Colombia’s capital, Bogota is the largest city in the country. People and tourists from around the globe visit Bogota to converge into the diverse and cosmopolitan culture. For a fact, Bogota is one such place in Colombia where you can expect to see the coalesce of both past and present during your Bogota Travel. People often considered Bogota as the melting pot of Colombia. Bogota tourism is known for its diverse colors of modern architectures, true historical treasures, and serene natural ambiance, just like Medellin. In addition, the city is also known to house all the cultures from different regions of the country. Be it the artisanal heritage of Boyaca, delectable traditional Colombian cuisine or joy and exhilaration of Caribbean, Bogota has it all!
Now if you are looking to plan a trip to this beautiful destination, I am sure this Bogota travel guide will help you make it a hassle-free one. It will not only help to know the best tourist attractions in the city, but also the Bogota’s accommodation options for its tourists. So, let’s start the guide!
Table of Contents
What to See in Bogota
When it comes to what to see in Bogota, there are plenty of places and attractions. Keeping your taste, preferences, and length of stay in Bogota into consideration, you can choose the apt things for your sightseeing Bogota tour or take some day trips from Bogota. Here I have included some of the best things to see in Bogota that are divided into five different categories.
Best Bogota Tours
Bogota Free Walking Tour
The Free Walking Tour is everywhere like Medellin and Bogota It is probably every traveler’s favorite thing in Bogota. It is because it is an exceptional way to get the lay of the land. On this tour, you get a chance to explore main sights along with a local guide or expert explaining and answering any and all of your questions. The tour will certainly help you to learn about the history of Colombia and Bogota travel.
When is Bogota Free Walking Tour
The tour starts at 10 in the morning and ends at 2 in the evening at Santander Park right in front of the Gold Museum. The entire tour takes around 3 hours.
Bogota Graffiti Tour
Even if you are a fan of art or graffiti, Bogota Graffiti Tour is yet a must-do a thing while you Indulge in Bogota Travel. On this tour, expect to take a deep dive into the world of street art in Bogota but also an insight into the rich history of Colombia and Bogota. Trust me, this entire tour is big fun which is beautifully managed and explained by a professional local guide. Like the Walking tour, Bogota Graffiti Tour is also a free tour. But, despite that, a nice tip is expected by the guide. This is the least you can do after an amazing and informative tour about Bogota travel, right?
When is Bogota Graffiti Tour
Bogota Graffiti Tour begins at 10 in the morning and ends at 2 in the afternoon. The onset point of this tour is La Plaza de Los Periodistas which is located right in front of La Candelaria. The entire tour takes 2 to 3 hours to get completed.
Bogota Food Tour
Food is one of the constant things on any vacation. Whether you’re spending three weeks in Colombia or two 3 days eat as much as you can! While you travel to Bogota, the food tour is yet another must-do thing in the city. Colombian food is probably one of the best cuisines in the entire South American region. Hence, a larger chunk of people from around the world come to visit Bogota, Colombia just to savor the delectable taste of the traditional cuisine. A food tour in Bogota not only gives you a chance to savor the mouth-watering local food but also some of the most delicious fruits that are only found in Colombia. The tour will take you around the artistic and bohemian neighborhood of La Macarena. There you will visit different restaurants and food places where you can sample the delectable local fares and drink.
When is Bogota Food Tour
Bogota Food Tour is organized from every Monday to Saturday and it begins around 7:00 PM. The price of the tour costs around 80567 COP per head.
Markets
La Perseverancia
You would be amazed to know that La Perseverancia is one of those markets which is located in every Colombian city. It offers a great opportunity for tourists to get a glimpse into the community. There are tons of traditional food stalls and local produce stalls. This is basically a square that was established in the year 1940. It is known to offer a mix of knowledge as well as the traditional aromas and flavors of the goods produced in the city of its nearby regions. But, more than that, Le Perseverancia is renowned as the place where one can savor the best and most delectable traditional Colombian dishes that are prepared by professional cooks from all around the country.
Address
40, Cra. 5 #30 A, Bogotá, Colombia
Operating Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Paloquemao
If you are a big-time food lover, then Paloquemao has to be on your Bogota sightseeing tour list. It is probably one of the most famous and biggest markets to visit during your Bogota travel. It is basically a huge local farmer’s market having an indoor setup for stalls. For a fact, it is the largest food market in the country. But you would be amazed to know that despite being the largest of its kind, the market is still under-visited. Hence, you can expect not to see many foreign tourists at this place. The best thing about Paloquemao Market is its vibe which is very authentic. The market not only has stalls for foods and vegetables but meat, flowers, fish as well. In short, Paloquemao is one of those places where you can get the actual local vibe of Colombia.
Address
Cl. 19 #25-02, Bogotá, Colombia
Operating Hours
Monday to Saturday from 4:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sundays from 5:00 AM to 2:30 PM
What to expect Bogota
Popular Attractions
Gold Museum
Well, I won’t say that the Gold Museum is not a must-visit attraction in Bogota after all, such is its charm. From La Candelaria, the museum is located at a distance of hardly 10-minutes. The museum has three floors; the first one houses the most prestigious collection of Pre-Hispanic metalwork. On the second floor, you will get a chance to admire the use of metals in the religious and political organizations. Whereas, the third floor is the Cosmogony and Symbolism Hall where you will get to see the attires, pectorals, nose ornaments, ceramic seals, spindle flyers, anthropomorphic diadems, and knife grinders from a bygone era. If you are a history and culture person, then the Gold Museum is one of the best things to see in Bogota.
