The Best Things to Do in Bogota, Colombia

Discover the best things to do in Bogota Colombia from top sights to great restaurants and cafes for the perfect stay in the city.

Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a city that rewards curiosity. From marvelling at Latin America’s largest gold collection to taking in sweeping views of the city from above, it is a place rich in culture, history, world-class restaurants, buzzing bars and, of course, exceptional coffee.

As the birthplace of much of Colombia’s modern identity, Bogotá is also an essential starting point for understanding the country — its past, its people, and its remarkable transformation in recent decades.

For travellers, the appeal is easy to see. You can eat at some of the best restaurants on the continent, shop for beautiful Colombian crafts and souvenirs, and experience a cultural depth that few South American capitals can match. Two to three days is enough to cover the highlights comfortably, but Bogotá has a way of pulling you back, and I would strongly recommend building it into any Colombia itinerary.

I have visited Bogotá three times now, and it is a city I keep returning to — in part because I have family living in Colombia, but also because it genuinely never gets old. There is always something new to discover, a neighbourhood to explore, or a restaurant to try.

Here are the best things to do in Bogota, Colombia, my top picks for making the post of the city.

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Getting to Bogota

Plane: When arriving in Colombia, you’ll most probably arrive at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport. From here it’s about an hour’s ride to the center of the city. From the airport, it’s best to take an official taxi or organise an airport transfer ahead of time through your hotel.

A taxi to the center from the airport will cost about 60,000 COP. A taxi from the center to the airport costs about 40k.

Bus: If you’re arriving in Bogota from other parts of Colombia, then there are quite a few bus stations you could arrive at, depending on your origin. Generally speaking, bus stations in Colombia are located quite far away from the city center. The best way to get to your hotel is by taxi or Uber.

Getting Around Bogota

Uber: Uber works well in Bogota, just be mindful of the fact that it’s still in a somewhat grey zone there, and for this reason, drivers might ask you to sit up front or to explain you are so-and-so if pulled over by the police (there are many police checkpoints around the city).

If you’re going to the airport, make sure to take a taxi and not an Uber as they are not authorized to go into the airport, so they’ll leave you on the side of the road near the airport- not ideal if you have lots of luggage.

Also, I found that Uber prices were quite elevated in Bogota compared to taxis, especially during some peak times, so make sure to check the fare on the app as well as with a local taxi driver. On one trip, Uber quoted us 12k, we went with a local taxi in the end, and it ended up costing 6k.

Taxi: A great alternative to Uber in Bogota is local taxis, which are inexpensive and available on every corner. They generally use a meter, but it’s always a good idea to ask about the estimated price you’ll need to pay. A little basic Spanish does help when taking taxis, however, as most of the drivers do not speak English.

Public Transport: In general, I never use public transport in Bogota, as taxis and Uber are very inexpensive. There is currently no metro in Bogota, but the city does have an extensive bus system. Feel free to try to work it out.

Best Things to Do in Bogota, Colombia

Summit Monserate

For the best views over the entire city of Bogota, one of the best things to do in Bogota Colombia, is to head up to Monserrate. Monserrate is a hill in Bogota marked by its white church at its top. You’ll no doubt see it from the city itself. 

There are a couple of ways up to the summit of Cerro de Monserrate. Most, get the cable car or cable train that goes up the hill to the summit. The journey lasts a little more than 5 minutes. Alternatively, there is also a path to trek to the top if you feel super active.

To get up here, find ‘Taquilla Teleferico Monserrate’ on Google Maps and either walk from La Candelaria or take an Uber/Taxi. Once you buy your ticket, head round to the train that’ll take you all the way to the top.

From the top, you’ll have magnificent views of the city, the airport, and planes taking off and the hills on the other side of Monserrate. There are also two restaurants at the top, a French bistro as well as a more downscale cafe, where you can have a quick bite in between taking photos.

The best time to come up to Monserrate is for sunset. You can witness the city being covered in golden light, then fading to blue, and then watch the city’s lights come on as darkness descends.

