Hotels near Bogotá airport

Bogotá and N-Bogotá

Hotels near Bogotá airport

Staying in a hotel near the airport in Bogotá, can be an ideal option if you are only staying in the city for a short time. If you have a stopover, arrive late and have an early morning flight, then an overnight stay near El Dorado airport is a great plan to save travel time in Colombia’s busy capital. Here we share our tips for hotels near the airport in Bogotá, with information on facilities and services such as airport shuttle, breakfast, check-in and check-out times and other things important for a short stay near the airport. By doing so, we hope to make it easier to choose a hotel that suits you and your travel plans!

#1 Mr. Huésped

Budget option in a small hotel

  • Distance from airport: 6 km
  • Price: From €20 for a double room including breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: No, a cab from the airport costs around COP20,000/€5
  • Check-in: 15.00-21.00 Check-out: 10.00-13.00

Facilities: Mr. Huésped is a small hotel with 9 rooms with private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and TV with Netflix. Some rooms are soundproofed. Guests can use a (shared) washing machine. Supermarkets and restaurants are within walking distance.

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#2 Hotel Habitel Select & Prime

Hotel Habitel Select; with spa and free shuttle service 24/7

  • Distance from airport: 5 km
  • Price: from 55€ for a double room including breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, free of charge. The shuttle goes 24 hours a day, every half hour
  • Check-in: from 15.00 Check-out: before 12.00

Facilities: Hotel Habitel select has a restaurant, room service and a snack and soft drink vending machine. Guests can use the gym and spa with sauna and steam room. The soundproofed rooms have free Wi-Fi and a minibar.

Hotel Habital Prime
This hotel is a little further along the shuttle bus route, but is from the same hotel chain. The hotel is slightly more expensive than Habitel Select and is our favorite for a stopover in Bogotá, due to the nice room and great customer service. There was a very nice “controller” at the airport exit, who showed us where to wait for the shuttle bus, which got there after 20 minutes. We arrived late at night at 11pm, just before restaurant closing time. Nevertheless, the welcome was very warm and we were still able to have some food and drinks. Our room was very comfortable and had air conditioning. When we checked in, we had mentioned that we had to leave very early the next day and there was a take-out breakfast waiting for us at 4am in the morning!

 

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#3 Hampton by Hilton Bogotá

With convenient in-room refrigerator and coffee maker

  • Distance from airport: 4 km
  • Price: from 55€ for a double room including breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, FREE. The shuttle runs daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Checkin: 15.00-23.30 Checkout: 4.30-12.00

Facilities: Hampton by Hilton Bogotá airport has a gym, restaurant, bar and soft drink vending machine. Dine here in the restaurant with beautiful views of Bogotá. The soundproofed rooms have free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator and coffee maker.

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#4 Movich Buro 26

Hotel closest to El Dorado airport with free shuttle service 24/7

  • Distance from airport: 2.5 km
  • Price: from €60 per night for a double room including breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, free of charge. The shuttle goes 24 hours a day, every half hour. Travel time is about 5 minutes.
  • Check-in: 15.00-23.30 Check-out: 7.00-11.00

Facilities: The modern Movich Buro26 has a restaurant, bar and room service. Guests can use a fitness and wellness area with jacuzzi and steam bath. The soundproofed rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a minibar.

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#5 City Plus Bogotá Aeropuerto

Fine hotel with convenient extras such as early breakfast and free airport shuttle

  • Distance from airport: 4 km
  • Price: from 60€ per night for a double room including breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, free of charge, at any hour from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (on request).
  • Check-in: from 15.00 Check-out: before 13.00

Facilities: The modern hotel has a restaurant with room service, soft drink vending machine and a gym. The soundproofed rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

Insider’s tip: The breakfast buffet opens at 6:00 a.m., but early preparations begin. We were allowed to grab some simple items from the buffet at 5:15am, such as croissants, jam and coffee.

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#6 Hilton Garden Inn Bogotá Airport

Hotel with comfortable rooms and facilities such as jacuzzi and sauna

  • Distance from airport: 5 km
  • Price: From 65€ for a double room including breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, free of charge. The shuttle runs from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., every hour.
  • Check-in: 15.00-0.00 Check-out: 12.00-13.00

Facilities: Hilton Garden Inn Bogotá Airport has a restaurant, bar, snack bar and room service. Guests can use a gym and a spa with jacuzzi and sauna. The soundproofed rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator and coffee maker.

