What to do in Bogota? 5 personal tips for your first visit to Colombia’s capital

Bogotá is one of the best places to start your Colombia trip if you want to land slowly, get used to the altitude and understand a little bit more of the country. For a first visit, I recommend three full days. That gives you enough time for a bike and graffiti tour, Monserrate, La Candelaria, Museo del Oro and a day trip to the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá. Bogotá really surprised me. It is a huge city at high altitude, and at first it can feel busy, gray and a bit much after a long flight. But when you stay in the right area and give the city some time, Bogotá becomes more cozy and friendly than I expected.

My hotel was located in Chapinero, a district known for restaurants, cafés and a local city vibe. I felt comfortable walking there alone, also in the evening, but I still used common sense. Bogotá is a city where the neighborhood matters a lot.

Start slowly in Bogota because of the altitude

Bogotá is not a city where I would arrive and immediately plan a full sightseeing day. The city is located around 2,600 meters above sea level, and you can feel that when you walk uphill, climb stairs or cycle during your first tour. The combination of height and jet lag can make simple things feel heavier.

That is also why Bogotá is a good first stop in Colombia. Stay three days, sleep well, drink enough water and start with easy activities before traveling further. Monserrate is beautiful, but the top is even higher than the city itself, so choose the funicular or cable car if your body is still adjusting.

Keep your first dinner close to your hotel and save the long walks for day two or three. There is no need to prove anything to Bogotá on your first evening.

Where to stay in Bogota for your first visit

For a first visit, I liked Chapinero as a base. It has many restaurants, coffee places and hotels, and it is easy to reach other parts of the city by taxi or Uber. The area felt lively without being too overwhelming, which was exactly what I needed after arriving in Colombia.

Zona G is a good choice if you love food and want to be close to some of the better restaurants in town. Quinta Camacho is nice if you like beautiful old houses, cafés and a calmer atmosphere. For hotels, I would check Booking and Expedia and focus on Chapinero, Zona G or Quinta Camacho for your first days.

Is Bogota safe for solo travelers?

As a woman traveling independently, I felt fine in Chapinero, but I did pay attention. I did not walk around with my phone in my hand all the time, I kept my bag close and I used taxis or Uber when moving between neighborhoods at night. That is not being scared, that is just city travel. Check my blog with 10 solo-travel tips here. 

La Candelaria is beautiful during the day and easy to combine with Monserrate and Museo del Oro. In the evening I would be more careful there, especially in quiet streets. Bogotá is not a city where I would wander without a plan after dark.

Ask your hotel which streets are good for walking in the evening. Local advice is often more useful than a general safety blog.

1. Join a bike and graffiti tour in Bogota

I booked my bike tour with Bogotravel only one day in advance, and even on a popular Sunday this was still possible. You can find many organizations in Bogotá offering these kinds of tours, and I understand why they are so popular. You see the city in an original way, and because Bogotá is so big, a bike helps you cover much more distance than walking.

The route was manageable by bike. I have to admit that the jet lag and altitude caused some early exhaustion, but only at one or two parts of the tour. Sunday is one of the safest and nicest days to do a bike tour, because many streets close for cars and bus traffic during the weekly Ciclovía.

Leave on time to get to your bike tour starting point. Because many streets are closed on Sunday, traffic jams can occur and your taxi can take longer than expected.

Our route covered many different topics. We stopped for fruit tasting, coffee tasting, a small factory stop, several graffiti spots, different neighborhoods, memorable buildings and crossings, and even the red light district. These are places I probably would not have entered by myself, and that is exactly why a guided tour is useful.

Our guide was very passionate about his country and told us a lot about the deeper meaning of the graffiti along the route. I could really feel the pain and desperation in the way he was talking, but also the hope that people have. Bogotá’s street art is not only decoration. It tells a lot about politics, history and daily life.

2. Take a day trip to the salt cathedral in Zipaquira

If you want to see something that you probably have never seen before, visit the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá. This underground cathedral is carved out of salt and is located about 50 kilometers from Bogotá. It is not even that old; the current version was made between 1991 and 1995 and is an impressive Colombian architectural achievement.

You can book a tour through many travel agencies, but I was a bit lazy and took a private driver. Sometimes money buys you comfort, and still being in a jet lag, this was worth it for me. Local buses run much cheaper, and on some days there is also a train, but both options take more planning and time.

Before you enter the largest underground church with the huge cross, you pass several small chapels with smaller crosses. The lighting is nicely done and gives the place a modern atmosphere.  All I could think by myself, what a work this has been to create all of this!

You have to join a guided one hour tour (this is included in the entry price) before entering the Cathedral, which you can abandon once you are inside. We stayed with the guide the whole tour and gathered some nice information. At the end you can buy souvenirs if you want. Did you know that the huge cross was not carved out and massive, but the light made it seems like that! You have to see it for yourself to believe it! At the end, my driver took me to a local place for lunch, which made the day feel less rushed.

After this trip, my driver dropped me in Zona Rosa. This is where you find the main shopping malls and brand stores. Not too spectacular, I have to admit, but nice to check out if you still have time left.

If you plan to rent a car later in Colombia, compare prices through Discover Cars. I would not rent a car just for Bogotá city, but it can be useful when you continue your route outside the capital.

3. Visit Monserrate for the best view over Bogota

Monserrate is one of those places you should not skip when visiting Bogotá for the first time. The white church, Cerro de Monserrate, stands high above the city and is an important place for pilgrims. Many people come here because of the statue of the Fallen Christ, so weekends can get very crowded.

I went on a Monday with blue skies, and that made a big difference. From the top you get a huge view over Bogotá, and on a clear day you finally understand how large this high city really is. On the other side, you look out over the green Andes, which feels like a quiet break from the traffic below.

