Colombia’s vibrant capital city of Bogotá has plenty to offer.
My Posts on Bogotá
Almost all attractions, museums, and points of interest are covered in the posts for each district listed below.
General Info:
Districts:
- La Candelaria (historic city center)
- Santa Fe
- Usaquén
Attractions:
- Monserrate
- Museums in La Candelaria
- Santa Clara Museum (Church of Santa Clara, La Candelaria)
Tours:
Introduction to Bogotá
The area making up present-day Bogotá was once inhabited by the indigenous Muisca people. Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada (1509-1579) founded the city on August 6, 1538, as Santafé de Bogotá, on the site known today as Chorro de Quevedo. An official founding occurred on April 27, 1539, with a ceremony appointing a council and officials.
In April 1550, Santafé became the capital of the Kingdom of Nueva Granada. The population began to grow rapidly near the end of the 17th century, and after 1717, it was named the capital of the Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada.
In the early 19th century, the seeds of revolution were planted in the city, and independence from Spain was declared on July 20, 1810. Simón Bolívar officially renamed the city Bogotá after the liberation of New Granada in 1819, and it became the capital of Gran Colombia. Shortly after, the National Museum, the National Library, and the precursor to the National University (Universidad Nacional de Colombia) were all founded. Four banks opened their doors between 1870 and 1883.
In the early 20th century, Bogotá began an architectural transformation as the population continued to increase. On April 9, 1948, however, the assassination of liberal leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán (1903-1948) triggered riots in an event called El Bogotazo. Much of the city center was destroyed. The ensuing civil war lasted 10 years, and the city was considered off limits for several decades after.
Bogotá has since rebounded as an international business hub, and public transportation has improved mobility.
Why Visit Bogotá
With both modern and historic areas to appeal to many tastes, Bogotá is worth a couple days of exploration. The main attractions in the historic area can be seen in a day or two, while the city also boasts countless museums and some excellent walking and bike tours.
Other neighborhoods are home to chic eateries and cultural attractions as well as good nightlife. To top it off, Bogotá has a bourgeoning culinary scene, considered the second-best in South America after Lima, Peru.
Getting to Bogotá
Most visitors will fly into Bogotá. If you’re coming from another city, you might use the bus terminal.
El Dorado International Airport
Flying into Bogotá will take you to the very modern El Dorado International Airport (BOG). It’s very clean and full of shops and restaurants. It’s definitely the best airport I’ve flown into in Latin America.
Restaurants at El Dorado International Airport
There’s a nice food court near the check-in area for domestic flights. Another food court is situated just above domestic check-in, and there are even more food courts in the domestic and international terminals.
Restaurants in the international terminal include Cumbia House by Carlos Vives, Guy’s Burger Joint by Guy Fieri, and The Marketplace by Wolfgang Puck. Every meal I’ve had there is delicious. Just be aware restaurants in the international terminal charge extortionate prices.
Wait n’ Rest
If you have a long international connection, get some sleep at Wait n’ Rest. It’s located at Gate A13 in the international terminal. They have small individual and double cabins available by the hour. You can book online or register directly at the door to get in a nice nap before your flight.
Inside the cabin is a touch screen to control the temperature, ambient light, and keep updated on flight information. You’ll have just enough room to put your stuff and get changed if necessary. There’s WiFi and a keyless entry system allowing you to come and go as you please. It’s not the most quiet place to get a nap but it beats the noise and uncomfortable chairs in the terminal.
Taxis from the Airport
You will be approached by several private drivers looking to give you a ride, and they will charge more than a normal yellow taxi. If you don’t want to pay a premium, don’t let them pressure you into it. They will try their hardest to tell you they’re cheaper than a taxi. If you don’t have pre-arranged transportation or are taking a hotel shuttle, your best bet is to wait in the taxi queue.
Bus Terminals
I didn’t use the main bus terminal but I did use Portal del Norte to get to a few towns north of Bogotá, such as Chia, Zipaquirá, Guatavita, and more. Also, Calle 72 and Carrera 13 has buses to a few towns like La Calera and Guasca.
Getting Around Bogotá
Bogotá is a huge city with heavy traffic. Getting around can be overwhelming, but it’s very easy and relatively cheap by taxi. Sitting in a taxi for 45 minutes won’t cost as much as you expect from one part of the city to the other. Small sections of the city like La Candelaria are easily walkable.
The TransMilenio is Bogotá’s bus system running in a dedicated lane. It’s fast, cheap, and convenient but also can be quite confusing for visitors. It seemed like there were hundreds of different bus lines in use spreading out all over the city. The best thing to do is just ask an attendant on duty which bus to take to your destination.
To use the public transportation system, you can buy a TuLlave card. A basic TuLlave card costs an initial COP$8,000 (as of May 2025). It’s COP$3,200 per ride on a regular city bus, the TransMilenio, or TransMiCable (as of May 2025).
Changing Money in Bogotá
If you’re looking to change money, I got the best rates at the airport. There’s a currency exchange just after walking out to the international arrivals area. I got burned the first time I went through, so don’t exchange money until AFTER you reach the greeting area. Rates seem to be much better. The exchanges I found in La Candelaria didn’t post any rates so I didn’t trust them.
Safety Tips
Bogotá’s reputation for crime scares a lot of people away, but I never felt threatened during the day. Stay out of the areas you’re not supposed to be in and take normal precautions everywhere else. If an area looks shady, it probably is. You have to be a lot more careful after dark and take a taxi if you wander too far away from your hotel.
There are usually a lot of junkies gathered in the plazas at night. They’re harmless for the most part, even helpful at times, but anyone should still take caution even with police presence. It also seems like the whole city shuts down after 9pm, unless you’re in the more upscale parts of the city to the north.
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