What NOT to Do On Your Bogota Vacation
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing some of the don’ts of visiting Bogota, Colombia. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Bogota, we also want to share what you should NOT do on your Bogota vacation!
Don’t Overdo Your First Day
Bogota sits at over 8,600 feet above sea level. That can be a major adjustment if you are arriving from sea level! Don’t plan too much for your first day as you might feel sluggish and dehydrated. It’s a good time to just walk around and take in the scenery without doing anything strenuous. (Don’t be shocked if you’re extra gassy when you arrive; that’s another side effect of the altitude)
How to Deal with Altitude Sickness
The altitude and mountains can also make for a bumpy arrival or departure by plane, so just know that is normal.
Don’t Miss a Tour of Candelaria
The Candelaria neighborhood is the heart of Bogota. It’s where you’ll find the cathedral, the Parliament, the Mayor’s House, the Palace of Justice, and many more historic sites. Lots of vendors set up their little market tents.
Don’t Be Freaked Out by Military Presence
As you walk around Bogota, you will notice a police and military presence. They often have rifles and can look intimidating, but they’re just there to keep the peace. It’s not anything to worry about. It’s actually pretty common in a lot of Latin countries.
That doesn’t mean Bogota is 100% safe; you should use your usual travel smarts when visiting, just like anywhere else. Pickpockets are around and may target you if it appears you’re not paying attention. But you’re not likely to be kidnapped or anything like that. You should avoid the southern part of the city and stick to the north, which is much safer.
Safety Tips for World Travelers
LIkewise, if you see protests going on, just avoid them. It’s the capital city so there’s a good chance someone is protesting something, but it’s best for tourists just to avoid these all together.
Don’t Skip Monserrate
Monserrate is a mountain overlooking Bogota. A church and shrine sit at the top, which is over 10,000 feet above sea level. You can hike up to the top, but there is also a funicular you can take up to the top. Besides the church, you’ll also have lots of restaurants and shops to choose from, not to mention the beautiful views of the city. Check the weather before you go and try to go up when it’s clear so you don’t miss the views!
Don’t Miss These Bogota Attractions
If you get a rainy day in Bogota, don’t sweat! There are tons of cool museums to check out while you’re here.
- Museo del Oro, or The Gold Museum, has some amazing artifacts broken out into regions. It’s more than gold!
- The Botero Museum in the Candelaria neighborhood celebrates the life and art of Fernando Botero.
- The José Celestino Mutis botanical garden is the largest in Colombia.
- The National Museum of Colombia is the largest and oldest museum in Colombia, with over 20,000 artifacts.
- The Military Museum of Colombia has over 200 years of military history on display.
- Museo Colonial is all about Colombia’s Colonial Period.
- San Francisco Church is a beautiful 16th-century Catholic Church. The golden altar is one of the coolest we’ve seen in South America.
- Bogota has some phenomenal street art, and it’s all over the place. You can even sign up for a “graffiti” tour to see some of the best Bogota street art.
- There are 3 soccer teams in Bogota, so you might catch a game while you are here
- Shopping malls are still huge in Bogota; it’s like a step back in time to the USA circa 1980s. They even have some pretty good restaurants in the shopping malls!
There are some great day trips from Bogota as well, including:
- La Chorrera Waterfall
- Laguna Guatavita
- Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira
Don’t be afraid to sign up for a tour. Even a private tour guide can be surprisingly affordable.
Don’t Miss Out on Bogota Cuisine
Street food is fantastic in Bogota, so don’t be afraid to try some of the street carts you see around town. They love their meats and soups in Bogota!
Here are some of our favorite Bogota dishes that we recommend you try:
- Meat is an important staple in Bogota cuisine. Beef (lomo), pork, and chicken are found in many dishes. The chicharrones are so good!
- They love soup in Bogota, so don’t be surprised if you even have soup for breakfast! Ajiaco is a chicken and potato soup, Sancocho and Changua are other common soups in Bogota.
- Arepas is a Colombian cornbread served in many shapes and sizes.
- Trout (Trucha) is really good in Bogota
- Fritanga is a bunch of grilled meats cooked together; sometimes it has intestines in it as well. You may or may not like that part!
- Bandeja Paisa
- Cocoa con queso is a thing here. Yes, cheese in hot chocolate. It’s actually a fantastic combination worth trying!
- Of course, Colombia has a ton of fresh fruit, and that also means fresh juices and smoothies!
If you get worn out on Colombian food, Bogota has many different international food options, too.
Don’t Miss Bogota’s Nightlife
Bogota is the capital city and a university town, so they have a pretty great nightlife scene. Starting with amazing restaurants and moving on to nightclubs and bars, where you can hang out until the wee hours. Zona Rosa is a good spot for nightlife and a great place to stay in Bogota.
DO keep an eye on your drinks and do not leave them unattended. If someone offers to buy you a drink, make sure you watch as it’s being made so that it’s not tampered with.
Likewise, don’t walk alone at night. Stick with a group or hire a car to take you home. This isn’t specific to Bogota, but a good reminder of how to stay safe in big cities.
Don’t Forget These Bogota Essentials
- Good shoes for walking. Bogota is hilly, with a lot of cobblestone streets, so it’s important to have good shoes that won’t hurt your feet.
- Make sure you pack a rain jacket and an umbrella! At this elevation, rain is always a possibility.
- You are also close to the equator, so sunscreen and a good sun hat are essential.
- Bring your reusable water bottles; the tap water in Bogota is safe to drink! You need to drink a lot of water at this elevation.
Don’t Drive in Bogota
There are many countries and cities where we encourage driving your own car, but Bogota is not one of them. Traffic is terrible, and motorcycles and bicycles are all over, zipping in and out of lanes. Always give yourself extra time if traveling by car. We even stay by the airport on our last night so we don’t have to worry about traffic for a morning flight.
You can also rent bikes in Bogota, which could be fun, but keep in mind the traffic and crazy drivers you’ll have to deal with.
When getting a taxi, it’s best to have your hotel reserve it rather than getting one off the street. Either way, make sure you negotiate a price before you get into the taxi.
Transmilenio is the bus system around Bogota, and it’s an easy and efficient way to get around Bogota. Just don’t sit in the blue seats; those are for older people or people with strollers or mobility issues.
Don’t Expect as Many Tourists
If you’ve visited other parts of Colombia, like Cartagena or Medellin, you might be surprised at the lack of tourists in Bogota. It’s just not as touristy, so you get a more “Colombian” experience without the hordes of tourists. That said, there won’t be as many English speakers, either, so brush up on your Spanish before you go!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Bogota is one of the most interesting cities in Colombia, with scenery, history, art, and amazing food! If you enjoy traveling to places where you won’t see a lot of tourists, a Bogota vacation may be perfect for you!
Want more tips for South American travel? Check out these blog posts: