Although Bogota doesn't have the best reputation, you should give it a chance; you'll be impressed. Explore beneath the surface with this selection of enjoyable activities in Bogota, Colombia.
The majority of travelers to Colombia steer clear of Bogota, the country's capital, believing it to be dull and dangerous. Indeed, Bogota is a large, chaotic, and gritty city with some dangerous areas. Bogota, however, should definitely be on your itinerary if you're visiting Colombia; it boasts an exciting food scene, world-class museums, and a wealth of history.
The majority of travelers to Colombia steer clear of Bogota, the country's capital, believing it to be dull and dangerous. Indeed, Bogota is a large, chaotic, and gritty city with some dangerous areas. Bogota, however, should definitely be on your itinerary if you're visiting Colombia; it boasts an exciting food scene, world-class museums, and a wealth of history.
Travel Guide for Bogota
You must stay in Bogota for a few days and allow it to win you over if you want to comprehend the history and culture of Colombia. Here is a comprehensive travel guide to Bogota, Colombia, along with a list of some of the top activities to do there.Is Traveling to Colombia Safe?
Drug wars have plagued Colombia, and antigovernment protests are now a regular sight in the streets of major cities. See my complete post about whether it's safe to travel to Colombia right now.Purchasing travel insurance is something I always advise anyone, whether they are visiting Colombia for a few days or several months. When it comes to COVID-19 coverage, Safety Wing is the most well-liked travel insurance provider. Utilizing their Nomad Insurance plan, I am covered for COVID-19 and any other illness as long as it was not acquired prior to the start date of your coverage. For further information, see my guide to travel insurance.
The distance between the airport and the city center is approximately 15 kilometers, but it can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to get there. Although a ticket only costs 2000 COP, or $0.60, you can take the Transmilenio bus to La Candelaria, but it takes a lot longer than a taxi. Uber is the best option; drivers always stop at parking lot C, which is located outside of Arrivals.
Directions to Bogota
The biggest airport in Colombia is El Dorado International Airport, which provides service to numerous important global cities. Direct flights from New York to Bogota are readily available, with one-way fares as low as $80. If you're already in South America, you can get cheap tickets to Bogota for about $70 round trip from places like Lima. The cheapest flights from Europe start at $300 each way and go from Madrid to Bogota.The distance between the airport and the city center is approximately 15 kilometers, but it can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to get there. Although a ticket only costs 2000 COP, or $0.60, you can take the Transmilenio bus to La Candelaria, but it takes a lot longer than a taxi. Uber is the best option; drivers always stop at parking lot C, which is located outside of Arrivals.
How to Navigate Bogota
Bogota taxis are notorious for several reasons. One terrifying tale I've heard is of taxi drivers literally robbing tourists with knives and pressuring them to take out all of their cash from ATMs. Uber has the safest routes throughout Bogota because its drivers are more dependable. Uber is technically forbidden in Colombia, but it functions flawlessly and accepts credit card and Paypal payments.Activities in Bogota
1. Investigate La Candelaria
La Candelaria, Bogota's casco antiguo (old town), boasts endless churches, cobblestoned streets, and historic colonial buildings. It's one of the things that makes Bogota better than Medellin and my favorite area of the city. I felt safer here than anywhere else in the city, despite some bloggers' safety warnings against it.
Carrera Septima Street, San Francisco Church, San Augustin Church, and Primada Cathedral are a few of the significant avenues and locations in La Candelaria. I loved the area's history and spent days exploring the old town.
Although the historical details can be a little confusing, his tour was impromptu and included stops at hidden patios, distinctive cafes, and even homes belonging to locals.
The hub of Bogota (and some say Colombia) is Plaza de Bolivar. Numerous significant events, such as the M19 siege of the Justice Palace, have taken place there. Nationwide protests were occurring throughout Colombia during my visit, with the largest ones occurring at Plaza de Bolivar.
You must sample the wildly popular Ajiaco, a regional dish from Bogota, at Puerta Falsa. In essence, ajiaco is a thick soup made with chicken, three different types of potatoes, corn, and guascas, a type of herb. This hearty, rich soup has become a regional mainstay due to the cooler weather.
Mateo provided a wealth of historical information and knowledge about the indigenous people of Colombia. I experimented with coca leaves and rapé tobacco, and I studied about the traditional medicines of the Amazon and Andes. It was a fully immersive learning experience as well as a sensory journey. Mateo does in fact provide this experience through Airbnb.
In addition to being visually stunning, the museum offers information on Colombia's past and the significance of gold in their culture. Sundays are free of charge, and the entrance fee is just 4000 COP ($1).
