Guide to BOGOTÁ – Colombia’s hip ‘n’ artsy capital

Come, let me guide you to Bogotá, Colombia’s hip ‘n’ artsy capital.
It’s the most energetic and vibrant Latin American city I’ve ever visited, indeed.

Bogota-Graffiti in Bogota
All the ingenious and powerful murales, colorful graffitis, are one of Bogotá’s strongest suits.

I’m still overwhelmed by the charm and the beauty of many neighborhoods. I’m also impressed by the environmental awareness, by the countless delightful little shops and vegetarian and vegan snack bars. The most amazing suit, however, is the eclectic, outstanding, creative art that can be found at every corner.

Totally unexpectedly, Bogotá took me by storm.

High Life in Bogotá

You would expect this sultry hot metropolis. However, Bogotá is located 2,600 meters above sea level. Every day, you can enjoy the sight of the forested Andes mountains rising east of the city.

This uplifted location is the reason that the weather here is quite temperate. Usually, the temperature is between 8 and 20ºC.

So, autumn clothes are perfect. However, don’t forget your umbrella as it rains a lot in the capital.

I didn’t expect Bogotá to be so cool – and I didn’t expect Bogotá to be so cold, either. Since I packed for hot South American weather, I had to spend the four days in Bogotá in the same worn and torn pair of jeans and a faded blue Old Navy hoodie.

Next to all these beautiful, hip youngsters, this made me feel like a poor peasant coming to town. Next time, Bogotá, I promise to dress up for you. You definitely deserve it.

2,600 meters – Bogotá’s altitude is normally not a problem for visitors. However, try to adapt your body by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and resting properly.

Thanks to this fusion of past and present, an ideal destination full of history, entertainment, gastronomy, culture, economy, and much more await you in the capital.

How to Visit And What to See

Yes, Bogotá, being home to about 8 million people, is a big, intimidating metropolis. But there are only certain districts really interesting for the common visitor. No offense, I know you are very special and I am, too. However, as long as we’re not looking for a job and intend to settle down, we are common visitors and might want to stick to certain areas.

It was the more alternative neighborhood around the historic Candelaria district with many small specialty shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars serving a wide variety of organic food and drinks that took me by storm. All these places are decorated with such impressive creativity – which seems to be Bogotá’s strongest suit, anyway.

Candelaria

La Candelaria is Bogotá’s historic part of the city’s downtown area. It’s worth visiting for the colonial architecture of the old houses and churches, but mainly for the cool, vibrant, artistic atmosphere.

Callejon del Embudo in Bogotá
Callejon del Embudo – La Candelaria’s must-see street with nothing but art: On the walls, at the shops, on the sidewalks.

The most impressive murals by the best artists can be obviously found here. They are painted on buildings that are housing shops selling original, fun handicrafts and bars serving organic food and juices from fresh fruits.

There are many hostels and boutique-style hotels on the partly pretty steep alleys. Although everything looks very cozy’n’cute, they say that at night, you shouldn’t venture around by yourself. If you have to go out after dark, you should take a cab and ask the driver to wait till your host lets you in.

Candelaria District in Bogotá
Although very artistic, these are not all art galleries.

However, during the daytime, it’s certainly one of the best neighborhoods to explore.

The Center

Technically, the part west of Carrera 2 is still the Candelaria, but from here it gets less vibrant and trendy. However, we are approaching important, more classic-touristy landmarks.

Museum-goers are risking losing complete track of time on Calle 10 and Calle 11: Here, practically every building is a museum such as the Natural Science Museum De La Salle, the city museum Museo de Bogotá, the Museo Literario – Archivo Histórico del Instituto Caro y Cuervo, and many more.

Iglesia de la Candelaria in Bogotá
I mean, look at the sky over the Iglesia de la Candelaria, a Catholic church, built in 1686. So what better way to spend the day than at a fantastic museum?!

Colección de Arte Banco de la República Bogotá

My favorite museum is the complex at Carrera 4 with Calle 11, the Museo del Banco de la Republica, actually housing various venues.

Museo Banco de la Republica Bogota
The old part of the museum complex – with the Sanctuary of Monserrate in the backdrop.

The most charming one is the Museo Botero showing many of his masterpieces, paintings as well as sculptures.

Sculptures and Paintings by Fernando Botero at the Museo del Banco in Bogotá
Whether sculptures or paintings, whether people or things – everything is unbalanced when created by Fernando Botero.

Another part houses the Miguel Urrutia Art Museum MAMU where colonial art, as well as modern and contemporary Colombian and international art, can be admired.

