Travel tips · Bogotá · Colombia
Bogotá travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Bogotanos, or rolos, are more reserved and formal than Colombians from the coast or Medellín, and the city has a strong intellectual and political culture with dozens of universities, theatres and libraries. Weather is a constant topic, and an umbrella and jacket are part of daily dress.
Key facts
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- COP
- 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
- 123 (national emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet with 'Buenos días' and use 'usted' with people you do not know.
- Dress more formally than in Colombia's warm cities; locals wear jackets, jeans and boots.
- Ask before photographing people, especially vendors and in markets.
- Be patient in queues; locals queue carefully at banks, shops and bus stops.
- Avoid joking about the drug trade and the armed conflict, which affected many families.
- The Museo Botero and the other Banco de la República collections in La Candelaria are free, and the Museo del Oro's entry is low.
Tipping
Restaurants usually add a voluntary 10% service charge; pay it if you were happy with the service. Tip guides and porters, and round up taxi fares.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buenos días | Good morning |
| ¿Me regala…? | Could I have…? (polite way to order) |
| Un tinto, por favor | A black coffee, please |
| Chévere | Cool, great |
| ¿Cuánto vale? | How much is it? |
What to wear
Pack layers: mornings and evenings are cold (often around 7–10°C), and showers can come at any time. A waterproof jacket, warm sweater and closed shoes are essential.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 110 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Bogotá's tap water is treated and generally considered safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 123 (national emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Wi-Fi is widely available; local SIMs are sold at the airport and in malls.
- Time zone
- America/Bogota
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Colombia's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Bogotá?
Restaurants usually add a voluntary 10% service charge; pay it if you were happy with the service. Tip guides and porters, and round up taxi fares.
+Can you drink the tap water in Bogotá?
Bogotá's tap water is treated and generally considered safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Bogotá?
Type A and B sockets, 110 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Bogotá?
Spanish.