Finding your way around El Dorado Airport

Travel Guide Bogotá

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Bogotá International Airport, is located in Fontibón, 15 kilometers from the center of Bogotá. El Dorado is the largest airport in Colombia and has been named the best airport in South America several times for its extensive facilities and services.

In this guide you will find practical information about arrival and departure at the airport. Also click on these links for hotel tips close to the airport and check these 10 tips if you have time to spare at El Dorado airport.

TERMINALS
There are 2 terminals, which are 1km apart. A free shuttle goes between the two terminals every 20 minutes between 5am to 11pm.

Terminal 1 (Aeropuerto El Dorado)
National and international flights, including flights from KLM, Avianca, Wingo and Latam

Terminal 2 (TPA/ Puente Aéreo)
Domestic flights from Easyfly and Satena

Since most flights arrive at Terminal 1, most facilities are located there. Below you will find information about Terminal 1 only.

arrival international/national flights
First floor Terminal 1

  • Baggage claim
  • ATM pin devices
  • Money exchange office
  • Stores, food and drink
  • Luggage storage (COP15,000)
  • Airport shuttle bus
  • Cabs and car rental
  • Parking

IMMIGRATION

  • It can be quite confusing which line to wait in. In fact, there are lines for Colombians and lines for tourists. When in doubt, ask one of the wandering staff if you’re in the right line; this can save you a lot of time.
  • This travel documents you must be able to show at immigration

MONEY PINS

  • Cash withdrawals are more economical than exchanges. Once you get your luggage off the belt, you will almost immediately see two ATM machines, where you can safely withdraw your first pesos. The ATM machines are next to the money exchange office.
  • The maximum amount you can withdraw varies by bank. At Colpatria, you can withdraw COP 900,000 at a time (approx. €225).

    TRANSPORT FROM AIRPORT

    Grabbing a taxi is easy and safe. You’ll find taxis on the first floor at exits 2, 3, 5 and 6. Under the yellow cab signs is a line for the official cabs. The line is usually long but it goes quickly. There is a “controller” in an orange vest who assigns cabs and can explain to you how it works.

    Price Indication

    • Sometimes taxi drivers want to use the meter, but we recommend to agree on a fixed price in advance, especially if you don’t know your way around Bogotá
    • For a typical ride of approximately 13 kilometers to areas like La Candelaria or Chapinero, you can expect to pay between COP 32,000 and COP 43,000 ($8-$11) depending on traffic conditions and time of day.
    • A ride from the airport to the airport hotels in Fontibón which is 4-6 kilometers from the airport, will cost between COP20,000-COP25,000 ($5-$6), depending on traffic and your final destination.
    • The taxi can also be reserved and paid for in the arrivals hall, at one of the counters

    Pre-paid private cab
    Booking a pre-paid private cab online, is also a good and very convenient option. The driver is often waiting for you in the arrival hall. Especially if you arrive late, we think such a pre-paid cab is a very good option. The driver already knows where to go, you already paid and you don’t lose any time.

    Shuttle service hotels

    • A shuttle service can be included at some hotels when making a reservation. To be sure, reconfirm the pickup location and pickup time a day before arriving in Bogotá
    • Hotel shuttle buses can be found on the first floor at exit 5
    • If you arrive in the evening, it may be faster to take a taxi, as the shuttles often run irregularly (or not at all) in the evening

    Bus Transportation

    • Transmilenio, buses and minibuses can be found at exit 9. There is a free shuttle bus to Estacion de El Dorado, (outside the airport) where you can catch the Transmilenio. If you have a lot of luggage or are traveling late at night, the taxi is a safer and more convenient option.

    DEPARTURE FROM El Dorado Airport

    Airport tax
    International flights
    $49 or COP $199,400. (Rate up to july 2025) The airport tax is included in airfares most of the times, but would be good to check your ticket
    Domestic flights
     COP 22,600 (Rate up to January 2025)

    Departure hall national/international flights

    Second floor

    • Check-in counters
    • Security
    • International and national departure hall
    • Immigration
    • Gates
    • ATM machine
    • Stores
    • Large food court
    • Hospital (free yellow fever vaccination)
    • Police Station

    Third floor
    food court with a number of restaurants, mostly fast food options.

    Look here for the best hotels nearby El Dorado aiport in Bogotá.

