Beautiful stalls line the streets, selling souvenirs different from the standard ones you’d find at most markets.

Leave a little room in your suitcase for some of the high-quality handicrafts made by the finest artisans in the city, whether that’s bags, shoes, or jewelry. You’ll also be able to buy delicious (and cheap!) street food—yum! Opening times: 11 AM – 4 PM

Tip: If you’re not in Bogota on a Sunday, head for Pasaje Rivas , a small hidden market in La Candelaria. You’ll discover beautiful handicrafts here, from handmade hammocks to wooden furniture.

10. Salt Cathedral, Zipaquira  

Just 1 hour from Bogota is the fascinating Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira. Underneath the ground, discover the salt mine tunnels and a cathedral carved down to a depth of 200 meters. The massive space is lit with neon blue light to highlight the alcoves, stones, and pews. In fact, people still attend church services here; it’s a completely unique religious site!

Explore the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira on this day tour

11. Botero Museum 

The Botero Museum is a free art museum in Bogota home to multiple modern art exhibitions. It’s named after Fernando Botero, the most famous Colombian artist (from Medellin ) renowned for his colorful, funny, and large paintings. His artwork is totally unique, painting and sculpting humans with proportions far bigger than the average! There is even Botero’s version of the Mona Lisa. You will love it! You can see his work displayed all over the world, in major cities like Madrid or Singapore . 

Opening times: 9 AM – 7 PM (closed on Tuesdays. Open 10 AM – 5 PM on Sundays)

12. Bike Tour

Bogota is such a big sprawling city, so a bike tour works surprisingly well! The bike tours are very well organized, and a guide will help you navigate the busy streets, so you don’t need to worry about traffic. It’s the perfect way to see the city and learn more from knowledgeable locals who are passionate about their city. Make sure to ask for recommendations on top things to do in Bogota and places to eat!

Join this popular bike tour in Bogota .

13. Gold Museum

The Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) is a top thing to do in Bogota. Home to over 34,000 gold items, it’s no surprise that this museum has been named one of the greatest in the world. Each piece tells an incredible historical story, with many coming from the rituals and practices of indigenous communities. 

Taking an audio tour of the Gold Museum is possible, but you don’t necessarily need to, as each piece of art has Spanish and English descriptions.

Entry Fee: 4000 COP (~ 1 USD)  or 9000 COP for an audio tour. On Sundays, the Gold Museum is free.

14. Visit a Local Coffee Plantation 

Colombian coffee is widely known as some of the best in the world, so make the most of being in Bogota by visiting one of the many coffee plantations up in the surrounding hills. Not only will you learn all about the growth, production, and sale of coffee, you’ll get to try the coffee too!

For more coffee visit Salento in Colombia

By taking part in a coffee tour, you’ll also get out into the beautiful nature just a stone’s throw away from the city, learning a little more about the farming culture in Colombia.

15. Food Tour

Colombia is home to some delicious flavors, and Bogota, being the capital, has some of the best restaurants of them all! If you want to try lots of delicious local foods, learn more about the ingredients, and find some traditional restaurants, we highly recommend joining a food tour. There’s something for all tastebuds: ceviche, empanadas, filling arepas, or cheesy palitos! 

Join Bogota’s populair food tour here.

Best Cafes and Restaurants in Bogota, Colombia

Bogota is full of incredible restaurants! Try some delicious local dishes at one of the typical Bogotan cafes, or head to a super cool restaurant like Andres Chia, which turns into a nightclub after dinner.

Our favorite restaurants in Bogota:

• De Una Travel (perfect spot for lunch)
• Varietale (delicious coffee and cakes)
• Quinua Y Amaranto (vegetarian local food)
• Madre (hidden gem in the center of Bogota)
• Enchiladas La Candelaria (mexican)
• Nativa Arte y Comida Natural (vegan food)

An absolute top thing to do while in Bogota is head to Puerta Falsa, where they sell traditional tamales and hot chocolate (in fact, Anthony Bourdain even visited once!).

Where to Stay in Bogota

The best place to stay in Bogota is the historic district of La Candelaria , a beautiful, atmospheric neighborhood of colorful streets and cute houses with balconies. There are few cars here and many pedestrianized streets making it feel less noisy and busy than other areas. Plus, it’s also the safest neighborhood in Bogota.

Hotels in Bogota 😴

Although a little bit more expensive, Zona Rosa is also a great place to stay. It’s one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city, filled with fancy restaurants, nightclubs, and high-end shops.

How to Visit Bogota

Bogota is the capital city of Colombia and, therefore, has excellent transport links. There is an international airport in Bogota, and most global flights arrive here or in Cartagena and domestic flights leave for other parts of the country.

Getting Around Bogota

Bogota is a massive city so you’ll need to take public transport to visit all the sights. The good news is that the bus system is super cheap, as well as the local taxis and Uber. Bicycles and buses have their own lane, making it faster to get around this way. If you’re planning on cycling, we recommend taking a bike tour to learn as much as possible and travel safely around the city. 

How Much Does Bogota Cost?

Bogota is a really affordable city to travel in, and you can stay in beautiful accommodation for very reasonable prices. Although most sights have paid entry, it’s always cheap, especially the food! 

Tip: We got Claro sim cards at Bogota Airport at the Techport shop located on the 2nd floor.

Costs of Traveling in Bogota

Travel on a budget in Bogota, from $190 − $480 USD weekly per person, mid-range $350 − $660 USD, and high-end from $660 − $1080 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $20 − $120 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $15 − $50 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $3 − $20 USD Book public transport
• Food: $3 − $10 USD
• Activities: $3 − $15 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Safety in Bogota

Despite its reputation, Colombia, in general, is safe. Bogota is a big city, so it does have higher crime rates, but as long as you exercise caution, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself freely on your trip! For example, don’t walk alone in the evenings, don’t go down dark and quiet streets, and always store your valuables at your accommodation/put a padlock on your bag.

Travel Insurance Don't forget a travel insurance for your Colombia trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. As a Salt in our Hair reader, we've got you 5% off! Check Heymondo here

Make sure to also always use the official taxis as those without proper accreditation have been known to scam or steal from tourists.

Read: How to travel safely

Although it’s technically illegal, Uber is the safest taxi service in Bogota. Because of this, the driver might ask you to sit in the front, so it looks more like they’re driving a friend (particularly if the police stop you!). This is something to be aware of when you use Uber.

Please note: This article is based on the safest areas of Bogota, mainly La Candelaria. In this neighborhood, there are police with dogs on every street corner. We don’t recommend leaving the main, busy tourist areas. 

Best Time to Visit Bogota

Bogota is 2600 meters closer to the sun, so even on cloudy days, you can get burnt! It’s pretty warm all year round, and the driest months are between December-March and July-August. It can be stormy outside of these months, but it’s still a nice time to visit (March-September is the primary rainy season), and best of all, the prices are lower!

Tip: Whatever time you visit, be aware that weather changes quickly in Bogota, so it’s always best to come prepared with layers, waterproofs, and sunscreen .

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8 best things to do in minca, colombia, 10 best things to do in cartagena, colombia.

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Get started finding a cheap flight to Bogotá on Expedia by either choosing a deal on this page or entering into the search bar your travel dates, origin airport, and whether you want roundtrip or one-way airfare. You can filter for flexibility, number of stops, airline, and departure/arrival times to find the best flight for you.

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Roundtrip prices range from $141 - $194, and one-ways to Bogotá start as low as $52.

Be aware that choosing a non-stop flight can sometimes be more expensive while saving you time. And routes with connections may be available at a cheaper rate.

Airlines that fly to Bogotá ( BOG)

You have several options for which airline you choose to travel with to Bogotá. There are 10 airlines flying into BOG: Spirit Airlines, LATAM Airlines Group. 

Cheap plane tickets may be available from different airlines at different times and with unique terms. It’s best to understand the details of each airline’s offer before judging its value.

For example, if you plan to check a bag or bring a carry-on, check whether the cheap airfare deal includes a baggage allowance. If not, verify whether the baggage fee is higher than the difference of other airline plane ticket deals offering free checked/carry-on baggage in exchange for a slightly higher airfare. 

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Find the best deals

At Expedia, we source many flight deals from multiple providers, so you can easily find the best deals that are right for you. A great strategy for getting the best deals can be to make sure you book and travel at the optimal times. Airfare to Bogotá (BOG) varies throughout the year based on seasonal demand. You’ll see the lowest rates for roundtrips to BOG in June and in May for one-ways.

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To change or cancel eligible flights, go to ‘My Trips’ and navigate to your itinerary. If you booked within the last 24-hours, you might be able to cancel your flight for free. Learn more about flight changes or cancellations from our customer service portal . Some plane tickets are available with no change fees, which you can filter for during your search.

Frequently asked questions

• Flying can be a stress-free experience if you carry the right things. Firstly, you’ll need toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a fresh change of clothes and a good read. Next, find a spot in your carry-on bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any medications and maybe a proper neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, don’t forget to bring your passport, travel docs and some money.
• While the list of restricted items differs between airlines, the general rule to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes knives, scissors, spray paint and fireworks. Sports equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could injure passengers, such as firearms and swords, can’t come on board with you either.
• The key to a comfortable flight can be as simple as the clothes you wear. Prepare for temperature changes by layering up. This will keep you nice and warm if the cabin gets too cold. Shoes like stilettos, flip flops and lace-up boots are best left in your suitcase. Even though they may be your favorites, go for flat, closed-toed footwear like sneakers. Your feet will appreciate it.
• It’s likely you’ve heard about DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. There are many ways to mitigate your risk. Wear compression tights or socks, drink lots of water often and get your legs and feet moving. Walk the aisles of the cabin or perform exercises in your seat.
• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you’re allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings such as your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you’ll have to unplug from technology. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices will also need to go through the scanner.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a sensible footwear choice as you’re less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked baggage. They won’t be allowed on board.

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• Movich Buró 26
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• Evergreen International
• Ghadames Air Transport
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• Royal Airways Limited
• Vietnam Air Service Co.
• West Caribbean Costa Rica
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Traveling to Bogota Colombia | The Essential Guide 2024

High in the Colombian Andes sits the city of Bogotá , Colombia one of Latin America’s best-kept secrets. Though once deemed unsafe due to Colombia’s decades-old internal conflict, Bogotá has slowly, but surely, transcended to become a thriving regional hub for culture and the arts. As tempting as it may be to make a bee-line for popular destinations like Tayrona and the Lost City, you truly would be doing yourself a disservice by skipping Colombia's capital city and we consider it a must-see if you visit Colombia. Use this Bogota Travel Guide to discover the best that the city has to offer, from its avant-garde culinary culture and festive nightlife scene, to its well-preserved historic quarter and city center to the warm, convivial people.

Today, Bogotá is a bustling city with a rich history and culture. From its colonial architecture to its vibrant street art, its historic neighborhoods (like la Candelaria) and its world-famous Gold Museum, Bogotá has something to offer everyone.  And with so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that this Colombian gem is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America .

In this complete and up-to-date travel guide, we hope to provide you with absolutely everything you need to know to make the most out of your trip to this magical city.

What You will Find in this Bogota Colombia Travel Guide

• Why Visit Bogota, Colombia

Brief History and Background of Bogota

• What is the  weather and altitude like
• What are the various neighborhoods of the city

How to get to and from Bogota Colombia

• Transportation in and around Bogota Colombia
• How many days should you spend in Bogotá
• Activities and Attractions You Don't Want to Miss

Where to Stay in Bogota

• Best Places to Eat and Drink
• Bogota Nightlife

Escape the city: Things to do Outside of Bogota

• Final Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Why Visit Bogota Colombia?

According to Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez ,  in Colombia "any gathering of more than six people regardless of class or hour is doomed to turn into a dance.” If that isn’t a reason to visit Bogota, what is? This Latin American metropolis is currently experiencing an unprecedented artistic, culinary and cultural boom you won’t find in other capitals of the region. In just 2-3 days, you can cover the cities main sights and you might even consider extending your trip by another few days to explore all that this up-and-coming city has to offer. In addition, Bogotá is an often necessary jumping-off point to other destinations like Medellin, Cartagena, Tayrona, la Guajira and la Ciudad Perdida, whether you’re traveling by plane, bus or car, so you mine as well take advantage and venture into this thriving metropolis. Finally, the city of Bogotá, surrounded by green peaks, is a spectacular sight to behold. This dramatic backdrop corresponds to its rich history, which extends far beyond the 16th-century Spanish conquest and into the intoxicating energy and optimism pulsating through its streets today.

With over 8 million inhabitants , Bogotá can be an intimidating place to visit for even the most big-city dwellers. A sprawling 1,587 square kilometres (613 square miles), it’s a multi-faceted metropolis with hundreds of gems and nooks to discover. Even the most comprehensive Bogota Colombia travel guide wouldn’t be able to cover the entire city with all of its beauty and intricacies, but we will do our best to share the highlights you simply can’t miss during your visit.

Bogota's Role in Colombian History

Bogotá was founded on August 6, 1538, by Spanish explorer Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, who named it after his hometown of Bogotá in present-day Spain. Originally a small indigenous village, Bogotá flourished as a trade center due to its strategic location at the intersection of two major trade routes. However, Bogotá's fortunes changed in the mid-1700s when it was occupied by rebel forces led by Juan del Corral. The city did not recover from this setback until the early 19th century when it began to experience a period of rapid growth. Since then, Bogotá has continued to grow and evolve, becoming one of the largest and most vibrant cities in South America.

Altitude in Bogota

Located in one of the six regions of the country, the Andean Region, in the middle of Colombia, Bogotá sits at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level, making it the third-highest capital city in South America, after La Paz and Quito. This doesn’t mean much until you start exploring on foot and quickly become short of breath. In fact, you might even get a little dizzy or nauseous, in which case you’re suffering from altitude sickness, also known as soroche, in the Andes.

Pro tip : To help your body acclimate to the altitude, try and take it easy on your first day; avoid strenuous activities, like hiking. Also, stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. A local trick to curing soroche is a panacea - warm agua de panela (melted sugar cane with squeezed lemon) which you can find from street vendors around the city.  

Weather in Bogota

If there’s one thing you don’t need to worry about in Bogotá, it’s the weather. The climate here is moderate throughout the year 7°C-19°C (45°F-66°F), though the rainy season occurs around April - March and October - November. Mist and cloud cover is common in the city, but you can also expect plenty of sunshine. Make sure to always pack a light sweater and rain protection since the temperature may fluctuate throughout the day.

Pro tip : There are really only two seasons in Bogotá, wet and dry, and the sun sets and rises consistently throughout the year, around 6:15 in the morning and evening. As soon as the sun drops over the horizon, expect the temperature to drop significantly; make sure to bring a light sweater or jacket.

Neighborhoods in Bogota Colombia

Bogota is organized into 20 Districts, and a few of them can’t be missed. Among these are: La Candelaria (the historic city center) Chapinero-Zona T , the Zona Rosa , La Macarena in Santa Fé, Parque 93, and Usaquén's colonial center. If you’re not sure where to start, head to the colonial neighborhood of La Candelaria.

You’ll find that the majority of these neighborhoods, their restaurants and hotels, are found in the north and center of the city, while the South is where most working-class families reside.

There are many ways to get to Bogota. Because the capital of Colombia is in the center of the country as well as the gateway to the South American continent, many flights include a stopover at Bogota’s airport El Dorado . Many international airlines arrive to the city including Iberia, Avianca, Air France, Air Canada, Lufthansa, British Airways, and American Airlines. Another way to get to the capital of Colombia if you are on the continent is by bus from countries like Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Peru.

If you’re entering Bogota by plane, you’ll most likely land in El Dorado International Airport ( BOG ), which offers travelers many connections and direct flights to other countries in the region, as well as domestic flights to Colombian destinations.

Pro tip : Are you looking for some affordable domestic flights? Check out wingo.com. Viva Air & Air Colombia tend to be the cheapest (though their customer service could improve and they tend to nickel and dime you with extras - print your boarding pass in advance!) So, if you can, choose Avianca or Copa instead.

Bogota’s main bus station is called El Terminal de Transporte de Bogotá (Terminal Salitre). If you’re traveling from a neighboring country by bus, this is where you’ll end up. It’s also only a short taxi ride away from the airport.