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#7 Holiday Inn Bogotá Airport

Comfortable rooms and very spacious “king” rooms a 10-minute drive from El Dorado airport

  • Distance from airport: 6 km
  • Price: from 65€ for a double room including breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, free of charge, on request. The shuttle runs from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every 30-40 minutes
  • Check-in: 15.00-15.30 Check-out: 11.00-13.00

Facilities: Holiday Inn Bogotá Airport has a restaurant, room service, bar, coffee shop and fitness center. The soundproofed rooms have air conditioning, a minibar and free Wi-Fi.

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#8 Aloft Bogotá Airport

A modern hotel with spacious rooms, within walking distance of a shopping center with restaurants

  • Distance from airport: 4 km
  • Price: from 65€ for a double room including breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, free of charge. The shuttle runs from 5:30 a.m. to 0:30 a.m.
  • Check-in: from 3 p.m. Check-out: before 12.00

Facilities: Aloft Bogotá Airport is a modern hotel with a fitness center. There is a mini-market, restaurant, bar and room service. The spacious, soundproofed rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a small refrigerator.

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#9 Courtyard by Marriott Bogotá Airport

Spacious rooms and suites with large beds, very close to El Dorado airport

  • Distance from airport: 3 km
  • Price: from 70€ for a double room without breakfast and from 85€ with breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, free of charge. The shuttle runs from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Check-in: from 3 p.m. Check-out: before 12.00

Facilities: Courtyard by Marriott Bogotá is very close to the airport. The hotel has a bar, restaurant and room service. Soundproofed rooms and suites range from 30m2 to 60m2 and have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

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#10 TRYP by Wyndham Bogotá Embajada

Convenient option for families. One of the few hotels with family rooms

  • Distance from airport: 11 km
  • Price: from 75€ for a double room with breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., every hour
  • Check-in: from 15.00, Check-out: before 12.00

Facilities:
The hotel has a restaurant, sports bar and fitness center and next to the hotel there are also several restaurants and (coffee) bars. TRYP by Wyndham Bogotá Embajada is within walking distance of Gran Estación shopping mall. The rooms have air conditioning and the family rooms are suitable for (small) families due to the extra bunk beds.

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#11 Sheraton Bogotá hotel

For when you want a little more luxury during a stopover in Bogotá

  • Distance from airport: 6 km
  • Price: from 90€ for a double room with breakfast
  • Airport shuttle: yes, free of charge, on request from 6:00-23:00. Outside these times the hotel can arrange transportation for approx. 13€ one way
  • Check-in: from 3 p.m. Check-out: before 13.00

Facilities: Sheraton Bogotá has 2 restaurants, a bar, room service, a business center, an indoor pool (closed every Monday), a gym and a wellness center with sauna, jacuzzi and massages. Crepes & Waffles restaurant and Corral restaurant are 50 meters away. Rooms and suites have air conditioning, minibar and free Wi-Fi.

Book now!

Check here even more hotels near Bogotá airport.

#Colombia BONUS tips For staying near El Dorado airport:

#1 Book early and take advantage of Early deals, and other special deals!

This can often save you a lot of money. Just make sure you can still cancel your reservation free of charge! There are also often “mobile only” deals, if you book with your phone or tablet.

#2 Keep this in mind when booking the shuttle service from the airport to the hotel:

  • Provide your flight number when making the reservation and ask for the location and time where the shuttle will pick you up
  • Send a message to the hotel 1 day before your flight and ask to reconfirm the shuttle service. Without reconfirmation from the hotel, you cannot automatically assume you will be picked up.
  • The shuttles usually go every half hour or every hour, depending on the hotel. Don’t feel like or have time to wait for that? Then book here a private cab service, where the driver is already waiting for you at the airport.

#3 Check out these 10 tips to make your time fun (and delicious) at El Dorado airport.