    Look here for 10 tips to make your time fun and enjoyable at El Dorado airport

    Villa de Leyva

    Travel Guide Bogotá

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    Colonial city high in the Andes

    Villa de Leyva is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Colombia. In 1954, the city was declared a national monument. Villa de Leyva is located at an altitude of 2140 meters in the Boyacá region and has about 17,500 inhabitants. From Bogotá you can get there in 3-4 hours by bus.

    Mega Plaza
    The central plaza is the big eye-catcher. With a circumference of 120 by 120 meters, Plaza Mayor is one of the largest plazas in Latin America. During the week, the square can often be deserted, but on weekends it teems with activity, with day-trippers from Bogotá.

    Striking architecture
    The most striking building just outside the city is Casa Terracotta, a house made entirely of clay. It is the life’s work of Colombian architect Octavio Mendoza Morales. You can also see Casa Terracotta inside.

    Here you will find tips and the best things to do.

    #ColombiaMyWay tips

    Tip #1
    Grab a bike
    The area lends itself perfectly to a fun bike ride. If you want to bike -but differently-, check out Aventurapark Villa de Leyva. Here you can buy a ticket for aereal bikes for COP35,000 / $9 and zipline tickets (canopy) cost between COP30.000 and COP40.000. Aventura park is located 14 km from the city, opposite Parque la Periquera. Check Aventura park’s facebook and website for photos and more info.

    Tip #2
    Drink a glass of wine from Colombian soil
    A winery in Colombia? Yes you heard it right! In Villa de Leyva you can indulge in a glass of wine from the Viñedo Ain Karim vineyard, 10 km from Villa de Leyva. You can book a tour including various tastings.

    Tip #3
    Go to the market on Saturdays
    Stroll around Plaza Mercado and soak up the authentic ambiente

    Tip #4
    Visit the village of Ráquira, the “capital of ceramics.”
    The souvenir shops are open every day, but there is a market on Sundays, so that’s when the ambiance is at its liveliest.

    Tip #5
    Go hiking in Iguaque National Park.
    Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque is located 13 km outside the city. Here you can hike in the paramó landscape with its unique flora and fauna. Entrance to the park is COP76,000/$19 (2025) but rates are adjusted every year.


    Enthusiastic about Villa de Leyva?
    Then check this link for the best places to stay in Villa de Leyva 

     

    ← Bogotá and N-Bogotá

    Top 10 tips for El Dorado airport Bogotá

    Practical information about Colombia, Travel Guide Bogotá

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    10 Helpful (and Tasty) Tips

    Time to spare before your departure from El Dorado airport?

    Great! With it’s good facilities, the airport is a convenient place to spend a few hours.

    Check out our 10 tips for things to do at El Dorado airport Bogotá here.

    1. Scoring a new backpack
      At Totto, you’ll find backpacks, suitcases, bags and other handy travel items. You’ll see the store as you walk toward the national departure hall.

    2. Get a free yellow fever shot
    You can get the shot at hospital de Fontibón, next to the international departure hall. Keep in mind though, that you must get a yellow fever shot at least 10 days before arriving in a high-risk area.

    3. Have lunch at Crepes & Waffles
    Not just for a crepe or waffle, but also for a soup, salad or ice cream sundae. You’ll find the restaurant next to the international departure hall. There is a smaller restaurant in the national departure hall.

    4. Feast on a juicy burger
    At El Corral, order a burger “Colombian style,” with all the delicious toppings.

    5. Buy a box of Arequipe donuts to take home
    These super-sweet (but oh-so-delicious) donuts with arequipe (caramel) can be bought at Dunkin Donuts or the Donut Factory.

    6. Order a cup of coffee made with care
    There are specialized, small coffee shops, which you can recognize by the fancy coffee machines. For a cheaper cup of coffee (+ free wifi), Cafe Oma is highly recommended. For the tastiest cappucino you have to be at Zyrope cafe bar!

    7. Eat and relax in the large food court
    There is a spacious, modern food court in the international departure hall. You can choose from all kinds of drinks and food, from healthy smoothies to snacks and full meals. Our favorite: Gaira Café; this restaurant is at the back of the food court, in a quieter location. The restaurant is not cheap, but the setting is nice and spacious: you have all the space for your hand luggage.The restaurant is owned by Colombian singer Carlos Vives and decorated with all kinds of musical instruments.

    8. Buy a unique handmade souvenir
    At El Market you can buy beautiful painted bowls, among other things. For a cheaper souvenir, visit the stores towards gate 10.

    9. Surf the internet with free wifi
    There is free wifi in most places at the airport, but the signal at the gates is often not as strong. In that case, order a drink at the food court and enter the “clave” listed on your receipt. That is the code for the wifi.

