Bogotá, Colombia: travel guide
Colombia's high-altitude capital (2,640m) in the Andes. Historic La Candelaria district, world-class Gold Museum and Botero collection, gateway to Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral. Cool year-round.
- Country
- Colombia
- Currency
- COP
- Time zone
- America/Bogota
- Nearest airport
- BOG
Top places to visit in Bogotá
Cerro de Monserrate
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry COP 27,000
Sacred mountain rising 3,152m above Bogotá. Pilgrimage site for the El Señor Caído statue. Funicular or cable car to summit; panoramic view of the entire Sabana de Bogotá.
Museo del Oro (Gold Museum)
Museum · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry COP 5,000
World's most important pre-Columbian gold collection — 55,000+ pieces. Banco de la República museum showcases Muisca, Quimbaya, Calima, Tairona, and Zenú goldwork. Iconic Muisca Raft is the highlight.
Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá
Church · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry COP 100,000
Underground Roman Catholic cathedral carved 200m deep into a working salt mine. 14 Stations of the Cross, illuminated halls, and a 16m-tall salt cross — the largest of its kind in the world. 50 km north of Bogotá.
Plaza de Bolívar & La Candelaria
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Bogotá's historic heart. Plaza Bolívar surrounded by the Catedral Primada, Capitolio Nacional, Palacio Liévano, and Casa de Nariño. La Candelaria streets are lined with murals, cafés, and 17th-century mansions.
Museo Botero
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
Free museum showcasing 123 Fernando Botero works plus his personal collection (Picasso, Dalí, Monet, Matisse). Donated by Botero in 2000. Located in a restored 18th-century colonial building.
Things to do
- La Candelaria Graffiti Walking Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from COP 50,000 per person
- Monserrate Sunset Hike Nature · 4 h · from COP 95,000 per person
- Salt Cathedral Zipaquirá Day Trip Cultural · 8 h · from COP 220,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Bogotá Day Trip: Salt Cathedral Zipaquirá 8 h · from 220,000
- Bogotá Highlights: Monserrate + Gold Museum + La Candelaria 9 h · from 280,000
Where to stay in Bogotá
- La Candelaria about COP 180,000 per night
Bogotá's colonial historic centre. Cobblestone streets, museums, free walking tours, cheap food. Backpacker hub.
- Zona Rosa & Chapinero about COP 480,000 per night
Upscale dining and nightlife district. Best mid-range and luxury hotels.
Hotels
- Four Seasons Casa Medina 5-star · COP 1,100,000 to COP 2,400,000 per night
- Hotel de la Opera 5-star · COP 320,000 to COP 850,000 per night
- Selina La Candelaria 3-star · COP 65,000 to COP 220,000 per night
Where to eat
- Andrés Carne de Res Centro Colombian, Steakhouse · about COP 180,000 per person
- La Puerta Falsa Colombian, Traditional · about COP 25,000 per person
- Casa Vieja del Centro Colombian, Traditional · about COP 55,000 per person
- Leo (Leonor Espinosa) Colombian, Contemporary · about COP 480,000 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Scopolamine (Burundanga) Drink Spiking
Zona Rosa, Zona T, La Candelaria bars and clubs
Strangers (often attractive women) offer free drinks, cigarettes or food laced with scopolamine. Victims become docile and follow attackers to ATMs to withdraw money, then have no memory of the event.
How to avoid it: NEVER accept open drinks, food, or cigarettes from strangers. Watch your drink being poured. Use Tinder/dating apps with extreme caution. If feel suddenly dizzy/sleepy, go to safety immediately and ask for help. Lock phone with strong password.
Express Kidnapping (Paseo Millonario)
Late-night taxis hailed from street, Bogotá Norte and Zona Rosa
Taxi drivers (sometimes posing as official) drive victim around to ATMs to drain accounts using card. May be 1-4 hours.
How to avoid it: Always use Uber, Cabify, or InDriver (in-app verifies driver). Never hail street taxis at night. If forced into a car, give cards but say PIN is wrong on third attempt to lock the account.
Fake Police Document Check
Tourist areas, La Candelaria, near Gold Museum
Men in fake police uniforms ask to see passports/wallets to "check for counterfeit money." They palm bills or steal cards.
How to avoid it: Real police never check tourist documents on the street. Demand to go to the nearest police station (estación). Carry a copy of passport, never the original.
Taxi Meter Tampering
Yellow taxis at airport and tourist sites
Some taxi drivers run rigged meters or take longer routes. Foreign tourists are common targets.
How to avoid it: Use the airport official white taxi rank with fixed fare. In the city, use Uber/Cabify. If using yellow taxi, demand a tarifa fija (fixed fare) before boarding or insist on the meter from minute 1.