Top destination - Why go there in Bogota, Colombia ?
Bogotá, Colombian capital in the mountain
At 2600 meters high (8600ft), Bogotá is the third highest south-American capital. This is not the only particularity of the largest city in Colombia, which also has a rich history. The temperature is relatively stable all year round, at 15°C / 60°F, which makes it in an ideal global city to visit any time of the year. It's presence on a high plateau, surrounded by mountains, offers breathtaking views from all angles, after some refreshing hikes. Despite a difficult reputation, it is a safe place, offering everything that can be expected from a modern city.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Bogota, Colombia ?
- Yes - but locals rather use it boiled and drink bottled water
- Average prices in Bogota (USD - 1€ = USD$1.094446 )
- Public transport ticket : 0.72 |
- Taxi (5km) : 1.71 |
- Train (200km) : n.a. |
- Restaurant (2 persons) : 90 |
- 5* hotel : 280 |
- 3* hotel : 150 |
- Appartment rent : 380 |
- Women haircut : 14.03 |
- Men haircut : 8.28 |
- Weekend city break (2 persons, 1 hotel night, without flights) : 590
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Prepare your trip to Bogota
- Best flight and hotel deals Bogota Colombia
- Bogota Colombia Travel insurance: simple & flexible
- Book a car rental Bogota Colombia
- Find and book luggage storage Bogota Colombia
- Find and book a free walking tour Bogota Colombia
- Prepare your itinerary to Bogota Colombia
- Work remotely from Bogota Colombia
- Get a visa for Colombia
Best hotels - Where to stay in Bogota, Colombia ?
Radisson AR Bogota airport
Surely the best hotel choice in the city ! With a complimentary shuttle, a good gym, a relaxing spa, a great service, and a good location near Gran Estacion mall, this hotel has a huge advantage over any building in the city : an amazing panoramic view on the city from its 19th floor, business lounge but also high end restaurant. Do book a table for your dates in Bogota, the view cannot be matched anywhere else in the city. The last floor also hosts the nicest rooms of the hotel, which are definitely worth buying the upgrade.
Finest restaurants - Where to eat in Bogota, Colombia ?
Typical cuisine on Monserrate
After climbing the 1200 steps leading to the top of Monserrate - or taking the funicular / cable car - and reaching 3170 meters / 10400 feet high, and going through the tourist shops, a nice typical meal is ready to help warming up. Many small restaurants offer different meals, do not hesitate to try some of them.
El Sitio restaurant
Typical and local restaurant in Bogota, situated in a very small street, at walking distance from the Capitolio Nacional / Primera Catedral, El Sitio is a great small restaurant offering typical plates at very affordable prices, in a cozy and peculiar local ambiance.
La Ponderosa Gran Estacion
During a shopping trip in Gran Estacion, to avoid the usual fast foods on the food court, the great typical restaurant La Ponderosa offers awesome local cuisine, with interesting juices for visitors. Try the lulo juice - this fruit is hardly heard off outside South America, and has a great sweet taste. Goes great with a Bandeja paisa !
Patacones restaurant Gran Estacion
While shopping in the mall, and looking for the best food on the food court, do try Patacones restaurant, named after the local specialty it serves : patacon. This tasty Colombian street food has countless variations. It is based on plantain, potatoes, and is usually accompanied with meat, other vegetables, and different sauces.
Premium steak Plaza de las Americas
Plaza de las Americas shopping center has a very large food court - it will be hard to choose ! However, Premium steak offers a good choice of steaks, as mentioned in its name, properly cooked and served.
What to see in Bogota, Colombia ?
Carrera 7 animated street
The most animated street of Bogota, starting from the National Capitol / Primatial Cathedral, up to San Francisco palace, is a must see when in town. With illuminations during the festivities, it hosts countless street artists, shows, but also sellers and street food of all kind. All along, there are several restaurants and bars for a good dinner or a refreshing drink.
Catedral Primada de Colombia
The Primatial Cathedral of Bogotá, situated on the main square of the city, with the National Capitol, is the biggest in Colombia, and one of the largest in South America. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, it holds the remains of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, founder of Bogotá. From the cathedral starts the most animated street of Bogota, perfect start for an evening stroll.
Colombian National Capitol
Situated on the main square of the country capital, the National Capitol is a beautiful building to see. Going from there, the building is at the beginning of the most animated street, especially good for evening walks.
City sign on Carrera 7
Nowadays, city signs are very popular to take pictures. Bogota has many of them, situated in different parts of the city - one of them is installed on Carrera 7.
Cordillera oriental
Going down the mountain from Bogota by car or bus, the road is surrounded by breathtaking views on the mountains, hills, and rivers. Nature is always beautiful - taking some time to appreciate it is highly recommended !
Monserrate mountain
Monserrate is a mountain that dominates the city of Bogota by 500 meters / 1600 feet. It hosts a beautiful church, along with restaurants, tourists shops, and breathtaking views on the city. It is accessible either via a 2km hike, by cable car, or by a funicular.
Excellent activities - What to do in Bogota, Colombia ?