Go on the clearest morning of your stay. Clouds can cover the view quickly, and Monserrate is much more impressive when the sky is open.

There are three ways to get up to the Monserrate Peak. I took the funicular for 20,000 COP return, because I am a women alone and I was advised not to do the walk by myself. Besides it were 1,500 steps (60 to 80 minutes) from elevation 2,707 to 3,143m, I was not tempting either…. The third way is the cable car. See Cerro Monserrate for more information on this trip.

Ones you are up the mountain you have the amazing view over whole city of Bogotá. I was lucky with the weather, so choose your best day when you go on this trip. On top you can find the famous, religious and white Cerro the Monserrate. Behind the church you can find shops and restaurants. On this side the walking path is ending or beginning, depending how you see it. The restaurants have a beautiful view too, not over the city but over the green Andes. Perfect getaway out of the big city and you feel literally on the top of the world!

4. Walk through La Candelaria and the historic city center

After visiting Monserrate, I walked toward La Candelaria and the historic center. This is one of the most colorful parts of Bogotá, with old buildings, museums, students, cafés and street life. Around Universidad de los Andes, the atmosphere felt young and lively, with students buying lunch and talking outside.

By that time I was hungry too, and I ended up at Sant Just on Calle 16A. The food was really good, and the place had a relaxed vibe. After lunch, I had enough energy again to walk deeper into La Candelaria.

In this area you can visit Museo Botero, the Centro Cultural Gabriel García Márquez and Plaza Bolívar. Because I was learning Spanish and had talked about Gabriel García Márquez in my Spanish classes, I wanted to visit the cultural center. I even bought two books, hoping I could read them soon. Ambitious, yes, but also a good souvenir.

Combine Monserrate, La Candelaria and Museo del Oro on the same day if you like walking. Start early, take your time for lunch and use a taxi back to your hotel if you feel tired.

Following the Calle 11 you end up at the Plaza Bolívar, a big square with on each side beautiful historical buildings; Capilla de Sagrario, Catedral Primada, Capitolio Nacional, Edificio Lévano and Palacio de Justicia.  This part of Bogotá is safe and touristic where you can find the most historical building, museums, hotel and restaurants. Good to combine with must do number 3 and 5!

5. Visit Museo del Oro in Bogota

To be honest, I am not always a huge museum fan. But Museo del Oro really impressed me. Maybe because I like jewelry, and here you can see the basis of jewelry and everything that blings, but in a much deeper cultural way. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, especially when it rains, which can happen often in Bogotá. It is an educational and affordable activity, and it combines very well with La Candelaria and Plaza Bolívar.

This museum is one of the most famous museums in Bogotá and even in South America. I liked the modern look and feel of the museum and the clear descriptions in both Spanish and English. The collection shows gold objects, animals, ritual pieces and designs from pre-Hispanic cultures in Colombia. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, especially when it rains, which can happen often in Bogotá. It is an educational and affordable activity, and it combines very well with La Candelaria and Plaza Bolívar. You can check current opening times and ticket prices here of Museo del Oro.

How to plan 3 days in Bogota

For your first day, I would keep it easy. Arrive, check into your hotel in Chapinero or Zona G, drink a good coffee and have dinner close to your hotel. If the weather is very clear and you still have energy, you could visit Monserrate, but do not force it. On your second day, do the bike and graffiti tour in the morning. This gives you a good feeling for the city and its stories. In the afternoon, walk through La Candelaria, visit Plaza Bolívar and maybe stop at Museo Botero or the Gabriel García Márquez cultural center.

On your third day, choose between Museo del Oro and Zipaquirá, depending on your energy. For transport planning within Colombia, you can compare flights and packages through Expedia. For buses or route options, 12Go can be useful to check what is available.

Practical tips before you visit Bogota

The weather in Bogotá can change quickly. Bring layers, because the city is not tropical warm like Cartagena or Santa Marta. You can have sun, clouds and rain in one day. Do not rely on an old exchange rate. When I visited, 1 USD was around 2,900 COP, but the rate changes. Check the current exchange rate before your trip and keep some cash for small payments, tips and local places. Use taxis or Uber for longer distances, especially at night. Bogotá traffic can be slow, so do not plan activities too close together. The city rewards travelers who take their time.

Take the altitude seriously, is no joke!

Frequently asked questions about what to do in Bogota

What to do in Bogota on a first visit?

On a first visit to Bogotá, I recommend doing a bike and graffiti tour, visiting Monserrate, walking through La Candelaria, spending time at Museo del Oro and taking a day trip to the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá. These five experiences give you a good mix of views, history, culture, street life and something unique outside the city.

How many days do you need in Bogota?

Three full days is a good amount of time for Bogotá. It gives you enough space to get used to the altitude, explore the historic center, visit Monserrate and do one day trip without rushing too much.

Is Bogota safe for solo travelers?

Bogotá can be safe for solo travelers if you choose your neighborhood well and stay aware. I felt comfortable in Chapinero, but I used taxis or Uber at night and avoided walking through quiet streets in areas I did not know.

Is Monserrate worth visiting in Bogota?

Yes, Monserrate is worth visiting, especially on a clear day. The view over Bogotá is impressive, and the church adds a cultural and religious layer to the visit. I would avoid the busiest weekend hours if you prefer a calmer experience.

What is next after Bogota?

After Bogotá, Colombia opens up in many directions. You can travel south to San Agustín for archaeological sites and green mountain landscapes, or fly north to Cartagena for Caribbean heat and colorful streets.

And where are you going next: San Agustín or Cartagena?