About Bogota

The undying love for exploring the unknown and an unsatiated hunger for basking in the richness of Mother Nature have compelled tourists from across the world to discard the comforts of everyday life and emerge onto the road to uncharted destinations. This passion for seeing the unseen brings us straight to Bogota, the beautiful Capital city of Colombia, best known as Colombia’s capital for official business dealings. Diversity in culture and architecture with the rare touch of greenery and cradled by Andean peaks, the city of Bogota has topped the travel list for many itinerants from nations far and near. Bogota is the third-highest capital in the world, lying at 2640 meters above sea level. The beautiful capital city houses some of the world’s famous architectures which are likely to give the tourists a taste of colonial and modern style blended in a perfect mixture. It is truly a city of contrasts where one encounters century old plazas and churches outlined by towering skyscrapers. It enjoys the best of both Spanish, English, and Indian influences. The vibrant city of Bogota is the main economic and industrial hub for Colombia, incorporating 1500 multinational companies and the primary stock market. It was the first Latin American city to have won the title of ‘World Book Capital’ by UNESCO. Also, the precious green gemstones called Emeralds worth over 50 carats are mined and produced domestically in the city of Bogota that accounts for nearly 70-90% of the world’s emerald market. The spectacular green landscape of Bogota is the ideal destination to explore the richness of history, cultural diversity, food, and local customs.

Public Transport System

TransMilenio transport system - BusesSITP transport service - Buses

Cleanliness and Efficiency

Cleanliness: High; Efficiency: Moderate

Mode & Cost of Transports

The TransMilenio transport system is the primary mean of public transport in the Bogota city which includes the SITP transport service as well. To use the TransMilenio service, you need to purchase and/or recharge a Frequent Customer Card (preferably the TuLlave Card). The tariff is applied upon the successful entry to any of the turnstiles of the TransMilenio transport system. 

Note: Two transfers between TransMilenio buses and SITP buses can be availed in a 95-minute window. 

TransMilenio Fares in 2019

Normal Rates:

  • TransMilenio Transport Ticket - COP 2,400 - All Day
  • SITP Transport Ticket - COP 2,200 - All Day

Preferential Rates (For people over 62 years of age):

  • TransMilenio Transport Ticket - COP 2,160 - All Day - For 30 Trips Per Month
  • SITP Transport Ticket - COP 1,980 - All Day - For 30 Trips Per Month

Private Buses are also available at a starting fare of around COP 1,500 per ticket. You need to pay the fare in cash directly to the driver or the conductor.

Basic Items & Cost

Name Price
Water Bottle COP 3008.00
Cup of Coffee COP 3865.00
Milk Carton Pack COP 2717.00
Rice/Kg COP 2978.00
White Bread COP 2992.00
Eggs (12) COP 5014.00
Combo Meal COP 16000.00
Fine Dining COP 65000.00
Bottle of Coke or Pepsi COP 2400.00
Domestic Beer COP 3000.00
Imported Beer COP 7000.00
Bottle of Wine COP 28000.00
Cigarettes (20 Pack) COP 5000.00
Taxi ( 1 km ) COP 4700.00
Ticket in local transport (Single way). COP 2300.00
Rent ( One Bed Room) COP 1259000.00

Do’s:

  • Carry warm clothes as the temperature may drop unexpectedly.
  • Try Ajiaco, the tasty National dish of Colombia, easily available in Bogota.  
  • Learn some Spanish to easily communicate in the city.
  • Purchase a Tullave card for availing hassle-free transportation.
  • Bogota is famous for baked foods, try it while visiting Bogota.
  • Book any other local transport service instead of TransMilenio during the rush hours.
  • Partake in the local festivals to make your trip memorable.
  • Along with the tourist places, visit the localities as well.
  • Try Refajo, the Colombian beer-and-soda beverage.
  • Be respectful to the Bogotanos and their culture.
  • Join the Ciclovia event to enjoy the essence of the city differently.

Don’ts:

  • Do not forget to carry an umbrella as it frequently rains there.
  • Do not travel alone at night time to save yourself from street crimes.
  • Avoid roaming around in shorts and flip-flops as the Bogotanos find it inappropriate.
  • Do not walk on the Bicycle Tracks during the Ciclovia event for repelling road accidents.
  • Do not smoke publicly as it is a punishable offense.
  • Avoid wearing flashy outfits and jewelry to prevent robbery.
  • Do not carry or buy drugs as it is illegal.
  • Do not leave your personal belongings unattended in a restaurant, bar, or café for your safety.
  • Avoid booking private taxies (other than the local taxi services) as sometimes these are costly and illegal.
  • Do not exchange currencies using any personal currency exchange services as the exchange rates are unnecessarily higher.
  • Do not forget to bargain with the sellers while shopping to get the best deal.