There are two other bus stations in Bogota that are useful to know. They are La Terminal del Sur (South Terminal) located along Autopista Sur at Carrera 59 in La Bosa and Terminal Satelite del Norte (North Terminal) located on Calle 192, #19-43 off of Ave Carrera 45.

Transportation in and around Bogota

As you travel around Bogotá, you’ll have numerous options to choose from to explore the city.

TransMilenio BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system

TransMilenio BRT is an affordable and efficient way to get pretty much anywhere in the city. Note that the buses tend to get crowded around rush hour and as always, practice good safety measures and keep a close eye on your phone and possessions.

Pro tip : A few helpful apps to get around Bogotá include MoviliXA, Moovit and Google Maps (download an “offline map” of the city to save on data). Figure out your route while you have wifi so you don’t miss your stop on the TransMilenio!

Apart from the TransMilenio, there are regular buses to get you around town. Getting around on these may require a bit more research; make sure you know which bus to take and where to hop off.

Taxis and Ubers

are another good option to get around Bogota, though Ubers are technically not legal. Drivers may often ask you to sit in the front to avoid raising suspicion among police. In terms of safety, always try to have your taxis radioed in or use Uber, which also tends to be the cheaper option. If you’re taking a taxi, ask a local (or your hostel staff) about the price to avoid getting ripped off, though most taxis will use a meter.

Another great option if you like to cycle is to rent a bike as Bogotá has the most extensive network of bike paths in the country. Cycling is a great way to explore the city’s nooks and crannies and skip its notorious traffic jams. If you want to cycle but feel disoriented, look into joining a bike tour ( Bogota Bicycle Tour is a great option)

The Best Time to Visit Bogota

There really is no wrong time to visit Bogotá. Since the weather is pretty consistent, the only other factor you should consider are national holidays and high tourist seasons.

In terms of national holidays, December is a festive time to visit and, if your trip coincides, make sure to explore the Festival of Lights in Villa de Leyva , just outside the city. In March, you’ll be able to check out the Estéreo Picnic Music Festival , Colombia’s biggest alternative music festival, and one of the most recognized across South America. Then, during the summer, there’s Bogota’s Festival de Veranos that showcases performances in Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park concert stage as well as other venues across town.

In September and October, you can attend Bogota’s International Jazz Festival or its International Film Festival , respectively. Both events attract region-wide spectators and feature internationally recognized musicians and films.

In terms of high tourism season, these coincide with the dry season between December and February and the summer months from June to August.

What to do in Bogota - Must-See Attractions

When visiting Bogota, expect to have a few jam-packed days of exploration. There are seriously so many things to do in Bogota, it can get overwhelming, so here are some of our favorite activities:

Cerro de Monserrate / Mount Monserrate

You can’t miss it, it’s literally the mountain looming over the city, known for its panoramic views and a sacred church, the Montserrat Monastery. This is an ideal activity for one of your first days in the city, since it provides excellent perspective on the city’s sheer size. To reach the top of Monserrate , you can either take a cable car or hike. Both are awesome in their own right. Given the city's high altitude, if it's one of your first days in the city, the cable car might be the move. if your body is more acclimated, or you're feeling up for the challenge, the hike up is beautiful as well.

pro tip : Arrive around 4pm to ensure you are there for sunset and reserve dinner at San Isidro. As lines can get long during busy times, you can buy tickets online .

Visіt the Historic La Candelaria neighborhood

Full of colonial buildings, a visit to La Candelaria is like traveling back in time. While exploring, make sure to order a cup of chicha , eat tamales and stop through Plaza de Bolivar, Calle de Embudo, Primada Cathedral, San Francisco Church, San Agustin Church, and Carrera Septima street, where you’ll often see street performers.

Although being the smallest district of Colombia's capital, La Candelaria offers a tremendous diversity of heritage infused in each of its cobbled landed streets

City tours are probably one of the easiest ways to explore Bogota, and there are a number to choose from, like food tours, street art tours, free walking tours ( Gran Colombia offers a free walking tour daily at 10am and 2pm) and bicycle tours. You can find several options with a simple Google Search or on Tripadvisor.

Graffiti Tour

Not everyone wants to show their work in a gallery or display it in conventional ways, and Colombia's graffiti artists have been years ahead of the game when it comes to utilizing unusual public spaces to display and inspire a new generation of art fans.

With the declassification of graffiti from a crime to merely a "violation" Bogotá has become a mecca for home-grown and international artists alike.

Take a graffiti tour of Bogota and you'll find yourself immersed in Colombia's history as well as its present, because the city's street artists are constantly finding new methods to express everything the country has gone through. Graffiti artists and collectives take inspiration from the lives of everyday people, and their work often serves as a mirror for society at large. Hearing the stories behind the art will surely leave you with a whole new appreciation for Colombia.

A Bogota graffiti tour will not only introduce you to Colombian art, but it will also bring you into the beating heart of the Colombian capital. Look for unique architecture, vendors selling juice from exotic tropical fruits, and dark gloomy cafés where some of Colombia's greatest writers produced their works, during your trip around the city.

Famous Bogota Museums

Compared to other South American capitals, Bogota has some top-notch museums you should definitely make time to visit. All the museums are easy and relatively cheap to access

Museo Botero

Museo Botero is considered one of Latin America's most important international art collections, containing works of renowned Colombian painter and sculptor, Fernando Botero - considered the most recognized and quoted living artist from Latin America

The Gold Museum

Named by National Geographic magazine as one of the most important museums in the world , Gold Museum along with the likes Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum (Poland), and the Vatican museums (Italy), the Gold Museum boasts over 34,000 gold pieces, a breathtaking collection of gold artifacts from Colombia’s pre-hispanic indigenous cultures and in our opinion should not be missed.

Pro tip: The Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and on Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Touring the whole museum will take about 3-4 hours (although of course it can be done in less if your in a time crunch). Entrance is ~$1 USD and there are daily free tours in English and Spanish which are well worth it, to dive deeper and learn the remarkable histories of Colombia's indigenous peoples.

The National Museum of Colombia

Housed in an old prison, the National Museum and so its architecture Founded in 1824, the museum houses 20,000+ artifacts, antiquities, and works of art from pre-colonial to colonial through the revolution and present-day.

Art Galleries

Bogotá has a thriving art scene that you can explore by touring its art galleries like:

La Silueta Casa

Instituto de visión, la ciclovía.

Every Sunday, major city streets are closed off to all vehicles other than bicycles , encouraging locals to get on their bikes and ride! And that’s not all, in Carrera 7, from Parque de La Independencia in La Macarena to Plaza Bolivar, you can enjoy an impromptu street party with street musicians, performers and vendors.

This pedestrian street goes from Plaza de Simon Bolivia up to the National Museum. Since it’s closed to vehicles, it’s a wonderful route for a stroll and an opportunity to enjoy street performers, street art and eat tasty bites from the street food carts.

Teatro Colon

One of the oldest opera houses on the continent, Teatro Colon opens to visitors regularly for performances by world-renowned artists in dance, theater, music and more.

What better way to explore a new city than by visiting its markets. (You’ll also be able to stock up on souvenirs and gifts.) Some of the best markets in town are Chapinero Farmers’ Market , Paloquemao , and Usaquén Market. Keep your eyes open for delicious chocolates, world-famous Colombian coffee, ceramics and even hammocks.

If you like combining gunpowder with beer, you’ll probably like Tejo. This is a national sport that involves throwing metal discs at a ceramic board. If you hit the right spots, you win points and are also rewarded with a loud blast and spark from a small packet of gunpowder. Checkout Anthony Bourdain’s hilarious demonstration of playing Tejo during his trip to Colombia. This is the perfect activity if you’re traveling with a group of friends. Where is such an activity accessible, legal and pretty safe you might ask?: Club de Tejo La 76 For some do’s (and dont’s), check out this awesome clip of Anthony Bourdain playing Tejo during one of his many trips to Colombia.

Learn to Salsa Dance

Even with two left feet, you’ll enjoy learning salsa in Colombia, one of the world’s salsa capitals. After a couple of classes, head over to Galería Café Libro to put your moves to the test (classes are also often offered here before the night begins).

Watch a Live Soccer Game

If you want a real South American experience, head to El Campín Stadium , where soccer games are regularly hosted for Colombia’s national soccer team and other professional league teams like Millonarios FC and Santa Fe.

After exploring Bogotá for a couple of days, you might need a retreat from its constant hubbub.

Bogota’s Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are an oasis within the city itself featuring an amazing variety of plants and trees from every region in Colombia including greenhouses with all types of climates, ponds

Simon Bolívar Metropolitan Park

Located nearby the garden is the city’s primary greenspace that has a lake and paths for walking or running.

From the north othe city, you can take the Quebrada la Vieja páramo trail all the way up the Cerros Orientales (Eastern hills). While access is free, you need to make a reservation online in advance.

On the outskirts of Bogotá you’ll find la Calera, a popular weekend destination for locals because of its natural surroundings, impressive views and delicious colombian food. La Calera can easily be reached by taxi from Bogotá.

Day trips from Bogota

If you have a full day to spare during your visit, check out one of the following day trip destinations.

Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

Located about an hour’s drive from Bogotá, this was a salt mine for the indigenous Muisca people that inhabited the region prior to the Spanish invasion. Much later, it was turned into a Cathedral, which explains the gigantic cross in its final chamber. If you like, you can travel to Zipaquirá by train .

La Chorrera Waterfall

Colombia’s tallest waterfall (590 meters) and is only 1 hour and 40 minutes from Bogotá. Take the Transmilenio south to Tercer Milenio then head to the nearby bus station to grab a bus to Choachi.

Villa de Leyva

Another worthwhile day trip is a visit to, a colonial town about 3.5 hours from Bogotá by car or bus. The town, having been well preserved since its founding in the 16th century, provides visitors a glimpse into what life might’ve looked like, back in the day.

Laguna de Guatavita

historically a sacred lake to the indigenous Muisca people, and the site of gold rituals is, today, a lush, protected area only 1.5 hours from Bogotá. While you’re there, check out the hot springs in Sesquilé.

Where to Eat in Bogota

Foodie or not, you’ll be blown away by the gastronomical options and variety in Bogotá. While you can buy many local classics like arepas, empanadas and soups all over the city, there are a few spots in town renowned for the quality of their food that you simply can’t miss.

• Andrés Carne de Res is truly a unique experience, not just a restaurant. The original Andrés Carne de Res is located about 45 minutes outside the city and is well worth the trek. While a closer Bogota location exists, if you can make the time, the original is 100% the way to go. As its name implies, the speciality here is grilled meat, though there are many vegetarian dishes you can also sample, like plátano maduro relleno de queso y bocadillo (baked plantains stuffed with cheese and guava), and arepas de choclo (sweet corn cakes). Later in the evenings, especially on Saturdays, the restaurant transforms into a nightclub with performances and lots of dancing - Colombian style.

Near Candelaria, you’ll find a number of other delicious spots, like Prudencia , built in a renovated colonial French-style home, and only open for lunch (vegetarian option available), and De Una Travel Bar , where you’re find a variety of South American dishes in a laid-back environment.

If you’re looking for a local favorite, check out La Puerta Falsa , renowned for its delicious tamales , and located just a block from la Plaza de Bolivar. Finally, Capital Cocina transports you straight into a Colombian home with its mouth-watering soups, grilled chicken and steak.

Finally, if you’d like something a bit more modern, visit the beautifully decorated Madre for their brick oven-baked pizzas and cocktails.

Only a 2-minute walk from Museo Botero is El Son de Los Grillos, a charming spot that fuses international cuisine with traditional Colombian recipes. You can’t go wrong at la Chichería Demente with its open style, industrial layout and decor. Nearly all ingredients are locally-sourced and it’s a great place to go with a group to taste a variety of dishes.

Pro tip:   While exploring the city, keep your eye peeled for Juan Valdez and the BBC - Bogota Beer Company. These two chains can be found throughout the city and are a great alternative for when you need a quick coffee or bite to eat. They are especially useful on Sundays when nearly everything else is closed.

Best Nightlife in Bogotá

If you like a good party, you’ve come to the right city; Bogotá has a popping night scene. When in doubt, head to Chapinero’s Zona T with many bars and nightclubs to choose from.

Before partying, grab a few cocktails in the luxurious Red Room or, if you prefer drinks with a view, head to Apache Bar , located on the 10th floor of the beautifully designed (and very pricey) Click Clack Hotel overlooking the city. Llorente, another good spot, is found in the Quinta Camacho neighborhood, offers live music, food and drinks in an elegant environment.

If you’re looking to practice your Spanish and make new friends, head to Vintrash on a Tuesday night for Gringo Tuesday. After practicing your Spanish or English, you can practice your dance moves and get down to some reggaeton.

For the hard core partiers among you, head to Theatrón , known as one of South Americas best  gay bars. But all are welcome here and there’s more than enough space, since the club spans 5 stories and 13 dance floors. Other good places to dance include Kukaramákara , a typical Colombian bar, Armando Records ,  a multi-level bar with a variety of music and cool rooftop, and el Bembé, a cuban salsa joint with excellent mojitos.

Given the sheer size and demographic mix of Bogota, there are thousands of accommodation options to choose from. Finding one that is well-situated and also fits your budget can be overwhelming. Although you can find tons of options on Tripadvisor or hostelworld, below are a few of our favorites:

Click Clack Hotel

If you're looking for a modern luxury option (and willing to spend a little extra) check out Following up on the success of their sister location in Medellin, they do a great job of creating beautiful experimental design. Located next to Park 93 in one of the city's key cultural and business hubs.

The Four Seasons

For a top-notch luxury accommodations, this is truly a thing of beauty. This 1946 building, complete with stone columns, beamed ceilings and hand-carved details, has recently been declared a Monument of Cultural Interest by Colombia’s Ministry of Culture. Located in Zona G, the hotel is steps from many of Bogotá’s five-star restaurants.

If you're an adventurous traveler looking for a quality, yet affordable option, as well a place to meet other travelers, hostels are a great choice. You’ll find many hostel options around la Candelaria which, apart from being a lovely colonial district, is also the most convenient spot from which to explore the city and its main sites. Access around la Candelaria to public transport is easy, and you’ll find many places to stop for some delicious home brewed Colombian coffee, lunch, or an evening drink.

The Dreamer

Dreamer Bogotá, (opening in 2023) is located in La Candelaria, is a recently renovated and an excellent option for those that want a cozy, comfortable and conveniently located home base while visiting Bogotá. It overlooks the park, Parque de los Periodistas Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and also has panoramic views of Cerro de Monserrate.

"Casa Dreamer” is built in a colonial building and offers a rooftop terrace, a communal dining & entertainment room with a fireplace, bar and restaurant, all built around a lovely interior courtyard. After a day out on the town, “the casa” is a great place to unwind, relax and cozy up by the fire. Did I mention there is a sauna? If you're planning on staying in la Candelaria neighborhood this is a great option.

Bogota: Final Thoughts

Bogota is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you are looking to party all night, dance the salsa, or take in some of the city's rich history and culture, Bogota will not disappoint . With a vast array fo neighborhoods to explore, from La Candelaria to Chapinero-Zona T, and the Zona Rosa, you will find yourself with plenty to explore. With so many accommodations and nightlife options to choose from, we hope we have given you just a taste of what this amazing city has to offer. Be sure to add Bogota to your list of places to visit in 2022!

Travel Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is bogota safe.

Yes. Despite its tumultuous history involving guerilla groups and drug cartels, Bogota, and much of Colombia, is considered perfectly safe. In fact, likely because of its history, great effort has been made to ensure Bogotá is a safe city for travelers of all types. That said, as in most other Latin America capitals, certain precautions will always be necessary, but most of these are common sense.

Generally speaking, apart from the most visited neighborhoods like La Candelaria, Chapinero-Zona T, the Zona Rosa, don’t wander around areas of the city that you’re unfamiliar with. Also, in the evening, always try to take a safe taxi or Uber, rather than a random taxi off the street.

Pro tip : No dar papaya . This is a colloquialism that literally translates to “don’t give papaya.” In other words, don’t give people the chance to steal your possessions. Always keep an eye on your personal belongings, also, don’t flash your cash, letting people know how much money you’re carrying. Particularly on public transport, be cautious when using your phone publically and keep valuable in your front pockets.

How many days should you spend in Bogotá?

Try to set aside at least two days, if not three, to explore Bogotá. This will give you enough time to visit its best museums (like the Museo del Oro , which is stunning!), wander through the la Candelaria district, and eat at some of its top-rated restaurants.

