The capital city of Colombia is full of history, first founded in 1538 where the Indigenous Muisca culture was based. Spanish colonization continued for many years until the nation gained independence. The twentieth century was marred with political violence, but today Bogota is a thriving destination that appeals to travelers.
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The Neighborhoods of Bogota
Bogota is a massive city, so expect to need at least 30 minutes to get from one side to the other, especially if during rush hour. Most visitors flock to La Candelaria, the historic district where the majority of the landmarks, including the museums, are located.
Chapinero is a neighborhood near a college originally inhabited by shoemakers. Today there are some great restaurants including Colombian cuisine, along with Japanese and Mexican. The area also has shopping malls with upscale stores.
The “Zona Rosa” area of Bogota is big for nightlife and designer shopping. It’s fairly calm during the day, but on weekend evenings, it’s especially bustling. Parque de la 93 is another favorite, named for the park that is its most famous feature.
Bogota Restaurants and Cafes
You might not expect it, but Bogota is home to a number of the world’s best bars and restaurants, including a number with Michelin stars. If you want to dine at them, you’ll need to make reservations in advance. But you also don’t have to go far for a good meal, especially homestyle local dishes.
Amen Ramen– Located near HAB Hotel, this restaurant has authentic ramen and Japanese fare, including pork buns and beer made exclusively for the restaurant.
Arte y Pasion Cafe– The best spot for coffee is this barista school, with two locations downtown, showing off the types of coffee found throughout the country and the various ways to enjoy it.
Chicheria Demente– The restaurant focuses on wood-fired cuisine, including products from sustainable and local producers. You’ll find empanadas, pizza, and more.
El Chato– The upscale restaurant has a changing tasting menu well worth the splurge, especially for foodies.
Harry Sasson– Frequently cited as one of the best restaurants in Latin America, this place is sure to make a spot on your bucket list.
Insurgentes– The Mexican restaurant in Chapinero has all of the favorites like guacamole, tacos, ceviche, and tortas, plus margaritas and beer.
La Puerta Falsa Restaurant 
Amen Ramen
La Puerta Falsa Restaurant– The restaurant in La Candelaria is cozy but is the oldest restaurant in the city, serving traditional dishes like sausages, tamales, and sweets.
Leo– Definitely make plans to visit Leo, one of the top restaurants in the region. The menu has artfully prepared dishes like the multi-course tasting menu and a cocktail menu highlighting the flavors of Colombia.
Les Amis Biscuit– Start your day with delicious and beautiful pastries from this local bakery.
Mesa Franca– The trendy restaurant has a variety of dishes as well as a cocktail menu with non-alcoholic options.
Origen Bistro– The restaurant focuses on the traditional ingredients of Colombia, including the Indigenous dishes, in a beautiful space with colorful murals.
Prudencia– Focusing on the ingredients of the countryside, this restaurant has a beautiful atrium-like space.
Bogota Bars and Nightlife
Bogota Beer 
Andres DC
Bogota has a bustling nightlife scene but also has craft cocktail bars and breweries, depending on what mood you are after.
Andres DC– The restaurant and nightclub is a popular spot on the party bus circuit, with multiple levels for dancing and drinking.
Bogota Beer Company– With locations around the country, this brewpub chain has a variety of brews, plus a full food menu.
El Mono Bandido– Another spot for craft beer lovers is this stylish taproom.
Gaira Cafe Cumbia House– COme here if you want to see live music and enjoy a nice meal and drink.
Morena Rooftop Bar– See the best skyline views from this bustling bar.
Things to Do in Bogota
There’s no shortage of things to see in Bogota, including a number of museums and tours for every interest, so give yourself a few days to see them all.
Botero Museum– This free-to-visit museum highlights the work of Colombian artist Fernando Botero, known for his Rubenesque figures, and his personal art collection.
Iglesia de San Francisco- This church is one of the oldest in the city, built in the 1500s, and has an incredible gold altar.
Monserrate– See the city from above by taking the cable car or funicular to the viewpoint. The trip will cost around $6 USD.
Museo del Oro– The gold museum has ancient artifacts from the Indigenous people including masks and decorative items. It costs $1 for admission and is free on Sunday.
Salt Cathedral– Located a short drive outside of the city, this underground salt cavern has been carved into a series of chapels that follows the stations of the cross.
Tours- There are excellent tours for every budget and interest level including the excellent tours by Beyond Colombia. You can also go on a food tour, La Candelaria tour, and street art tour. The Tejo and beer introduces visitors to the national game, while the El Paraiso Tour visits one of Bogota’s underserved neighborhoods. You can also book day trips nearby to coffee farms, waterfalls, and national parks.
Shopping in Bogota
Browse the shops around the city, where you’ll find handcrafted goods and vintage clothing.
Centro Comercial la Casona del Museo- Most of the souvenirs I bought during my trip were from this market next to the Gold Museum.
La Rock’n’Rola- The funky boutique has skateboarding attire and vintage clothing.
Mercado de la Concordia- The market has multiple stalls selling food, souvenirs, clothing, and prints.
Romeo Estudio– Don’t miss the bright clothing at this store.
TLB Records– Pick up vintage records at this Chapinero store.
Where to Stay in Bogota
Since Bogota is so big, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation options from laid-back guesthouses to massive skyscrapers from a known brand. Keep in mind that some of these chains have multiple locations, so make sure you’ve booked the right one.
The Cranky Croc Hostel– Budget travelers can save money by staying at this popular hostel, which is located a short walk from La Candelaria. It has a garden courtyard, a bar, dorm and private rooms, and frequent activities for guests.
HAB Hotel Bogotá– One of our favorites from the trip, HAB Hotel is in a beautiful brick building, with an incredible daily breakfast and cozy vibe. It’s also close to shops and restaurants.
Habitel Hotel– This hotel is where we had planned on staying between flights before leaving early, but our delays made it impossible. But they were very helpful in changing our reservation. The hotel has a big breakfast and pool.
Hilton Bogota Corferias– The large hotel from the chain has skyline views, multiple restaurants, and an indoor pool and spa. It’s convenient to the airport and not too far from the city’s attractions. Rooms also have coffee makers.
Hotel de la Opera– The charming hotel is in a historic building downtown with perks like a breakfast buffet and an indoor pool. It’s also a short walk from the city’s popular attractions.
Hotel NH Bogota Urban 26 Royal– The basic hotel is perfect for those in transit, close to La Candelaria and the airport, with an in-house restaurant and bar and free WiFi.
Selina Chapinero Bogota– The trendy Selina hostel brand is popular with the remote work crowd and has amenities like a restaurant, coworking space, and yoga classes.
Transportation in Bogota
Bogota is a massive city with serious traffic, so definitely consider that before trying to get around in the afternoon. Uber and rideshare apps are technically illegal, but it still operates. You can still summon a ride with the app, but expect to sit in the front seat so it doesn’t tip off the police.
I recommend booking an airport transfer in advance to make things easier. But if you don’t want to, there are also desks set up at arrivals where you can tell them your destination and you are quoted a price. From there, they show you where your car is, which helps avoid the fray of the taxi stand outside.
Public transportation is another option, which includes buses and cable cars. There are also TransMilenio buses, which are longer buses with extended routes. Cable cars access the highest neighborhoods. This post from Uncover Colombia helps you navigate it.
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Bogotá has been on my list for quite some time! I know a lot of people experience altitude sickness when visiting, but I didn’t see it mentioned here – did you have any issues adjusting to the altitude, or with it slowing down your exploring?
No, I didn’t experience altitude sickness here like I had in Peru.