Salvador Dalí Bust of a Woman
Salvador Dalí Bust of a Woman
Beatrice Gonzales Decoración de Interiores.
Beatrice Gonzales Decoración de Interiores. Gonzales is definitely one of Colombia’s most famous and internationally recognized female artists.
Antonio Caro: Todo esta muy caro
Print with a whimsy double meaning: Todo esta muy caro – everything is very expensive – which is an appropriate hint at a bank building. But since Caro is also the artist’s last name, it could also be read everything is very Caro.

The third part pays tribute to the investors, the Banco de la Republica, hence it’s called Museo Casa de Moneda, and deals with means of payment such as coins.

Although you’ll probably spend a couple of hours at this venue, I cannot recommend it enough for those who enjoy grand art.

Colección de Arte Banco de la República Bogotá
Calle 11 #4-93
Bogotá
Phone: + 57 – 1 – 343 13 16

The museum is open from Wednesday to Monday from 9 a. m. to 7 p. m. (Sundays 10 a. m. to 5 p. m.) and entrance is free.

Around the Plaza de Bolívar

After visiting the museum, you can walk down Calle 11 to Bogotá’s main square which, of course, is named after Simon Bolíver like basically every main square in Latin America.

Here are all the major buildings such as the National Capitol, the Town Hall, and the Cathedral.

The Cathedral of Colombia, finished in 1823, and a bunch of school kids.

Walking one block South on Carrera 8, you’ll get to the Museo Santa Clara.

Museo Santa Clara
Lavishly decorated Santa Clara.

Santa Clara, built between 1629 and 1674, was Bogotá’s oldest church. Today, the richly decorated, entirely covered by paintings and sculptures building is a museum.

Museo Santa Clara
Carrera 8 No. 8 – 91
Bogotá
Phone: + 57 – 1 – 337 67 62
Email: museocolonial@mincultura.gov.co

Walking further towards Calle 7, you can visit more old colonial sites such as the San Agustín Cloister. Next to it is the Casa de Nariño complex, the Colombian president’s official home, and the principal workplace.

Casa de Nariño in Bogotá
Taking care of the president: Two guardian angels disguised as Prussians with kaiser helmets.
Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen

Next to it is the Archaeological Museum Arqueológico Casa del Marqués de San Jorge and the Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen, a funnily striped church from 1938.

However, if you walk back to the Plaza de Bolívar and keep on walking, you’ll get to another old, baroque house of worship, the Iglesia de San Francisco, located across from Bogotá’s – and maybe even the country’s – most famous museum, the gold museum Museo del Oro.

Museo de Oro

In an austere building, probably the world’s best collection of pre-Columbian gold, ceramics, and stones can be admired.

 Gold museum Bogota
Incredibly elaborated jewelry – just look at these earpieces – ouch!
Gold Museum Bogota
I love this little comic book king.

Besides their permanent collection, they also present temporary exhibitions of Latin American traditional art.

Gold Museum Bogota - Molas
Not as precious as gold, but almost as beautiful: Traditional Mola embroideries from Panamá.

Of course, you can buy some replicas of the jewelry collection at the gift store along with some other high-class Colombian handicrafts. However, you’ll get very good quality at far better prices at the covered market across from the museum on Calle 16.

Museo del Oro
Carrera 6 #15-88
Bogotá
Phone: + 57 – 1 – 343 22 22

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. and Sundays from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m.

At the end of La Septima, right in front of the Parque de la Independencia, you can turn right into Calle 24 and pay a venue introducing contemporary art a visit: The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá MAMBO.

Already at the entrance of the Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá, the visitor is greeted by art: Installation by Medellín-born artist Ricardo Cárdenas.
Already at the entrance, the visitor is greeted by art: An installation by Medellín-born artist Ricardo Cárdenas.

However, I recommend that you check what’s on before you go since they don’t have a permanent collection on display.

Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá MAMBO
Calle 24 #6-00
Bogotá
Phone: + 57 – 1 – 286 04 66

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p. m.

Graffiti Tour

What really impressed me the most in Bogotá was the people’s creativity. This love for designing and decorating by using all sorts of usual and unusual materials, very often recycled in a highly ingenious and innovative way.

Entrance to the Callejon del Embudo in Bogota
Entrance to the Callejon del Embudo grants access to an alley of beauty and awe.

Bogotá has a very active street art scene of many tremendously talented artists. Therefore, to get a good insight into the history, development, philosophy, and political background, the free graffiti tour is highly recommendable. It’s free, but of course, based on tips.

