Top places to visit in Bogotá

• Cerro de Monserrate

  Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry $27,000 (≈ ₹810)

  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 $5,000 (≈ ₹150)

  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 $100,000 (≈ ₹2,990)

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Bogotá

Airport: Bogota (BOG)

How visitors arrive in Bogotá

• Flight into El Dorado By air from El Dorado Airport (BOG) · common

  The main arrival point, with international and many domestic flights, including routes from Medellin, Cali and Cartagena. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Intercity bus to Terminal Salitre By road from Medellin / Caribbean coast · common

  Buses from across Colombia arrive at the main Terminal Salitre or the north and south satellite terminals. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drive on national highways By road from Medellin / Cali · possible

  Major highways connect Bogota to Medellin, Cali and the Caribbean cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Regulated airport taxi from the stand

  Give your destination to staff at the taxi stand, who print a ticket showing the fare; pay only that amount at the end. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• TransMilenio feeder 16-14 to Portal El Dorado

  A green feeder bus runs to Portal El Dorado, where you buy a Tullave card and join TransMilenio. Large suitcases may not be allowed in stations. Source: eldorado.aero

• Use the official taxi stand and keep the fare ticket it prints for you. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus useful for some trips

  TransMilenio bus rapid transit runs along main avenues in dedicated lanes, alongside SITP local buses and feeder services.

  TransMilenio · Top up TuLlave card

• Ride Hail useful for some trips

  Ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Cabify, DiDi and inDrive operate in Bogotá as an alternative to street taxis.

• Taxi useful for some trips

  Yellow taxis in Bogotá run on a meter, and hotels and restaurants can call one for you.

• Walking

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.

Best time to visit Bogotá

• Jan 20°C
• Feb 20°C
• Mar 20°C
• Apr 20°C
• May 19°C
• Jun 19°C
• Jul 19°C
• Aug 19°C
• Sep 19°C
• Oct 19°C
• Nov 19°C
• Dec 20°C

More in Colombia

• Cartagena
• Medellín
• Santa Marta
• Cali
• Salento
• San Andrés

Frequently asked questions about Bogotá

What are the top-rated places to visit in Bogotá?

The highest-rated places in our Bogotá guide are Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), Cerro de Monserrate, Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá, Museo Botero, Plaza de Bolívar & La Candelaria.

Where should I stay in Bogotá?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bogotá: La Candelaria, Zona Rosa & Chapinero.

How do I get around Bogotá?

Ways to get around Bogotá covered in our guide: City bus, Ride-hailing app, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Bogotá?

Scams reported to us for Bogotá include Scopolamine (Burundanga) Drink Spiking; Express Kidnapping (Paseo Millonario); Fake Police Document Check. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Bogotá?

Average daytime highs in Bogotá run from 19°C in Jul to 20°C in Feb.

Which airport is nearest to Bogotá?

The nearest airport to Bogotá has the code BOG.