Bogota – Colombia’s Dynamic Capital

Nestled in the Andes, Bogotá, Colombia’s dynamic capital, is a blend of history, culture, and modern vibes. From the historic La Candelaria to the lively Zona T, the city offers diverse experiences. Explore world-class museums, feel the warmth of locals, and indulge in Colombian cuisine. This guide uncovers the heart of Bogotá, revealing top attractions in this captivating South American destination.

How to get to Bogota

✈️ By plane: You can book direct flights to El Dorado International Airport, which is well-connected to major international and domestic destinations. From the airport, you can book a taxi or take an Uber to your accommodation.

🚌 By bus: If you’re in Colombia, the bus is a cost-effective choice, with frequent bus services connecting Bogotá to cities like Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena. Once in Bogotá, public transportation and taxis make it easy to navigate the city’s diverse neighborhoods and vibrant attractions, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey to Colombia’s dynamic capital. Check out 12GO for all your possible options.

What to do in Bogota

Enjoy the Views from Monserrate

Monserrate is a well-known spot offering amazing views of the city. You can get up there by taking a cable car or by walking up. It’s on top of a mountain, so you’ll see incredible panoramic scenes of Bogotá and the Andes Mountains. Up at the top, there’s a church, places to eat, and shops selling local crafts. It’s a cool place where locals and tourists go to relax, take in the views, and enjoy a different perspective of the city, especially during sunsets or at night when the city lights up.

If you are more adventurous, you can also walk up Monserrate. The trail is about 2.5 kilometers long and takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to hike, depending on your pace and fitness level. The altitude gain during the walk is significant, starting around 2,600 meters above sea level at the bottom and reaching approximately 3,152 meters at the summit. The trail is generally safe during the day, but it’s advisable to hike in a group or with someone else, and be cautious of your surroundings.

Join the Graffity Walking Tour

The graffiti walking tour is a fantastic way to explore the city’s street art. Led by local guides, this tour takes you through neighborhoods filled with colorful murals and graffiti. You’ll see different styles and messages from artists around the world, and the guides share stories behind the art, giving you a glimpse into Bogotá’s history and current issues. It’s a fun and insightful way to discover hidden art spots and appreciate the creativity found throughout the city while supporting local artists.

These tours work on a tipping basis; we generally give €10-€15 per person depending on the quality and group size of the tour.

Explore Plaza Bolívar

Plaza Bolívar is a large square in the middle of Bogotá. It is named after Simón Bolívar, who helped free several South American countries in the past. You will find his name in several countries, for airports and even for a country’s name: Bolivia! The square is not only loaded with history, it also has some important buildings nearby, such as the Colombian Capitol and the Palace of Justice. When we were there, there were some events on one day, and protests on another. This is the ideal square for some people-watching while you are in town.

Learn about Colombia’s History at the Museo del Oro

There are quite some museums in Bogotá, and we only visited one of them. We have heard good stories about the Museo Nacional de Colombia and the Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá (MAMBO – Museum of Modern Art). While these museums are worth a visit if you are into history and/or modern art, we opted to visit the Museo del Oro, or the Gold Museum!

The Museo del Oro has an extensive collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts and it will give you a glimpse into the ancient cultures and craftsmanship. Apart from gold, there is also pottery and textiles among others to give you an idea of how people lived in Colombia in the past.

Where to eat in Bogota

There are many good restaurants in Bogotá, from Italian, to Mexican, and Argentinian. These were our favorites.

• El Mono Bandero: A nice brew pub offering some nice food as well, like burgers, tacos, and nachos. A great place to get an artisanal beer and some pub food.
• Cantina La 15 Bogotá: The best Mexican restaurant in Bogotá, where you can have some authentic Mexican dishes in a great atmosphere.
• La Cabrera: A very good Argentinian meat restaurant in the heart of town. The hospitality is top-notch and the portions are big. Combine your meal with some nice cocktails and enjoy the atmosphere. This is not the cheapest place in town, but worth a visit if you fancy some good meat.

Where to stay in Bogota

Most travelers stay in the La Candelaria area, one of the safest neighbourhoods in Botoa with a lot of good restaurants. This is not only one of the safest, but also one of the prettiest ánd centrally located neighbourhoods and therefore we prefer it for our stay.

Botanico Hostel offers a great atmosphere with a lively living room to meet fellow travelers and a nice rooftop. This one is meant for all travellers, offering double rooms with a shared or ensuite bathroom, but also offering dorms. Expect to pay €40-€60 per night for a double room and dorms start at €15 a night.

Arche Noah Boutique Hostel is thé best boutique hostel in town (in our opinion). This hostel is quite small and therefore more personal. A double room starts at €37 a night, and dorms start at €10 a night. They also offer a dorm with only single beds (i.e. no bunk beds) starting at €15 a night. This last option is a favorite!

Just a few blocks away is Selina La Candelaria Bogota. Selina is a hostel chain, orginally created to accommodate digital nomads and travellers alike, so you will certainly see this brand more often if you are travelling the Americas. With friendly personnel, excellent wifi and several activities a week this is a nice place to stay. Their double rooms with shared bathroom start at €40 a night, while prices start at €60 a night for an ensuite. Dorms start at €15 a night.