Just be aware that Bogota’s weather is all over the place. My recommendation is to check the weather for your entire stay and come up for sunset on the best day. The last train down is at 10 pm. Don’t forget a jacket too, because after sunset it’s freezing up there!

Visit the Gold Museum

Bogota’s Museo del Oro or Gold Museum, is one of the cultural highlights of the capital, if not the country. Colombia has one of the largest collections of gold in South America and you can learn more about the history of gold and the art and culture of gold represented in this multi-floor museum.

The exhibition starts with the history of gold, and the techniques used to extract gold and mould forms together. You’ll learn about the different uses of gold throughout Colombian history and how it was used and valued in life and in death.

There are some really stunning pieces of gold in this museum and the level of skill to produce some of them is really unbelievable. The museum really is the perfect place to come on a rainy afternoon in Bogota.

Explore La Candelaria

There is no doubt that at some point you’ll find yourself in the neighbourhood of La Candelaria, even if you choose not to stay there.

It’s the heart of Bogota’s historic centre, and in La Candelaria, you’ll find Plaza de Bolivar, the Gabriel Garcia Marquez Cultural Center, so much street art, restaurants, bars, markets, and street stalls. There is so much going on in this buzzing neighbourhood.

Luckily La Candelaria district isn’t big, and you can walk the whole neighbourhood in a few hours, exploring and paying most attention to what attracts your eye. Exploring La Candelaria is on my traveller’s lists as one of the best things to do in Bogota, Colombia.

Wander around Plaza de Bolivar

In the heart of the old, historical city is Plaza de Bolivar, Bogota’s main political and cultural square. Here you’ll find Bogota’s Cathedral on the eastern block, the National Capitol, Colombia’s Houses of Congress on the southern side, as well as the Palacio Liévano, a colonial-era palace and Bogota’s political headquarters on the western side.

The square itself is full of life, with locals strolling around and kids feeding pigeons. There are plenty of stalls with sellers selling a range of Colombian products and souvenirs to take home. You’ll also see a number of fruit stalls and street food sellers here selling anything from grilled corn on the cob to fruit punch.

I particularly loved the guy selling fresh sugarcane juice right by the cathedral- it’s delicious mixed with some Colombian sour orange.

Visit the Centro Cultural Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Just a block east of Plaza de Bolivar you’ll find the Garcia Marquez Cultural Centre, a space named after the famous Colombian writer that now works as a space for all types of exhibitions and cultural events.

It’s a lovely space to walk around in, take a look and see what’s going on, wander around the bookstore, and relax in one of the cafes inside the center.

The terrace of the cultural center is also a great place for taking photos of the vibrant street below.

Go Shopping

Did you know that one of the best things to do in Bogota Colombia, is actually crafts shopping? Colombia is a great place to shop for arts and crafts as well as all the best well-known brands in the world. If you’re from the US or Europe however, global brands here are more expensive so I’d stick to the local Colombian brands and artisans.

Some great things to buy in Colombia apart from sustainable coffee and organic, sustainable chocolate are colourful, woven cotton or wool shoulder bags called ‘mochilas’, purses, and jewellery.

Colombia is also famous for emeralds, so you’ll see a lot of emerald-focused jewellery stores where you can buy some for a good price.

Take the Free Walking Tour

The best way to get to know a new city is by walking around and Bogota is no different but why not go with a knowledgeable local guide that will tell you things you wouldn’t have known otherwise?

Bogota’s free walking tour is one of the best and most popular ways to get to know the city, especially if you don’t have too much time in the Colombian capital.

The free tour in Bogota is mainly based around La Candelaria and guides take you to be well-known spots in the city as well as some secret spaces too. You’ll learn about the history of Colombia, Simon Bolivar, and more recent history from Escobar to emeralds.

There are many different companies that do the walking tour in Bogota. I loved and recommend this walking tour of La Candelaria.

Alternatively, if you don’t like walking and much prefer to bike around Bogota, check out Bogota’s bike tour here.

