Travel guide · Colombia
Bogotá travel guide
High-altitude capital of gold, graffiti and Monserrate views below the Andes
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Colombia's capital sits on a high plateau at about 2,600 metres, backed by the forested Eastern Hills and the white church on Monserrate. The colonial La Candelaria district holds the Museo del Oro, the Museo Botero, Plaza de Bolívar and the city's street art, while the north — Chapinero, Zona G, Zona T, Parque 93 and Usaquén — has most hotels, restaurants and nightlife. The weather is cool and changeable all year, the food is hearty highland cooking, and on Sundays more than 100 km of roads close to cars for the Ciclovía. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are July–August and December–March.
Key facts
- Country
- Colombia
- Best time to visit
- July–August and December–March
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- BOG
- Mid-range daily budget
- $90–$170 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Museo del Oro, Monserrate, La Candelaria and Street art
Why visit Bogotá
- The Museo del Oro holds one of the world's largest collections of pre-Hispanic gold, with tens of thousands of pieces.
- La Candelaria's colonial streets, free Museo Botero and street-art walls are all within a short walk of Plaza de Bolívar.
- Monserrate, reached by cable car or funicular, looks out over the vast city from above 3,100 metres.
- A strong restaurant and café scene, from ajiaco and tamales to some of Latin America's most acclaimed kitchens.
- The Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, Lake Guatavita and colonial Villa de Leyva are all reachable on day trips.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Museum · La Candelaria
Museo del Oro
The Banco de la República's Gold Museum on Parque Santander displays tens of thousands of gold objects and thousands more in ceramic, stone and textiles from Colombia's pre-Hispanic cultures.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Viewpoint · Cerros Orientales
Monserrate
The church-topped mountain above La Candelaria rises to more than 3,100 metres and gives a panoramic view over the city.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Active
- Photo spot
Landmark · La Candelaria
Plaza de Bolívar
Bogotá's main square is framed by the neoclassical Capitolio Nacional, the Primary Cathedral, the Palace of Justice and the Liévano Palace, the mayor's office.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Gallery · La Candelaria
Museo Botero
Housed in a colonial mansion around a courtyard, this free museum shows Fernando Botero's donation of his own paintings and sculptures alongside his collection of works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Dalí, Miró and others.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Neighbourhood · La Candelaria
La Candelaria street art
Bogotá's walls are covered with large murals and graffiti, from political works to colourful portraits, especially along Calle 26, the streets around Chorro de Quevedo and the eastern edge of La Candelaria.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Photo spot
- History
Historic site · La Candelaria
Chorro de Quevedo
This small square at the top of La Candelaria is traditionally considered the site where the city was founded in 1538.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
Where to stay
La Candelaria is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$ · Best for culture, budget, solo travellers and first-timers
La Candelaria
Colonial old town of museums, churches, street art and hostels below the Eastern Hills
$$ · Best for food lovers, culture and couples
La Macarena
Bohemian hillside neighbourhood of galleries and small restaurants above the bullring
$$ · Best for nightlife, solo travellers, food lovers and budget
Chapinero
Large, mixed district of cafés, bars, universities and the city's LGBTQ+ scene
$$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and luxury
Zona G
Compact 'gourmet zone' of restaurants on leafy streets around Calle 69
What to eat
- Ajiaco santafereño — Bogotá's signature soup of chicken, three kinds of potato and corn on the cob, flavoured with the herb guascas.
- Chocolate santafereño — A cup of hot chocolate served with a slice of fresh cheese, which you drop into the cup to melt, plus bread or almojábanas.
- Changua — A highland breakfast soup of milk, water and eggs poached in the broth, with spring onion, coriander and pieces of stale bread.
- Tamal — Corn dough filled with pork, chicken, chickpeas, carrot and egg, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
- Almojábanas and pandebono — Cheese breads: almojábanas are soft, round cornmeal and cheese rolls, while pandebono is made with yuca starch.
- Fritanga — A shared platter of fried meats — chorizo, morcilla, chicharrón, ribs — with potatoes, plantain and arepas, eaten with ají.
When to go
Bogotá has spring-like weather all year, so any month works. December to March is the driest period, with sunny mornings and clear views from Monserrate. April–May and October–November bring more rain, usually in afternoon showers. Hotel prices are fairly stable, though business hotels are cheaper at weekends and in holiday periods.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | December–March | Sunny mornings, cold nights and the clearest views of the mountains; the city is quiet in early January. |
| First rainy season | April–May | Frequent showers and grey skies; FILBo book fair and theatre and music festivals in some years. |
| Windy months | June–September | Mixed sun and drizzle with breezy days, kite season and summer festival events in August. |
| Second rainy season | October–November | The wettest months, with heavy afternoon rain; good for museums and indoor sights. |
Getting there and around
El Dorado International Airport is about 15 km west of the centre. Taxis and app rides take about 30–45 minutes to La Candelaria or the north, and much longer at rush hour. TransMilenio feeder buses link the airport with the network for travellers with little luggage.
Bogotá is huge and traffic is heavy, so plan days by area: La Candelaria on foot, the north by taxi or TransMilenio. The city's first metro line is under construction, so for now buses, taxis, apps and bicycles do the work.
Plan your days
Two days covers La Candelaria, the Museo del Oro, the Museo Botero and Monserrate. Four days adds Usaquén, the north's restaurants and a day trip to the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral or Lake Guatavita; a week allows an overnight in Villa de Leyva.
Practical information
- Currency
- COP
- Language
- Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 110 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Bogotá's tap water is treated and generally considered safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 123 (national emergency number)
- Tipping
- Restaurants usually add a voluntary 10% service charge; pay it if you were happy with the service.
Phone snatching and pickpocketing are common on TransMilenio, around La Candelaria and in busy areas; keep valuables hidden. Use app taxis or called cabs, especially at night, and avoid quiet streets in the centre after dark. Altitude can cause headaches and shortness of breath for the first day or two.
Flights to Bogotá
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Bogotá?
Two days covers La Candelaria, the Museo del Oro, the Museo Botero and Monserrate. Four days adds Usaquén, the north's restaurants and a day trip to the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral or Lake Guatavita; a week allows an overnight in Villa de Leyva. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Bogotá?
Bogotá has spring-like weather all year, so any month works. December to March is the driest period, with sunny mornings and clear views from Monserrate. April–May and October–November bring more rain, usually in afternoon showers. Hotel prices are fairly stable, though business hotels are cheaper at weekends and in holiday periods.
+What is Bogotá known for?
Museo del Oro, Monserrate, La Candelaria, Street art, Ajiaco, Ciclovía and Cool highland climate. The Museo del Oro holds one of the world's largest collections of pre-Hispanic gold, with tens of thousands of pieces.
+Is Bogotá expensive?
Bogotá is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $90–$170 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Bogotá?
No. Traffic is heavy and driving restrictions (pico y placa) limit when cars can be used. Taxis, apps and TransMilenio cover the city, and buses or tours reach day-trip destinations.