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Bogota: Colombia’s Capital of Cool
Bogotá is Colombia’s capital city—a national hub for finance, education, and commerce. It’s also the address of some of South America’s best museums, art galleries, fine dining restaurants, and nightlife.
Although at first glance Bogotá appears wholly modern, the city is deeply rooted in the 16th century. Spanish Bogotá was founded in 1538 by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada on the site of the historic Muisca capital known as Bacatá.
Bogotá’s historic core—La Candelaria—is a fine collection of colonial and neoclassical architecture. The quarter’s casonas (traditional houses) are characterized by iron-grated windows, monumental wooden doors, ornate balconies, and introverted gardens. Plaza de Bolívar—the centerpiece of the Candelaria—is anchored by the 16th-century Cathedral Primada de Colombia and flanked by the Palace of Justice and the National Capitol.
La Candelaria is home to more than a dozen museums, with collections spanning archeology, national history, and sacred art.
A few blocks north lies the Museo del Oro, housing more than 34,000 pre-Columbian gold objects, as well as another 20,000 stone, ceramic, textile, and precious stone artifacts. To the east is the Museo Botero, dedicated to the sculpture of Fernando Botero. The museum also displays works from Sr. Botero’s private collection—paintings by Picasso, Renoir, Dali, Matisse, Monet, and Giacometti.
Beyond the historic core, visitors can explore Bogotá’s creative neighborhoods. A few miles north of the historic core are the Zona T (Zona Rosa) and Parque 93—where you’ll find some of Bogota’s best restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels. The hilly Macarena district, just east of downtown, features avant-garde boutiques, galleries, and cafés. The Zona G (Gastronomic Zone) contains a concentration of top-rated fine dining options, including several on San Pellegrino’s “50 Best” list.
Cerro de Monserrate rises 1,800 feet above the city’s eastern edge, offering panoramic views and a hilltop church accessible by funicular or tramway.
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What to do in Bogotá
In Bogotá, LANDED arranges privately guided experiences that explore the city’s cultural depth, creative energy, and natural beauty. Each itinerary is tailored to your interests and pace.
Whatever your interests, we’ll make the introductions. LANDED can assist arranging the following among other signature experiences:
- Sunday biking tour on Bogota’s main streets
- Explore local markets filled with fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, and Colombian flowers
- Take a hands-on cooking class and learn to prepare traditional Colombian dishes
- Visit coffee plantations and enjoy curated tastings
- Learn the bean-to-bar cocoa process with local chocolate makers
- Join a privately guided biking tour along Bogotá’s principal avenues
- Hike in the Eastern Hills of Bogotá or nearby national parks in the Andes
- Savor local flavors on a curated street food tour
- Shop alongside a Colombian designer
- Visit landmark museums and historic cathedrals
- Take private salsa dance lessons or meet with a local salsa artist
- Experience Bogotá’s nightlife with a curated evening tour
Bogota is surrounded by worthwhile day-trip options. To the southeast sits Fusagasuga—home to orchid and coffee plantations. To the north lies Zipaquira, known for its lovely plaza and unique Salt Cathedral—a cave-like chapel located 650 feet below ground in a halite mountain. Just 100 miles north of Bogota, visitors can savor relaxed pace and old-world charm of Villa de Leyva, a stunning whitewashed town founded in 1572.
What is the Weather Like?
Bogotá enjoys a perpetual spring-like climate due to its elevation. Daytime temperatures typically reach the upper 60s °F, with nighttime lows in the mid-40s. Rainfall is generally light. October and November are the rainiest months, though even then, average monthly rainfall rarely exceeds two inches.
At 8,660 feet above sea level, Bogotá is the third-highest capital in the Western Hemisphere. To assuage the effects of the thin air, we recommend resting well, avoiding alcohol, and eating lightly on your first day in the city.
These averages are changing. Please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.
Getting There
Bogotá is most often accessed by air, with direct flights from major cities throughout the Americas. El Dorado International Airport (BOG) receives nonstop service from Cartagena (90 minutes), Panama City (90 minutes), Quito (90 minutes), San José (just over two hours), Miami (3.5 hours), and New York (6 hours). The airport is located approximately 30 minutes from the historic center.
Start your journey today
LANDED delivers the finest in custom, private travel to Central America, South America, and Antarctica. These regions are our passion; we know them first-hand and by heart. Speak with one of our travel designers and let us create a tailored itinerary for you in Bogotá.
How to combine Bogotá
Have some extra time? Here are some options for you to combine with.
