Bogota was my first foray into South America. It was the first city I had ever visited on that continent, and what better way to be introduced to the colorful and rawness of South America than through this wonderful city.
When I was there, I had a local friend (Thanks, Naira!) who showed me around the city. I enjoyed the time so much that I decided to stay almost a month in Bogota. It was awesome!
Within this guide, I will highlight all my favorite things to do in the city as well as provide all the information you need to plan a perfect trip here. Without further ado, here are some of the best things to do in Bogota:
- Bogota Things to Do Map
- Where to Stay in Bogota?
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11 Best Things to Do in Bogota
- Explore Plaza de Bolivar
- Visit Catedral Primada de Colombia
- Explore the Hilly Roads of La Candelaria
- Check Out Botero Museum
- Visit Gold Museum
- Watch the Sunset at Montserrate
- Attend an Event at Parque de la 93
- Stroll Around Usaquen Flea Market
- Eat and Enjoy the Chill Vibe at Andres DC
- Party at Theatron
- Learn Spanish at Vintrash's Gringos Tuesday
- More Bogota Activities
- Colombia Travel Video
- How to Get to Bogota?
- How to Get Around Bogota?
- Is it Safe in Bogota?
- What to Pack for Bogota?
- Further Reading for Colombia
Bogota Things to Do Map
11 Best Things to Do in Bogota
1. Explore Plaza de Bolivar
One of the first things I recommend you do when you arrive in Bogota is to go explore Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of the city located right at the heart of it all. The square, named after Simon Bolivar, the liberator of much of South America, is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the city and a popular gathering place for both locals and tourists.
At the center of the square, you will find the statue of Bolivar, the man himself, surrounded by many colonial buildings that date back to the early 20th Century like the National Capital of Colombia building, the City Hall, and the main piece of attraction, Catedral Primada de Colombia.
Around the area, you will also find many restaurants and cafes as well as museums like Museo Colonial, Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center, and more, which will occupy you for many hours, so be sure to spend some time here and get acquainted with the city.
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- NH Collection Bogotá Royal Teleport (High-End)
- La Candelaria, Optional Monserrate and Optional Gold Museum Bogotá City Tour (5 to 7 hours)
- Private Tour City Tour Bogotá + Cerro Monserrate (+5Hrs) (5 hours 30 minutes)
- Guatavita and Salt Cathedral - Group tour and daily departure (12 to 13 hours)
Where to Stay in Bogota?
2. Visit Catedral Primada de Colombia
One of the most famous landmarks in Bogota is Catedral Primada de Colombia, located right by Plaza de Bolivar. It is a beautiful cathedral that was constructed way back in 1823, during the Spanish rule.
The cathedral still retains its incredible facade with its 2 towers flanking the entrance. It is an incredible piece of architecture that goes to show that Bogota is not just a crowded modern city.
The church is open from 10 AM to 1 PM and again from 2 PM to 4 PM on weekdays, and from 10 AM to 4 PM on the weekends. Entry is free. If you are interested in seeing a great example of Spanish colonial architecture in Bogota, this is the place to be.
3. Explore the Hilly Roads of La Candelaria
When you imagine Bogota, you will probably see a hilly street lined with colorful houses, leading down a hillside to a square full of colonial architecture in your mind. This area is called La Candelaria, a vibrant neighborhood in Bogota located not too far from Plaza de Bolivar.
This is where you will get that epic shot of the city you see in your mind, as the area is surrounded by charming colonial architecture, colorful houses, and cobblestone streets.
There are several streets in La Candelaria that are surrounded by these colorful houses, but my favorite is between Calle 9 and Calle 11, where you will be able to see Plaza de Bolívar from afar as you hike up the hill. You will also find many colorful street art pieces here, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- La Candelaria, Optional Monserrate and Optional Gold Museum Bogotá City Tour (5 to 7 hours)
- Private Tour City Tour Bogotá + Cerro Monserrate (+5Hrs) (5 hours 30 minutes)
- Guatavita and Salt Cathedral - Group tour and daily departure (12 to 13 hours)
4. Check Out Botero Museum
One of my favorite museums here is Botero Museum, an incredible museum featuring works from the renowned Colombian artist, Fernando Botero, best known for his distinctive style of depicting figures in exaggerated, voluminous forms.
