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Bogotá

High-altitude city of museums and murals

Bogotá is the capital of Colombia, set on a high plateau about 8,500 ft above sea level, so the air is thin and the evenings are cool. The historic center, La Candelaria, has colonial houses, small plazas and the Gold Museum nearby. A cable car and funicular climb to the Monserrate sanctuary for views over the city. Beyond the center, Usaquén has a Sunday market and Chapinero has restaurants and nightlife. The city is large and traffic is heavy, so plan each day around one or two districts. Sunday road closures for cycling are a local favorite. Most visitors stay three days.

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City in Colombia

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.0

General Safety:	4
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	8

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and by younger generations, but learning some basic Spanish will enhance your experience, especially in local markets and with taxis.

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Last update: Oct 23, 2026

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Bogotá Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

"Best for" scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

"Your personal" scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

"Suited for" badges:
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Read how our scores work

Strong in culture and mountain city views. Visit museums, explore historic districts, ride cable cars to viewpoints and enjoy vibrant food scenes.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Large cities

Museums

Street art

Cycling

Nightlife

Personal score

Suited for

👶 4

Families

🧓 3

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🌈 7

LGBTQ+

Colombia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Colombian Peso (COP) $1 ≈ COP 3,158.18
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but cash is still preferred in many rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not obligatory, but a tip of 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Taxis generally do not expect a tip, but rounding up the fare is common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not allowed in some areas, especially in cities. It is best to consume alcohol in licensed venues like bars or restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Independence Day (July 20)	National holiday celebrating Colombia's independence with parades and festivities
Christmas (December 25)	Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 123
Taxi apps:	Uber, Cabify
Other:	Colombia is known for its coffee, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, including the Andes mountains and Caribbean beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Bogotá, Colombia

🌦️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

⛈️

Mar

⛈️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

⛈️

Oct

⛈️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., July - Aug., Dec.
Shoulder season:	March, June, Sep.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Two dry seasons December to March and July to August, wetter months April to May and October to November

Holy Week (late March to April): many locals leave town, some shops close, churches busy

Don't miss

⛰️ Take in panoramic city views from Mount Monserrate
🏛️ Explore the Museo del Oro with pre-Hispanic gold
🏘️ Stroll through historic La Candelaria neighborhood
🏛️ Visit the iconic Plaza de Bolívar and surrounding landmarks
🖼️ Admire contemporary art at Museo Botero
🍉 Discover local flavors at Paloquemao Market

You've been here?

Why travel to Bogotá?

Bogotá suits people who like museums, food and city walking more than beaches. La Candelaria is the old center, with colonial houses, steep cobbled streets and the Chorro de Quevedo, a small plaza with a bohemian feel. Plaza de Bolívar is the main square, with the cathedral and the seat of government nearby. The Gold Museum holds an important collection of gold from pre-Hispanic cultures. The Botero Museum shows works by Fernando Botero. Monserrate is the main viewpoint. A funicular runs in the morning and a cable car in the afternoon from the same base station. You can also hike up early. The air is thin, so take it slowly on the first days. On Sundays and holidays about 75 mi of roads close to cars for cycling and walking, which is the best way to see how locals use the city. Usaquén is a former village on the north side with a flea market on Sundays. Chapinero and Zona G have many of the city's restaurants. The Salt Cathedral at Zipaquirá is a half-day trip north. The weather is cool with frequent rain, so bring a jacket and an umbrella. The driest months are December to January and June to September. Three days covers the center, Monserrate, a museum or two and one neighborhood for food.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Gold Museum
2 Cerro de Monserrate
3 National Museum of Colombia
4 La Candelaria
5 Botero Museum
6 Plaza de Bolívar
7 Basílica del Señor de Monserrate
8 Usaquén
9 Chorro de Quevedo

🎡Places for activities

1 Salitre Mágico
2 Andrés Carne de Res
3 Teatro Colón
4 Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campín
5 Ciclovía Avenida de los Comuneros
6 93 Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Simón Bolívar Park
2 Estación El Tiempo - Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá
3 Parque El Lago
4 Laguna de Siecha
5 Quebrada La Vieja
6 Parque El Virrey
7 Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza
8 Navegadero TOMINE LAKE

🛍️Shopping

1 Hacienda Santa Bárbara
2 Plaza de mercado de paloquemao
3 Portal 80
4 Centro Comercial Santafé Bogotá
5 Camacho's Zona T
6 Centro Comercial Andino
7 Centro Comercial Gran Estación
8 Usaquen Flea Market

🎈Events

Bogotá International Book Fair
Rock al Parque
Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro
Jazz al Parque
Bogotá Food Week
Bogotá Pride Parade
Festival de Cine de Bogotá
Salsa al Parque
Summer Festival
Colombia al Parque

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Take it slowly for the first days because of the altitude.
Go up Monserrate early on a clear morning before clouds and queues build up.
Join the Sunday Ciclovía by renting a bike while main streets are closed to traffic.
Carry a light jacket and an umbrella because the weather changes quickly and rain is frequent.

