The Colombian capital is often overlooked by travelers who skip straight to other cities like Medellín or Cartagena. This is usually because Bogotá’s climate doesn’t quite conform to expectations of a ‘tropical’ destination, or because the capital can seem a little grittier at first sight.
However, Bogotá has a lot going for it, and it’s worth spending some time getting to know the city on a more intimate level. This includes wandering its streets and noticing unusual architecture, trying delicious local dishes, as well as heading on day trips into the nearby regions.
In this comprehensive Bogotá travel guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know. Having now visited Bogotá on three different occasions, I’ll share my insider tips for getting the best possible experience.
Plan your trip to Bogotá
Things to Know About Bogotá
Before coming to Bogotá, it’s a good to have some historical context and some expectations for what it’s most known for.
Although Bogotá was officially founded in 1538 by the Spanish Empire, occupation of this region began much earlier in time. The ancient Muisca civilization was thought to have existed throughout Bogotá and the Colombian Andes from as early as 600 A.D.
They were predominantly agricultural and many of Bogotá’s signature dishes and ingredients today (such as yuca, maize, and beans) come directly from this period.
Present-day Bogotá is also notable for its range of unique architecture. Within the historical center we can find a clash of classic European styles such as those from the Baroque and Renaissance movements.
These include the Catedral Primada de Colombia, Museo Botero, Iglesia de San Francisco as well as the dazzling pink and white striped temple of the Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
Bogotá is also famed for its street art and graffiti, which blossomed after becoming legalized in 2011. The bohemian area of Chorro de Quevedo is known for its quaint cafes, narrow colorful streets as well as graffiti in pretty much every direction you look.
Another quirky cultural aspect to experience is the ancient sport of Tejo, which involves hitting a target with a metal ball that is laden with gunpowder.
Where to Stay in Bogotá
Bogotá is a massive city with over 7 million inhabitants. Like all Latin American capitals, it does have its fair share of nice and not-so-nice areas.
The areas of La Candelaria and Chapinero are the best when it comes to choosing a safe and touristy part of the city to stay in.
La Candelaria is best for backpackers and those looking for local culture. It is full of colorful streets and cheaper accommodation options. Many small historical houses can be found in this area. However, it’s important to stay alert when walking around since pickpocketing is a common issue in the outskirts of this neighborhood.
Chapinero is a more developed, modern, and residential neighborhood in Bogotá. Although it’s more expensive to stay in compared with La Candelaria, this area is much safer and has nicer streets and restaurants to explore. It’s also easy to visit numerous attractions from here by taking taxis or the Transmilenio.
Hotel Tips
If you’re looking to stay on a low budget with a local style, you will love the Ayenda Casa Candilejas. Here, you’ll be staying in the heart of the historic center, among colonial buildings and the edgy barrio of Chorro de Quevedo. Otherwise, check out the best hostels in Bogotá.
If you’re looking for a more deluxe accommodation option, I highly recommend a stay at the Lucitania Hotel Boutique. Here, you’ll be staying in a cozy apartment with your own private bathroom and lounge area, along with an on-site bar and daily breakfast. You’ll also be staying in the safe and more built-up district of Chapinero.
The Top 7 Things to Do
Not everyone has time to cover hundreds of things to do, so let us boil it down to the essentials.
We suggest these 7 must-do’s for your Bogotá itinerary, but we also have some more things to do in Bogotá if you’re planning a longer stay.
1. Check out Bogotá’s Unique and Unconventional Architecture
Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen
The historic center of Bogotá is a must-visit for numerous reasons, which is why most travelers base themselves here.
Within the district of La Candelaria, we’ll find a variety of beautiful colonial buildings erected during Spanish rule.
The Plaza de Bolívar is the first place you’ll want to head to when walking around. This large cobbled square is home to many important buildings, such as the imposing Catedral Basílica Metropolitana as well as the Capitolio Nacional which houses both congresses of Colombia.
From here, we can walk a few blocks south to reach the gorgeous Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen, a tall cathedral painted head-to-toe in red and white stripes.
The next key stop in Bogotá’s historic center is Chorro de Quevedo, which is the oldest neighborhood in the city. Wander through narrow streets overloaded with colorful murals and enjoy the more festive atmosphere here.
For a deeper experience, you can also head on this organized walking tour, where your knowledgeable guide will show you the very best spots throughout La Candelaria.
2. Feast on Traditional Food and Drinks
Colombian cuisine is bursting with all kinds of flavors and spices, which can also vary depending on where you are in the country.