Rio Negro Rafting
When in Colombia, and feeling like doing some extreme sports, with perfect security, do call Rio Negro Rafting for an unforgettable experience ! Rafting trip takes about 1h30, and the team manages to pull people together on the rafts, therefore do not hesitate to join even in small group. Rio Negro, the black river, is the third affluent of the Amazon, and takes its name from its dark color. Everything is perfectly organized, and, after the raft, you can relax at the pool, have drinks at the bar, play billiard, ping pong, soccer, ... Our advice after having used their services : stay there for one night, at the camping or at one of their rooms, to avoid waking up too early for the 2h trip from Bogota (which they organize depending on availability, was not possible for us). Great location, amazing rafting, perfect service !
Free complete tour Bogotá
They start every day in front of the Gold Museum at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Look for the orange umbrella. This tour includes history, graffiti, gastronomy and armed conflict. Basically there are 4 tours in one. They visit the place of Gaitán, the Plaza de Bolívar, the Palace of Justice, the Chorro de Quevedo, the Graffiti park and the market square.
Tour of the Colombian emeralds
Colombia is known for its coffee, but what not everyone knows is that Colombia also has the best quality of a gemstone called emerald. The objective of our tour is to show you why this stone is important in Colombia. In this tour through the center of Bogotá, you will learn the difference between a good quality emerald and a low quality one, the extraction and carving process of this precious stone and how to differentiate between a real emerald and a false one. At the end of the tour, you will be an expert on the subject. If you want to learn about jewels during your visit to Colombia, this tour is perfect for you.
Free Walking Tour Bogotá by Beyond Colombia
They aim with this walking tour to let you discover and experience their city through the eyes of the locals, to bring to life their cultural expressions, historical and representative institutions, their gastronomy, their tragedies that have changed the city and of course to have fun. They will take you through time when Spaniards came and started the new civilization. Discover with them what Bogotá offers to you and feel the ambiance of the best preserved city center in Latin America. Live their stunning, magnificent, romantic, charming, fun and friendly city! Welcome to Bogotá!
Free Armed conflict tour in Colombia
A unique experience, touring the places where the events that have marked the history of Colombia happened and at the same time knowing the stories of characters that left indelible marks in the country. Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, the Bogotazo, Las Farc, Pablo Escobar, Paramilitaries, Peace Agreements, Palace of Justice, among other facts and important places. This tour perfectly understands the Colombian social reality that is the result of almost 100 years of conflicts.
Free Walking Tour Bogotá
La Candelaria is a creative hot-spot of Bogotá. There’s nothing like it anywhere else in this sprawling city. Art-deco and colonial houses, with baroque churches behind them; the old and the new intermingled in this Free Walking Tour Bogotá. Join one of their guides in the heart of Bogotá and discover what this neighborhood has hidden away. Inscribed in graffiti and mixed in the drinks, you’ll discover Bogotá’s colonial and indigenous past, the roots of Colombian history. A confluence of culture and conflict can be felt all around, as you follow a trail of graffiti through old city streets. Learn about the impact of Colombian drug trafficking, emerald mafia, and how all lines up with its +50 years armed conflict. State, drugs, war, guerrillas, trade: a volatile mixture that has often blinded us to the better side of Colombia. Ever wondered why Colombia has one of the best coffees in the world? Finalize your downtown adventure with a warm cup of the best coffee around and learn its history.
Graffiti walking night tour
They start at 5:30 pm EVERYDAY, in front of Gold Museum La Candelaria has the most stunning pieces of street art. They visit the best walls and public spaces to see works by Franco, Djlu, Rodez, Malegría, Nómada, Carlos Trilleras, Pez, Bastardilla, Teizer, among other local and international street artists. You will experience the history of Bogotá and Colombia through street art. If you wanna know everything about this city... Take his graffiti tour in Bogotá!!
Free Local Bogota Food Tour by Beyond Colombia
They will take you to different food stops so you explore more Bogotá and Colombia on a delicious way. Discover their cultural mix with their authentic creations like “empanada paisa”, “obleas”, “pandebono”, “arepa santandereana”, “origin coffee”.. among many others. While walking and eating, you will understand the background of our gastronomy when the colombian territory was dominated by our indigenous ancestors. Throughout this experience you will have the chance to get closer to the Colombian culture, walk around non-touristic spots and unveil the secrets of their food legacy. (Veg friendly)
Free Armed Conflict Tour: War and Peace in Colombia
Colombia, one of the happiest countries on earth, has been affected globally by its bad reputation for various negative situations such as being a huge drug producer, assassinations of political leaders, and violent conflicts between different armed groups. Today, this has changed quite a bit, and while on this tour, you will understand the causes, the development, and the present days Colombian conflict. Join them for a real and interactive experience through some remarkable places and scars of the past. Learn about the development of Colombia's conflict in Bogota that changed their history, its ties to drug cartels and 'You know who' behind it and the violence he imposed on the country. At the end of this experience, you will have a more comprehensive understanding of their political history, the war, its key players, Colombian and international drug trades, the peace agreement, and where the country is heading in the near future. Join them on a walk through old and new times!