But things weren't always this way. In the past, police used severe measures to suppress graffiti artists. Diego Felipe Becerra, a 16-year-old artist, was killed by them in 2011. Two officers were ultimately taken into custody after the city saw protests. These days, the city regularly sponsors projects and offers incentives to encourage street art culture, and the police uphold the rights of artists.
Carrera Septima Street, San Francisco Church, San Augustin Church, and Primada Cathedral are a few of the significant avenues and locations in La Candelaria. I loved the area's history and spent days exploring the old town.
2. Take a Walking Tour for Free
Joining a free walking tour is the best way to learn about La Candelaria, especially if you're traveling alone like I was. I joined Beyond Colombia, and Mauricio was a really enjoyable guide.Although the historical details can be a little confusing, his tour was impromptu and included stops at hidden patios, distinctive cafes, and even homes belonging to locals.
3. Take in the Magnificent Plaza Bolivar
If you would rather explore on your own, I suggest starting at Plaza Bolivar, the main square, to familiarize yourself with the layout. There are several highly significant historical and architectural buildings lining the square. The most notable is the Cathedral of Bogota, followed by the Palace of Justice in the north, the National Capitol in the south, and City Hall in the west.The hub of Bogota (and some say Colombia) is Plaza de Bolivar. Numerous significant events, such as the M19 siege of the Justice Palace, have taken place there. Nationwide protests were occurring throughout Colombia during my visit, with the largest ones occurring at Plaza de Bolivar.
4. At La Puerta Falsa, try the Ajiaco.
One of Bogota's most well-known restaurants, La Puerta Falsa, is located right next to Plaza Bolivar. This modest, classic restaurant is always bustling with patrons, so much so that other eateries with similar names have opened up right next door!You must sample the wildly popular Ajiaco, a regional dish from Bogota, at Puerta Falsa. In essence, ajiaco is a thick soup made with chicken, three different types of potatoes, corn, and guascas, a type of herb. This hearty, rich soup has become a regional mainstay due to the cooler weather.
5. Go to the Botero Museum
There is nothing more quirky to do in Bogota than this. The most well-known artist in Colombia, Fernando Botero, has a collection housed at the Botero Museum. His large-scale, cartoonish depictions of people and animals in paintings and sculptures have earned him recognition. And you can find out more about this exceptional artist here in Bogota. Free tours with guides are offered every day, and entrance is free.6. Honor the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Carmen
This Gothic church is easy to find if you stroll around La Candelaria. The church stands out due to its exterior and interior red-and-white striped design. Constructed between 1926 and 1938, the church boasts amazing Byzantine and Moorish artwork and is nearly sixty meters high. Architect Giovanni Buscaglione, a Salesian priest in the Roman Catholic Church, created the design for the church. It costs nothing to enter.7. Go to the Bogota Museum
I happened to stumble upon the Bogota Museum, and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour they offered (though it was only in Spanish). The small museum, which is situated on Carrera 4, focuses on the urban and community development of Bogota, with an emphasis on the city's architecture and water drainage system. It costs nothing to enter.8. Visit the Apothecary del Condor to Taste Amazonian Herbs
Unquestionably one of the best activities in Bogota! I stumbled across the alternative Apothecary del Condor while meandering through La Candelaria. Mateo, the proprietor, is American-Colombian and kindly gave me a tour of his lovely childhood home, a colonial mansion.Mateo provided a wealth of historical information and knowledge about the indigenous people of Colombia. I experimented with coca leaves and rapé tobacco, and I studied about the traditional medicines of the Amazon and Andes. It was a fully immersive learning experience as well as a sensory journey. Mateo does in fact provide this experience through Airbnb.
9. Go to the Gold Museum
Colombia's most visited museum is called Museo del Oro, which means Gold Museum. Over 55,000 gold artifacts from pre-Hispanic cultures in Colombia are on exhibit. This establishment has come to represent Colombia's cultural heritage.In addition to being visually stunning, the museum offers information on Colombia's past and the significance of gold in their culture. Sundays are free of charge, and the entrance fee is just 4000 COP ($1).
10. Visit Calle de Escudo to View Street Art
Along the narrow Calle de Escudo, you'll find the majority of the best street art in the city. Art galleries, hippie shops, and cafes line both sides of the alley. One of the world's most welcoming cities for street art is Bogotá, where major thoroughfares' walls are transformed into canvases. Scheduling a graffiti tour is the best way to see Bogota's street art and discover its history.But things weren't always this way. In the past, police used severe measures to suppress graffiti artists. Diego Felipe Becerra, a 16-year-old artist, was killed by them in 2011. Two officers were ultimately taken into custody after the city saw protests. These days, the city regularly sponsors projects and offers incentives to encourage street art culture, and the police uphold the rights of artists.