What should I pack?

Apart from a rain jacket (or an umbrella which can be purchased on the street, if need be!), all you really need in Bogotá are comfortable shoes, a sweater or light jacket for the evenings and sun protection (hat, sunscreen, possible a light long-sleeved shirt).

The riches you won’t find in Colombia’s breathtaking Caribbean beaches and its lush tropical rainforest can be found in Bogota’s museums, parks and along its cobblestone streets. To close this Guide to Bogota, here are a few final tips you should keep in mind during your journey.

Though younger Colombian generations are well-equipped in English, most of the population won’t speak it well. Brush up on your Spanish before (and during) your trip to facilitate your travel experience and to interact more authentically with locals.

Bogota is an entire world in and of itself. If you have some time to spare, consider spending more than two nights here. A more reasonable timeframe would be 3 nights and 4 days - you really won’t regret it!

Heading to the coast after your visit to Bogotá? Check-out our Costal Guide and Tayrona Park Guide

36 Hours in Bogota Itinerary

With only a day and a half in Bogotá, you’re not going to know where to begin! Here is our recommended 36-hour itinerary.

7:00 am: Start early and head to Monserrate before the crowds arrive. You’ll find a breakfast spot behind the church.

9:30 am: Join a Bogota Bike tour or a free walking tour

12:00-2:00 pm: Lunch at Prudencia

2:30 pm: Visit the National Museum

4:00 pm: Bike or walk along Calle 7

7:00 pm: Dinner at Andrés Carne de Res

9:00 am: Visit the Museo de Oro (entrance fee is $4mil COP, open Monday – Saturday and free on Sunday).

11:00 am: Depending on how quickly you made it through the Museo de Oro, you might have time to visit the Botero Museum

1:00 pm: Lunch at De Una Travel Bar

2:00 pm: Go on a Bogota Graffiti Tour

Looking for more things to do on your travels through Colombia?

If you are headed to The Caribbean Coast after Bogota, check out our comprehensive guides to Tayrona Park and Santa Marta . If you are planning on staying on San Andres Island, and looking for a nice place right near the beach, and within walking distance from the airport, check out the brand-new Dreamer Beach Club . If you're planning on exploring Parque Tayrona and decide to stay outside the park, both Dreamer Santa Marta or Dreamer Palomino are great options as well. They have a pool, restaurant, bar, and comfortable rooms making it an excellent option to relax and unwind before or after your trip. With partnerships with the top tour providers, they can help organize and plan your trip to the park and surrounding areas including The Lost City Trek, Scuba Diving, Cabo de la Vela & Punta Gallinas

For more information on activities or tours or general questions about the area, don’t hesitate to give us a shout! We’re here to help you have the best time possible and hope you will love the Colombian coast just as much as we do!

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• 3 Days in Bogotá, Colombia: A Perfect Bogotá Itinerary

Bogotá was our first stop on our Colombia itinerary . In February of 2020, we packed up all our stuff in San Francisco, left our corporate jobs, and set off on what was supposed to be a year of traveling around the world before we decided where we wanted to settle down (whoops!).

Turns out, Colombia was the only international stop we made on that trip, but it was worth every second. We loved Colombia, and Bogotá was a great starting point to give us the context and foundation we needed to truly appreciate the other areas we visited in this beautiful and diverse country. This guide to spending 3 days in Bogotá, Colombia, is almost entirely based on our own experience, and includes all of our favorite discoveries from exploring the city. 

In general, I would say that Bogotá exceeded our low expectations. We had heard from other people that it’s not the most exciting city. And while we’d agree that that’s true, at least in part, it is also a massive city, which means it has a diversity of things to do, see, eat, and drink that is basically unmatched in Colombia outside of places like Cartagena and Medellin. 

Is it the most exciting city in the world? Nope.

Is it worth a visit for a couple of days? We think yes. 

Read Next : 2 Weeks in Colombia: Complete Guide to Planning an Unforgettable Colombia Itinerary

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Where to Stay in Bogotá

The answer to the question of where to stay in Bogotá is going to shape your experience in the city. Bogotá is HUGE. Gigantic. Massive. Take your pick of adjectives. It can take forever to get from place to place within the city. 

Most travelers head straight for La Candelaria, which is probably best if you’re on a tight budget, or have limited time (e.g. 24 hours) in Bogotá. 

But with more than a day or two, we highly, highly recommend that you stay in Chapinero . Specifically, Quinta Camacho , since Chapinero is a pretty big area in its own right. 

We stayed at Aurora Hostel , which is right in the heart of all the action in Chapinero, and loved it. We’ll stay there again when we get around to making it back to Bogotá. Super friendly staff, a great breakfast to start the day off right (arepas, eggs, and coffee), and comfy rooms – choose from private or dorm-style – make this boutique hostel a no brainer for budget-conscious travelers who still want a stylish, comfortable place to stay.

 A good alternative would be Selina Chapinero , another sleek and affordable hostel. 

If you’d rather spend your time in Bogotá staying in an Airbnb, then we’d recommend this stylish loft in Zona G, or this beautiful, light-filled apartment . 

See all Airbnb stays in Chapinero here . 

As far as hotels go, Bogotá has a nearly unlimited number of options for you to choose from. We like (but didn’t personally stay at): 

• Mika Suites
• Hotel bh La Quinta (love their hotel in Parque 93 too)
• The Click Clack Hotel (in Parque 93, just to the north of Quinta Camacho)

3 Days in Bogotá: A Complete Bogotá Itinerary

Let’s get down to the details that are going to help you plan an incredible visit to Bogotá. Below, you’ll find a day by day Bogotá itinerary, complete with specific recommendations on things to do, eat, see, and drink. All based on our own experience exploring Bogotá, which was our first stop on our six week long Colombian adventure. 

The first thing you need to know is that Bogotá is absolutely massive. It’s dense, sprawling, and it can be hard to get around and navigate. In general, you’ll be spending most of your time in two specific areas: La Candelaria and Chapinero . 

Day 1: Downtown and La Candelaria (aka Tourist Day)

Spend your first day checking off the most touristy sights that the city has to offer. Then you’ll have two full days to spend exploring the more off the beaten path parts of the city, where you’ll find fewer tourists. 

Morning: Walking Tour with Beyond Colombia

On our first day in a new city, we almost always try to start with a walking tour to get a feel for the city, and start to get the lay of the land. Plus, the local guide leading the walking tour is usually a good resource for tips and tricks to make the most of the rest of your time. 

So, on the first day of your time in Bogotá, start off with a free walking tour with Beyond Colombia.  

Remember – “free” is kind of a misnomer. You still need to tip your guide, who often live off of your tips. I think we tipped our guide, Ana, a Bogotá native who was super knowledgeable about Colombia’s complicated history, something like 25,000 COP (~$8 USD). 

We really, really enjoyed the free War and Peace tour , which served as an amazing introduction to our time in Colombia. Learn all about the ongoing conflict, where it started, how it has progressed, and where it’s going, while also seeing many of the main sights in downtown Bogotá, like Plaza de Bolívar and Parque de Los Periodistas. Our guide, Ana, who grew up in Bogotá, was fantastic. 

Details for the War and Peace Tour: Meet in front of the Museo del Oro – look for red umbrellas – Monday to Friday at 10am for a three hour walking tour that ends near Plaza de Bolívar. Only offered in English. 

Lunch Time 

Your tour will leave you near the main square in Bogotá, which is a perfect place to grab lunch. Head to nearby La Puerta Falsa , one of the most traditional restaurants in the city, and order the Ajiaco, a stew made of chicken, potato, and corn in a thin savory broth, and a Colombian tamale or three. It’s also a good place to try a “ chocolate completo ” which is hot chocolate with cheese and bread. 

If you’re vegetarian, or La Puerta Falsa just doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, head to nearby Quinua y Amaranto in the heart of La Candelaria, which is where we decided to eat. It’s a great lunch spot, with a menu del día that features exactly one choice for each of your three courses, soup, a main course, plus, a dessert!

Museo Del Oro

To be completely honest, we weren’t too sure whether or not we were going to like this or not. It turns out, it’s super cool!

There’s a ton of gold pieces here, all with explanations about their origins and history surrounding the mining of gold in the region. Definitely get the guided audio tour for 8,000 COP (~$2 USD), which will give you a more immersive experience. Plan on spending a couple hours learning about the pre-Columbian cultures in the region. 

Details for visiting Museo del Oro: 4,000 COP (~$1 USD). 9am – 5pm Tues – Sat, 10am – 5pm Sundays. Closed Mondays, free admission on Sundays.

Day 2: Monserrate and Paloquemao Market

On your second day in Bogotá, you’ll spend the morning getting a workout in by hiking to the top of Monserrate before heading to the biggest market in the city to try all sorts of fruits with a local guide. 

That big hill you see towering above Bogotá? That’s Monserrate. From the top, you’ll have sweeping views over Bogotá, which will show you how truly gigantic Colombia’s capital really is. 

To get to the top, you can either hike up, or take the funicular (basically a cross between a cable car and a tram). 

The hike up to the top isn’t particularly easy – it’s roughly a mile, and you climb nearly 2,000 feet! You are at 8,000 feet of elevation, which is definitely going to make it even harder. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen and take it slow. If you don’t think hiking up is a good idea, you could take the funicular up to the top, and walk back down. 

Once at the top, spend some time admiring the views, the church, and wander over to the shops and restaurants at the north end of the complex to get a well-deserved snack before heading back down. 

Note : The trail to get to Monserrate is only open from 5am to 1pm – it is not safe to do this hike in the evening. During the morning, there are plenty of people going up and down, and a police presence at the bottom and along the trail, so it’s safe to do. If you want to go to Monserrate in the afternoon or evening, you have to take the funicular up and down. 

Details for Visiting Monserrate : The funicular costs 21,000 COP for a round trip ticket, or 12,000 COP for a one way, if you decide to hike up and ride down (or vice versa). It’s significantly cheaper on Sunday, but that brings TONS of people, which is decidedly less enjoyable, in our opinion. 

Paloquemao Market: A Guided Fruit Tour

Paloquemao was a highlight of our trip to Bogotá, and the local guide was the icing on the cake. 

Over the course of our travels, we’ve learned that while we love going to local markets and exploring, we don’t really have any idea where to start. Generally, we’ll walk in, walk around for a bit, and leave without really engaging with the people or produce there. It can be super overwhelming when we don’t know what we’re doing or looking for. 

Colombia is a country that produces every kind of fruit under the sun, from strawberries to passionfruit. But if we’re being honest, we didn’t even know where to start to try some of the bounty of fresh produce available. 

Enter Sylvia, our local guide for our guided fruit tour in Bogotá . We got lucky enough to have it just be the three of us, and she took us on a whirlwind of exotic fruits, stories, and culture that we still talk about to this day. We tried every different kind of passionfruit, dragonfruit, new varieties of lime that we’d never seen, and so much more.

And it was all stuff that we would have looked at and admired without trying if we hadn’t been with a local who knew what was up. 

Plus, it was really cool to see the relationships that Sylvia, a college student doing this tour as a side gig, had forged with the vendors at the market. One man was intent on learning and practicing his English so he could transition into the service industry at a restaurant, so we had a brief conversation about a fruit that apparently has lots of sexual benefits, particularly for men.

We highly, highly recommend this tour while you’re in Bogotá. Click here to check out reviews, prices, and book it.

Evening in Chapinero

Head to Chapinero for the evening to enjoy dinner and drinks. 

For dinner, here are three options: 

• Insurgentes Taco Bar : I mean, you know we love tacos and mezcal after our multiple long trips to Mexico City . 
• Deraiz : A great plant-based restaurant that is saving the planet one plant-based burger at a time. 
• Mini-Mal : Taking inspiration from traditional Colombian cuisine and ingredients with a modern, global twist. Get the fish in lulo sauce – lulo is a sour fruit that makes excellent juice, and in this case, sauce. They’re big on sourcing and using local ingredients as much as humanly possible. 

For a post-dinner drink, this neighborhood is packed with tons of options for you to choose from. 

• For beer, head to either El Mono Bandido , a brewery with a great outdoor patio, or Bogotá Beer Company , which seems to have a location on every corner, kind of like Starbucks in the US. 
• For cocktails, go to Huerta , which is across the street from Aurora Hostel. Gringo Cantina is a good choice too, for Mexican-inspired drinks and food (though for food, we’d go to Insurgentes above). 

Day 3: Coffee, Parque 93 and Usaquén

On your last day, head north to Usaquén to explore the cobblestone streets and great food and drinks that became our favorite spot in Bogotá. 

One thing to note here: if you’re in town on a weekend, definitely make the trip up to Usaquén on Sunday , when the incredible flea market takes over the main street in the area, filling it with vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to coffee. It’s worth a visit either way, but it’s even better on Sunday. 

Coffee Lovers, Rejoice!

Make the morning of your last day in Bogotá a relaxing one and grab some of the best coffee in Bogotá, which is conveniently located in the area you’re staying in, at least if you took our advice. 

Our favorite place was Cafe Cultor , which is where we met Alysha’s local friend on the day we arrived in Bogotá. We were DEAD TIRED, but still managed to enjoy the coffee and conversation. 

A close second would be Amor Perfecto , which is just a few blocks west. 

You’ll be heading north later today, and near Parque 93 is the coffee shop that allegedly started the specialty coffee scene in Bogotá – Azahar 93 . With its great coffee, greenery-filled interior patio, and buzzing ambiance, it would be a great choice for your morning coffee. The neighborhood surrounding it is worth a visit too – particularly the best bookstore in Bogotá, Librería Lerner .

To get up to Usaquén, which is about 20 minutes north of Chapinero, take a taxi or the T13 bus up Carrera 7.

The best thing to do in Usaquén is wander. The cobblestone streets are super romantic, and the neighborhood is packed with places to eat and drink to your heart’s content. 

Here are some of our favorites. 

Colo Coffee has a BEAUTIFUL location in the heart of Usaquén (everyday, 8:30am – 10pm) – it’s like walking into a coffee jungle. Not only do they serve some of the best coffee in Bogotá, but the ambiance couldn’t be better. You’ll find all sorts of coffee options, including pour over and espresso-based drinks, and even some juices and teas for non-coffee drinkers like Alysha. We could have spent all day soaking up the ambiance, but we had to move on.

Alysha loves ice cream, so Orso Heladeria was high on our list. It’s handcrafted ice cream made with high quality ingredients and traditional Italian recipes. They have a location in Usaquén, along with many others around the city. 

Abasto was probably the best meal we ate in Bogotá. We went for brunch-ish, around 11am on a Sunday, and it was PACKED with Colombian families enjoying their sunny weekend morning. It was also recommended to us by a friend of Alysha’s who lives in Bogotá, which is how it showed up on our radar. It’s a great spot for a casual sit-down lunch while you’re in the area. 

The Bogotá Beer Company location in Usaquén has cider! I have Celiac Disease, which means I need to eat gluten free (here’s my gluten free guide to Bogotá ), and beer is DEFINITELY not gluten free. But I managed to track down literally the only cider in Bogotá, which I was super happy about. It’s called Golden Lion Cider , and it was great. Apparently the popularity of cider is on the rise in Colombia!

Getting to Bogotá

You’ll land at El Dorado International Airport , the third busiest airport in Latin America, which is barely in the city of Bogotá, which sprawls out endlessly (as you’ll see from the top of Monserrate, if you make it up there).

The bus system failed us for getting to Chapinero, and we decided to take a cab. That’s exactly what we’d recommend for you too. To grab a taxi from the airport, go to the kiosk in the arrival terminal after you pass through security and tell them where you’re going. It might be helpful here to have the address of your hotel or Airbnb pulled up so you can show it to them. It’s a flat fee into the city from the airport, and they’ll hand you a receipt and you’ll head outside and they’ll direct you into a cab. 

Definitely make sure to use the authorized cabs, which involve talking to the people at the kiosk and getting a receipt in advance. 

Getting Around Bogotá

The public transportation system in Colombia’s capital is more than a little confusing. There’s like 17 different types of TransMilenio buses to choose from, all going to basically the same place.

But once you understand it, it’s actually super efficient and reliable. Here’s a better guide to public transportation in Bogotá than we could ever put together.

We also used apps like Beat (and Uber, though it’s very unclear whether or not it’s technically legal) to get around.