How to travel to Bogotá

Most visitors arrive by air at El Dorado International Airport (BOG), about 9.5 mi from the center. Avianca, LATAM and Copa and other airlines fly here from North America, Europe and across Latin America. Many onward flights to Medellín, Cartagena and other cities leave from the same airport. The ride to La Candelaria takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis from the official arrivals area are generally safe. A ride app or a transfer booked with your hotel also works. The public buses to the center are slower and less convenient with luggage. Intercity buses arrive at the main bus terminal. Routes run to Medellín in about nine hours and to San Gil in around five to six hours. Flying is quicker to most big cities. Many nationalities, including UK citizens, can stay up to 90 days without a visa in Colombia. You need to show an onward or return ticket. Your passport must be valid on arrival. The online Check-Mig form is optional but can speed up entry.

Access summary

From El Dorado Airport (BOG): Taxi or shuttle, about 25–45 minutes.
From Medellín: Frequent direct flights to Bogotá, usually around 1–1.5 hours.
From Cali: Direct flights to Bogotá generally about 1 hour.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Bogotá

Bogotá is spread over many districts, so choose one that matches your plans. La Candelaria is the old town and the best choice for sights. It has hostels, guesthouses and boutique hotels in colonial buildings. You can walk to the museums and plazas. The streets are quiet and rough after dark, so take a taxi at night. Chapinero, Zona G and the Zona T are modern districts with the most restaurants and bars and many mid-range and upscale hotels. They suit you if food and nightlife matter more than sights. Usaquén in the north has a village feel, a Sunday market and quiet streets, but it's a long ride from the center. Business hotels cluster around Parque 93 and the financial district, which are calm in the evening. Rooms are easy to find most of the year, but book early for Christmas and long holiday weekends.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Movich Buro 26

8.8

Casa Dann Carlton Hotel & SPA

9.2

Hotel Tequendama Bogotá

Lancaster House Suites Hotel

8.8

Bogota 100 Design Hotel By Sarasti

8.8

Hotel Dann Carlton Bogota

8.7

GHL Bioxury Hotel

9.4

The Click Clack Hotel

9.2

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Bogotá

Bogotá is big and traffic is heavy, so distances take longer than they look on the map. The center is walkable, but you'll need transport between districts.

TransMilenio:
Buses run in dedicated lanes and avoid traffic jams. You need a contactless TuLlave card, which costs about COP 7,000 ($2.20) and can be topped up at any station. Each ride costs about COP 2,950 ($0.93). Stations get very crowded at rush hour, so keep your phone and bag close.

City buses:
Smaller feeder buses share the roads with cars and reach areas the TransMilenio doesn't. Routes are hard for visitors to follow, so use an app such as Moovit to plan a trip.

Taxis and apps:
Yellow taxis are generally reliable and cheap. Don't hail one on the street, especially after dark. Ask your hotel or restaurant to call one or book through an app such as Uber, Cabify or Beat.

Walking and cycling:
La Candelaria and its main sights are close enough to walk. On Sundays you can rent a bike for the Ciclovía, when main roads close to cars.

Food in Bogotá

Food in Bogotá is hearty because of the cool weather. Soups, potatoes and bread are staples. Many restaurants offer a fixed lunch menu at a low price. Zona G and Chapinero have the widest choice of modern and international cooking.

Ajiaco:
A thick chicken and potato soup served with corn, capers, cream and avocado. It's the signature dish of Bogotá and is eaten at lunch.

Tamal:
Steamed corn dough filled with meat and vegetables and wrapped in a banana leaf. It's a classic weekend breakfast and is often eaten with hot chocolate.

Chocolate santafereño:
Hot chocolate served with a slice of cheese and bread. The cheese goes in the cup to melt, which surprises many visitors but is a local tradition.

Cheese bread:
Almojábanas and pandebono are soft cheese breads sold in bakeries and cafés. They go well with coffee for breakfast or a snack.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-61 %

Daily expenses in Bogotá are around 61% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+29 %

Your exchange rate (USD to COP) is 29% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	$45	$92	$239
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	$20	$50	$120
🍝 Food per day	$21	$35	$93
🚕 Transportation per day	$4	$6	$25

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	$14
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	$6.50
🍟 Fast food combo	$8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	$7
☕ Cappuccino	$2.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz	$1.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	$0.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	$16
⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal	$1.15

Other

🎞️ Movie ticket	$5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	$30
🤧 Cold medication	$5.50
💇 Basic haircut	$9.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Bogotá has real crime risks. Pickpocketing, phone snatching and muggings happen. Fake police and fake taxi drivers target visitors. Avoid hailing taxis on the street, use ATMs inside banks by day and keep valuables out of sight.

Health & Medical

Private hospitals and clinics in Bogotá are good, though public hospitals can be poorly equipped. Insurance with evacuation cover is advisable. At {{distance:m:2600}} the altitude can cause headaches and tiredness in the first days, so rest and drink water.

Accessibility

Pavements in the center are narrow and uneven. Steep streets in La Candelaria are hard with limited mobility. TransMilenio stations have level boarding but get very crowded. Taxis and apps are easier. The altitude adds to the effort.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink in Bogotá. It's the only place in Colombia where official advice says so. Outside the city drink bottled water. Bottled water is sold everywhere if you prefer it or have a sensitive stomach.