Let’s start with there are endless things to do in Bogotá Colombia. The country itself is too beautiful to visit only once. From Cartagena to Santa Marta, Calí, Medellín & Bogotá, visiting Colombia is a dream come true no matter the city. In particular, Bogotá has the perfect combination of its city life, history, outdoor adventure, and nightlife. From the emeralds to the origin of El Dorado and the breathtaking gold museum, it’s a metropolis within the most beautiful mountains I’ve ever seen. This is your sign to experience it in real life. With endless places to explore, and some of the nicest people you’ll meet, it’s the typical Colombian hospitality that will keep you coming again and again. Bogotá is a true beauty and here are several reasons why!
Frequently Asked Questions: Intro to Bogotá
- How long should you travel to Bogotá? I stayed for 4 days and it was the perfect amount of time. After three days of exploring the city and a one-day trip, you’ll cover all the top attractions!
- How much money should you take out? 1 USD is equivalent to about 3,800 COL Pesos. A typical taxi ride of about 15 minutes is $5 pesos and overall the cost of living is inexpensive. I ended up using $250 USD for 4 days in Bogotá which is equivalent to 973,037 Colombian pesos. Cash is certainly king so be sure to exchange at the airport!
Frequently Asked Questions: Intro to Bogotá
- Which areas should you stay in?: I stayed in Chapinero near Theatron (one of the more famous nightclubs) It’s way less touristy than the touristy sections of La Calendaria. Honestly, the prices for Airbnbs are relatively inexpensive so it truly depends on what you want to do! Since both these areas are popular, many tour guides will do two pick-ups from La Calendaria and Chapinero. I stayed at this Airbnb and LOVED it.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Burning Questions
- Is Bogotá a safe city? Coming from someone who lives in NYC, I did not find Bogotá to be unsafe. Compared to Santa Marta and Cartagena, I can see why you need to be more street-smart and aware. With that said, they encourage you to dress casually and not stick out. If you’re debating on bringing your professional camera, you might not want to risk it. I left mine at home and it gave me a lot more peace of mind.
- Should I learn Spanish? The answer is yes as many people can speak English, but to really navigate the city, you’ll want to brush up on the basics!
- What to wear in Bogota? Because Bogotá is a city near the mountains, it has a generally cooler climate. Think of it like Spring where you’re not sure if it’s going to be a nice sunny day or a rainstorm. At least that happened to me. I prepared for 4 days filled with rain and got lucky with just a rainstorm for about 2 hours. With that said, dress casually to not stick out. Most people wear jeans (even though the temperatures rise up to 70/75 degrees). I bought one pair of jeans, one skirt, one tank top, a white button-down (as a thin layer) and 4 T-shirts!
Things To Do In Bogotá: If You Like History
- Walking Tour of Bogotá: This is by far the best way to learn about the history of a city. They offer free walking tours about food, the city’s graffiti, walk & crime, and general history tour which you will love. The tours are very interactive with so much more information you’d learn than in a classroom. No matter the tour, you get to explore some incredible landmarks and see the beauty of Bogotá. Register by clicking the link right here!
- Visit the Museo del Oro (The Gold Museum): The Gold Museum is one of the most fascinating places to visit. Especially in a country like Colombia with 2,500 years of history related to gold from the indigenous tribes, you feel like they’re brought back to life. It’s a great opportunity to see the important values of the indigenous before the Spanish conquest.
- Explore the National Museum of Colombia in Bogotá: This reminds me of the National Museum of Natural History in NYC in the sense that it’s the flagship museum of the city. In this museum, you get bits and pieces of historically significant times and events that shaped Colombian history to where it is today. I loved wandering through the art of Fernando Botero, the emeralds, the history of Simon Bolivar, and the indigenous! Check it out here!
- Wander Plaza Bolivia: This historic site pays tribute to Simon Bolivar who led Gran Colombia (Ecuador, Venezuela & modern-day Colombia) along with Panama, Bolivia & Peru to freedom from the Spanish conquests.
- Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen: This church is one of the most beautiful I have seen and it needs all the love and attention. I especially find it beautiful the Arab influences in the design.
Things To Do In Bogotá: For My Nature Lovers
- Hiking Mount Monserrate in Bogotá: It’s hard to believe that this city is right in the mountains until coming here. Monserrate is a must-see because of its beauty. You can either hike this up or take a cable car for a charge. Once you get to the top, you see aerial views of the city, eat at a few restaurants, and check out the markets. Check out this blog here for more information!