#4 Check here for more info on Bogotá

Colombia My Way

All about Barichara

Bogotá and N-Bogotá

All about Barichara

Home 9 Category: Bogotá and N-Bogotá ( Page 2 )

About Barichara

This beautiful colonial town is located 120 km from Bucaramanga, in the region of Santander. Barichara is 1300 meters above sea level and is home to some 10,000 people. The setting is impressive, in the mountains on the edge of the Chicamocha Canyon, also called the “Grand Canyon” of Colombia. San Gil – Colombia’s hotspot for adventure sports-, is 20km away. The village was named a cultural heritage site in 1978. With its cobbled streets, pretty houses, churches and squares, atmospheric Barichara is a feast for the eyes. Perhaps you know the village from the episode of Who is the Mole, where the contestants cruised the narrow streets on a tuk tuk. Its colonial architecture inspired more filmmakers, such as the makers of the Disney film Encanto, which won an Oscar in 2022 .

Here you will find everything about Barichara, the best things to do, the nicest hotels and the best restaurants.

Fun things to do in Barichara

6 tips

1. Explore the streets at your leisure

By far the most enjoyable activity, is simply taking your time and exploring the (steep) streets. Along the way you can take a rest in Parque de las Artes, admire one of the churches, browse around one of the many stores where artisans are at work and grab a bite to eat in the good restaurants.

2. Do the hike from Barichara to Guane

In about 2 hours you walk along a 5km long old footpath (mostly downhill) right through nature. Along the way you can spot birds and…crossing cows! In Guane you can look around and do some food and drink, before catching a tuk tuk to Barichara.

3. Enjoy the view at Salto del Mico

One of the most beautiful vantage points in the Santander region and the Instagram hotspot par excellence. You can walk there, or take a tuk-tuk.

photo @ Redbus

4. Attend a workshop

There are numerous studios and workshops, where artisans and women are happy to show you how they work. For example, you can visit the Taller de Papel de Barichara, learn to make paper from the “fique” plant

5. Book a sports tour

Fans of outdoor sports can book a trip to go mountain biking, rafting, or paragliding over the Chicamocha Gorge. The Barichara area also offers beautiful horseback riding. Also check out the travel guide San Gil for more info.

photo @ parapente San Gil

 

6. Try the local cuisine

Specialties in the region include cabrito (baby goat) and the arepa Santandereana, a traditional arepa to which cassava and pork are added. Surprisingly, are fried ants (hormigas culonas) the greatest delicacy. The ants are roasted and salted and then packaged. Around Easter the “season” begins (until June) and especially then you can find the hormigas in many stores.

Restaurants in Barichara

In Barichara you can eat very well. There is a wide choice of restaurants for such a small town. At the beginning of the week, many restaurants are closed.

ELVIA Cocina local

One of the best restaurants in Barichara. There is a small menu of fresh dishes that are beautifully prepared. Therefore, a dinner at ELVIA is not only tasty but also pleasing to the eye.

Noa comida ligera

Little restaurant whose specialty is fagottos, a kind of thick, well-filled tostie with all kinds of fillings. Other dishes include kibbe and lentil croquettes.

Bari comidas

An Italian restaurant that serves homemade pasta, pizza and burgers. They also make tasty fresh juices.

Shanti Recetas para el alma

Small restaurant where the healthy dishes are prepared fresh and most of the vegetables are grown in-house. For poke bowls, salads, quinoa and ceviche, among other things. There are only a few tables, so call to reserve a table.

Gringo Mike's

A favorite with travelers for years. At the cozy restaurant on Parque Principal, you can choose from an American-Mexican menu of nachos and giant sandwiches and burgers.

Al Fogolar Barichara

Restaurant next to the cathedral. V anfrom the balcony on the 1st floor, you overlook the park. A wide menu of Italian and Colombian dishes. Spareribs and goat cooked in the wood oven, are the specialties of the house.

Plan your trip to Barichara

How to get there.

There is no airport in Barichara. The nearest airport is Palonegro international airport in Bucaramanga. From here you can take the bus to San Gil (approx. 3h) and from there the bus to Barichara (45 min.) Faster is a private transfer from the airport.

Coming from Bogotá, you can take the bus to San Gil (approx. 8h). In San Gil take the bus to Barichara (45 min.) To break the long bus trip, you can make a stop in Villa de Leyva.

#GoColombia tip
Combine your trip with other highlights north of Bogotá, such as Zipaquirá, Villa de Leyva and the Chicamocha Canyon and make a 2-week round trip from Bogotá to Bucaramanga. Check out our itinerary from Bogota to Barichara.