“J”, born in Colombia, raised in New York City and Miami, now back to his roots – good for him! – guides tourist groups through the barrio and points out every detail in a very knowledgeable and passionate way.

The Wayuu Indio women by Carlos Trilleras - probably Bogotá's most famous mural.
The Wayuu Indio women by Carlos Trilleras – probably Bogotá’s most famous mural.
And a more recent mural by Carlos Trilleras.
Mimi with Carlos Trilleras in a shirt made by Carlos Trilleras at Carlos Trilleras' stand #302 at Mercado de Pulgas San Alejos.
Mimi with Carlos Trilleras in a shirt made by Carlos Trilleras at his stand #302 at Mercado de Pulgas San Alejos.
Streetart in Bogota
Amazing art in vibrant colors on house walls…..
Streetart in Bogota by Juegasiempre
….and on fences – like here by one of my favorite artists Juegasiempre; by the way an art teacher ‘in real life’.

You don’t want to leave without your own piece of art? Great souvenirs from Bogotá are T-Shirts designed by local artists such as Carlos Trilleras that are sold for instance at the shop decorated by his Wayuu Indio in the callejón del Embudo or on Sundays at his stand #302 at Mercado de Pulgas San Alejos next to Torre Colpatria at the end of La Septima around the corner from the MAMBO.

Zona Rosa

The Zona Rosa and all the other northern neighborhoods stretching all the way up to Parque 93 are a good place in case you are longing for a more global feel. So in case you want the standard store chains and restaurants you know from home – here they are in abundance.

I don’t say that it’s a bad thing, but admittedly, it doesn’t really make sense to me to fly for about 12 hours to buy a T-shirt at Mango and have coffee at Starbucks; nota bene in Colombia.

Anyway, there is a vivid, modern, up-scale scene around here.

Usaquén

Even further north – a bit more towards the east – is Usaquén, a municipality that became a suburb of Bogotá in 1954.

Iglesia Santa Barbara de Usquen
Iglesia de Santa Bárbara de Usaquén – the most prominent building around the Parque.
(Photo: Felipe Restrepo AcostaBogotá iglesia de UsaquénCC BY-SA 4.0)

Today, it is an upper-middle-class neighborhood. However, the main square, Parque de Usaquén, and the adjacent streets and alleys form a popular neighborhood for trendy pub crawls.

The weekly Mercado de Las Pulgas, the flea market, is equally popular with locals and visitors.

Practical Information

How to Get There

By Plane

Coming to Colombia, you don’t have to land at El Dorado Airport. There are also flights from Europe going to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. However, chances are, that you land at the Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento, which is El Dorado’s official name.

El Dorado is the third largest airport in Latin America – behind São Paulo and Mexico City. In 2018, Skytrax voted El Dorado as Latin America’s best airport.

How to Go Downtown

So if you don’t continue right away to another Colombian destination and, thusly, need to go to the city center, obviously, taking a cab is the best option.

If you have a long flight behind you, and possibly came from a different time zone, you are probably exhausted. This is not a good condition to venture into foreign surroundings. Therefore, I strongly recommend you make a hotel reservation beforehand – in this post, you’ll find a great suggestion and many more for instance on booking.com*. Also, letting your hotel arrange a pickup is the safest way to get there. Yes, you probably will overpay a bit. Nevertheless, your security and comfort should be worth it.

Later, when you adapted and feel more relaxed and secure, you can always arrange cheaper transport for getting back to the airport. If you have a lot of time and a little luggage, you can even go by public transport. Albeit, there is no stop right at the airport. You have to get by bus to Portal El Dorado and take it from there by feeder bus 16-14.

My trip was a mix of flights and bus rides. I had only three weeks. Although I fell in deep love with Colombia and its people, I still wanted to avoid overnight bus travel. Hence, for long trips, I opted for flights. So I took an afternoon flight from Bogotá to Cali. This way, I still had almost the whole day in Bogotá and didn’t get to Cali too late.

By Bus

If the routes aren’t too long, I like to travel by bus.

In Bogotá, there are two bus terminals. In the south, there is – who would have guessed – the Terminal De Transportes Del Sur. Coaches from here go…correct: south.

Relevant for road trippers: At their bathrooms, they have also showers at your disposal. Also, you can leave your luggage if you want to go downtown while waiting for your connecting bus.

Then, there is Terminal Salitre located at the Fontibón in Salitre town. From here, there are an incredible 86 bus companies serving the entire country as well as many other Latin American countries. They are even going all the way down to Buenos Aires!