Safety Tip : Under no circumstances should you take a taxi off the street, especially at night. Use apps like Uber and Beat , a local alternative, instead.

Despite the “meh” reviews we’d gotten on Bogotá from friends and other travelers, we enjoyed it. We probably wouldn’t go back to Colombia specifically for Bogotá, but we think it’s worth a visit. There’s something about a city high up in the mountains that’s attractive to us, and Bogotá has plenty of things to do, see, and eat to keep you busy for a couple of days before you move on deeper into Colombia.

Planning a trip to Colombia ? Don’t miss our other Colombia travel guides that we’ve written to help you plan your trip. They’re all based on our experiences in the beautiful and diverse country that is Colombia.

• Where To Stay In Medellin, Colombia: A Complete Guide
• Where To Stay In Cartagena, Colombia: Best Places To Stay
• 2 Weeks in Colombia: How to Plan Your Colombia Itinerary
• The 5 Best Places to Visit in Colombia: South America’s Best Kept Secrets
• Where to Stay in Bogotá, Colombia: The 4 Best Places to Stay

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

My girlfriend and I just graduated college and are planning a two month adventure traveling across South America. Our first stop is Colombia and this guide really inspired us and helped plan our first leg of the trip! Cheers for the recommendations!

Hey Max! Hope you have a great trip! Let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip. Cheers!

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• How to Spend 3 Days in Bogota: The Ultimate Bogota Itinerary

Spending 3 days in Bogota is a great way to get a taste of the vibrant and diverse capital city of Colombia. With its lively street art, delicious food, and rich cultural history, there’s definitely no shortage of things to do and see in this bustling metropolis.

So if you’re planning a trip to Bogota and want to make the most out of your 3 days, keep reading for our ultimate itinerary!

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

Table of Contents

Are you planning a last-minute trip to Bogota?

If your trip is coming up soon and you still haven’t booked anything, we have you covered! Below you can find our top picks when it comes to hotels, tours, getting around, and more.

Best Tours and Experiences in Bogota

• Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Daily Group Tour (best day trip from Bogota)
• Monserrate, La Candelaria and City Walking Tour (top-rated tour for first timers)
• La Candelaria Graffiti & Urban Art Shared Tour (if you love street art, this tour is a must)
• El Paraíso Favela Tour with Cable Car (Bogota’s most colorful favela)
• Food Discovery Tour (best way to get familiar with the delicious Colombian cuisine)

Best Places to Stay in Bogota

• Hotel De La Opera (best luxury hotel in La Candelaria)
• Salvio Parque 93 Bogota (luxury hotel with incredible views)
• Hotel Muisca (stylish mid-range option in La Candelaria)
• Selina Parque 93 (hip budget-friendly hotel in a quiet neighborhood)

Can’t speak Spanish very well? As people in Bogota (and in Colombia in general) don’t really speak English, our best tip is to download Spanish on Google Translate so you can use it offline! Trust us, you’re going to need it.

Overview of Your 3 Days in Bogota

Breakdown of your 3 days in bogota.

• Day 1: Walking tour, La Puerta Falsa, Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church, Botero Museum, MAMU Museum, Dinner in Zona G
• Day 2: Monserrate, Gold Museum, Juan Valdez Cafe, Parque 93, Dinner in Zona T
• Day 3: Guatavita Lagoon and Salt Cathedral day trip

Map for your 3 day Bogota itinerary

Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you’re going to visit on this Bogota itinerary.

I marked your 3 days in Bogota with different colors – I used blue for the first, red for the second, and green for the third day, so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit each day.

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Day 1 of Your 3 Day Bogota Itinerary

Bogota walking tour.

There is no better way to start your 3 day Bogota itinerary than going on a free walking tour! This is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the city and its culture, as you’ll have an experienced guide who can take you around to key locations, share stories, and provide insights into the history of Colombia’s capital.

You’ll find many companies offering free tours in Bogota, but our personal recommendation is to go with Beyond Colombia . There are daily tours starting at 10 am and 2 pm, and they are available in both English and Spanish.

The tours last for about 3 hours, and you’ll have the chance to learn about the city’s colonial architecture, see some of the best street art in the city, and try chicha, a traditional Colombian drink.

It’s not only a fascinating way to get to know the city but also a great way to meet fellow travelers and have some fun!

Although this is advertised as a free tour, as with all the other free tours, tipping your guide is highly encouraged. As a rule of thumb, you should give $25,000-40,000 COP (about $5-8 US) per person, so make sure to have some cash with you.

If you liked the tour and have more free time in Bogota, they also have a Free War and Peace Tour and a Free Bogota Food Tour.

We haven’t tried these, but since the Free Bogota Walking Tour was awesome, I bet these are great as well!

Lunch at La Puerta Falsa

One of the oldest and most traditional restaurants in the city, La Puerta Falsa is a veritable institution in Bogota.

Don’t let its tiny size fool you – what it lacks in size (and seating options), it makes up for in flavor. 

Don’t miss some of the delicious variations of homemade tamales, which renowned chef-author Anthony Bourdain touted as some of the best in the world.

In addition, the ajiaco soup (traditional chicken and potato soup) and the chocolate completo (hot chocolate with cheese and bread) should not be missed either.

As the restaurant is really popular, you can expect long lines in front, especially during lunchtime. Don’t worry though, as the line usually moves quickly, so you won’t be waiting too long to get your hands on some delicious Colombian cuisine.

If you arrive later in the afternoon, they might be out of some dishes, so try to arrive as early as possible. In our case, the ajiaco soup was not available, so we were only able to try the tamales and the chocolate completo.

The tamales were really delicious but to be honest, I don’t think the chocolate completo was worth all the hype. Don’t get me wrong, it was good but nothing I would go out of my way for.

However, the restaurant is super cheap, so I think it’s worth trying even if just for the experience!

Insider tip: In case the ajiaco is not available, you can try it at the restaurant right next door. It’s called ‘El mejor ajiaco del mundo’, which literally translates to the best ajiaco in the world.

After trying it a couple of times during our 2 weeks in Colombia , I can safely say their ajiaco was really the best!

Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church

The Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church is a must-see during your 3 day Bogota itinerary. This church is located in the district of La Candelaria, only a 5-minute walk from La Puerta Falsa, and its history dates back to 1926.

It’s often referred to as the Candy Cane church due to its bold red & white stripes. Its immediately recognizable facade completely matches its interior, with ornate detail and the beautiful contrast of its pale blue cathedral ceilings.

The current building underwent extensive renovations in the 1980s, giving it a much-needed facelift, particularly after much of the outer facade was destroyed during the Bogota riots in the 1940s. 

If you want to go inside, you’ll have to shuffle this Bogota itinerary around, as the church is only open from 7.30 am to 11.30 am. Even if you visit in the afternoon, seeing the church from the outside is still worth it!

Botero Museum

The Botero Museum in Bogota is a must-see if you’re spending 3 days in Bogota. The museum opened in 2000, and it’s dedicated to the works of renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

He was born and raised in Medellin, so you might wonder, what is his artwork doing in Bogota? Well, Botero originally wanted to donate his work to the city of Medellin, but the decision-making process was going very slowly.

The mayor of Bogota saw an opportunity and stepped in, offering Botero to donate his work to the city of Bogota instead. And so, the museum was born!

His work is instantly recognizable, featuring fat people, animals, and objects that are exaggeratedly plump – to Botero, this was a way of expressing the beauty of life.

The museum houses an impressive collection of his sculptures and paintings, as well as numerous artworks by Picasso, Monet, and other famous artists. 

Apart from this permanent exhibition, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions featuring contemporary art and photography. Visitors can also enjoy watching movies at their in-house cinema or taking part in workshops held regularly at the museum. 

Be sure to include this incredible cultural experience during your 3 day Bogota itinerary! The museum is open every day except Tuesdays. Best of all, admission is free!

MAMU Museum

Another great museum to add to your 3 day Bogota itinerary is MAMU Museum. This museum is dedicated to the preservation of Colombian and Latin American art and culture. 

It houses permanent and temporary exhibitions with works from renowned Colombian, Latin American, and International artists. You can explore different types of media, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and videos that reflect Colombia’s rich culture and heritage. 

In addition to the art itself, MAMU also offers educational programs and events that help visitors better understand Colombia’s history and its people.

Admission here is also free, and the museum is literally right next door to Botero Museum, so you can easily combine the two into your 3 days in Bogota.

As with the Botero Museum, MAMU is also closed on Tuesdays.

Dinner in Zona G 

Zona G is the place in Bogota to explore the city’s culinary delights – in fact, the ‘G’ in Zona G denotes ‘gastronomy’ or ‘gourmet’, as it is well known to be home to some of the city’s best restaurants. 

You can literally find any kind of cuisine in Zona G, from traditional Colombian food to high-end Italian and Asian dishes. For our dinner, we chose Restaurante Mister Ribs , and we absolutely loved it!

If you’re a meat lover, I can really recommend trying this place out. The restaurant has been around for over 30 years and specializes in, well, ribs!

The food here is nothing short of mouth-watering, and the attentive and friendly staff, coupled with the cozy ambiance, make it all the more special. 

There are plenty of dining options in Zona G to suit every budget, so don’t fret if ribs aren’t your thing. Other great restaurants in the area include Restaurante El Cielo , Vitto Restaurante , and El Árabe .

Day 2 of Your 3 Day Bogota Itinerary

Start the second day of your Bogota itinerary with a visit to Monserrate. This is one of Bogota’s most iconic landmarks, and it offers some stunning views of the city from its 3,152 meters (10,341 ft) peak.

Monserrate had served as an important landmark since 1650 when it housed a pilgrimage chapel to honor El Senor Caido (the Fallen Lord). Since then, visitors have flocked to this stunning spot to take in sweeping views of Bogota and its surrounding countryside.

Today, Monserrate remains one of Bogota’s most popular attractions. No 3 day Bogota itinerary would be complete without a visit to Monserrate – after all, how could you pass up such amazing views?

How to get to Monserrate

You can climb up the mountain on foot or take a cable car/funicular. For what it’s worth, I strongly recommend the latter!

Climbing the mountain takes around 1-1.5 hours and you’ll have to tackle a pretty steep incline, which can be quite tiring.

It’s important to note that the hiking trail is only open between 5 am and 1 pm when police officers are present to ensure security. After 1 pm, it’s not possible to hike anymore due to safety reasons.

Alternatively, you can take the cable car or funicular, which is much easier and faster. It was quite confusing for me at first to figure out this whole cable car or funicular thing, so I wanted to clear it up for you: they essentially have the exact same route and take the exact same time, so it really doesn’t matter which one you choose.

Generally speaking, the funicular runs in the morning while the cable car runs in the afternoon. Of course, there are exceptions to this, so it’s best to check the official timetable before going.

A round trip costs $23,500 COP ($5 US) from Monday to Saturday and $14,000 COP ($3 US) on Sundays.

What to do on Monserrate

Once you get up to the top of Monserrate, take some time to admire the breathtaking views and explore the area. There are several lookout points that offer amazing panoramas of Bogota and its surroundings.

You can also visit some of the historic buildings located here, such as a 17th-century chapel built on the orders of a Spanish governor. If you want to do some shopping, there are also some souvenir shops to explore.

Finally, if you’re feeling hungry, you can enjoy a traditional Colombian breakfast or lunch in one of the restaurants or cafes around Monserrate. This is the perfect opportunity to try some delicious dishes like arepas, empanadas, and tamales.

Overall, Monserrate is a great place to spend an hour or two, and it’s definitely one of the highlights of any Bogota itinerary.

Gold Museum

After arriving back at the cable car/funicular station, call an Uber and head down to the historic center to visit one of the most important museums in Bogota.

The Gold Museum houses over 55,000 pieces of pre-Columbian gold and other objects from different indigenous cultures around the country. You can learn about Colombia’s rich cultural history through the museum’s interactive exhibits and multimedia displays. 

One of the most important artifacts on display is the Muisca raft, a figurine made from solid gold that dates back to 600-1600 AD.

It has become a symbol of Colombia’s cultural heritage and is considered one of the most valuable pieces in the entire museum. To be honest, I expected this golden figure to be a lot bigger but in reality, it’s super small!

The artifact is closely tied to an important indigenous legend that explains the origin of El Dorado, the mythical city of gold. Don’t worry, you’ll hear a lot more about this legend on the last day of your Bogota itinerary when you get to visit Guatavita!

The Gold Museum also offers guided tours that provide an even more comprehensive overview of its collections and historical artifacts.

Not only will you get to explore an impressive collection of ancient artifacts, but you will also learn valuable information about Colombia’s fascinating heritage.

Admission to the Gold Museum is $5,000 COP ($1 US), and it’s open every day except Mondays.

Coffee break at Juan Valdez Cafe

After spending a few hours exploring the Gold Museum, take some time to recharge and enjoy a cup of coffee at Juan Valdez Cafe. This iconic cafe is Colombia’s most popular coffee chain, and it’s located almost right next to the museum.

They offer delicious coffee drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, and frappes. If you’re hungry, there’s also a wide selection of snacks on the menu, like pastries, sandwiches, and salads.

Besides the great coffee and food, Juan Valdez Cafe is also known for its lively atmosphere. There are always people socializing in the cafe or working on their laptops. It’s a great spot to spend an hour or two relaxing, people-watching, and getting ready for the next stop on your Bogota itinerary.

This vibrant public park is one of the city’s most popular attractions and offers plenty of things to do, from dining and souvenir shopping to taking leisurely strolls along the tree-lined pathways.

Parque 93 dates all the way back to 1979, when it was first established as an urban refuge for citizens. Over time, it has transformed into a beautiful open space with lush gardens, fountains, and sculptures that give it a unique atmosphere. 

The park is also home to several restaurants, cafes, and stores that you can explore while you’re here. Packing a picnic lunch and bringing it with you can also be an enjoyable experience!

Aside from its retail outlets, Parque 93 also offers plenty of activities to enjoy. The park has fitness and yoga classes, chess, bike rentals, art workshops, children’s reading sessions, and several playgrounds for children.

There are also outdoor concerts and events that take place on a regular basis.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon or want to partake in some of the park’s many activities, Parque 93 is the perfect spot to visit during your stay in Bogota.

Dinner in Zona T

There’s no shortage of delicious eateries situated within Zona T in Bogota. The neighborhood is full of amazing restaurants, with an abundance of Italian options.

For a very special experience, you can visit Andres D.C. Bogota , located inside El Retiro Shopping Center. This is the sister restaurant of the famous Andres Carne de Res, which is located outside of the city in Chia.

The restaurant is characterized by its vibrant atmosphere and lively music. The menu is almost like a book with over 70 pages of dishes to choose from! Here, you can find traditional Colombian cuisine and grilled meats, pizza, pasta, and seafood.

Other great restaurants in Zona T include Central Cevicheria , Cantina La 15 Bogotá , Restaurante Primi , and Osk peru .

Day 3 of Your 3 Day Bogota Itinerary

Day trip to guatavita lagoon and the salt cathedral of zipaquirá.

On the final day of your 3 day Bogota itinerary, I recommend heading out of the city to explore some of Colombia’s stunning natural wonders.

This Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Group Tour takes you to two of the region’s most impressive sites that are absolutely worth a visit.

You’ll get to tour the famous Guatavita Lagoon, which is believed to be the birthplace of El Dorado legend, and the Salt Cathedral, an impressive underground cathedral carved out of salt.

The tour offers convenient round-trip transportation from Bogotá, with two different pickup points at La Candelaria and Parque 93, so you can choose whichever is most convenient for you.

After a quick photo stop at the town of Guatavita, you’ll arrive at Guatavita Lagoon, where you can explore its unique landscape and learn about its history. It’ll involve a bit of climbing and walking, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

The history of the lake and the El Dorado legend is truly fascinating, and you’ll get to hear all about it from your tour guide. The tour lasts for about 1.5 hours, after which you’ll be able to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Next, it’s time to head straight to the impressive Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. The Salt Cathedral, an underground Roman Catholic Church, was actually the first wonder of Colombia due to its awe-inspiring architecture.

You’ll receive an audioguide upon arrival to provide more detailed information about the site, and you can explore its many intricate chapels and balconies on your own.

You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another world, enhanced by the blue and violet lighting throughout the Salt Cathedral. It’s a truly magical way to spend the last day of your 3 days in Bogota!