Climate and best time to go

  • Barichara has a dry and pleasant climate and can be visited throughout the year. The average temperature is between 18°C and 24°C. It can feel much warmer, especially in the afternoon. It can be very hot, especially on the trail from Barichara to Guane.
  • The driest time is from December through February. There are many Colombian tourists in Barichara during the period around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, summer vacations (especially July) and semana santa (Easter week). It is more expensive and crowded then, so early reservations are necessary.

Where to stay in Barichara?

There are a few budget accommodations in Barichara, but most hotels are in the medium or higher price range. There are many budget accommodations in San Gil, but then of course you miss the charm of Barichara. Around Christmas, New Year’s Eve, semana santa (Easter week) and the month of July, prices are higher.

#ToColombia hotel tips:

1) Stay at PSueños de Antonio
Our favorite, because of the great service and beautiful garden. Book the superior double room with outdoor shower!

2) Go Glamping! For example at the atmospheric Serrania del Viento, just outside Barichara, where you can enjoy the views and tranquility.

3) Book a vacation home
There are very nice houses for rent in Barichara, such as Casa el Paraíso. If you are traveling with your family or friends, the cost is often not too bad. Most houses have a private terrace with a view and some even have a private pool or jacuzzi. Depending on luxury and the number of bedrooms, you can book a 2-bedroom vacation home from as little as 80 euros per night.

3) And if you want something really special.
Then book a room at Casa Mahanaim, 2 km. from Barichara. The decor and setting in the middle of nature, makes this casa very special. There are hiking trails to Barichara, but you can also take a tuktuk.

Check out other hotel tips for Barichara below.

€ price range up to €25

€€ price range €25 – €75

€€€ price range above €75

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Booking.com

Important info A-Z

Locals & language

In general, little English is spoken. A word of Spanish is certainly helpful and works wonders for getting in touch with the locals.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for Barichara.

Bring
  • Walking shoes (the roads go up and down so good shoes are a must)
  • Cap or hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Waterthermos
Safety

Barichara and the hiking trail to Guane, are known to be safe. If in doubt, check with hotel staff or other locals.

Wifi

Most hotels have wifi, but the connection is not always stable, especially if you stay in a hotel further from the center.

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All about San Gil, Colombia

Bogotá and N-Bogotá

All about San Gil, Colombia

Home 9 Category: Bogotá and N-Bogotá ( Page 2 )

The 10 best things to do in San Gil

The town of San Gil has 50,000 inhabitants and is located at an altitude of 1,100 meters in the region of Santander. The city of Bucaramanga is 100 km away and the colonial town of Barichara is 20 km away. The surrounding landscape is spectacular, with mountains, fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls and the second largest gorge in the world, the Chicamocha canyon. Not surprisingly, you can do many adventure activities in the area. And that is the biggest attraction of San Gil! Among other things, you can paragliding , whitewater rafting, abseilingualism, bungee jumping, mountain biking and hiking. San Gil has become particularly well known to backpackers in recent years, and there is a wide range of affordable hostels and restaurants. If you want to do different activities and also take a day trip to Barichara, you can easily entertain yourself in San Gil for about 4 days.

How to get to San Gil
From Bogotá: By bus (approx. 8h).
From Bucaramanga (nearest airport: bus ride from approx. 3u.

#Colombia tip
Combine your trip with other highlights north of Bogotá, such as Barichara and Villa de Leyva (185km) and make it a 2-week trip. Check here our itinerary from Bogota to Barichara.

What to do in San Gil

1. Go paragliding over the Chicamocha Gorge

With the half-hour tandem flight, you will fly over the Chicamocha canyon, which is deeper than the Grand Canyon in the USA! The tour operator will pick you up in San Gil for the one-hour drive to the Chicamocha canyon. You can book the flight here booking.

