Colombia · October 2023
Overview
Bogotá is a huge, creative and serious city high in the Andes, at 2,640 m. It is cool and often rainy, with red-brick buildings, mountains always in view and amazing street art in La Candelaria. It has some of the best museums and restaurants in South America. Keep in mind that the altitude can make you tired the first day, and the weather changes several times a day, so bring layers and an umbrella.
The Muisca people lived on the Bogotá savanna, where they made the gold offerings that inspired the legend of El Dorado. Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada founded Santa Fe de Bogotá on 6 August 1538. It became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, and on 20 July 1810 the "Grito de Independencia" started the independence movement here. In 1948 the assassination of the leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán caused the riots known as the Bogotazo. Today it is a city of almost 8 million people.
How long to stay: 3 to 4 days, including a day trip to Zipaquirá.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Location
In the centre of Colombia, on a high plateau of the Eastern Andes. Villa de Leyva is 3.5 to 4 hours north, Medellín 1 hour by plane.
Budget
Per person, per day.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | COP 60,000–110,000 ($18–34) | COP 250,000–450,000 ($76–138) | COP 700,000+ ($214+) |
| Food | COP 50,000–90,000 ($15–28) | COP 130,000–220,000 ($40–67) | COP 350,000+ ($107+) |
| Getting around | COP 10,000–20,000 | COP 40,000–80,000 | COP 150,000+ |
| Daily total | COP 120,000–220,000 ($37–67) | COP 420,000–750,000 ($128–229) | COP 1,200,000+ ($367+) |
A menu del día (corrientazo) lunch costs about COP 15,000–25,000; an ajíaco soup about COP 30,000–45,000.
Things to Do
Bogota sits at 2,640 meters, so pace yourself the first day. Start in La Candelaria with a graffiti walking tour, then ride the funicular up Cerro Monserrate for sunset and a plate of ajiaco at one of the summit restaurants.
The Gold Museum is one of the best in Latin America; give it two hours. On Sunday, join Ciclovia when the city closes 120km of roads to cars and Bogotanos take over on bikes.
The colonial centre, with colourful houses, the Chorro de Quevedo square (where some say the city was founded), street art, universities and small museums.
Price: free · Tip: take a graffiti tour (tip-based) to understand the art and politics behind the murals.
The main square, surrounded by the Primary Cathedral, the Capitol, the Palace of Justice (rebuilt after the 1985 siege) and the Liévano Palace (city hall).
Price: free.
More than 34,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold, the largest collection in the world, including the Muisca Raft, a small gold sculpture of the El Dorado ceremony.
Price: about COP 5,000; free on Sundays · Hours: closed Monday · Time needed: 2 hours.
Fernando Botero donated his own works (his famous round figures) and his collection of Picasso, Monet, Renoir and Dalí to the country. The museum is in a colonial house in La Candelaria.
Price: free · Hours: closed Tuesday.
The mountain above the city (3,152 m) with a white church at the top, reached by cable car or funicular. The view over the whole city is spectacular.
Price: about COP 28,000–32,000 return (cheaper on Sundays) · Tip: go in the morning; afternoon clouds often cover the view. Hiking up the 1,500 steps is popular, but go early and in a group.
A former colonial village, now inside the city, with a big Sunday flea and craft market, restaurants and the Santa Bárbara church.
Price: free · Tip: Sundays are the best day.
Every Sunday and holiday from 7:00 to 14:00, more than 120 km of main roads close to cars and open to bikes, runners and skaters.
Price: free; bike rental about COP 30,000–50,000.
A huge food market with exotic fruits you have never seen (lulo, guanábana, pitahaya, uchuva) and a flower section.
Price: free · Tip: go in the morning and try the fruits.
Ajíaco is Bogotá's soup of chicken, three kinds of potato and guascas herb, served with cream, capers and avocado. Also try chocolate santafereño (hot chocolate with cheese inside) at a traditional café like La Puerta Falsa (1816).
An underground church carved inside a salt mine, 180 m below the surface, with the Stations of the Cross and a giant cross lit in changing colours.
Price: about COP 100,000–130,000 for foreigners · Getting there: about 1 to 1.5 hours by bus or the weekend Turistren.
Transit Tips
Affiliate link
Airport: Uber or DiDi to La Candelaria or Chapinero about COP 30,000–60,000 (30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic); official airport taxis are also safe.
By bus: the Terminal Salitre and Terminal del Norte connect Bogotá with Villa de Leyva, Duitama and the rest of the country.
Uber, DiDi and Cabify: the safest and easiest option.
TransMilenio: fast bus system with its own lanes; about COP 3,200–3,600 per ride with a rechargeable TuLlave card. Very crowded at rush hour; watch your belongings.
Walking: La Candelaria and Chapinero are walkable by day.
Keep in mind that traffic is very heavy and "pico y placa" rules restrict cars on certain days. Plan airport trips with extra time.
Helpful Words
A few basics in Spanish can make everyday conversations much easier.
Where to Stay
Plan & Book
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
Affiliate link