At the end of the tour, you’ll be dropped off at the same pickup point where you were picked up earlier that day. From there, you can head back to your accommodation in Bogota to wrap up your 3 days in the city.

One important thing to note is that according to the tour description, the tour guide is only available in Spanish. However, when we did this tour, the tour guide spoke perfect English as well, which was a huge plus for us!

Even if you end up with a Spanish tour guide and you don’t speak the language, the tour will be enjoyable nonetheless.

The sites are simply amazing, and you’ll receive an English audioguide at the Salt Cathedral anyway, so you won’t miss out on any of the information.

More Great Places to Visit in Bogota

If you’ve got more than 3 days in Bogota or you’re just looking for more things to do during your stay, here are some other worthwhile activities to keep you busy.

Paloquemao Fruit Market

If you’re a fan of fresh produce, then a visit to the massive Paloquemao Fruit Market is an absolute must. It’s the biggest market of its kind in Bogota, and it has everything from fruits and vegetables to meats and fish.

Not only is the selection of products vast, but prices are reasonable, and it’s a great place to explore Colombian culture and meet local vendors who can give you tips on what to buy.

El Paraíso Favela Tour with Cable Car

This tour is a great option for an additional thing to do in Bogota for lovers of color and street art.

The cable car takes you up and above El Paraiso, one of the city’s most dangerous districts, to give you an unparalleled view of the colorful houses and street art that contrast with the harsh realities of life in this neighborhood.

On this tour, you’ll also meet with community leaders who provide invaluable insight into the efforts taken and positive changes enforced to restore El Paraiso.

La Candelaria Graffiti & Urban Art Guided Tour

This 2.5-hour graffiti tour will guide you through some of the best districts in La Candelaria to admire Bogota’s beautiful street art, giving you deeper insight into the beauty of Colombia’s urban culture and arts.

Your tour guide will be an artist and street art enthusiast who will show you the best spots in La Candelaria and tell you stories about the works of art. This tour is a great way to explore Bogota’s vibrant street culture and get to know the city in a whole new way.

Food Discovery Tour

Foodies will delight on this 3-hour food tour through Bogota. Your expert guide will take you to both famous eateries and hidden gems, allowing you to get a taste of the Colombian capital only known to locals.

You’ll stop at 7 different eateries where you can sample a variety of delicious dishes and drinks. This is a great way to get an interactive, unique experience at some of the best restaurants in Bogota!

Jardín Botánico de Bogotá

If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, then a visit to the Jardín Botánico de Bogotá is just what you need. Covering an area of 15 hectares (37 acres), this beautiful botanical garden is home to over 1,500 species of plants from around the world.

It was established in 1955 and includes a variety of themed gardens, including a tropical rainforest garden, a Japanese garden, and a butterfly house.

Hike to Colombia’s Highest Waterfall

This tour is a great option to escape the city for a day and enjoy the beauty of Colombian nature. Over the span of the tour’s 9 hours, you’ll visit El Chiflón and La Chorrera waterfalls after a serene hike through the Andean rainforest.

Consider bringing binoculars with you to admire some of the beautiful birds and other wildlife that call this landscape their home. Breakfast and lunch are included in the price of the tour.

Museo Nacional de Colombia

The Museo Nacional de Colombia is a great museum to visit in Bogota. Located on Calle 11, the museum showcases some of Colombia’s unique history and culture through its extensive collections. With more than 20,000 artifacts and works of art, it’s one of the most comprehensive museums in the country.

Useful Info for Spending 3 Days in Bogota

Language in bogota.

We will start with this topic as it’s not widely discussed on blogs and I think it’s very important to know before your trip.

The official language of Colombia is Spanish which you probably already know. But what you might not know is that almost no one in Bogota speaks English, so it will be very hard for you to get around without any Spanish knowledge.

This is generally true for all of Colombia, not just Bogota, so if you’re planning to spend more time in the country, you might as well start learning some basic Spanish while planning your Colombia itinerary.

You don’t need to be fluent, but knowing a few common phrases will certainly make your stay in Bogota much more enjoyable. You should at least be able to buy tickets at tourist attractions and order at restaurants.

If your Spanish knowledge is questionable (or non-existent), I would recommend downloading Google Translate on your phone in an offline mode to help you understand and communicate in Spanish. Trust me, you’re going to need it!

Where to stay in Bogota 

There are several great neighborhoods to stay in Bogota. Some of the best include La Candelaria, Chapinero, and Usaquen.

Depending on what you’re looking for from your stay and the activities you plan to partake in will dictate the best area to use as your home base during your 3 days in Bogota.

If you want to know more about what each area has to offer, make sure to read my in-depth guide to the best areas to stay in Bogota .

If you’re in a hurry, here are some quick recommendations for different budgets.

• Luxury: Salvio Parque 93
• Mid-range: Hotel Rosales Plaza
• Budget: Selina La Candelaria Bogota

How to get to Bogota 

The main international airport serving Bogota is El Dorado International Airport (BOG), which is located 13 km (8 miles) outside of the city center. 

Fortunately, getting from the airport to downtown Bogota is relatively straightforward and inexpensive. If you prefer to take the reins, the bus line P500 takes you from the airport to the city center.

But if you prefer a little more privacy and a little less stress, you can take a taxi or opt for a more convenient private transfer service. 

We highly recommend booking a private transfer ahead of time – this will ensure that you get to your destination quickly and hassle-free!

With a private transfer, you won’t need to worry about navigating the city or finding a reliable driver. Plus, you’ll enjoy your own space in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle.

Best time to visit Bogota 

Sitting at an elevation of 2,600 m (8,530 ft) above sea level, Bogota can be quite chilly year-round. The average temperature is 18°C (64°F) during the day and 10°C (50°F) at night.

Since the temperature doesn’t really change during the year, the only factors that come into play when choosing the best time to visit Bogota are the rain and the holidays.

Generally speaking, the best time to visit Bogota is from December to March, when the dry season is in full swing. Although this is called the dry season, unfortunately it doesn’t mean that it will be totally rain-free.

We visited in January, which is technically the driest month, and we still experienced heavy rainstorms every afternoon.

By the time the clock struck 2 or 3 pm, the rain came pouring down for at least a few hours. According to the locals, this was completely typical of January, so make sure to prepare accordingly.

Another thing to keep in mind is that December and January are the peak holiday season in Colombia, with many locals taking time off and traveling. This means that accommodation prices will be higher than usual and you will have to face higher crowds.

The rainiest months in Bogota are April and May, followed by September and October. Try to avoid visiting during these months if you can.

How to get around Bogota 

Bogota is a huge city and the attractions are spread out, so it’s important to plan ahead how you will get around. There are several different transportation options available, and each has its own pros and cons.

If you’re traveling on a strict budget, the bus is the cheapest option. The buses are usually quite crowded, however, and can be hard to navigate if you don’t know the city well.

For tourists visiting Bogota, I would recommend using apps like Uber or Cabify. These are both widely used in Bogota and add an extra layer of safety as the app will track your driver in real-time. Plus, fares are really affordable, and you can pay with a credit card.

In addition to public transportation and ride-sharing services, taxis are readily available throughout Bogota. However, I would advise against hailing a random taxi on the street, as it’s not the safest option. If you must do this, make sure you use an official taxi with proper accreditation and settle on the fare before you get in.

Planning a trip to Colombia?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Colombia. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

• The Ultimate 2 Weeks in Colombia Itinerary
• 3 Days in Cartagena: The Perfect Cartagena Itinerary for First-Timers
• 18 Best Things to Do in Cartagena You Can’t Miss
• Where to Stay in Cartagena: 6 Best Areas & Hotels
• Where to Stay in Bogota: 5 Best Areas & Hotels
• 10 Unmissable Things to Do in Salento, Colombia (+ Tips for Visiting)
• 3 Days in Medellin: The Perfect Medellin Itinerary for First Timers
• Top 20 Things to Do in Medellin You Absolutely Can’t Miss
• 13 Best Things to Do in Guatape, Colombia
• Luxury Glamping in Guatape: Bosko Hotel Review
• Glamping in Colombia: 17 Stunning Bubbles & Luxury Tents to Book

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Things to Do in Bogota, Colombia

The Colombian capital of Bogota, situated between the Monserrate and Guadalupe mountains, is one of the world’s highest capital cities. Bogota is known for its cooler temperatures, vibrant street art, fantastic museums, colonial architecture mixed with modern high-rise buildings, plenty of green spaces and a brilliant food scene. The list of things to do in Bogota is endless and you could easily fill up your days there with lots of different activities.

In this guide we’ll list some of the places you might want to add to your own itinerary. This includes Bogota’s buzzing historic centre, a must-visit viewpoint, the best markets, a botanical garden and a fantastic day-trip option.

If you’d like to see what we got up to in the capital of Colombia, then make sure to watch our dedicated Bogota video on our YouTube channel . For more Colombia videos check out our Colombia Series .

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something. Clicking these links won’t cost you anything, but it will help us to keep this site up and running! Learn more about our affiliate policy.

Table of Contents

Introducing Bogota, Colombia

The sprawling city of Bogotá, Distrito Capital (Bogotá, D.C.) is located in the center of Colombia, on a high plateau known as the Bogotá savanna. Situated at around 2,640 meters (8,660 ft) above sea level, it’s considered one of the world’s highest capital cities along with La Paz, Bolivia and Quito, Ecuador.

Before the Spanish arrived, the area was inhabited by the Muisca people and their city was called Bacatá . In 1538, a new city was founded by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, who named it  Santa Fé de Bacatá . Later, in 1550, it became the capital of the viceroyalty of New Granada up until 1819. In 1810, the people of the city started to revolt against Spanish rule, but had to continue to contend with Spanish military loyalists until 1819. This was when Simón Bolívar took the city after his victory at the Battle of Boyacá.

In 1821 Bogota was made capital of Gran Colombia, which was a self-proclaimed state that incorporated modern day Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama between 1819 and 1830. After this state dissolved, the city stayed the capital of New Granada, which later became the Republic of Colombia. In 2000, the capital’s name was officially changed from ‘Santa Fé de Bogotá’ to ‘Bogotá’. 

Over the past few centuries, Bogota has evolved into one of the most vibrant Latin American cities. It’s the largest city in Colombia and also the fourth most populous city in South America.

Read Next: Bogota Travel Tips: A Complete Guide to Visiting Bogota, Colombia

Walk Around La Candelaria, Bogota’s Historic Centre

La Candelaria in Bogota is the number one neighbourhood you should visit during your stay in the Colombian capital. It is basically the historic centre of Bogota. With all the modern high-rise buildings as a backdrop, this area of the city is instead filled with colonial houses, narrow cobblestone streets and an abundance of street art. It definitely doesn’t feel like you’re in the fourth largest city on the continent here.

La Candelaria is filled with attractions, from interesting museums to colourful street art and lively plazas. You can easily spend a full day or more wandering around this neighbourhood. Start your day at Plaza de Bolívar, Bogotá’s main square. It’s home to some of Bogota’s most important buildings.

There are also a few interesting museums you should add to your itinerary such as the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) , the Botero Museum (Museo Botero) or the International Emerald Museum. A visit to La Candelaria wouldn’t be complete without seeing the extensive street art and murals which have helped put Bogota on the list of best street art cities in the world.

Read Next: Things to do in La Candelaria, Bogota

Appreciate the Scale of Bogota from Cerro de Monserrate

Possibly the most popular thing to do in Bogota is to visit Cerro de Monserrate. Located at 3,152 m (10,341 ft) above sea level, this hill provides the perfect viewpoint of the city.

In 1640, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Morena de Montserrat was built on the hill, before a monastery was added in 1657. Even the Muisca people considered the hill sacred and, after the Spanish conquest, Monserrate became a destination for pilgrims. Today, you’ll also find some restaurants, cafes and a small market catered for tourists at the top.

Many people come up Cerro de Monserrate. Some of them climb up for religious reasons, and some run up as part of their fitness training. However, the majority of visitors arrive here for the fantastic views they can get over the Colombian capital. If you’re here for the views too, then try to time your visit for just before sunset. This way, you can appreciate the views in daylight and experience an incredible sunset. If you stay long enough, you can see the city lights at night too.

Make sure to wrap up warm if you’re planning on staying for a while. It’s cold enough down in the city, so once you get above 3,000 m (10,000 ft) it’ll be even cooler.

There are a few ways you can reach the viewpoint. You can hike, take a cable car or ride a funicular .

How to Visit Cerro de Monserrate in Bogotá?

If you’d like to hike up, bear in mind that the trail is about 2.5 km long and all uphill. We recommend spending at least one full day in Bogota to acclimatise first, since you’ll be hiking up to 3,152 m (10,341 ft); an additional 500 m (1,640 ft) of elevation from the city centre.

You will also have to do the hike in the morning, as the trail is only open between 5AM and 1PM. They won’t let you on the trail later in the day for safety reasons. So, if you want to visit at sunset, then you’ll either have to go up twice or just use one of the other methods.

Most visitors go up with either the cable car or the funicular. You can reach the station on foot from La Candelaria. It’s worth highlighting that both methods have slightly different operation times as follows:

• Funicular: Operates Monday to Friday between 6:30AM and 11:45AM. On Saturdays, it’s open between 6:30AM and 4PM and on Sundays from 5:30AM to 5:30PM.
• Cable Car (Teleferico): Operates Monday to Saturday between 12PM and 11:30PM. On Sundays it’s open between 10:30AM and 4:30PM.

Luckily, the cost of both methods is the same. A one-way ride is 16,000 COP ($4 USD) and a roundtrip journey is 27,000 COP ($7 USD) from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays there’s a discount for visitors, with a one-way trip costing only 9,000 COP ($2.25 USD) and a roundtrip journey costing 16,000 COP ($4 USD).

As always, you can also join a tour if you don’t want to go on your own and prefer meeting with new people, or if you just don’t have much time to plan everything out by yourself. You can check out this dedicated Monserrate Tour or this tour that also includes La Candelaria.

Enjoy the Botanical Garden of Bogota

As people who always prefer being close to nature when possible, visiting botanical gardens during city breaks has become somewhat of a tradition for us over the years. Getting away from the city’s hustle and bustle for a while is very refreshing after spending hours navigating people, traffic and attractions.

If you’re also craving some greenery, then definitely head to Bogota’s Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis) . It’s located north-west of La Candelaria, right next to the Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park. The garden was founded in 1955 by Dr. Enrique Pérez Arbeláez, a Colombian botanist and priest. He named the garden after José Celestino Mutis, a Spanish botanist, mathematician and priest.

The best part of the Botanic Garden is the Tropicario, a huge greenhouse that was built only recently. There are now six huge glass structures which were developed in response to the deterioration of the wetlands and other ecosystems in the area. Each glass structure houses a different biome, such as Humid Forest, Dry Forest and Superpáramo or serves a specific function like promoting Special Collections, Useful Plants and Biodiversity.

How to Visit the Botanical Garden of Bogotá?

How to get to the Botanical Garden in Bogotá . The fastest and most affordable way to get there is by bus. You can use the TransMilenio, which is Bogotá’s bus rapid transit system (BRT). First, you’ll need to purchase a bus card (7,000 COP / $1.75 USD) and then you can top that up with enough credit to cover your bus rides across the city. A one-way journey is normally 2,950 COP / $0.75 USD.

Opening Hours: The Botanical Garden is open every day, between 8AM and 5PM on weekdays and 9AM to 5PM on weekends. It’s closed on Monday’s for maintenance.

Entry Fee: 7,000 COP ($1.80 USD) for the main grounds and 20,000 COP ($5 USD) for the Tropicario. A combo ticket is 25,000 COP ($6.20 USD). In our opinion, it’s totally worth paying the extra for the greenhouse!

Find Your Next Souvenir at Usaquén Market

If you’re a regular reader, then you’ll know by now that another one of our favourite activities in a city is to visit its markets.

One of the most popular markets in Bogota takes place every Sunday in the Usaquén neighbourhood of the city. Here you can buy quality handicrafts such as clothes, bags, shoes, and jewellery. The area is also filled with street-food vendors, so you can try some fun, local sweet and savoury favourites such as arepas, empanadas or obleas.

Make sure to bring enough cash with you if you intend to buy something. Even if you’re not, we bet you’ll spot something you won’t be able to leave behind; even if your suitcase is already bursting!