2. Visit the Juan Curí waterfall

At the 180-meter-high waterfall, you can chill in the natural pool. You catch the bus to Charalá (45 min / COP7000) and ask that the driver drop you off at the entrance to the waterfall (cascada). You will find the bus terminal (San Gil Terminalito) at the corner of Calle 17 and Carrera 10. The entrance costs COP9000. From the entrance, it is about a 20-minute walk to the waterfall.

photo: mochilerosdelujo.com

 

3. Take the cable car in Chicamocha National Park(Panachi).

The way to enjoy the view if you don’t want to paraglide. The half-hour ride takes a 6km cable car to Mesa de los Santos on the other side of the gorge. Panachi is on the road between San Gil and Bucaramanga (50km.) It is not an “ordinary” national park, but an amusement park with various attractions and activities. From the viewing platform you have a fantastic view. Entrance to the park including the cable car costs COP57,000 for adults, COP38,000 for 60+ and kids aged 2-8yrs (2022). You pay extra for the activities and water park. The park is open from wo-so. Come outside weekends and vacation periods if you want to avoid the crowds. Check here for more info.

 

4. Go whitewater rafting on the Río Suárez

Do you like a challenge? Then this is the activity for you! The Río Suárez is an hour’s drive from San Gil and is one of the best places in Colombia for rafting. After a briefing, the trip can begin. After the exciting trip, you can chat about your whitewater adventure over a cold beer and lunch. You can book the trip here book here.

5. Take the leap of a lifetime and go bungee jumping

If you only do this once in a lifetime, do it in San Gil! Take the challenge and enjoy the thrill during your “free fall” from 70 meters above the Río Fonce. You can also do a duo jump just the two of you. As an additional option, a GoPro video is offered so you can watch your adventure back later. You can make the jump here booking.

 

6. Hike to Cerro de la Cruz

Cerro de la Cruz is one of the best vantage points in San Gil. The viewpoint is located in Carrera 16, near the río Fonce. To get there, walk through the less touristy parts of the city. Arriving at the top, you will see a cross than was built by the Jesuits in 1888. You can also take a cab to Cerro de la Cruz.

7. Play a game of Tejo with the locals

Tejo is a traditional Colombian game, in which you try to throw the tejo (a disc) into the goal. The target is a box of clay filled with bags of gunpowder. If you hear a bang, you have aimed correctly and your team gets points. The team that gets 27 points first is the winner. This is not so easy because you have to throw the disc over a distance of 20 meters! While playing Tejo, there is usually a fair amount of beer consumed, which doesn’t make aiming any easier! For an evening playing Tejo, you can go to the Comite Municipal de Tejo, or plan an evening through your hostel. It’s more sociable and you’ll have enough teammates for a game. Fun detail: Tejo originated 500 years ago among the Muisca Indians, who used a gold disc in the game.

photo: Sam’s VIP hostel

8. Hike in el Gallineral park

The park is a 10-minute walk from downtown San Gil, on the Río Fonce. After paying the entrance fee (COP6000), you can explore one of the trails in this 4-hectare park. If you also want to use the swimming pool, you pay COP4000 extra. Fun to do if you want to see small wildlife, such as squirrels, birds and butterflies.

 

9. Do the canyoning tour in Guane

You don’t need any experience for this activity! The instructors will tell you everything you need to know before you can go climbing, abseiling and much more on your own in L as Lajas Canyon. You can take the tour here booking.

 

10. Take a day trip to Barichara

This beautiful colonial town is easily accessible from San Gil by bus (45 min.) The narrow streets of Barichara take you back in time. Take your time to explore the steep streets and watch the artisans at work in the stores. If you have the time, you can also do the hike from Barichara to Guane, where you will walk along a 5km footpath through nature. Take advantage of your stay in Barichara by stopping at one of the many good restaurants before catching the bus back to San Gil. Read all about the best things to do in Barichara.

Where to stay in San Gil

There is a large selection of hostels in San Gil. Apartments and vacation rentals are also very affordable. We have listed some good options for you, by price range and luxury level.

€ price range up to €25

€€ price range €25 – €50

€€€ price range above €50

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Where to eat in San Gil

Our favorite addresses:

#1 Gringo Mike’s
for (large portions of) tex-mex food in a cozy setting
#2 Meson del Arriero
a small restaurant, cooking typical Colombian dishes
#3 Mano Restaurante
for a good burger and tasty salads
#4 Cafe Europa
a cozy little restaurant for a tasty pizza or pasta

Important info A-Z San Gil

Budget

Compared to tourist destinations such as Cartagena and Medellín, San Gil is cheap. It is also cheap compared to Barichara.