Night Life

Bogota’s nightlife is considered one of the best in the world and is home to Colombia’s most noteworthy bars and eat-outs. Bogota is just not the capital of Colombia but is the main center for gastronomy, street art, and hipster culture. The bars are overfilled with throngs of young urban willing to drown in the glasses of good drinks, great music, and mouthwatering cuisines. The best part of Bogota is that drinks such as beer are available at a price as low as $1 from local dives. The bars remain open until the wee hours of the early morning but the mood really sets in around 11 or midnight. The places are packed with locals and tourists. The Bogota Beer Company is one of the best places to grab a glass of beer in Colombia. You can have a great experience matching your steps to the tune of the loud music while seeping in some beer or drink of your taste - a perfect way to end the day at Bogota.

Must See

  • Attend the Ibero-American Theater Festival that turns the city into one of the world's most important cultural spaces.
  • Head over to Zona Rosa, an exotic part of the city to enjoy great food, drinks, and nightlife.
  • Visit Colpatria Tower that offers a 360° panoramic view of the city.
  • Hop onto the Guatavita lake lies at 10,000 feet above sea level to relive the old times of the city.
  • Visit the National Park of Chingaza to be the witness of the multicolored fauna and flora of Colombia.
  • Explore the Salt Mines with water mirrors and colorful lightings at Zipaquira.
  • Visit Jaime Duque recreational park, one of the cultural attractions of Bogota having the replicas of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
  • If you are in Bogota around the month of July then, attend Rock al Parque, the free outdoor rock music festival.
  • Go on a day trip to the beautiful little colonial town, Villa de Leyva.
  • If you are a bookworm and an architecture fan then, the enormous library of Virgilio Barco is your go-to place.

Experiences

  • Dance along with the music played in the striking nightclubs of Zona Rosa.
  • Trek to the Guatavita lake for witnessing the Colombian culture of the old times.
  • Rent a cycle and participate in the local health-centric event, the Ciclovia.
  • Roam around the city on a two-wheeler to explore more places and localities.
  • Play Tejo, the national sport of Colombia.
  • Take a Colombian coffee tour if you are a coffee lover. 
  • Hike to El Chiflon and La Chorrera Waterfalls.
  • Go for a paragliding tour to soar over the celestial landscape of the city. 
  • Party at the gigantic Andres Carne restaurant.
  • Take some amazing rides at the Mundo Aventura amusement park.

Activities

Shopping

No data available
  • Hip T-shirt
  • Quinoa
  • Coffee Table Books
  • Mochilas (hand-woven woolen or cotton handbags)
  • Sombrero Vueltiado (cowboys hats)
  • Mercedes Salazar Jewelry
  • Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans
  • Sexy Unico Underwear
  • Fruit Juice Pulps
  • Hammock
  • Coca Tea
  • Messenger Bag. Obleas (caramel wafers)
  • A Bottle of Aguardiente
  • Emeralds
  • Chamba Pottery
  • Ruana Poncho (garment)
  • Chiva Bus replicas

Official Language

Spanish

Other Language

English, Romani, Creole Englis... Read more

Spoken Language

Bogota is one of the most lite... Read more

Currency

Colombian Peso (COP)

Population

8.08 (Millions)

Weather Icon

Weather

Broken Clouds 18.28°C

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TimeZone

10:16 AM (GMT -05:00)

 

Ambulance Icon

Ambulance

125

 

Police Icon

Police

112

 

Electric socket

Type A
Type A (120 V 60 Hz.)
Type B
Type B (120 V 60 Hz.)
Airplane Icon

Airport Name / IATA Code

El Dorado International Airport - BOG

Airport Name / IATA Code

Flaminio Suárez Camacho Airport - GYM

Best time to visit

December, January, February, March: These months are the driest season offering a pleasant climate in the area. The fresh breeze and cool atmosphere throughout these months make this city perfect to visit during this period. Occasional snowfall can be seen during this time.

Moderate time to visit

September, October, November: Comparatively it is a low season for tourism, and the weather remains moderately delightful. You may find slightly cut down accommodation rates during these months.

Worst time to visit

April, May, June, July, August: These are the wettest months of the year. Extreme snowfall and rainfall cause roadblocks which makes the city uncomfortable to visit.

Taxi

Start Tariff: COP 4500.00

1 Km. Tariff: COP 4700.00

1 Hour Waiting Tariff: COP 19800.00

Available service

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Monthly Average Temperature & Rainfall

Local Services in Bogota (Contact directly)

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