How to Visit Usaquén Market in Bogota?

The market is open every Sunday between around 10AM and 5PM. We recommend getting there just before lunchtime to allow for a few hours of browsing time.

If you’re coming from the La Candelaria neighbourhood, the most affordable way to get to the market is by local bus. Walk to this bus stop at Carrera 10 / Calle 9 and hop onto either the T13 or T25. This bus will travel up this road before joining Carrera 7. You can get off around this bus stop.

As mentioned before, you would need to purchase a bus card (7,000 COP / $1.75 USD) and then top that up with enough credit to cover your bus rides across the city. A one-way journey is normally 2,950 COP / $0.75 USD.

Alternatively, you can also get a taxi to Usaquén from La Candelaria, but of course it’ll cost you a fair bit more.

Take a Day Trip to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira

Another top thing to do in Bogota is to take a day trip to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira (Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá) . Located in the small town of Zipaquira, about 55km to the north of La Candelaria in Bogotá, a visit here is definitely more of a day trip than a quick activity.

As the name suggests, the Salt Cathedral is a church built inside the shafts of an abandoned salt mine nearly 200 m underground. In case you’re wondering why there is a Cathedral built inside a salt mine, well, the answer is very simple. Working in the mines is a dangerous job, so miners carved out a sanctuary which they used for their daily prayers before starting their shifts.

The first Salt Cathedral was constructed in the early 1950’s. Due to safety reasons it was closed, and then the one you can see today was built in 1995. Today, it’s both a tourist destination and a place of pilgrimage, just like Monserrate.

How to Visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira from Bogota?

There are a few ways to get to the Salt Cathedral from Bogota. The most affordable one is to take a local bus to Zipaquira and walk to the cathedral from the town. You can also book a taxi, but this is going to be quite pricey because of the distance. Lastly, you can join an organised tour from Bogota. You can book this dedicated Salt Cathedral tour or one that also includes a visit to Guatavita Lagoon.

Opening Times: Every day from 9AM to 5:30PM.

Entry Fee: the basic entry fee is 98,000 COP ($25 USD) which includes an audio guide. The guide is very useful in explaining the history of the place. This entry fee also includes a fun ‘train’ ride out of the cathedral, WI-FI and a short movie about the mine’s history. You can also buy two more packages that include entries to additional museums and a city tour.

Read Next: How to Visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira from Bogota

Where to Stay in Bogota

Bogota is a huge city, so there will naturally be districts where it’s not recommended for visitors to stay.

If you’re short on time and want to be close to the main attractions, then the La Candelaria neighbourhood is a great place to base yourself. There are plenty of hotels and hostels in this area for all budgets and needs. La Candelaria is also filled with cafes, bars and restaurants, and is a generally walkable district. Below are some places you can check out:

• Selina La Candelaria
• Arche Noah Boutique Hostel
• Candelaria House Boutique
• Botanico Hostel

Located in the north east of Bogota, Chapinero is a trendy and bohemian neighbourhood. Although you won’t find many attractions here, it’s a good base for those who’re in the city for a bit longer, or those who just want to stay away from the main touristy areas. It also has a great LGBTQ+ community, trendy cafes, restaurants and markets. Find accommodation in Chapinero here.

You can also consider La Zona Rosa which is known for its nightlife, the financial district for any business-related travel, or Teusaquillo which has a lot of green spaces.

Where to Eat in Bogota?

There are plenty of places to eat in Bogota and you definitely won’t get hungry as you’re exploring the city. Below are some of the favourite spots we ate at during our stay:

• Quinua y Amaranto is a small restaurant serving great vegetarian and vegan food. Definitely come here to get a lunch menu.
• Nativa Arte y Comida Natural  is a vegan restaurant that also offers some nice lunch deals.
• Mercy Vegan Food is another small vegan restaurant with very friendly staff.
• Usaquen Market is filled with street food vendors as well as sit-in restaurants and cafes. The options here are endless.
• Vegoto Fast Food is another great vegan restaurant in Chapinero serving filling lunches.
• Juan Valdez Cafe is basically the Starbucks of Colombia. Whilst it’s a chain, we definitely enjoyed popping in here for a quick coffee and some pastries.

Do you want to learn more about Colombian cuisine? Then make sure to book a street food tour to have a fantastic gastronomic experience.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Bogota, Colombia

Whilst some people don’t spend too long in the Colombian capital before heading to other popular places such as Medellin and Cartagena, we have no regrets about spending a couple of extra days in Bogota. We absolutely loved its historic centre and were blown away by the views from the top of Monserrate. Spending longer in the city also allowed us to visit places that were located a bit further from the main tourist hotspots. It was relaxing to walk around the botanical garden but we also enjoyed browsing the stalls at Usaquén Market.

Have you ever been to the Colombian capital? If so, what was your favourite thing to do there? If not, what activities would you add to your Bogota itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.

Now, let your adventure begin,

Our Top Travel Resources

Accommodation:  For hotels we always use  Booking.com  and  Hostelworld  for hostels. We also book longer stays on Airbnb or  Vrbo.

Flights:  To find the best flight prices we always check  Skyscanner ,  Google Flights  or  WayAway.  Then we also check the airlines’ websites too for comparison.

Car Rentals:  We use  Discover Cars  when we want to rent a car as it compares local, national and international companies.

Activities:  If we book organised tours we always check either  GetYourGuide  or  Viator.

Foreign Currency:  Whenever we can we prefer to pay in local currency and for that we always use our  Wise card.   We can easily withdraw money from the ATM or pay by card at most shops and restaurants.

Travel Insurance: We never go anywhere without travel insurance. You never know what will happen on your trip, so good travel insurance like SafetyWing can protect you in case of injury, illness, theft and cancellations.

eSIM and VPN: To get data abroad we use  Airalo which is an app that allows you to download a prepaid eSIM to your phone in over 190 countries. Make sure to have a VPN to avoid hackers accessing your personal data when using public WIFI. We use  Surfshark  which is the only VPN that offers one account on unlimited devices. 

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How to Spend a Wonderful Three Days in Bogota, Colombia: The 2023 Edition

Bogota is the capital of Colombia , a misty city hidden at almost 9,000 feet above sea level in the Northern Andes. It was built between two mountains, Guadalupe and Monserrate. Surrounded by mountains, it offers a balance of nature and city.  

Once ruled by the Chibcha Indians indigenous to this region, the city was taken over by European settlers in 1538 with the arrival of Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. At the time the city was called Bacata. 

In 1819, Simon Bolivar returned the city to Colombia, at the time known as Gran Colombia, with his victory in the Battle of Boyaca. It was made the capital in 1821. 

Why Bogota over other cities? 

Cartagena is the prettiest city in Colombia, Cali is the epicenter of salsa, and Medellin is surrounded by charming villages, but Bogota? It offers something entirely different. The capital of Colombia isn’t the most beautiful city, but it has an authentic charm that surpasses the facades of its buildings and entices a different kind of traveller.

If you want a real taste of Colombia, in its unfiltered form – go to Bogota. The city center is colonial and colorful, though it’s nowhere near as commercial as Cartagena. There are arepa stalls and local restaurants around every corner, and an amazing nightlife that will draw you out of your hotel room at night. 

Another thing that will enchant you about Bogota is the people. Because Bogota isn’t as touristy as other areas of the country, the locals are extremely friendly and seem to be determined to make your time there as good as possible! I noticed this from the minute I arrived. 

I jumped in a taxi and soon I was having a long chat with the driver, who gave me restaurant recommendations, advised me on the best ways to get around the city, gave me a list of must-see attractions, and warned me about which neighbourhoods of the city to avoid. 

Other cities are more beautiful, but the influx of tourism has made the locals more distant (in Cartagena they can even be quite rude at times!). Bogota also isn’t over-commercialized, so you get great value for money on tours, dining, and accommodation. 

How many days should you spend in Bogota? 

When I visited Bogota, during my three-month trip in Colombia, I spent a week there. I think that’s a little longer than you realistically need. I spent one of the days resting and recovering from a long night bus down from the northern coast of the country, and another two sorting out paperwork and doing some long overdue shopping at malls (something I always put off for as long as possible).

But if you’re purely in Bogota for pleasure, and you’re a bit tight on time, you can squeeze in all the main attractions, plus enjoy laid-back evenings in the city center, in three days. I’d recommend booking four nights of accommodation so you’ve got three full days in Bogota and you’re not tired from travelling on one of them. 

A long weekend in Colombia’s culture-filled capital will rekindle your sense of adventure and have you planning your next trip back! 

Here’s a straightforward and versatile three-day itinerary for Bogota:

Day 1: Explore the best of La Candelaria 

Spend your first day in the La Candelaria neighbourhood visiting all the most famous landmarks, museums, cultural hotspots, and monuments. Start the day off in Plaza Bolivar, the most famous plaza in the city.

This huge square is surrounded by governmental buildings like the mayor’s office and museums, as well as Colombia’s Palace of Justice, the Cathedral of Bogota, and the Capitol Building. Most of the buildings surrounding the square date back to the 16th century. It’s a great place to start the day as it’s close to lots of other must-see attractions.

When the Spanish reigned Colombia they ran markets on the square, and bigger events like bullfights! Nowadays it’s a lively square that always has great people watching. When I was there I saw a man clipping pigeons’ toenails, a peculiar sight that I’ll never forget. 

Afterwards, make your way to the Museo de Santa Clara which is right around the corner. This 17th century church was deconsecrated in the 1960s and turned into a museum. The church walls are decorated with over 148 baroque paintings, making it one of the most beautifully decorated churches in the country! 

Carry on to the Casa de Nariño, which is just a five-minute walk away from Plaza Bolivar and a few minutes away from the Museo de Santa Clara. It’s the president’s official home and has a Neoclassical facade and a grand interior. You can explore the luxurious rooms of the house on a free tour, they run Monday to Friday. Bear in mind you will need to book at least five days before! 

Next head on over to the Museo Botero which is a 10 minute walk away. Botero is possibly the most famous Colombian artist in the world, and he’s certainly revered by the Colombians! His artwork is unique and fascinating, portraying human bodies that are completely disproportionate and often have large bottoms and huge heads. 

By now you’ll probably be a little bit tired and oversaturated from sightseeing, so try chicha in La Candelaria before continuing. Chicha is an alcoholic drink made from fermented corn that is popular across Central and South America. In fact, it’s the oldest alcoholic drink in the country. It’s usually served warm, which is perfect on a cold and cloudy day in Bogota. 

There are lots of bars where you can try it, especially on the streets around the Plazoleta Chorro de Quevedo which is just 15 minutes walk away from the Casa de Nariño and five minutes away from the Botero Museum. Afterwards, have a late lunch in one of the many local restaurants in the area. Be sure to try different local favorites like tamales and arepas! 

For lunch most Colombians order a “menu del dia” (menu of the day) which is always hearty and cheap, often costing around two dollars. You get soup, fresh juice, and a main with most menus. 

End the day at the Museo de Oro. Bogota has some fantastic museums and lots of points of interest when it comes to culture dotted around the city, but the Museum of Gold is the best. It’s been rated amongst the best museums on the planet, next to others like the Vatican museums and Pergamon Museum. 

Inside, you’ll be dazzled by the 34,000 gold pieces in the museum, the majority of which belonged to the indigenous peoples of pre-colonial Colombia. In each glass cabinet, there are intricate and peculiar figures carved out of solid blocks of gold. 

Many of the small figurines represent different pre-colonial deities and other pieces were used in rituals. The elegant jewelry pieces decorated the bodies of rulers and religious leaders. 

Two of the most iconic pieces on display are the figure of a Muisca indigenous man on a golden raft (which was my personal favorite, I could spend hours looking at it) and a gold poporo quimbaya.

After all your exploring, stop at a local cafe and enjoy some people watching accompanied by a cup of “cafe de olla”. This sweet and cinnamon-scented coffee isn’t for everyone, but it’s cheap and warming! 

Day 2: Go on a tour

I’m not usually a big fan of tours, but when you’re only stopping in a city for a few days they can be really convenient. Because of the humorous and friendly nature of the Colombian people, they’re also far more fun than in most countries. Couple this with the fact that they’re very affordable and there’s no reason not to go on a tour or two in Bogota. It’ll save you time and the hassle of planning! 

Some of the best tours I did during my time in Bogota were super simple, and didn’t cost much more than $10. I started with a free walking tour with BeyondColombia, which gave me a great sense of how the city was laid out and some basic information on the main landmarks. 

That same day I went on a this bike tour , which was great as I got to explore further away neighbourhoods that would take ages to reach by foot. I don’t usually enjoy riding bikes much, but I’m glad I gave this tour a chance—I really loved it! You can check availability for the tour below:

Another tour worth considering if a bike tour isn’t your thing is the Bogota Graffiti tour . There’s lots of hidden artwork around Bogota that would take days to find by yourself, so this tour is perfect for enthusiastic art lovers that want to see the peculiar, colorful, and sometimes political artwork that decorates the streets of Bogota. Again, you can check availability for the tour below:

Now, whilst there’s loads to do in the city, there are a few tours worth considering if you’d rather get out of the city on one of your days here. Needless to say, you’ll need to pick one as you won’t be able to fit them all in, but here are some options worth looking into! Bear in mind you can reach these places via public transport and go independently if you’d rather not take a group tour. 

La Chorrera Waterfall is just an hour outside of Bogota and it’s the highest waterfall in the country. Taking a tour there costs somewhere between 250,000 ($50) and 500,000 COP ($100). 

But given that the entry fee to the park is 35,000 COP, and a guide costs 40,000 COP, plus you’d be looking at spending around 15,000 COP on the Tercer Milenio bus to get there and back, it’s not that much cheaper to do it yourself in this case. Other than the waterfall there are some awesome caves and a lookout point at La Chorrera.  

Alternatively, go to the town of Zipaquira and spend the day visiting the Cathedral of Salt which was built by miners inside the old salt mine 200 meters below ground. The cathedral is really impressive, especially considering it was built by humble miners who simply wanted a place to worship. This is a great example of how dedicated Colombians are to their faith. 

I also thought Zipaquira itself was worth visiting. The colonial architecture that characterizes the town and the large church on the main square was stunning. 

Another tempting tour from Bogota is the Laguna de Guatavita. It was once a ceremonial site where indigenous people worshipped the goddess of the water, Chie. It’s also the home of the El Dorado legend, which was so magnificent it attracted the Spanish to this land in the sixteenth century. 

According to legend, the Muisca Indian chief used to sail out onto the lake on a wooden raft with four priests. He would then throw in treasures made of pure gold before submerging himself in the waters of the lake, in honour of the gods. This led the Spanish to try and drain the lake on several occasions, in an attempt to recover the lost gold. 

Years ago there was an old town, called Guatavita, nearby that was once the religious capital of the Muisca people. They produced exquisite metalwork there. Sadly, it was inundated by the Tomine Reservoir. Now, a replacement town has been built, also called Guatavita.

If you can’t choose between these tours, then your best option is a combined tour of Guatavita and the Cathedral of Salt! 

When you get back that evening from whichever adventure you choose to go on, make your way to La Zona Rosa. There are loads of bars and clubs here, and there’s no excuse for leaving Colombia without getting a little tipsy drinking aguardiente.

Aguardiente is Colombia’s equivalent of what Tequila is to Mexico. Admittedly I wasn’t a huge fan because it tastes a lot like licorice, but I still spent many a night drinking aguardiente with local friends. Luckily, it’s often served with a plate of cane sugar that you can nibble on after each shot, which makes it a lot more drinkable! 

Day 3: Hike to Bogota’s famous churches

Two main mountains surround Bogota, Cerro de Monserrate and Cerro de Guadalupe. On the top of each, there is a church that towers over the city! The most famous is Monserrate, though both are worth a visit.

The Monserrate mountain was important to the city even before colonial times when the local indigenous people considered it sacred and named it “quijicha caca” or grandmother´s foot. During the summer solstice in June, the sun rises directly behind the Cerro de Monserrate. 

After the Spanish conquered Colombia a religious group known as the Brotherhood of Vera Cruz were granted permission to build a small religious retreat at the top of the mountain. 

There’s also a statue of Jesus known as El Señor Caído (The Fallen Lord) positioned at the front of the altar which is visited by believers and pilgrims who come to the basilica. Supposedly the statue performs miracles! It was made by Pedro de Lugo Albarracin in 1640. 