Climate and best time to go
  • The temperature is constant throughout the year and ranges between 18°C and 24°C.
  • The best time to visit San Gil is the dry season from December through February and in July, August and September That is also immediately the high season. Outside of this period, there may be outages, but not to the extent that you cannot plan a trip to San Gil.
Locals & language

In general, little English is spoken. A word of Spanish is certainly helpful and does wonders for getting in touch with the locals.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for San Gil.

Bring
  • Hiking boots
  • Cap or hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Waterthermos
  • Airy clothing for outdoor activities
Safety

San Gil is known to be safe. When in doubt, check with hotel staff or other locals.

Wifi

Most hotels have wifi.

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Short city break to Bogotá

Bogotá and N-Bogotá, Travel Stories

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Short city break to Bogotá

In Bogotá, it is incredibly rainy and cold. There. That’s out. And that’s the end of it. After all, as a born “Dutchie”, I am used to a good portion of cold. Brrr! But now I have been living on sun-drenched Curaçao for 16.5 years. Very hot-pfff. In short: it is never good, or: I am just a nag. Or both. Anyway: This Happy Grouch went on a short city trip to Bogotá with her family, for the first time. The travel period was a midweek in the Easter vacations.

Knowing Colombia only from sunny Medellín, I understood that I had to dress for Bogotá. So the heels, shirts and skirts went out of the suitcase; the fleece sweater, jeans, sneakers and socks were packed. And that turned out to be a very good decision. Because in Bogotá, surrounded by mountains, there is a lot to see and discover. And for that you need practical clothing.

I stayed with my family in a lovely, pleasant, fairly small hotel (“Hotel Jazz Apartments“), located in Parque Virrey; a beautiful residential/work/walking area on one of Bogotá’s many parks.

As far as I am concerned, this is a lovely part of the immense metropolis; a nice park on the doorstep, well-maintained, orderly, lively but also quiet, with the shopping street, coffee bars and restaurants within walking distance. AND thanks to the rain, everything was beautifully green and in bloom.

It is definitely an area for the well suited residents, with its many exclusive stores, restaurants and…. dogs. Oh, those dogs! In large numbers you see them walking with their dog walkers or owners, not infrequently dressed in “doggie designer clothes”! It is a wonderfully cheerful sight.

After a good breakfast from the small,- but surprisingly extensive & creative buffet in the cozy hotel (with its simple but nice rooms and very nice beds!), we went for our daily cup of cappuccino to the Illy Bar around the corner.

From there we set off on a beautiful walking route through the park, past bright flower-stalls, to the long shopping street. Small stores and eateries alternated with upscale designer stores and exclusive restaurants.

Once you arrive in the heart of the shop & dine area (about 20 min.walk), you will find 2 medium-sized shopping malls of the more exclusive kind: Andino Mall and El Retiro Mall.

What stands out there is that -in addition to the usual shops- there are public craft and art exhibitions. Bogotá is proud of its local products and artists, which is very nice to see. Prices in these malls range from quite pricey to quite affordable. These are -except for the lunchrooms- no cheap malls, but in other parts of the city you can find them.

In the afternoon hours it was a delight to visit the many restaurants. Cheap and expensive eateries alternate here. For people with special dietary needs (like myself), the selection in such a metropolis is a bit disappointing, but the quality is usually good to very good. Even in the small eateries.


It is highly recommended to visit the historic district of La Candelaria. Not because it is so much more beautiful there, but because of the historic buildings, the narrow alleys, and the unique atmosphere. It can be reached by taxi or Uber; the trip took about 45 min. Taxis are very affordable, but do pick a licensed company (with taxi numbers & plates).

One disadvantage is that it is a lot more crowded and touristy, with an abundance of similar stalls with pushy salesmen. They are nice though, and leave you alone as soon as you tell them to. Something else that was unfortunate was the fact that we were not allowed to enter the Museo d’Oro – the Gold Museum. It was in the latter days of the Corona pandemia, and our son had only a recovery,-but no vaccination certificate. That wasn’t a problem anywhere, just in the Gold museum. But that was soon forgotten after a visit to the large, cozy square with its terraces and a remarkably talented street musician (the conservatory was nearby; lucky us!).