Bogotá sits on the foothills of the Andes Mountains, and as such the food and drink here may have a bit more comforting and familiar feel if you’re coming from northern latitudes (this is typical in cooler mountain regions across South America).
Ajiaco is the classic signature dish of the capital, which is a hearty stew made with potatoes, corn, and chicken, and is also accompanied with avocado and rice.
Those with a sweet tooth will love Obleas, giant wafers filled with caramel or similar sauces, which can be found around the Plaza de Bolívar.
When it comes to drinks, Aguardiente remains the king and is the most popular spirit of choice for those looking to let loose in Colombia.
You can find all of these dishes and drinks in both local and higher-end restaurants across the capital, although I’d personally recommend heading to Restaurante Santa Fe which won the best Ajiaco in Bogotá award in 2022.
You can book a Bogotá food tour at Barrio La Candelaria for an amazing experience!
3. Visit the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá
One of the most bizarre yet jaw-dropping things I have seen in Colombia, the Salt Cathedral is truly a sight to behold.
Carved from over 250,000 tonnes of salt, this iconic site extends as far as 190m underground and has 14 chapels with giant crossesl made out of salt.
You’ll see how the salt glimmers with every step as you walk around, and you could easily spend hours down here (like I did) contemplating the sheer effort that was needed to build this entire structure.
Right at the heart we can find the main cathedral, which can host up to an impressive 8000 people during its weekly Sunday mass.
How to Visit Zipaquirá
To get to Zipaquirá, you’ll first need to board the Transmilenio bus service in Bogotá and head to the station of Portal Norte. From here, you can board the 2-hour bus to Zipaquirá (there are frequent departures throughout the day).
For safety reasons, you must be accompanied by a local guide when entering the Salt Cathedral, which you’ll be assigned once you buy your ticket at the entrance.
Given you’ll be walking underground, it can get quite cold here so be sure to bring warm clothing with you.
For a more convenient experience, you can also join this Salt Cathedral tour with hotel pickup.
4. Learn about Bogotá’s Ancient History through its Museums
Bogotá is mostly known for its Spanish colonial period which ushered in political changes and an array of beautiful architecture.
However, ancient civilizations once thrived in these departments, too, and we can visit several museums to learn about their advancements and ways of life.
The Gold Museum is one of the most comprehensive of its kind on the planet. It is home to over 34,000 golden artifacts and pieces, including various necklaces, human-shaped figures, and precious objects.
Inside we’ll also find several collections separated into different exhibitions, with the Muisca being the most famous from this area. We’ll also find others on show such as from the Zenú, Quimbaya, Tairona, and Tierradentro civilizations, which all once flourished throughout Colombia.
You can book this Bogotá city tour, which gives you an option to visit the Gold Museum.
We can also visit the National Museum of Colombia, which houses many types of paintings and objects dating back to 10,000 B.C.
With over 20,000 artifacts on display, I think it’s another great way to learn about Colombia’s rich and colorful past.
5. Challenge Locals to a Game of Tejo
By far, one of the most unique and authentic things you can do in Bogotá is to play a proper game of Tejo. It is not to be taken lightly!
Here locals take turns hurling a metal disc toward their opponent’s board, which is covered in gunpowder and sets off quite a bang when hit.
The exact history and founding date of this game are still unknown, although it’s commonly agreed that its roots were within the ancient period of the Muisca, who once thrived between 600 A.D to 1600 A.D.
Nowadays you can either play solo or in teams of up to 6, and drinking beer is also standard amongst both locals and tourists who take each other on.
There are many places to play Tejo in Bogotá, with venues like Tejo La Embajada and Turmeque among the most popular.
Personally, I recommend heading on an organized tour, since it will be much more fun playing in a larger group and also as a local guide can also teach you interesting things along the way.
You can join this all-action tour, which includes your own Tejo court, four beers, and typical Colombian appetizers to enjoy between games.
6. Hike up Monserrate for Unparalleled Views
No visit to any Colombian city can be complete without visiting its best mirador, which is a scenic vantage point that offers some impressive views.
In Bogotá, it’s the mountain of Monserrate, which rises 527m above the bustling capital. In addition to getting incredible views over La Candelaria and beyond, you can also visit the Monserrate Sanctuary, which is still active today and is built right on the edge of the mountain.
While at the top, you can also head through the local market to try different Colombian street foods and dishes and hike around the grassy mountain plains.