The museum is housed inside an incredibly well-preserved colonial mansion that was used as the office of the archbishop in 1955 and has since been converted into a museum in 2000. Inside, you will find an extensive collection of Botero's work, from paintings to sculptures and more.
No matter if you are into art or not, I guarantee that this museum will bring a big smile to your face as you enjoy more than 200 pieces of Botero's funny and whimsical creations. It certainly did for me; his depiction of humans is so exaggerated and cute, I couldn't stop smiling the whole time I was here!
If you are looking for a cool and unique museum to visit in Bogota, do give the Botero Museum a go. The museum is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day except on Tuesdays. Best of all, everyone can enjoy the free entrance to the museum, so go and enjoy it!
5. Visit Gold Museum
Another great museum to check out in Bogota is Gold Museum, an incredible archaeology museum that displays a collection of pre-Columbian gold and other materials such as metals, pottery, and more.
The museum contains the largest collection of gold artifacts in the world, with more than 55,000 pieces, 6,000 of which are on display for you to see. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bogota and is not to be missed.
The museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 5000 COP from Tuesdays to Saturdays and on holidays. On Sundays, admission is free for everyone, so be sure to plan your visit carefully.
6. Watch the Sunset at Montserrate
One of my favorite spots in Bogota is Montserrate, a 3,152-meter-high mountain located just behind La Candelaria. It offers us a green sanctuary where we can escape the bustling city and enjoy a bit of quiet time, admiring the mountains and the city from above.
The mountain is part of the Andes mountain range that stretches across South America from north to south, starting from Colombia and Venezuela all the way down to Chile and Argentina. Due to the altitude, the area gets significantly colder than the city, especially at sunset, which is the best time to visit, so be sure to pack a jacket for this.
To get up Monserrate, you just have to make your way to Taquilla Teleférico Monserrate and then you can catch the cable car all the way up to the top. The price is around 27,000 COP (7 USD) for a roundtrip ticket, and it will take you about 10 minutes to get to the top.
Keep in mind that it is a popular sunset spot and the line can get pretty long, with people reporting waiting for 2 hours to get up and down. So, if you want to avoid it, I recommend you visit the mountain on weekdays and get there an hour or 2 before your sunset time to avoid the crowds.
Up there, you will find a high-end cafe and restaurant where you can wait or sit and enjoy the view for free at the church courtyard. You can also hike up to the top yourself from this trailhead. It should take about an hour one way, so be sure to calculate your time carefully.
7. Attend an Event at Parque de la 93
Now, if you are looking to explore other areas in Bogota, I highly recommend you look up fun events that are being held at Parque de la 93 and attend them. This large green park is located in one of my favorite areas, Zona Rosa, and you will often find many fun summer events happening here.
The park is one of the few expansive green spaces located right in the middle of the city, surrounded by many restaurants and cafes you can enjoy. When I was there, there was a huge street food event going on with ceviches, tacos, and burgers being served all around.
People were coming out in droves at the park to picnic, try awesome street food, and socialize with one another; it was incredible. The vibe here is just perfect, unlike the area near Plaza de Bolivar, which can be a bit touristy and sometimes dangerous. Here, it felt more like a city I would live in.
There will always be street performers here, even outside of events, especially on the weekends, so if you are looking for a nice place to chill, Parque de la 93 is the place to be.
8. Stroll Around Usaquen Flea Market
Another of my favorite events to attend is Usaquen Flea Market, which is held every Sunday. The flea market is held outdoors, and many vendors from all over sell their goods and handicrafts, from art pieces to souvenirs.
This is not your typical tourist market, with overpriced souvenirs made in China. Here, you will find lines and lines of shops set up by local creatives who are looking to sell their unique handcrafts - from unique-patterned pottery and dishes to handmade pastries and tasty local street food.
You will also find many restaurants and cafes around the area if you prefer to sit and eat in a proper place. Outside, you will also see many street performers bringing the whole market alive even more. It is one of my favorite markets here and definitely not to be missed.
Usaquen Flea Market is held every Sunday starting from 10 AM all the way to 6 PM, and entry is free. If you happen to be visiting Bogota on a Sunday, be sure to check out the flea market!
9. Eat and Enjoy the Chill Vibe at Andres DC
One of the best ways to experience the vibrant culture of Colombia is to enjoy a nice dinner at Andres DC. It is one of my favorite restaurants in Bogotá, known for its lively atmosphere where a local band goes around each table with their guitar, playing for you.