The only way to get to the church used to be an arduous uphill hike, but now there’s a funicular railway that opened in 1929 and a cable car that was inaugurated in 1955. It’s never been easier to visit the Cerro de Monserrate and its delightful little church. Both cost just 11,000 COP (under $2.50) each way.  

The best option is to take the cable car or funicular railway up and then walk down the winding two-mile path that takes you back to the city. Though even today the most devoted religious believers still make their way to the top by crawling on their hands and knees, a practice that is especially popular during Easter. 

I’d recommend going around sunset time. The views over the city are spectacular day and night and the church is lit up when it gets dark so if you go to watch the sun go down you can catch all the best views in one trip. There are stalls and little shops at the top too, so you can buy souvenirs to take home or get your hands on a cold beer to enjoy alongside the views! 

The other famous mountain in Bogota, the Cerro de Guadalupe, has a church at the top that was built in honour of Our Lady of Guadalupe, possibly the most important and revered saint in all of Latin America. At the entrance of the church, built on the roof, there is a huge 49-foot high white statue of the saint with her arms opened wide designed by Gustavo Arcila Uribe in 1946 that towers over the rest of the buildings at the sanctuary. 

You can actually see the statue and Guadalupe Hill from Monserrate, so if going up two mountains in one day doesn’t sound appealing you don’t have to miss out entirely! There are various ways to get there, by foot, car, or public transport.

As the mountains are neighbours, getting between the two is pretty straightforward. It’s a half-hour drive from peak to peak (so taking an Uber is a possibility!) or you can get the bus to Guadalupe Hill then walk down and make your way up to Monserrate via the cable car or funicular. The mountains are on the outskirts of the city, just outside of the famous La Candelaria neighbourhood so they’re not too out of the way or off the usual tourist trail! 

Monserrate is more popular than Guadalupe Hill, but both are worth a visit. Bear in mind they get especially busy on Sundays when the locals come to the churches at the top for mass and tourists flock in.

What to know before you go 

Communicating with locals : Some Colombians do speak English, but in general, the level of natives isn’t very high. I’d recommend learning some basic Spanish and taking a pocket-sized dictionary with you. The good thing is, Colombians have a great sense of humour and are very patient, so you’ll have a laugh chatting to the locals, even if it is in very broken Spanish. 

The nightlife : Colombians love to party. I’m yet to find somewhere that has so much music and such a lively atmosphere. They love dancing, and they play every tune at full blast.

Even if you aren’t a dancer, you’ll undoubtedly end up being swept onto the dance floor by a friendly local who swears they can teach you how to salsa in no time! Bearing that in mind, it’s worth learning the salsa basics and getting a sense of the Latin rhythm before you go so you don’t feel like a fish out of water!

How to Stay Safe in Colombia

Colombia was put off the tourist map for half a century by the violent conflicts that broke out between the government and rebel groups across the country. Corrupt governments, terrorizing guerrilla groups, and an economy that relied largely on the production and exportation of cocaine made Colombia unappealing and dangerous. 

Now, it’s mostly the stigma that remains. Outdated perceptions of the country prevent tourists from travelling to Colombia, despite how much safer it’s become. Admittedly, I was one of them! When I began my trip across South America I quickly took Colombia off the list, assuming it was too dangerous. However, I met loads of travelers along the way, and they all said the same thing… “Go to Colombia!” So eventually, lured in by the celebration of the second biggest carnival in the world, I did!

When I got there I was shocked to find a colorful country whose people had an infectious laid-back and joyful way of being. The three months I spent in Colombia were tranquil, fun, and above all, I felt safe! 

Of course, like every city in the world, there are neighbourhoods you should avoid. As a general rule, areas south of La Candelaria (like Boda, Ciudad Bolívar, Kennedy, San Cristobal, and Usme) are off-limits. The neighbourhoods quickly get more shady and dangerous as you move away from the city center. 

Even in La Candelaria, the most beautiful and appealing neighbourhood of Bogota you’ll need to keep a bit alert. Be wary of muggings on Calle 9 and areas south of Barrio Egipto. 

Lots of travellers stay in Zona Rosa if they’re worried about safety. I stayed in La Candelaria and everything was fine, but by that point, I had been travelling around South America for five months and I had a good sense of how to keep myself safe. 

Overall the biggest threat in Bogota is pick-pockets. To prevent having your things stolen, which puts a downer on any trip, follow my top three safety tips:

• Leave your passport and a spare credit card in your room at the hotel. Only take copies of your passport out with you and get a travel card, like Monzo and Revolut, that you top up with enough money for each day along the way.
• Sew a pocket into your waistband that can fit your credit card and a bit of spare cash for emergencies.
• If you’re worried someone is following you, lean against a wall and pretend to be tying your shoes, that way they will walk past you and you can change your route.

How to get around Bogota

La Candelaria is a very walkable neighbourhood in Bogota, and there are plenty of attractions in this area of the city. If you like walking it’s the best neighbourhood to stay in. Personally, I like having everything within walking distance, so I opted for a hotel in La Candelaria during my time in Bogota. 

The most used form of transport in Bogota is the TransMilenio or BRT (bus rapid transit system). It’s essentially a normal city bus but they have their own lanes around the city center, which means you can whizz through the city center and avoid the traffic! They’re cheap and efficient, and because the traffic can get really bad the bus is sometimes quicker than taking an Uber. 

To use the TransMilenio you will need to get a TuLlave card. It costs just 5,000 COP (around $1,25) and then you can top it up. Bear in mind you have to buy the card and top it up with cash, they don’t accept credit cards. Each time you tap into the station with your card you’ll be charged 2,300 COP (some 60 cents), which allows you to make two changes within two hours. 

Don’t use the TransMilenio after 9pm at night, especially if you’re on your own. During the day keep an eye on your bag and put important things, like your money and identification cards, in a hidden anti-theft bag. 

To check bus routes and schedules there is a TransMelnio App, but it’s in Spanish. I’d recommend using an app called Moovit to get around, it’s more reliable than Google Maps. 

Technically Uber isn’t legal in Colombia, though it’s still used and cheap. You can also download the apps Tapsi and Taxi Fast, which offer safe and reliable taxi services. As a general rule, don’t get in a taxi on the street in Bogota. Even during the day, it’s not very safe and you definitely shouldn’t take a public taxi alone. 

That said, it is okay to catch the airport taxis into the city center. A ride from the airport to La Candelaria shouldn’t cost you more than 50,000 COP (under $15). 

Another option is to hire a car, though it’s not really worth it if you’re just staying in the city as the public transport is reliable enough and much cheaper. 

The Best Time of Year to Visit Bogota

The concept of seasons works very differently in Colombia. Instead of a four-season year they have dry and wet seasons, where there’s more and less rain. Because of where Bogota is, it works differently again.

The high elevation of the city means it’s often cold, so pack jumpers and a warm coat, and it does rain quite a lot so an umbrella or a raincoat is a necessity too. The drier months are between December and March, so come then if you want to avoid the rain as much as possible. 

Temperatures tend to range around 14 degrees (57 degrees Fahrenheit), though it gets warmer in May and June and when temperatures average 20 degrees (68 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Weather aside, there are also periods of more and less tourism. If you want to avoid peak tourist season, then don’t plan your trip in July or August. However, that does sadly mean you’ll miss the Bogota Carnival! If you decide that experiencing the carnival is worth putting up with the crowds, be sure to book accommodation far in advance and expect to pay a bit more than usual for your bed.  

Where to Stay in Bogota

There are lots of accommodation options in Bogota, from super cheap hostel dorms starting at $5 a night to boutique hotel rooms that are still extremely affordable! I decided to stay somewhere nice during my time in Bogota to give myself a break from cheap hostel rooms and shared dorms. 

In general, Booking.com, Airbnb, and Hostelworld are all great sites for finding accommodation in Colombia. When I was travelling to small towns I would often just turn up and explore my options once I was there, but Bogota is a big city so it’s easier to book in advance.

My double room in the Lucitania Hotel Boutique was the perfect retreat. The hotel itself is beautifully designed. The spacious and brightly lit rooms with simple and elegant decor are reminiscent of Scandinavian architecture, whilst the hidden outdoor spaces around the property are delightful. I didn’t stay in a suite room, but I imagine they’re even more beautiful than the simple double room I went for!

The breakfast was delicious and the hotel’s proximity to restaurants and many sightseeing spots was super handy. For the price, it’s an absolute bargain!

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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How to get to Bogota travel guide

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How to get to Bogota?

Bogota is Colombia’s best-served city, thanks to its role as capital. You can get there by bus and plane , or by car if you’ve decided to rent one . But in any case it’s going to be really simple to get to Bogota.

Related posts

• Things to do in Bogotá
• Bogota’s surroundings
• Private City tour of Bogota
• Where to stay in Bogota
• Getting around Bogota
• Bogota: practical information

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Disclaimer : we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.

Getting to Bogota by bus

• How to get to Bogota

Bogotá is centrally located in the country, and can be reached by direct bus from all the country’s major cities. There is also a network of regional buses linking the capital with all the villages in the region.

Getting to Bogotá by bus from Medellin

• Duration: approx. 10h
• Fare: approx. $70.000 COP
• Companies: Rapid Ochoa, Expreso Brasilia, Flota Magdalena, Bolivariano, Empresa Arauca

Bus to Bogota from Santa Marta

• Duration: approx. 16 hours
• Fare: approx. $100.000 COP
• Companies: Copetran, Expreso Brasilia, Berlinas

Bus to Bogota from Bucaramanga

• Companies: Omega, Copetran, Berlinas, Concorde

Bus to Bogota from Cali

• Companies: Expreso Palmira, Flota Magdalena, Bolivariano

Bus to Bogota from Cartagena

• Duration: approx. 22h

Bus to Bogota from Pereira

• Duration: approx. 8 hours
• Companies : Bolivariano, Expreso Palmira

More info on bus travel in Colombia

We’ve written an post on buses in Colombia , giving you all our tips for finding information, timetables and fares for buses in Colombia. It can be tricky, so you might as well have some tips on how to get around by clicking below.

Bogota bus terminal

Transportation to bogota.

There are three bus stations in Bogotá, known as “Bus Terminals” in Colombia:

• Terminal Salitre: the main terminal in the city center
• Terminal del Norte: located in the north of the city, for journeys to the north of the country
• Terminal del Sur: located in the south of the city for journeys to the south of the country

Where to find the Bogota Bus Terminal

• Website: terminaldetransporte.gov.co
• Address: Terminal Salitre: Diagonal 23 #69-11
• Terminal del Sur: Calle 57Q #75F-82
• Terminal del Norte: Calle 192 #19-43
• Telephone: 57 (1) 423 3600
• Mail: [email protected]
• Facebook: facebook.com/TerminalBogota

How to get to Bogota Bus Terminal

How to take a cab from La Candelaria to Terminal Salitre

• Time: approx. 30 minutes
• Fare: about $15.000 COP

How to take a cab from La Candelaria to Terminal del Norte

• Time: approx. 40 minutes
• Fare: about $20.000 COP

How to take a cab from La Candelaria to Terminal Sur

Getting to Bogota by plane

Find a flight to or from bogota.

To find a flight to Bogota in Colombia, we recommend you fly with the national airline Avianca .

Fly to Bogota from Medellin

• Duration: about 1 hour
• Fare: between $100.000 and $200.000 COP
• Airlines : Avianca , Viva Colombia, Satena

Fly to Bogota from Cartagena

• Duration: approx. 1h30
• Fare: between $100.000 and $400.000 COP
• Airlines : Avianca , Latam, Viva Colombia, Wingo

Fly to Bogota from Bucaramanga

• Fare: between $130.000 and $290.000 COP
• Airlines : Avianca , Latam, Viva Colombia

Fly to Bogota from Cali

• Duration: approx. 1 hour
• Fare: between $140.000 and $290.000 COP
• Airlines : Avianca , Latam.

Fly to Bogota from Santa Marta

• Duration: about 1h30
• Fare: between $150.000 and $250.000 COP

ONLINE PAYMENTS ON COLOMBIAN WEBSITES

Refusal to pay often happens when we try to pay online. For example, this has happened to us several times on the San German Express site, the Satena site and the Avianca site. We solved the problem by using our VPN and locating it in Colombia . This enabled us to bypass local restrictions and the payment was accepted.

Bogota airport info

Transport to bogota.

Bogota airport is Colombia’s largest airport. It is served by all the world’s major airlines and offers connections from the world’s major capitals.

Where to find Bogota airport

Bogotá airport is located close to Bogotá city center.

• Name : El Dorado Airport
• Website: aeropuertocartagena.com.co
• Address: Crespo Calle 70
• Tel: 57 5 693 1351

Transfer between Bogota airport and city center

Cab from Candelaria to El Dorado airport

• Duration: between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on traffic.
• Fare: between $20.000 and $30.000 COP

Bus between Candelaria and El Dorado airport

• Duration: 1h minimum depending on traffic and not counting the wait at the bus stop
• Fare: $2.200 COP – You’ll need to buy a rechargeable card beforehand at $3.000 COP

More info on airport transfers in Bogota

We’ve written an post dedicated to transportation in Bogotá, and in particular to transfers to and from Bogotá airport. Find all our tips by clicking below.

Getting to Bogota by car

Bogota can be reached by car from any of Colombia’s major cities. To drive in Colombia, you need to respect a few safety rules, familiarize yourself with local customs and prefer to use the main roads. We explain everything in our post dedicated to driving in Colombia .

Driving from Medellin to Bogotá

• Distance: 445km
• Tolls: approx. $70.000 COP

Driving from Santa Marta to Bogota

• Distance: 940km
• Time: approx. 17h
• Tolls: approx. $110.000 COP

Drive from Bucaramanga to Bogota

• Distance: 400km
• Time: approx. 7h30
• Tolls: approx. $50.000 COP

Drive from Cali to Bogota

• Distance: 465km
• Time: about 8h30
• Tolls: approx. $100.000 COP

Drive from Cartagena to Bogota

• Distance: 1000km
• Time: approx. 19h
• Tolls: approx. $120.000 COP

Rent a car in Bogota

Today, car rental is becoming increasingly popular in Colombia, and it’s perfectly possible to rent a car to get around.

Of course, it’s cheaper to make a loop and return your car to the same city and agency where you booked it. But it’s also possible to rent a car for a one-way trip from point A to point B. This is what we did on our road trip between Bogota and Santa Marta .

In any case, whether you want to discover Bogotá’s surroundings, include the capital in your road trip or drive to the rest of the country, we recommend that you read our post on the subject, where we give you all the information you need to rent a car in Colombia .

Rent a car In Colombia

To rent a car, we advise you to use the Rental Cars comparator , which gives you a complete overview of the different rental companies in Colombia.

Visit Bogota in english

Visit bogota differently.

Contact our local partner for a guided tour of Bogota in english!

To get in direct contact with Felipe, and discover Bogota and the surrounding area with an English-speaking guide, you can use the form below . You won’t pay more, but it will let him know you’re coming from us.

IMPORTANT : If you don’t hear from our partner within 72 hours, please check your SPAMS first before contacting us.

Practical information about Bogota

For all practical information on Bogota, please visit our general post and our dedicated posts:

• General information on Bogota
• Weather in Bogota
• Restaurants and bars in Bogota
• Best hotels in Bogota

You may also be interested in

Bogota weather: what’s the best time to visit Bogota?

The best bogota city tours with an english-speaking guide, how to get around medellin and how to get to/from the airport, should you visit the salt cathedral in zipaquira, where to stay in bogota: the best hotels and the best areas, the best city tour in bogota to understand the history of colombia, angélica & samuel.

We are Angélica and Samuel, a French-Colombian couple, professional photographers and web editors specializing in travel to Colombia. We created this blog to change the image of the country, help you prepare your trip and inspire you to discover Colombia in a different way!

Our site contains forms and links that allow you to use services or get in touch with service providers we've tested and recommend. By using our links and forms, you're assured of a quality service AND you're supporting our blog. It makes no difference to you, but it does to us! Thank you for your support!

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My 15 Favorite Experiences In Beautiful Bogotá, Colombia

W ith a personality marked by its culture, art, and Colonial heritage, Bogotá is a city of nonstop energy and color. The third-highest capital city in the world in altitude, Bogotá is also a city with traffic snarls, crowds, and the attenuating issues that come with urban life. But, overall, it’s a city that will entice you to visit again and again.