To reach the top of Monserrate, you’ll first need to head to the ticket building in La Candelaria. There, you’ll find three different ways of ascending the mountain.
The Teleférico offers the best views, and the funicular is also quite a quick ride up. If you prefer getting into nature, you can also walk up the hill, which takes 45-60 minutes.
It’s important to know that the altitude at the top of Monserrate reaches 3152m, which can cause altitude sickness symptoms such as nausea or a headache. For this reason, I recommend visiting after you have spent two days in Bogotá so your body has had sufficient time to adjust.
You can book this Bogotá city tour, which includes a trip by cable car up the hill of Monserrate. Joining this Bogotá private tour with a 2-way cable car ride is an option, too.
7. Head on a Day Trip to Villa de Leyva
After my first visit to Bogotá, I headed straight to Salento, unaware of the incredible mountain towns that can be visited within just a few hours from the capital.
Villa de Leyva is one of these, located within the region of Boyacá. It’s known for its giant central plaza—one of the largest in Latin America—as well as its picturesque streets and colorful colonial houses.
From the town you can easily visit the Terracotta House, which is a fully functional living space made entirely out of bright orange clay (and is widely regarded as the largest single piece of pottery on the planet).
You can visit Villa de Leyva on a day trip, although you’ll want to leave on an early bus (they start departing at 5:00 am from the Terminal Salitre, and take around 4 hours to arrive).
If you have the time, I’d highly recommend spending 2 or 3 days here to really take advantage of the nearby hikes that you can do throughout the Boyacá region.
How to Stay Safe in Bogotá
Like any giant city in South America, safety can be an issue in certain areas of Bogotá (even those considered touristy).
La Candelaria is a notorious example; walking just a few blocks from its center can quickly feel rough around the edges.
Always leave valuables in your apartment when exploring here, since pickpocketing can be an issue. This is especially true at night, where you’ll want to avoid heading down unlit avenues or lingering around in quiet plazas.
Another important consideration for your safety is how you will get around the city. Hailing random taxis in the street is not the best option for travelers, given robberies and the infamous express kidnappings have happened in the past and can still be a risk.
It’s much safer to use apps like Uber and Cabify, where drivers are registered and your ride will be tracked on the system.
You’ll also avoid getting overcharged, although rates can still fluctuate depending on traffic (if you want to know exactly what you’ll pay, then I recommend using the “Lite” option with Cabify where you can see the exact rate you’ll pay before confirming your ride).
Travelers can also use the Transmilenio to get around the city, an overground express bus system functioning similarly to a Metro. It’s great for longer-distance trips and it’s much cheaper than taxis. However, you’ll want to be vigilant with your belongings, since pickpocketing can be an issue as well as overcrowding at peak times.
For more, check out our general safety tips for Colombia.
When to Visit Bogotá
Bogotá is located right next to the Andean mountains and therefore has a cooler temperature year-round.
Daily average temperatures are very consistent throughout all months, which hover between 55-56°F. Highs can reach up to 66°F, whereas nighttime lows can dip down to 44°F.
Where Bogotá can vary is when it comes to the amount of rainfall it receives.
The dry season is split into two periods throughout the year: December to February and July until August. These periods are a little better for city exploration and have a higher chance of good weather.
The contrasting wet season also has two periods: March to June and September until November. Rainfall throughout any one of these months can range from 4 to 8 inches, and it often arrives in the later afternoon. The overall wettest months in Bogotá are April and May.
Final Bogotá Travel Tips
Because Bogotá is located at an altitude of 2625m, I recommend taking it slow for the first one or two days here. The elevation along with higher levels of pollution can often result in headaches and other minor yet uncomfortable symptoms.
Drinking plenty of water is a must, especially as you’ll probably walk around a lot. While it can feel quite warm during the day, temperatures rapidly plummet in the evening, so it’s worth bringing a jumper when heading out in the afternoon.
Be sure to keep an open mind when visiting Bogotá, and don’t judge a book by its cover! With so much going on here, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and I’ll admit I personally didn’t like the city at first — but it quickly grows on you.
One of the best ways to really connect with Bogotá is to do things the local way. This includes trying out menu ejecutivos where you can meet locals and try various Colombian dishes, as well as heading on walking tours where your guide can help you decipher what is otherwise quite a busy and difficult city to get to know.
This way you can relax more and have a much more enjoyable time getting to know Bogotá and all of its hidden gems.
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Posted JUL 06, 2024
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