Explore Usaquen

One of the best things to do in Bogota Colombia, is definitely to explore all its neighbourhoods. I highly encourage you to get out of La Candelaria and go north to explore further. The neighbourhoods of Chapinero, Chicó, and Usaquen are really worth exploring and basing yourself in if you have the time.

One of my favourite things to do in Bogota Colombia, and neighbourhoods to explore is Usaquen, a small, quiet, upscale neighbourhood in Bogota that’s full of amazing cafes, restaurants, funky modern boutiques, bookstores and even an independent cinema.

I’d personally start the day at Colo Coffee Usaquen and then make your way around Parque de Usaquen, and then stroll along Calle 119, 119b and Calle 120a as well as the walking street of Carrera 6a.

Don’t miss the Zula Bogota shopping center which has a number of sustainable boutiques and restaurants inside as well as the very cool Cinema Paraiso. If you need to stock up on high-quality food products, don’t miss Merka Organico inside the Centro Comerical Hacienda Santa Barbara.

If you’re in Usaquen on Sunday, don’t miss the Flea Market, just make sure to come early. It’s one of the best local markets in the city.

Check out Bogota’s Street Art

One of the top things to see in Bogota is its exceptional street art. La Candelaria is the neighbourhood for street art and you’ll undoubtedly see it as you explore the neighbourhood during your stay.

You can easily walk around and explore the street art alone, or if you want to know more about the history of street art in Bogota and the meaning behind some of the most famous pieces, it’s best to take a tour. This is the best tour of Bogota’s Street art.

Alternatively, you can start at Plazolata Chorro de Quevedo and explore the alleys around it that are full of street art, check out Casa Candilejas on the corner of Calle 12d Bis and Carrera 1 Bis, and walk down Calle 12 and 12b for some of the best street art in the city.

Shop for Handicrafts in Pasaje Rivas

As mentioned previously, Colombia is a great place for buying local souvenirs and one of the best places in Bogota for spending your cash on homeware-focused souvenirs is Pasaje Rivas, an alley full of locals selling colourful crafts.

To get there, search ‘Pasaje Rivas’ on Google Maps. You’ll want to enter via the side entrance on Calle 10. (We got warned a few times by locals not to walk past Carrera 10 to Carrera 11+ as this area can be quite dodgy).

Here you’ll find woven Colombian bags, ponchos, hats as well as a lot of natural woven baskets, lampshades and even some smaller furniture items like cots and stools.

I found the woven baskets and lampshades to be really beautiful and the quality is great too.

Visit Zipaquirá

If you want to get out of the city for a little while, Zipaquirá is one of the best day trips from Bogotá. It’s a town located 2 hours north of Bogota, famous for its salt mine and underground Salt Cathedral. It’s one of only a handful of underground salt Cathedrals in the world, and it’s definitely worth visiting, especially if you’ve never visited one before.

Salt mining has existed in Zipaquirá since 1600 and is the essence of the Colombian town. In a mine, just outside of Zipaquira you can visit the Salt Cathedral, 80m/260ft below ground.

The cathedral originally started as a little church, the result of salt mine workers building a space for them to pray and to ask patron saints for safety. In the 1950s, builders expanded this little church into the cathedral we see today, a huge space with pews, crosses, and altars, entirely built from salt.

On a guided tour from Bogota, you can also visit the astonishing Nemocon Salt Mine, where you can walk through the 1600m/5,250ft of tunnels 80m below ground. From 1816, in the period of just 150 years, some 8 million tons of salt were extracted for Nemocon.

I’d recommend a private tour as it gives you the most flexibility. This private tour to Zipaquira Salt Cathedral is the one I did and recommend.

This is the best private tour that combines the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral and the Nemocon Salt Mine.

Visit the Botero Museum

Fernando Botero was and probably still is Colombia’s most famous artist and sculptor. Uniquely characterised by his overly round and plump figures, the artist spent a lot of his career in Europe, yet Bogota and Medellin (his hometown) are still the best places to see his work.

To learn more about his life, his work and his role in shaping and developing art in Colombia, make sure to give the Museo Botero a visit. For me, this is one of the best things to do in Bogota, Colombia in terms of museums.