Here is a complete list of places you can reach from Terminal Salitre – it surely triggers wanderlust!

How to Get Around

To get around, the TransMilenio, Bogotá’s rapid bus system, is a great option.

 The TransMilenio - almost as fast as comfortable as a subway.
The TransMilenio – almost as fast as comfortable as a subway.

For about 70 cents, it takes you to almost every point of interest. Here is a system map, that, quite honestly, is rather designed to confuse than to inform. The best way is simply to stick to the stops you’re looking for and not pay attention to the direction on the map – it’s not to scale or even cardinal directions and therefore very confusing.

When you are travelling on route A or B, you’re actually not going west as the map indicates, you are going north.

It’s idiotic.

Besides the modern TransMilenio, there are, obviously, also regular buses. You can plan your trip in advance through the TransMilenio website and the Moovit application, available for iOS and Android.

Nonetheless, if you’re not sure, just ask local people, they are very friendly and helpful.

If you want to take cabs, it’s best to do so using phone numbers and mobile applications from recognized companies like Taxis Libres. Applications such as Uber and Cabify are also quite common.

Where to Sleep

I was in Bogotá twice. The first time, I stayed in Chapinero, a neighborhood that a hundred years ago still was a remote suburb. Although by now it’s pretty incorporated, it’s still about half an hour from the historic center. Also, the Casa del Patio was average, at most.

Albeit, if you stay at the Candelaria, you are close to all the places of interest. The hotels and hostels here are smaller, very familial, and cozy.

Hotel Casa Guadalupe in the Candelaria of Bogotá
The purple house is Hotel Casa Guadalupe – in the very heart of the Candelaria neighborhood. I felt very safe there – the only thing I was afraid of was breaking my neck on the steep cobblestone street.

Also, the people at Hotel Casa Guadalupe* are very friendly and get out of their way to make you feel comfortable. They also arrange an airport shuttle for you at a great price.

If you still want to check out other lodging options, you can do so on this map*:

Booking.com

What to Eat

Centrally located just two blocks down from the Museo del Banco de la Republica is a beautiful, rustic restaurant serving excellent hearty Colombian cuisine, accompanied by fresh natural fruit juices.

You’re seated in a very pleasant atmosphere – and the staff is very nice and helpful, too.

Bandeja Paisa
Colombia’s national dish: “Bandeja Paisa” – consisting mainly of meat with meat, completed and decorated with sausage.

Mama Lupe
Calle 11 #6-14
Bogotá

As I wrote in the general post on Colombia, like in any other Latin American country, food is rather on the meaty side.

Restaurant Nativo Arte Natural
A short break at “Nativo Arte Natural” sampling their organic juices.

Nevertheless, particularly around the Candelaria district, you’ll find a wide range of small alternative businesses serving healthy cuisine and organic juices. And they are incredibly tasty, too.

Nativo Arte Natural
Carrera 2 # 12-52
11171 Bogotá

Where to Shop

Across the street from the Gold Museum is a covered market. Whatever you want to bring back from Colombia, you’ll find it here. Whether Colombian treats, replicas from the Gold Museum, garments, pottery, and leather goods. Everything is of good quality and at a reasonable price.

Galeria Artesanal de Colombia
Calle 16 #5-60/70
Bogotá
Phone: + 57 – 1 – 342 76 23

The market is open every day from 9 a. m. to 7 p. m.

If you can’t get enough bling-bling: Next to the market is the Emerald Museum.

On the whole, the Carrera 7, called La Septima, is Bogotá’s main shopping street. In fact, not only do you find all sorts of stores and stands and stalls where you can buy literally everything. Also, small, unpretentious restaurants and cafés that are serving good local food.

You don’t want to leave without your own piece of art? Great souvenirs from Bogotá are T-Shirts designed by local artists such as Carlos Trilleras that are sold for instance at the shop decorated by his Wayuu Indio in the callejón del Embudo or on Sundays at his stand #302 at Mercado de Pulgas San Alejos.

Obviously, a good place for purchasing some very original pieces are also the small specialty shops scattered at the Candelaria.

What to Do

I’m an avid solo-travelling woman. Since solo travel doesn’t equal solitude, I love to join organized tours here and there. They allow me to meet fellow travellers – for just a short moment or a lifelong friendship.

Therefore, here are some great ideas of what to do during your stay in Bogotá. Especially if you have only a short time to stay, they’ll enable you to make the best of it*:

Map

Here you find all the places mentioned above:

Bogotá was only the first of many beautiful places I’ve visited in Colombia. So, to read about the others, go to the main post and take your pick! There you’ll also find valuable general information that will make your trip smoother.