    10. Check here for locations and opening hours
    Website El Dorado – restaurants
    Website El Dorado – stores

    Look here for General information El Dorado airport

    Check here for the best hotels close to El Dorado airport.

    Discover Bogotá like a local

    Travel Guide Bogotá

    Home 9 Category: Travel Guide Bogotá ( Page 2 )

    Tips from a local

    Bogotá has something for everyone, with activities that are fun for locals and travelers alike. Read a local’s tips for exploring Bogotá’s historic center + bonus tips on what to do in this metropolis.

    1) Free Museum Day
    Throughout the year, free admission is included on the last Sunday of the month: Museo de Bogotá, Gold Museum, Museo Botero, Museo Casa de la moneda, Museo militar de Colombia, Museo de arte colonial, Museo histórico de la policía and Museo Nacional. On other days, you pay a (modest) entrance fee.

    2) “Septimazo” walk
    Most of the museums are in the center of the city, therefore it is almost mandatory to do a “septimazo”; a walk along Carrera séptima in the center. In doing so, you walk past various stores and can see artists, painters and musicians at work.

    Pastelería La Florida
    This pastry shop is a perfect starting point for your walk. Take a seat in the more than 70-year-old building, order a delicious pastry or taste a traditional dish, such as tamales* with hot chocolate or agua de panela con almojábana*. Address: Carrera 7 #21-36.

    *Tamales: a mix of vegetables, meat, chicken, potato and cornmeal. This package is wrapped in banana leaf and then steamed

    *Agua de panela con almojábana: sugar water with a roll of cornmeal and cheese

    La Candelaria
    From La Florida, you can continue walking to Plaza de Bolívar in the district of la Candelaria. This historic district with its traditional houses, still has a colonial atmosphere. At the Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo, you can take a break and see where Bogotá was founded 482 years ago.

    Try an authentic Colombian drink?
    Then order a glass of Chicha Bogotana, a fermented corn drink. While enjoying this traditional drink, you can listen to the cuenteros; storytellers who will make you laugh and reflect on life.

    3) Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogotá
    This theater festival with storytellers, street theater and dance and theater performances, has been held for 30 years in June/July. There are performances (free of charge) at various locations around the city.

    4) Festival de Verano
    In the month of August, the Festival de Verano is held, in honor of the city’s birthday. There are various outdoor (free) activities to allow people to enjoy the green spaces and parks as much as possible. These include kite races, sports activities, fireworks shows and concerts. Prepare well for outdoor events and different weather conditions. Have your thick coat, umbrella or sunscreen ready!

    5) Usaquén
    If we’re talking about colonial sites, then we can’t neglect Usaquén: definitely not to be missed. Originally Usaquén was a town close to Bogotá, but due to population growth, Usaquén is now part of the city of Bogotá. It is an attractive neighborhood with traditional streets, a central square, a town hall and beautiful gardens surrounding the church.

    Sunday=Market Day
    Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. people sell goods and food in the central square. The Usaquén market has existed since 1991 and is famous in Bogotá. The market hosts cultural events and sells handmade products that are unique and representative of Colombia. At the beginning of the market is the Santa Bárbara shopping center. Here you can clearly see the contrast between the modern mall and the colonial architecture. The address is Carrera 5 # 120A-07. In Usaquén are some of the best restaurants in the city, for every taste and culture.

    Bogotá; a fantastic meeting point that you must know to get a small idea of Colombia. What are you waiting for!?

     


    #ColombiaMyWay Tips

    #Tip 1
    If you are in Bogotá in December, visit the Expoartesanías fair. You will find cultural products from the different regions of Colombia, giving you a good idea of the cultural diversity of the country. You can buy handmade products and learn about the traditions that are part of Colombia’s identity.

    -Location: Corferias, Bogotá
    -Click the link for location in Google Maps
    -Date: every year between December 5 and 20
    -Price: around $7

    #Tip 2
    As a tourist you are easily recognised, so beware of pickpockets. Take as few valuables as possible and store your money safely, e.g., in a thin pouch under your pants. Do not walk in the dark in La Candelaria, but use taxis from your hotel or hostel.

    #Tip 3
    Read our travel stories here about our own experience in Bogotá. Want to do a guided tour of Bogotá’s historic center? Then check here the possibilities for tours in la Candelaria. Check our complete guide about Bogotá here.