Here you’ll be able to look at most of his most iconic paintings and smaller sculptures (that fit indoors). The old colonial building the museum is housed is also worth noting, especially the verdant courtyard.

Admission to the Botero Museum is free but you’ll need to bring your ID- a photo of your passport on your phone is fine.

Learn Spanish

Spanish really does come in handy when travelling in Colombia and in most of South America so why not polish your skills if you have a little more time in Bogota? It really is one of the best things you can do in Bogota, Colombia and for yourself in terms of language knowledge.

You can opt for a basic group course to get you familiar with how to ask for things you need when in Bogota or even a private class to help you refresh what you already know ready for your travels.

There are many options for Spanish learning in Bogota. Some highly recommended Spanish schools in Bogota are Don Quijote and Vamos Spanish Academy which also has centers in Bogota and other Colombian cities.

Visit the Bogota Museum

If you’d like to know a little more about the history of the city of Bogota from construction to culture then make sure not to miss this little museum in La Candelaria.

You’ll be able to learn how the city came about, how it changed during the period of Spanish colonisation, and how modern technology had an impact on developing the city you see today. While the museum is quite history and engineering heavy the building is still worth visiting for its gorgeous courtyard and colonial-style architecture.

Admission is free.

Biblioteca Pública Virgilio Barco

One of Bogotá’s most architecturally striking buildings, the Virgilio Barco Public Library is a remarkable piece of design that is well worth a visit even if you have no intention of stepping inside.

Designed by the celebrated Colombian architect Rogelio Salmona and completed in 2001, the building is a beautiful feat of red brick and flowing water features set within expansive parkland. It is a quieter, more local side of Bogotá that many visitors overlook — and all the better for it.

Tropicario Jardín Botánico de Bogotá

While in the area, the Tropicario at Bogotá’s Botanical Garden is one of the most impressive and undervisited attractions in the city. Home to an extraordinary collection of Andean, Amazonian, and dry forest plant species, the garden is a fascinating and immersive window into Colombia’s staggering biodiversity.

The Tropicario itself — a striking series of interconnected biodomes, houses some of the most remarkable tropical and desert flora in the country, and is a must for anyone with even a passing interest in nature.

It is a wonderfully peaceful escape from the energy of the city, and a reminder of just how extraordinarily rich Colombia’s natural world really is.

Hike to Quebrada La Vieja

If you’re looking to escape the city without leaving it entirely, the hike to Quebrada La Vieja is an absolute must. Located in the hills above the Chicó neighbourhood, this beautiful trail winds through cloud forest alongside a babbling stream, offering a surprisingly wild and peaceful experience just minutes from one of Bogotá’s most upscale urban areas.

The hike itself is accessible for most fitness levels and takes around two to three hours return, rewarding you with stunning views over the city on a clear day. It is one of those experiences that genuinely surprises first-time visitors.

The fact that you can be immersed in lush Andean forest within a short Uber ride of your hotel is one of Bogotá’s best-kept secrets.

Where to Stay in Bogota

Bogotá has a fantastic range of accommodation, with the best areas to base yourself being Chicó, Chapinero, and Usaquén — all central, safe and well-connected neighbourhoods with plenty of great restaurants and bars on the doorstep.

I’ve already put together a guide to this, so make sure to read Where to Stay in Bogotá: The Best Areas and Hotels for all the details. In the meantime, below are my favorite hotels in Bogota.

The Click Clack Hotel Bogotá — a design-led favourite in Chicó with bold interiors and a brilliant rooftop bar.

Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá — widely considered one of the most special places to stay in all of South America, a beautifully restored mansion in Zona G with impeccable service and real character

HAB Hotel — a stunning historic boutique property in Chapinero for those after something intimate and atmospheric.

JW Marriott Hotel Bogotá — a polished five-star option in Chapinero with excellent facilities and a superb central location.