Pinnable Pictures

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Note: This post is being regularly completed, edited, and updated – last in November 2022.

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*Obviously, this is an affiliate link. If you book through this page, not only do you get the best deal. I also get a small commission that helps me run this blog. Thank you so much for supporting me!

63 Replies to “Guide to BOGOTÁ – Colombia’s hip ‘n’ artsy capital”

  1. I’m normally not that much of an internet reader, to be honest, but your blog is really nice and very informative, keep it up! I’ll bookmark your website to come back later. Many thanks

  2. Sad that you wrote off Chapinero and places like Tuesaquillo/Parkway and La Soledad. Candelaria is run down and practically deserted after hours. Chapinero puts you in a much better position to enjoy both the city center and the posh northern areas. Plus, in terms of “hipsters,” both Chapinero and Tuesaquillo/La Soledad/Parkway have much more to offer.

    I would never advise anyone who wants to get a feel for Bogota to stay in La Candelaria.

    1. As a matter of fact, as you read in the post, I did stay (also) in Chapinero and it’s an okay part of Bogotá. It always depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to be close to the classic landmarks and the best street art, the Candelaria, is a great place. If you want to experience the hip and wealthy north, Chapinero is closer. However, malls and posh neighborhoods are not that interesting to me since I can get that everywhere here in Europe. Wealthier neighborhoods tend to be very globalized. Therefore, I preferred the Candelaria. Like they say: To each their own 😉

  3. That is a good tip particularly to those first time visitors. Simple but very precise information. Thank you for sharing your experience.

  4. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to plan a trip to Colombia.

  5. Wow these are arts in their greatest forms. I love visiting churches the most…. Not because i am too religous but i admire their history and their architecture.. That golden retablo in Santa Clara was so stunning.. I love visiting ecclesiastical musuems like these… Also those graffiti-coated town was such a great piece of art

  6. This place looks amazing. I like the art on the wall. Walking around and watching is amazing. Thank you for sharing a good guide!

  7. I admire you for solo traveling. I still have anxiety when I plan to travel alone but It’s something I really want to overcome. When I do, I think Bogota will be my first 🙂

  8. I would love to visit Bogota, thanks for the info on the rapid bus system and its confusing map! I will stick to taxis now because of C-19 whenever I am ready to start traveling again. My mom will totally be jealous of the Botero exhibit, she loves Botero’s work! Nice to see the street art and examples of local eats as well. (I’m a meat eater so your description of ‘meat with a side of meat and decorated with meat’ made me laugh so hard! 🙂

  9. Honestly, the only reason why I know of Bogota is because of Money heist lol. Now, that I got a look at it, it does look like a good place to explore.

  10. Such a great guide to visiting Bogota! I have never really had the desire to go to Colombia before, but looks like I will have to add it to my bucket list!

  11. I am so sure I will fall in love with Colombia if and when I get the opportunity to visit. The colonial architecture of the historical town specifically caught my eye, as well as the street art. The city certainly looks very hip and artsy, the kind of place I am sure going to love exploring!

  12. I love the artwork and architecture so vibrant and just how I picture columbia from hearing stories from other travellers. Great article

  13. These pictures remind me of my time spent in Cartagena, Colombia. I never made it to Bogota, but I imagine it’s just as amazing as Cartagena was! It’s a place I’d love to go back to so next time I’ll have to add a few more cities to explore as well.

  14. I have family that spent a lot of time in Bogata and they have talked about the great times they had. But it just has not made it up on the list yet. But I sure did not expect to read that Bogata was so cold. I would have packed for South American heat. I can certainly see there is much to see and do. The Graffiti Tour would be high on my list.

    1. I’m very happy to read this – since Bogotá has such a bad reputation, however, it’s a very artsy and energetic place…if you don’t behave like a moron 🙂

  15. I haven’t been to South America yet, but my day job is with a software company headquartered in Colombia. I very much look forward to getting on the other side of this stupid pandemic and getting to explore Bogota and beyond!

  16. Really enjoyed reading your guide to Bogota. I learned a lot about the city that I wasn’t aware of before, such as it’s high elevation and coolness. The National Capitol looks incredible with the stunning architecture and all the museums have some incredible art and exhibits.

  17. Wow! It looks like Bogota has a lot to offer. I would especially love to visit La Candelaria and see the Colonial architecture and church that you mentioned.

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