    #Tip 4
    here  you can find the nicest hotels and hostels in Bogotá

     

    Hotel tips for stopover in Bogotá

    Travel Guide Bogotá

    Looking for an overnight hotel near El Dorado Airport? Then check here our tips for comfortable hotels with facilities, close to the airport.

    Tip #1
    City Express Junior & City Plus Aeropuerto

    Our favorite, due to convenient extras like airport shuttle and early breakfast.

    Location: In the Fontibon district, 3 km from the airport
    Price range: €30-60 per night for a double room

    These two hotels are in the same building. The “Plus” rooms are slightly more spacious and have larger beds, but the furnishings are similar. The modern hotel has a restaurant with room service, soft drink vending machine and a gym. There is:

    • Good wifi
    • Air Conditioning
    • Room service until midnight
    • Early breakfast: from about 5:15 a.m. they start preparing the breakfast buffet. You can then grab some simple items from the buffet already, such as croissants, jam and coffee.
    • Free shuttle to the airport, on every hour from 5:00 am. There is also a shuttle from the airport to the hotel (on request)
    • Tip: Be punctual or on time or rather a little early for the shuttle to the airport. The bus leaves exactly on time and does not wait! (We speak from experience -:)

     

    Tip #2
    Mr. Huésped

    Distance from airport: 5 km, in Engativa district
    Price range: €20-30for a double room

    Mr. Huésped is a small hotel with 9 rooms with Netflix. There are also g ecommon areas.

    • Breakfast is included.
    • Good wifi
    • Supermarkets and restaurants within walking distance
    • Good value for money
    • A cab from the airport costs approx. COP18,000-20,000/€5

    Check here more hotels and hostels in Bogotá

    Also check here our 10 tips to make your time fun (and delicious) at El Dorado airport.

    Bogotá attractions-our sightseeing tour

    Travel Guide Bogotá, Travel Stories

    Bogotá attractions-our sightseeing tour

    Our trip to Bogotá in September 2024, was a very special one. The purpose of the trip was to fulfill the biggest dream of the father of my (Colombian) travel partner to attend a concert by André Rieu and his orchestra in the Movistar Arena. 

    Because we live in Curaçao and father Antonio and his wife Alix live in the coastal city of Barranquilla, we flew separately to Bogotá. Besides the concert, we wanted to do some sightseeing in Bogotá, to make most of our trip. We planned several trips, such as a shopping day at the outlets on Avenida de las Americas.

    As it has been a while that we visited the historic center La Candelaria, this was also on the planning during our stay, as well as the famouse Monserrate mountain and a day trip to Jaime Duque park + salt cathedral of Zipaquirá, where we wanted to visit the newest extension -the underground museum.

    As a central base for all our activities, we rented an apartment in the neighborhood Chico Norte. We arrived on Sunday and the family on Monday, so we had all the time to settle in the comfortable appartment, with a common roof terrace with cityview. 

    Next to the apartment complex is café Culto, a nice place for a good breakfast, lunch, dinner, fresh juices or a cappuccino with something tasty from the bakery. 

    On Monday, we went to pick up Antonio and Alix at El Dorado airport. With flowers and an André Rieu scarf, we were waiting for the family.  The reunion was priceless!

    Antonio couldn’t wait for the day of the concert to arrive! 

    On September 18, the time had finally come. The concert was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and the doors opened at 5 p.m., giving us the entire morning and afternoon for our sightseeing trip. We would then still have plenty of time to get ready for the concert and to be at the Movistar Arena at 6 p.m…..But that schedule didn’t work out at all!

    Still fresh and full of energy, we began our city walk in the morning in La Candelaria. The first stop was Museo Botero.

    We are fans of Fernando Botero and had already seen his “oversized” sculptures in Medellín and this (free) museum was also worth seeing. After this we walked through the iconic restaurant La Puerta Falsa, Plaza de Bolívar and the busy Séptima to the Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo, the place where Bogotá was founded in 1538.

    The last part was uphill and we made a break to catch our breath at Cacao y Cacao.

    Around Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo you can see lots of colorful street art.

    The objects of the murals range from early indigenous residents to the flora and fauna and social aspects of life in Colombia. You will also find cafes where you can try the traditional drink Chicha, a fermented drink made from corn. Calle del Embudo in particular is a fun and colorful street.

    Finally, we decided it was time to order an Uber, which picked us up at 12:30 p.m. at Calle del Embudo and dropped us off at the entrance to Monserrate. What we didn’t  count on was that there was a mega crowd at Monserrate, probably because the funicular (the little train) was under maintenance and everyone had to go by cable car. Both up and down there was a huge line.