The restaurant consists of several floors, with the whole place set up like a warehouse and decorated with colorful neon lights. They serve some of the best local dishes you will find here, so if you want to try proper local cuisine, Andres DC is a good place to be.
The food was great, but the vibe of this place is what got me hooked! I came here 3 times when I was staying in Bogota for a month. There's just something about a crowded place like this with live music playing, and people dancing, that just makes me feel so alive!
The restaurant is open from 12 PM to 12 AM from Sundays to Wednesdays, while on Thursdays to Saturdays, it is open from 12 PM to 3 AM. If you are looking for an awesome and fun restaurant to try in Bogota, be sure to check out Andres DC!
10. Party at Theatron
For one of the best nightlife spots in Bogotá, you can't go wrong with Theatron. This massive, sprawling party venue, housed inside an old theater, consists of 4 floors and 13 rooms, each with its own theme and music.
I partied quite extensively during my youth, but it was never like this. This place is just pure fun and joy, with each room having a different decoration style and genre of music. Do you enjoy deep house, jazz, or reggaeton? They have them all here!
I went there 3 times and it was incredible every time! There are always fun events happening and it can get really crazy at times (in a good way), so if you are looking to really party in Bogota, this is the place to be.
The club is open only from Thursdays to Saturdays, from 9 PM to 5 AM. I found Fridays and Saturdays to be the most fun, with everyone going wild after a long weekday of work, so be sure to plan your visit carefully.
11. Learn Spanish at Vintrash's Gringos Tuesday
If you are looking to take it a bit slow and maybe mingle with the locals a bit before going to the party properly, you can also attend Vintrash's Gringos Tuesday, a language exchange event that is often held at Vintrash bar every Tuesday.
At the event, there will be several groups divided by language. For example, if you know a bit of Spanish but want to learn more, you can join the beginner Spanish group. If you only speak English like me, you can join the English group, where you'll find many locals looking to learn English.
I went there several times and met some really cool people. Although my Spanish hasn't improved much, I at least got to know some of the locals. The event is held from 5 PM to 9 PM, and afterward, it turns into a party where you can dance with your new friends. If you want to make new friends while also practicing your Spanish, you're going to love it here.
How to Get to Bogota?
There are many flights flying into Bogota International Airport from Europe and North America like Avianca, LAN Airlines, and Copa Airlines, so make sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find the cheapest flight for your trip.
How to Get Around Bogota?
Uber is the safest way to get around Bogota. It might be a little more expensive than using their bus system (BRT), but it is considerably cheaper than normal taxis and you will have fewer things to worry about like price gouging, a thief pretending to be a taxi driver, etc.
Is it Safe in Bogota?
During the day, in a less crowded area like Zona Rosa, it is safe to walk around. However, you may have to watch out for pickpockets when you are in the downtown area (which is why I don't recommend staying there).
At night, a good rule of thumb is: if you don't see any locals walking on the streets, don't do it yourself.
What to Pack for Bogota?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Bogota, Colombia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Colombia
I hope you found this Colombia travel guide useful. If you are looking for something to read to help with your Colombia trip planning even further, be sure to check out the articles below:
- Looking for a complete travel guide for Colombia? Here's a one-month backpacking itinerary for Colombia.
- Looking for a complete backpacking guide to the entire South American continent? Here is the ultimate 6 Months Backpacking Itinerary for South America.
- First time in South America? Check out the 20 Best Places to Visit in South America.
- Packing for a trip to visit South America can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for South America.
- Medellin is also another fun city to visit, full of great food, salsa dancing workshops, and more. Here's a complete travel guide on things to do in Medellin.
- Salento is home to one of the most unique places in the world: Valle del Cocora. It is an amazing place to go hiking around these tall wax palm trees. Here’s a complete hiking guide to Cocora Valley and Salento.
- Looking for something less wordy to inspire you to visit Colombia? Check out 23 photos that will inspire you to visit Colombia.
- You can also watch my Colombia travel video here: Colombia is Dangerous? Travel Video.
- To see all articles about Colombia, visit Colombia Travel Guide page.
- Not sure where to go next? How about visiting Ecuador and experiencing all its wildlife in the Amazon or the Galapagos? Check out my Ecuador Travel Guide page for more information about traveling in Ecuador.
- Looking for more travel guides for South America? You can find more on my South America Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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