Address
Carrera 6 N° 16-58, Santander Park.
Operating Hours
Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sundays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Monserrate
No vacation to Bogota, South America, is ever completed without Monserrate. Also considered as the most iconic attraction in the city. Comfortably standing at a height of 3000 meters above the sea level, Monserrate is one of the most-visited tourist spots. It is mainly a viewpoint from where you can gaze upon the sublime views of the entire city. Despite being a viewpoint, it is way more than that! This tourist spot also has a church. If you are lucky enough, you will get to know that this church is a popular spot for local weddings. Reaching this place is quite simple; you can either prefer to walk by yourself which would take an hour. If not, you can also hire a cable car or funicular to reach to the top. However, it is important to know that the hike isn’t simple at all during the night, hence, it is advisable to perform it during the day time and that too in a group. On weekends, this place receives a huge footfall of tourists. If you have no other option, visit on weekends. Otherwise, I prefer to visit the place on weekdays.
La Candelaria
La Candelaria is a historic town of Bogota and also a great place for tourists and Bogota travel. This beautiful neighborhood is a popular tourist spot in the city. You can take a stroll on the narrow cobblestone streets. On the stroll, relish the beautiful architecture of colonial, art deco, and baroque styles. Not just this, the neighborhood also houses some of the best tourist attractions of the city including several churches, Gold Museum, Botero Museum, Universities, and more. Being here, do not forget to enjoy live music while hanging at Plaza Chorro de Quevedo. Also, savor the taste of the famous local drink, Chicha. The drink is made from corn. The region is also known to house some of the most amazing restaurants. If you desire, you can visit them.
Parks
Do not be amused if you see a lot of parks in Bogota. After all, this is what the city is famous for. The city of Bogota is known as the home to a wide variety of excellent parks and gardens. You can expect to see people in these parks enjoying a leisure walk, jogging, beating the chaos of the traffic, and even relaxing. Most of these parks are quite big and are perfect places to spend some quality time with friends and family. Some of the most famous parks in Bogota are Park Los Novios, Botanical Garden, Park Simon Bolivar, Park 93, El Virrey, and Park Chico.
It is obvious – you cannot explore all these amazing attractions in a single day. Thus, you need a place to stay. Now, when it comes to where to stay in Bogota, the city of Bogota offers its visitors a wide range of options. Let’s have a look at some of the best areas where one should look to book accommodation on his/her tour of Bogota in South America. Each of these areas attracts visitors for a particular reason.
A Day In Bogota
Where to Stay in Bogota Colombia
Tesuaquillo
this area is best for all outdoor lovers. From this place, you can get easy access to the city’s top tourist attractions. Besides, Tesuaquillo is also a perfect place to book a stay because it neighbors the downtown district.
High-end hotel
Address
Carrera 37 No. 24 – 29 , Teusaquillo, 110111 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 87 USD
Mid-range hotel
Address
Calle 24 A # 44-36, Teusaquillo, 110010 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 33 USD
Low-rang hotel
Address
Diagonal 53D No 23 – 18, Teusaquillo, 110010 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 15 USD
La Candelaria
The first-ever neighborhood in Bogota, La Candelaria is the colonial district which is perfect to find a stay if you love to be surrounded by the history and heritage of Colombia and Bogota. Around this neighborhood, you will find plenty of street art, colonial architecture, and cobblestone streets. Staying in the region is an experience in itself on Bogota tours.
High-end hotel
Address
Calle 10 No. 5-72 La Candelaria, Bogotá Colombia
Cost
Approx 174 USD
Mid-range hotel
Musica Hotel
Address
Calle 10 # 0 – 25 Este, Bogota 111711 Colombia
Cost
Approx 60 USD
Low-range hotel
Address
Carrera 2 9 87, Bogota 111711 Colombia
Cost
Approx 21 USD
Booking.com
Parque 93/Chico
Chico/Parque 93 is probably one of the most upscale areas in the city. It is also considered as the safest neighborhood in the city and it hosts the jet-set crowd.
High-end hotel
Address
Calle 83 No 9-48, Chapinero, 110011 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 90 USD
Mid-range hotel
Address
Carrera 14 No. 93 A 69, Chapinero, 110010 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 46 USD
Low-range hotel
Hotel Casa Real 93
Address
Calle 93A Nro 9A-53, Chapinero, 110010 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 39 USD
Zona Rosa
For all the nightcrawlers, Zona Rosa is one of the best places to stay in Bogota. In this region, you can savor the best of Bogota nightlife.
High-end hotel
Address
Carrera 13 # 85 – 80, Chapinero, 110010 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 127 USD
Mid-range hotel
Address
Calle 82 No. 12-35, Chapinero, 110010 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 54 USD
Low-range hotel
Address
Cra 15 # 87 – 24, Chapinero, 110221 Bogotá, Colombia
Cost
Approx 40 USD
With these recommendations, you are all ready to enjoy the ultimate vacation time on your travel to Colombia. However, a tip to make the most of your Bogota trip is that – make sure you respect and accept the beautiful culture of Colombia. It will help you to know about this beautiful destination better. Enjoy!
**PIN IT**