- Botanical Garden of Bogotá: Did you know that Colombia is the 2nd most bio-diverse country in the world? With around 63,000 species as of 2021, it’s no wonder that the botanical garden is going to blow you away. General admission starts at 7,000 COP with an extra 10,000 COP for the tropical gardens.
Fun & Unique Things To Do In Bogotá
- Sunday Markets: Wander the Usaquén Market each Sunday
- Play Colombia’s National Sport, Tejo: Check it out here at Club de Tejo 76
- Make an Emerald ring: Since Colombia is the Emerald capital, producing the most in the world, it’d be a great experience to make a ring right in the hub. This is going to top any other experience since you get to keep the experience as a souvenir for life! Check it out here!
The Reason We Went: To See La Bitchota, Karol G
Her new album Mañana Será Bonito has had such a positive impact on me so when the opportunity came to spontaneously book a trip to see her live in her home country of Colombia, it was too easy to say yes and book it all. The concert had THE best energy and we had the time of our lives singing her album and I love that she sang some of her old songs! This is your sign to see your favorite artist perform live in her hometown!
Places To Eat In Bogotá Colombia
- La Puerta Falsa: You deserve the most authentic & traditional meal. Here at La Puerta Falsa, you experience all of that and more. As it’s the oldest restaurant in Bogotá, don’t be afraid of a half-hour line- because while you wait you can get some exotic fruits from the vendors. Overall the food was so tasty, we got the ajiaca soup and tomales with hot chocolate milk and maracuja juice! Heaven on a platter!!
- Poderoso: One of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time is right here in Chapinero, Poderoso! The owner is a delight and brings so much passion to her kitchen for us to enjoy. We loved it so much that on our 4-day trip, we ate there for dinner TWICE!
- Martes: One of the perks of choosing an Airbnb away from the tourists, is getting an affordable breakfast. We had an entire meal for a total of $ 30 USD, which is key to having the energy to walk around all day!
Day Tours Near Bogotá: El Dorado & The Salt Cathedral
- Head to the Laguna de Guatavita (Lake Guatavita) & the city of El Dorado: If you love history and adventure, this is going to be your favorite activity. Experience THE birthplace of El Dorado and the whole reason why the Spanish conquered Colombia, to find the gold riches. The indigenous would conduct rituals where they’d sacrifice their gold by dumping it into the Lagoon to thank their god and the world for their life. The 30-40 minute walk/light hike is perfect for the whole crew!
- See the Salt Cathedral: In the city of Zipaquirá, the Roman Catholic church built a church 200 meters underground and it’s all made of salt, which the country still excavates as a resource. The church takes you through the stations of the cross with the most beautiful displays and designs
DO BOTH! This tour with Get Your Guide & Bogotá Day Tours had both of them in the same day and it’s so affordable with the bonus of seeing two historic sights in one day! Check it out here
Bars In Bogotá For Every Type of Person
- Theatron: By far this is one of the most impressive clubs I have been to. Even though the admission is a bit pricey, (about 50,000 COP), it is 100% worth it. You almost feel like you’re in Disney World in the sense that you’re in a private community within Bogotá. With 13 mini-bars, there is a vibe here for EVERYONE looking for a fun night.
- Odem: Another similar spot with different vibes within one bar is Odem. If you’re looking for a perfect rooftop to see the sunset and the views of Plaza de Lourdes. They have great drinks and even better- the tastiest food for the munchies!
- Griego Rooftop & Federal Rooftop: Both of these places had such great vibes with lots of people dancing. As you get more in the touristy spots, you’ll notice how much more expensive things are!
- Presea Rooftop: They play a lot of old-school reggaeton which would be a great reason to go if you’re feeling nostalgic.
Other places to check out: Astoria Rooftop, Gringo Tuesday, Furia Rooftop, Kyoto Rooftop, Gringo Tuesday, Confidencial, Indigo Club
There You Have It
As you can see, Bogotá is filled with such great welcoming energy. From the hospitality to feeling safe & taken care of, I understand why people enjoy visiting Colombia again and again. I can’t wait to boast about this city to everyone I know looking to travel! What that said, flights are pretty decently priced compared to other destinations so you may want to consider a spontaneous trip of your own. Let me know if YOU’VE been to Bogotá and share your favorite spots!
what do you think?