Free Graffiti Tour Bogotá
Want to learn how graffiti fits into Bogotá’s history and allure? Join them on this tour not only of Colombia’s history as told by art! Bogotá has become a world reference in graffiti. It boasts impressive murals and street art that place it above cities like Miami, Amsterdam, Rio, and México City. Its rise as one of the key city-canvases in Latin America has made it an attractive destination for the curious tourist and the bold artist. Would you have guessed?
Free Biking Tour Bogotá
Join one of their expert guides in this amazing free bike tour around downtown Bogotá and learn about the history and culture of the city. Bogotá is packed full of history. From its foundation to modern times, the city has sprawled around its vibrant and ever-changing downtown. And just walking can’t ever do it justice. Their free bike tour was designed to show a bigger face of this massive city and its more than 500 years of history. You will discover so much more on a bike that you would do on foot or bus!
Free Monserrate Tour Bogotá
Be part of fulfilling experience in Monserrate, the most touristic place of Bogotá, with its official walking tour. Discover all the places that make this hill a gathering point for both foreigners and Colombian people by visiting its restaurants, coffee and snacks stores, the Basílica and the Stations of the Cross path. Understand the history of the Sanctuary and the importance of Catholicism for Colombians’ costumes and traditions. Try typical Colombian snacks and plates. Learn about native fauna and flora, and the two means of transport to the hill. In an hour and a half, their tour guide will explain you how Monserrate became a place of pilgrimage with the construction of its first chapel in 1640 and how, over time, it also became a touristic place due to its outstanding viewpoints of the magnanimity of Bogotá and a hiking destination or a workout zone for those who are into exercising.
Food walking tour Bogotá
They start 3pm everyday in front of gold museum. They visit several famous places among locals for their typical Colombian food, which is sold in small stores, and also sold in carts on the street. They try pan de bono, empanada, oblea, buñuelo, avena, among other products that Colombians love!
Canelazo, typical street drink
Canelazo, a typical hot drink from the Andes, is available in the streets in Bogota, freshly made. It typically consists of sugar cane alcohol (aguardiente), sugar, and water boiled with cinnamon. Especially appreciated during a city tour at night, when it becomes a bit chill with mountain wind.
Via Monserrate hiking trail
Going up to Monserrate mountain, the choice is yours : cable car, funicular... or a 1h30min hike, going up 500 meter / 1600 feet, with as many as 1200 steps... quite a hike ! Very refreshing in the morning, it offers amazing city and mountain views all along. It also has several points with food, drinks and toilets, so do not hesitate to go up this amazing path and take your time. Funny thing : we bought a bottle of water at ambient temperature right before starting the hike. When we arrived up, the water was frozen inside the bottle. Wearing t-shirts, we were melting and feeling warm, was an amusing surprise !
Salpicon de frutas
While going up to Monserrate - or somewhere else in the country - try a salpicon de frutas, a Colombian fruit cocktail which mixes several local, and often unknown for foreigners, Colombian fruits.
Monserrate chapel
On the view to Monserrate by the hiking trail, near the end, a small chapel is available to burn candles and make a wish, a local tradition.
Monserrate funicular
To either go up to Monserrate top, or get down from it, the funicular is a great way to save some time and breath. Existing since 1929, it offers beautiful views of the surroundings, in recently renovated cabins.
Salitre Magico amusement park
Small but amazing amusement park in the middle of the city, Salitre Magico has a huge ferris wheel - perfect to admire sunset on the mountains - a few roller coasters, and many attraction. Prices are quite cheap : 5000COP for entrance, and rides prices are between 5000 and 10000. Tickets for each rides must be booked separately and in advance, therefore have a look at what you like to do when arriving. Count about 30000COP for an hour of fun.
Melcocha handmade candy
Melcocha, a handmade candy typical of Colombia, is something you might want to try if you like sweets - you probably have never tried anything similar ! We tried one on the way to Monserrate, near the top, and it was a refreshing experience.
La Candelaria Bogota
One of the main areas of the city to visit - start your stroll there, and go around for nice restaurants and bars, heading towards Primera Catedral. Also take some time to admire the beautiful mountain views !
Parque de Indepencia Bogota
Not the largest, but a very beautiful park in the center of Bogota, surrounded by skyscrappers and recent buildings. It is great for a short walk, and has amazing decorations during Christmas time.
Enrique Olaya Herrera National Park
One of the largest parks in Bogota, the national park hosts a theater, beautiful festivities illuminations, and has street artists and foods.
Best clubs - Where to party in Bogota, Colombia ?
Baum night club
Regularly high on the DJ Mag Top 100 clubs, Baum Bogota is a great place for a night out in the city. Featuring different DJs every weekend from all over the world, it is the place to visit for electronic music lovers when in Bogota. It consists of 2 rooms with different DJ and ambiance, and the club itself has a very peculiar design, one of the rooms being built around a majestic tree. Entry cover is affordable, and drinks inside are charged a correct price for the city.
Where to shop in Bogota, Colombia ?
Gran estacion mall
One of the largest shopping malls in South America, and 4th largest in Colombia, Gran Estacian is a huge mall consisting of two buildings, with lot of shops, restaurants on 4 floors, along with a cinema and an amusement gallery. Our advice : do not change money there, rates are awful - better use the ATMs.