As a resident of New York City, I’m no stranger to urban chaos, but I’m also adept at searching out spaces that offer serenity. Bogotá offers a combination of energy levels, but be prepared if you suffer from altitude sickness — Bogotá is perched at 8,661 feet above sea level.

Join me as I share my favorite ways to experience this beautiful Colombian city through places to visit, traditions to explore, and sights to see.

Art And History

Bogotá is rich in cultural offerings. Bring your sunglasses — colorful is an understatement for this city. Three of its indoor museums are especially fascinating while the streets offer an outdoor art gallery bar none.

1. Museo Del Oro 

Most visitors to Bogotá make a beeline to the Museo del Oro in La Candelaria, the city’s Colonial quarter. The museum houses an impressive collection of gold artifacts, jewelry, and carvings dating back to Colombia’s wealthy pre-Colonial times. The star attraction is the dazzling golden raft, believed to be part of the mythical gold-rich city of El Dorado. 

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, there’s a small Museo del Oro art and jewelry exhibit at the Bogotá airport.

2. Museo Botero 

Also in La Candelaria, the Museo Botero features the buxom, larger-than-life sculptures of Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Stipulated by Botero to be free to everyone, the museum also showcases a collection of his paintings. Pause at the entrance for a photo near the oversized sculpture of a hand, then head to the adjacent rooms that rim the Colonial building.

3. Musa Bogotá

The city’s archeological museum, musa , is set in the 17th-century Casa del Marqués de San Jorge, now home to an extensive collection of pre-Columbian ceramics. The building itself is a fine example of a preserved Colonial house with an outdoor courtyard. 

4. La Candelaria Street Art

Graffiti and street art appear everywhere in Bogotá, but the La Candelaria historic quarter is the most well-known for its concentration of vibrant murals and thought-provoking messages. Both sides of the neighborhood’s pedestrian-only streets are painted with topical oeuvres ranging from political statements to commentaries on life in general. As you wander about, you’ll also see artisans in galleries or outside at tables that seem to blend with the surrounding street art. Look through gates and up on the roofs to find treasures that are equally surprising. 

Pro Tips: It’s especially crowded by the student-filled Plaza Chorro de Quevedo and the cobblestoned side streets can be a mecca for pick-pockets. I recommend signing up for the Bogotá Graffiti Tour . The guide will safely lead you on a 2.5-hour walk offering insight into the city’s political and social issues while explaining the differences between vandalism and art.

Bogotá’s coffee culture, street food, traditional dishes, and higher-end restaurants give you a variety of choices to keep you energized.

5. La Puerta De La Catedral

An 18th-century building formerly used as a women’s college and seat of the archbishop is the location of the two-level La Puerta de la Catedral restaurant where you can sample traditional Colombian dishes. Arepas , tamales , and the combination-plate bandeja paisa are highlights on a humongous menu demonstrating the country’s Caribbean and Latin influences. Be sure to try ajiaco — Bogotá’s signature shredded chicken soup dressed up with potatoes, avocado, capers, corn, and cream.

6. Andrés D.C.

A mix of a nightclub, bachelor party, and steakhouse, the Andrés D.C. Zona T location is loud, large, and fun. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience that’s anything but calm. There’s live music, dancing, and a steady buzz. Servers and troubadours provide ongoing entertainment as well. Order chicharrones (“pork rinds”) or empanadas as starters and enjoy a steak and a bottle of wine. The labyrinth of rooms sprawls over four floors cheekily named Infierno, Tierra, Purgatorio, and Cielo.

7. Ants And Arepas

Yes, ants. More about texture than taste, these protein-rich insects ( hormigas ) are sold crispy from pushcarts and roving street vendors. If big-butted ants aren’t your thing, opt for a cheese-filled arepa pastry made from ground corn. At the minimum, take a photo of each.

8. Restaurante Leo 

Zona G’s high-end Restaurante Leo is all about connecting with the bounty of the country. Sourcing ingredients from the rainforest to the desert, Chef Leonor Espinosa creates eccentric tasting menus of small plates that comingle “biocultural” tastes of the campo with textures of the ciudad . In contrast to simple ajiaco or arepas, Leo is Colombian gastronomy. However, one of Espinosa’s favorite dishes — seared albacore tuna with long pepper and molasses — does incorporate ants, using them as a crust.

9. El Aquelarre

The theme of this multi-room restaurant is magic mixed with witchcraft ( brujeria) . The menu is a voyage to another world featuring fusion dishes from different regions of Colombia. Try unique creations like karma de chicharrones or costa magica , a fantastical preparation of ceviche. El Aquelarre also recalls bruja -related events, like the Salem witch trials, on their creative drink menu. There’s also live music on weekends.

10. Coffee And Chicha

Taking advantage of the country’s pre-eminence in coffee growing, Bogotá tempts with many fragrant java bars. In La Candelaria, you’ll find fair-trade coffee used in lattes at the Cacao & Coffee House as well as tinto — the traditional black coffee served in Colombia. Santa Maria Café offers 60 versions of coffee drinks and another favorite, chicha , an alcoholic beverage made from corn. For a full chicha tasting, visit La Chicheria at Mercado La Concordia .

Bogotá is a city to be viewed on high as well as at ground level.

11. Monserrate

For a striking elevated view of the city, take the funicular to the peak of Cerro de Monserrate. Dress warmly and prepare yourself for a crush of tourists ascending 10,000 feet. You’ll note the energetic climbers below, but it’s best to secure your space indoors and save your energy for a walk around the top of the mountain, where a beautiful church and the city panorama await.

Pro Tip: Weather conditions can cancel rides to the top of the mountain. Be sure to check before you go.

12. La Ruta De La Esperanza

Taking cues from Medellin’s Comuna 13 reinterpretation project, La Ruta de la Esperanza takes you to Ciudad Bolívar in the uplands of southern Bogotá. Following the “Route of Hope,” you’ll see the remarkable “in-progress” transformation of three neighborhoods through art, education, and transportation alternatives. Visitors board an ultra-modern TransMiCable car to a small museum at the Mirador del Paraiso station, where the project is explained. Then, it’s up to you to explore the area and its evocative murals, painted homes, shops, and multiple viewpoints. 

Pro Tip: Show your support of the community by dining in one of the small, family-run restaurants like Pescaderia WaWanco Chocoano. 

13. Santuario Nacional De Nuestra Señora Del Carmen

While not a view per se, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Carmen is worth a visit to admire its candy-cane-striped exterior and interior. The Florentine Gothic design is stunning. 

Bogotá’s range of accommodations reflects the diversity of its population and visitors. While some prefer luxury, others prefer authenticity. Here are two of my favorites illustrating those options.

14. Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá

The five-star Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá prides itself on offering impeccable service. In a prime location near the Zona G and walkable to shopping as well, the hotel combines French and Spanish architectural influences and incorporates the remnants of a Colonial convent. Rooms are modern and the beautiful Castañyoles restaurant serves all-day dining in a greenhouse setting.

15. Hotel De La Opera

With a history including a window escape by Simón Bolívar (he was chased by political enemies), this charming boutique hotel sits in the middle of La Candelaria. It’s located next to Teatro Colón and a few blocks from Bogotá’s museums, markets, and the architecture-and-pigeon-rich Plaza de Bolívar. Hotel de la Opera occupies two interconnected buildings, one furnished in Colonial style and the other having a more modern ambiance. The hotel includes a spa, the La Scala restaurant for breakfast, El Mirador for lunch and dinner, and a cozy bar for a late-night refresher.

This article originally appeared on TravelAwaits

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Colombia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory january 2, 2024, colombia - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with updates to the country summary.

Reconsider travel due to  crime  and  terrorism . Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest  and  kidnapping . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to:

• Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander departments due to crime and terrorism.
• The Colombia-Venezuela border region due to crime, kidnapping, and risk of detention when crossing into Venezuela from Colombia.  

Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, assault, and armed robbery, is widespread. Organized criminal activities, such as extortion, robbery, and kidnapping, are common in some areas.

Terrorist groups and criminal organizations continue operating and carrying out attacks in Colombia. They may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, police stations, military facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, airports, other public areas, and U.S. government facilities.

Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country and can be about a variety of political or economic issues. They can shutdown roads and highways, often without prior notice or estimated reopening timelines. Demonstrations and road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and may disrupt travel within and between cities. Protests can become violent and can result in fatalities and injuries.

U.S. direct-hire government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

• They are not permitted to travel by road between most cities.
• Colombia’s land border areas are off-limits to U.S. government personnel unless specifically authorized.
• They may not use motorcycles.
• They may not hail street taxis or use public buses.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Colombia.

If you decide to travel to Colombia:

• Avoid protest areas and crowds.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Keep a low profile.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
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• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Arauca, Cauca, and Norte de Santander Departments – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is widespread. Terrorist groups are active in some parts.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens as U.S. government-personnel travel to these areas is severely restricted due to security concerns.

Colombia - Venezuela Border – Level 4: Do Not Travel

U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to the border of Colombia and Venezuela. U.S. citizens are at risk of detention when crossing into Venezuela.

The Colombia-Venezuela border is not clearly marked, and U.S. citizens should not go near the border due to the risk of crossing into Venezuela accidentally.

U.S. citizens attempting to enter Venezuela without a visa have been charged with terrorism and other serious crimes and detained for long periods. For more information, see the Venezuela Travel Advisory.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

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Wind resistance: can Colombia overcome opposition to get its green energy plan back on track?

In the state of La Guajira, ambitious plans to transition to renewables are beset by bureaucratic delays and anger from many local Indigenous people, who see it as ‘new colonialism’

• Photographs by Charlie Cordero

A few years ago, as age began to take its toll, Rosa Velásquez decided it was time to leave the restaurant she owned in the coastal town of Cabo de la Vela and move back home for a peaceful retirement.. However, when she returned to the tiny rural community of Jotomana, on the arid plains of Colombia’s northernmost tip, she found the place she and her ancestors had called home for generations littered with giant wind turbines.

Towering white turbines punctuate the horizon a few miles from Cabo de la Vela. The region, in the northern state of La Guajira, is home to all of Colombia’s windfarms and its largest Indigenous population, the Wayúu.

“We live among turbines. The companies like them, but I don’t. Where am I to go if this is my territory? What are my grandchildren going to do once I die?” asks Velásquez, a Wayúu herself, as goats roam around her property under the blistering sun.

La Guajira, Colombia’s second-poorest state , has become the focal point and battleground of the government’s proposed energy transition, a push to develop renewable energy sources and reduce its dependency on oil and coal to tackle the climate crisis.

According to La Guajira’s chamber of commerce , the state has solar radiation levels 60% higher than the national average and wind speeds double the global norm. Private companies and Colombia’s mines and energy ministry had sought to capitalise on these factors – even before Gustavo Petro’s leftist government set out its ambitions for a “ just energy transition ”.

The renewables sector could see investments reach $2.2bn (£1.75bn) this year , much of that being funnelled into the region. La Guajira has 17 renewable energy projects in development, with plans for dozens more to follow – including many offshore windfarms.

The Bogotá-based development organisation Indepaz , which has long tracked the development of renewable energy in La Guajira, has found 57 windfarm projects in various stages of completion.

When Colombia’s energy ministry began fostering the renewables industry in 2019, under Petro’s conservative predecessor Iván Duque, it was hoped such projects would make up 15% of the national power supply by 2023 .

However, those ambitious plans have not yet materialised. By the end of last year, less than 2% of Colombia’s power came from non-conventional renewable sources, such as wind or solar.

In Colombia, the development of windfarms is a cumbersome process, with most projects facing severe obstacles and long delays. In July, the energy ministry admitted that 82% of windfarm projects in La Guajira were behind schedule .

Industry bodies share concerns over the pace of development. SER Colombia revealed in January that 65% of projects across the country forecast to begin operations this year were delayed, many significantly.

Bureaucracy means that small renewable energy projects in Colombia typically take three to six years to become operational, according to SER Colombia .

The delays are so bad that several companies have scrapped their plans altogether. The Italian energy company Enel announced last May that it was “indefinitely suspending” the construction of its 200MW Windpeshi project – which stagnated for months with just 35% of the work completed – while Colombia’s Celsia is contemplating the sale of its two stalled projects in La Guajira.

R esistance from Indigenous communities is one reason for the delays to the region’s windfarms, says Aníbal Mercado, head of the regional Wayúu council, known as a Pütchipü’üi or a Palabrero . He blames the failure by companies and the government to enter into dialogue with local people and understand the complexities of La Guajira.

“The rights of the communities have been violated,” he says, blaming the authorities for not explaining the effects, protecting local small businesses, and not respecting land rights or the “spiritual and cultural aspects that sustain these communities”.

Irene Vélez, a former mines and energy minister under Petro, says one of her concerns while leading the government’s energy transition efforts was that officials and industry failed to appreciate the need for a good understanding of local communities to operate successfully in the region.

“From the beginning, I insisted that these projects’ difficulties weren’t technical but social,” says Vélez.

Under Duque, she says, energy companies were required to funnel only 1% of their royalties from renewable projects back into affected communities. She increased that figure to 6% .

“The auctions for construction permits did not consider adequate distribution of benefits for local communities,” Vélez says.

“They perceive these projects as having the same exploitative dynamic of the old [extractivist] model and do not see benefits. So, of course, they oppose them,” she says.

Dialogue between the area’s different communities is another challenge. Indigenous people in La Guajira are widely dispersed among rural communities, or rancherías , that often struggle to agree on windfarm development.

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“There is no unity between us; there are many differences between families and communities,” says Luis Arturo Barliza, who represents the tiny windswept community of Casa Eléctrica, where it has been proposed to site a windfarm.

Although he considers windfarms to be “good business”, he is caught in a family feud over a windfarm on their territory. “We need to manage it well for things to be done equitably. But now, things don’t seem to be going that way,” says Barliza.

Isabel Preciado, an energy and climate researcher at the environmental organisation Censat Agua Viva , says: “The approach is woeful because they [government and companies] ignore the territorial context and the complex organisation among the Wayúu.”

Nonetheless, not all Indigenous people in the area are against windfarms. Elva María Velásquez recalls her mother walking out, machete in hand, to meet company representatives and express her opposition to windfarms on her land. Despite her resistance, however, the family moved out a few years ago to make way for the Guajira 1 windfarm .

Velásquez now lives near the farm in a new home built by the company. She is glad to have a brick house with a solar panel, a new kitchen and freezer; it is a significant upgrade from the simple wooden hut she lived in before.

For many people in La Guajira, who feel perennially ignored by officials in Bogotá, the arrival of private energy companies to their territory has brought development and support that the state has failed to deliver.

Companies have provided fresh drinking water – a resource that rural communities desperately lack – as well as solar panels, generators and improvements to homes and schools. People have also had wiring and sockets installed but, despite promises that electricity would be provided by December, they are still not connected to the grid.

Luis Carlos Iguarán, from the tiny community of Lanshalía, appreciates the changes. “It’s progress for us and our communities because it changes our way of life and conditions, and there will be more opportunities,” he says.

D espite the Petro government’s vow to usher in a new age of green energy, the prospect of such a transition happening through La Guajira is slim – especially considering that the president may have only two years left in office.

Joanna Barney, director of environment, energy and communities at Indepaz, says: “We don’t have [an energy] transition in Colombia, but rather a diversification of the power grid to supposedly support new energies.”.

She regards the projects as a “new type of colonialism”, stressing: “At the end of the day, it’s business. It has nothing to do with the environment.”

Colombia’s mines and energy ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Vélez, Petro’s former minister, admits that the government’s energy transition “has its challenges”. Yet she believes it is still “the path to follow in this government and hopefully those that follow”.

The government is proposing not only to expand green energy but also to end extractive industries, she says. “That is the most challenging energy transition situation, as some sectors do not want to replace the [current economic] model.”

With the clock ticking for Petro and his promise to steer Colombia towards a greener future, scepticism and frustration are adding to the obstacles his ambitions for the energy sector are already facing, raising further questions about the viability of his environmental agenda.

“Whatever you do in La Guajira – if you do not have the social sensitivity that comes from having been in the territory and getting to know it – is detrimental,” Barney says. “It’s simply money thrown away.”

• Southern frontlines: Latin America and the Caribbean
• Renewable energy
• Climate crisis
• Greenhouse gas emissions

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