Where to Eat in Bogota

Bogotá’s restaurant scene is one of the most exciting in Latin America, with an extraordinary range of options spanning traditional Colombian cooking, world-class contemporary cuisine, and everything in between — all at prices that will seem remarkably good value to most international visitors.

The best concentrations of restaurants are found in Zona G and Zona Rosa in Chapinero, and throughout Usaquén — and with Colombia’s incredible produce at their disposal, the city’s chefs are producing food that genuinely rivals any major world capital.

Restaurants & Cafes

Leo – One of the world’s finest restaurants and an absolute bucket-list dining experience, Leo takes you on a breathtaking journey through Colombia’s extraordinary biodiversity via a tasting menu unlike anything else in the city. Book well in advance.

El Chato – Named the Best Restaurant in Latin America, El Chato is a must — chef Álvaro Clavijo’s contemporary Colombian cooking is exceptional, the atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, and the value relative to European prices is remarkable.

Mesa Franca – A brilliant farm-to-table restaurant in Chapinero built around open-flame cooking and Colombian produce, with a fantastic bar programme to match. Well worth a visit.

La Puerta Falsa – Feeding Bogota’s hungry since 1816, making it one of the oldest restaurants in the city, still functioning today. Just one block from Plaza Bolivar, it’s famed for its Colombian fare such as Ajiaco, a local stew, tamales, and bread with cheese and hot chocolate. The place barely seats 10 people, so you’ll most likely spot it from its queue outside.

Café Bar Universal – One of the most atmospheric dining rooms in the city, set in a beautifully restored early 20th-century house in Chapinero — equally good for a long lunch, an evening cocktail or anything in between.

Quinoa y Amaranto – One of the best veggie restaurants in La Candelaria, with a cute, rustic interior and limited seating. They specialise in their daily lunch set menus, where for a very affordable price you get a starter, main and dessert. Everything is delicious and homemade from natural, real ingredients.

Prudencia – One of the best and highest rated restaurants in Bogota, Prudencia opens for lunch with a beautiful set menu that’s inspired by local culture and ingredients. Unfortunately, this was never open when we wanted to go. Perhaps call ahead to make sure it’s open before heading over?

Selma – A buzzy, high-energy sister restaurant to El Chato with a Mediterranean-inflected menu, outstanding cocktails and a brilliant atmosphere — perfect if you want great food in a more social, lively setting.

IDEAL – Housed in a stunning converted three-storey house with beautiful interiors throughout, IDEAL delivers confident, contemporary Colombian cooking in one of the most striking dining spaces in the city.

MASA – A beloved bakery and café founded by two sisters with a New York culinary pedigree, one of the best spots in Bogotá for breakfast or brunch, with exceptional pastries and sourdough.

Harry Sasson – A Bogotá institution and one of the city’s finest special occasion restaurants, serving premium cuts, beautiful seafood, and refined Colombian dishes in an elegant, grand setting.

Café Rio – A great neighbourhood café and a lovely spot to while away a morning over excellent Colombian coffee and a light breakfast.

Abasto – A wonderful choice for a traditional Colombian breakfast, with a deep commitment to local producers and seasonal ingredients that shines through in every dish.

The Best Coffee Shops

Tropicália – One of Bogotá’s most celebrated coffee destinations and named the Best Coffee Shop in South America, Tropicália is an absolute must for any coffee lover. Expect exceptional single-origin Colombian beans, passionate baristas, and a beautiful space that does full justice to the country’s extraordinary coffee culture.

Colo Coffee Usaquen – There are five branches of Colo Coffee in Bogota but I loved the outdoor, jungle vibes in Usaquen. Colo Coffee actually sources and roasts its own beans on-site in Usaquen. They offer three main types of beans, diverse, ancestral, and contemporary- all with different backgrounds and flavour profiles.

Azahar Coffee – Azahar is a must-visit when in Parque 93. They have some of the best brews in Bogota, and I just love their cosy interior too. It’s a great place to bring a laptop and do some work for a while, too.

Arte y Pasion Cafe – Another great cafe where you can learn a lot about the coffee you’re drinking. Arte y Pasion works as a cafe but also a barista school, so the staff here know so much about the coffee and the best ways to make it.