After visiting La Candelaria, we walked on to downtown Bogotá……very overwhelming! And not necessarily in positive in. But of course that remains a matter of taste and feeling. The traffic is extremely busy, and there are many people, cheap stores and fast food restaurants. The friendliness of most people you experience further afield in Bogotá (& Colombia) is significantly less here. Realize, you are in a metropolis, with the frenzy, crowds, traffic chaos and stress that comes with it.

I was soon completely fed up, but we could only find a taxi for the way back after a long search. (Public transport is also well organized there, but we deliberately chose taxi transport that day). Tired but satisfied, we finally drove back. We spent most of the evenings in the hotel after visiting restaurants. It was very convenient that there was a Starbucks across the street, for a late after-dinner espresso….

After 5 wonderful days, we said goodbye to the friendly hotel staff, and traveled back to our sunny little island. With a little regret in our hearts…. We would have liked to have seen a bit more of this large, diverse city with all its sights, but in itself Bogotá is very well suited for a short city trip.

We are happy with our visit to Bogotá, and have fond memories of it, as well as the wonderful, innovative Medellín. Colombia continues to surprise us, and we would love to explore it further!


Travel date April 2022
Written by Niki

#ColombiaMyWay tips

#1 Take it easy the first day in Bogotá so your body can get used to the altitude difference

#2 Check the link Hotel Jazz Apartments for more info on the hotel where we stayed.

#3 More hotels around Parque Virrey can be found here.

#4 Prefer to explore Bogotá’s city center with a guide? Then check here the options.

Free graffiti tour Bogotá

Bogotá and N-Bogotá, Travel Stories

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Bogotá Graffiti tour

The graffiti art you see during the Bogotá graffiti tour is inspired by the landscapes and culture, social problems and conflicts the country has faced.

Bogotá was our first stop of the 7-month journey through South America. Like probably many travelers, the first few days/weeks you are still going full speed and plan way too much in one day. At least we did!

We had signed up right away for the Free Walking Graffiti tour and thought we could do the Free Walking Tour Bogotá in the afternoon after that (tip: don’t try this yourself, so many impressions at the same time cause over-stimulation ;-)).

OK, the Graffiti Tour! If you search for images of Bogotá, all of the internet is full of colorful street scenes with the most impressive graffiti. Sometimes the internet can give a distorting picture of reality, in the case of Bogotá this is certainly not the case. One graffiti is even more beautiful than the other and gives (parts of) the city a wonderful atmosphere.

Inspiration
The graffiti art you see during the free graffiti tour is based on sources of inspiration such as the landscapes and culture, social problems and conflicts the country has faced. Druglord Pablo Escobar, for example, is a subject Colombians themselves would rather not be reminded of, but the artists, among others, painted their inspiration to decorate the streets.

The tour will take you through many special stories about graffiti, as well as explaining the regulations for street art, the techniques and the history of the city.

As mentioned, we had signed up for two tours. They do not connect, so we decided to get a coffee & tea at Juan Valdez.

Funny language barrier
Loes, my travel companion, wanted to order in her best Spanish (no basic Spanish yet). For herself a coffee, for me a tea. Even while ordering, I heard her fumbling when the cashier asked if she wanted milk in the tea. Overwhelmed by his question, she answered fleetingly; yes! After a few minutes she returned with a cup of coffee, and a chai latte. We both shot into laughter when the lid came off my “tea,” and we saw the frothed milk. It was delicious, instantly reminded me of spice cake from home, and provided one of many funny language barrier moments.

Later we discovered that chai tea is widely drunk in Colombia, and that Loes had ordered a chai tea with milk, which resulted not in cup of tea with a splash of milk, but in a chai latte, not knowing that we would be drinking this a lot for the rest of our trip ;-).

In short; our first day in Bogotá was full of impressions and educational on all fronts!

 

Written by Mellijn.
Travel date September 2017

#ColombiaMyWay tips  (updated June 2024)

  • The walking tours we did were with Beyond Colombia. Check out their website for more information
  • The Bogotá Graffiti tour is free, but it is customary to tip the guide afterwards (around €8)
  • Our guide spoke fluent English
  • The tour lasts around 3 hours and takes you through downtown Bogotá
  • From young to old, this walking tour is suitable for all ages! (Please note, there is quite a bit of walking, make sure you have good shoes)
    • Look here for more graffiti tours in Bogotá
    • Going to Bogotá but not sure yet where to stay? Check our our tips for the best areas to stay in Bogotá.