    ColombiaMyWay tip:
    You can avoid the queue by buying a fast pass ticket for COP81,000/$20 instead of the regular tickets of COP29.500/$7.50.  We didn’t do that, because we thought that was a big difference for 4 people. Moreover, the line didn’t seem to be too bad from the outside. Being inside, we noticed it was also completely full inside. So if it fits your budget, then such a fast pass ticket is definitely worth it!     When we finally got to the top, the view was amazing.


    We had lunch in Santa Clara restaurant, which serves specialties from the different regions of Colombia. We chose the Posta Negra Cartagenera, tender beef in a sauce of panela (cane sugar), coconut rice and stewed banana. This was delicious and we combined it with a glass of Sangria.

    After dinner we actually wanted to walk around for a while, but the line for the teleférico back was so long that we decided to get in line right away.

    At 4:30pm we began to pick up speed and were almost at the cable car. Finally, we were in the cab at 5:15pm and drove -in rush hour- to the hotel, where we arrived at 6pm. At 6:30pm we were picked up and taken to the Movistar Arena, where we finally arrived well ahead of time.

    The concert was beyond my expectations. I am not a real Andre Rieu fan myself, but the show was great and Father Antonio’s smiling face priceless!

    One of the highlights was the performance of Colombian boy Daniel Sanabria. He stole the show 5 years ago during André Rieu’s performance. As the power went out, Daniel spontaneously started playing on a plastic flute, surprising the audience as well as the orchestra! André Rieu then bought him a real flute, on which he began practicing fanatically. Now Andre Rieu asked him to perform for the home audience and he would continue doing so on the other 3 nights in Bogotá. Daniel became a full member of the Johan Strauss Orchestra! You can check the video of Daniel’s performance here.

    The next day was our last day in Bogotá, before the family returned to Barranquilla. We stayed another week to tour the Quindío region in the Colombian coffee triangle. That’s why we decided to end our last day with a day trip to the Cathedral de Sal in Zipaquirá and Jaime Duque Park, which is 9 kilometers from Zipaquirá.

    We had been to Zipaquirá before, but since the new underground museum opened this year, we wanted to go there again. Therefore we hired a taxi driver for the day. We had taken this taxi before and the driver was well prepared. In his (comfortable) taxi we could hear a concert of André Rieu in Vienna -:) The ride took about 45 minutes and it was a relief to walk in the spacious park, with its beautiful gardens and spacious habitats for the animals. The most striking building in the park was a replica of the Taj Mahal from India! After Jaime Duque park, we left for the town of Zipaquirá, where we stopped at the beautiful square.

    Zipaquirá seems like a nice town to stay in during a round trip through Colombia. We saw a few hotels in the historic center that looked nice, such as  hotel Camino de la Sal.

    We decided to follow our driver’s advice and have lunch at a restaurant near the salt cathedral: Alma Llanera. We did not regret this, because the restaurant was nice to see with all kinds of fun decorations and live music, which quickly set the mood. The food was very good, we had ordered several dishes, from avocado salad, to Aijaco (soup) and grilled meat.

    Tip: if you go there for lunch and then to the salt cathedral, you can buy the tickets at the restaurant. With the tickets already in our pockets, we left for the salt cathedral of Zipaquirá. The cathedral was -also the second time- impressive.

    After a long but wonderful day with many impressions, it was time to pack our bags for our flight the next day to Armenia in the coffee region. The last night with the family we talked a lot about the special trip and we were invited to visit the family next year in Barranquilla.


    Written by Jeanette
    Travel period: September 2024

    Information and tips (updated September 2025)

    **For 2025, the prices for regular tickets are COP32,000/$8 per person and fast pass tickets costs COP87.500/$22 per person.

    Check here for more info on Bogotá and surroundings and other destinations in Colombia.

    Here you can read our other travel stories about Bogotá. Check here the options if you want to do an organized tour or private trip to Catedral de Sal in Zipaquirá , Parque Jaime Duque or Guatavita.

    ColombiaMyWay

    We do not accept direct payments from touroperators or hotels for our reviews and we pay for our own stay and tours. Every recommendation is based solely on our own experiences and honest opinions. However, some of our links are affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission if you book through them. This commission comes at no extra cost to you and helps us maintain our website.

    Jeanette and Shelly

    Writers and Travelers, Colombia My Way