Varietale – Another great coffee shop in Bogota, that sources beans from all over the country. Choose from a machine espresso or americano for a full punch of flavour or opt for a filter method like V60 or Chemex for a subtle and lighter taste of Colombian best beans.

Other

BBC– Bogota Brewing Company. It’s one of the best bars in the city for beer to try out some of the city’s local brews. They have a variety of different craft beers including a Pale Ale, Amber, Stout and Wheat Beer. You’ll find BBCs located all over Bogota.

Jardin Tragos y Pastelas – Tucked behind a greenery-lined courtyard in Chapinero, Jardín Tragos y Pastelas is a wonderfully relaxed indoor-outdoor space that sits somewhere between a café and a bar, and pulls off both brilliantly. Come for the outstanding cocktails, stay for the exceptional pastries and desserts, and enjoy one of the most charming and atmospheric spots in the city.

Merka Organico Enoteca – If you’re self-catering in Bogota or if you want to buy some good quality chocolate, coffee or food products, then make sure to check out this ‘Whole Foods’ style supermarket in Usaquen. Full of only organic produce and products it’s a great place to buy Colombian products to take home as well as eat at.

Best Time to Visit Bogota, Colombia

Bogotá sits at an altitude of around 2,600 metres above sea level, which gives it a mild, spring-like climate year-round. Temperatures typically hover between 7°C/45°F and 19°C/66°F throughout the year, so packing a layer or two is always a good idea regardless of when you visit. That said, the time of year you choose to travel can make a real difference to your experience.

The best time to visit Bogotá is during the two dry seasons — December to March and July to August — when rainfall is at its lowest, and you are most likely to enjoy clear skies and comfortable days for exploring. These periods also tend to coincide with some of the city’s liveliest cultural events and festivals, making them a particularly rewarding time to be there.

The wet seasons — April to June and September to November — bring heavier rainfall, typically in the form of afternoon and evening showers rather than all-day downpours.

Travel during these months is still very much possible, and the city is significantly quieter, but you will want to plan your days accordingly and keep a waterproof jacket to hand.

Top Tips for Visiting Bogota

↠ There is a lot of traffic in Bogota so try not to cross the city during rush hour as it will take forever. I highly recommend exploring by area rather than hopping around the city as you’ll waste a lot of time sitting in a taxi/Uber.

↠ Take an Uber at night. There are many parts of Bogota that just aren’t safe at night and that includes the historical center and La Candelaria. If you are going out at night make sure to take a taxi or Uber. In general, however, Bogota is perfectly safe to wander around during the day.

↠ Bring layers. Due to the altitude, (Bogota is located at 2,640m above sea level) it is a fairly chilly city. You’ll definitely need long pants and a jacket when going out in the evening. During the day temperatures can rise into the early or mid-20s/low 70s.

↠ Safety. I generally get a lot of questions over on my Instagram about safety in Colombia. In general, Colombia is a safe place to travel, more so in recent years, provided you stay on the tourist trail. Bogota is a city like any other, where petty crime and robbery do happen occasionally, just like it might in New York or LA.

Always make sure to be aware of your surroundings, use common sense, don’t walk around La Candelaria or the historic center at night, and leave valuables in your hotel room when possible and when going out at night.

You’ll also want to make sure not to walk around with your cell phone in your hand all the time in the center of the city and keep any expensive cameras out of sight most of the time (it’s perfectly ok to take it out to take photos, however).

In Bogota, there is a lot of police presence on the streets, which has made the city safer and safer over the years. I’ve now been to Colombia four times, and I’ve had nothing happen to me. I personally find areas of LA much scarier and more intimidating than the center of Bogota.

↠ Museums are easily one of the best things to do in Bogota, Colombia, due to the wet climate. To enter most museums in Colombia, you’ll need to show ID- any type of photo ID is fine, and so is a picture on your phone of your ID.

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What things to do in Bogota are you excited about? Let me know your questions and comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

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