Where To Stay In Bogota – A Neighborhood Guide
ColombiaFull of fashion, history, and culture, Bogota is a Latin American capital city that should rise to the top…
Notable Places
Discover Colombia
Use the map to explore Colombia, and start with our 3-day Cartagena itinerary to kick off your trip.
Colombia Quick Guide
- Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
- Language: Spanish
- Emergency Number: 123 (general emergency)
- Tipping: Often included (called “propina voluntaria”); otherwise, 10% is customary in restaurants
- Fun Fact #1: Colombia is the only South American country with both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines
- Fun Fact #2: It’s the world’s largest producer of emeralds
- Fun Fact #3: The national sport is tejo, which involves throwing metal discs at targets filled with gunpowder
Where to Stay in Colombia
Colombia offers everything from colorful colonial guesthouses in Cartagena to chic boutique hotels in Medellín and eco-lodges in the Coffee Triangle. Bogotá has a range of stays in neighborhoods like La Candelaria or Chapinero. For beach vibes, try Palomino or Tayrona. Airbnb and countryside fincas are also popular.
Start by planning out where you would like to visit and then search for accommodation in those areas. We use Booking.com for all our hotel stays, many hotels have pay later offers and you can build up your Genius level to get discounts on your stays.
Plan Where to Stay
How to Get Around Colombia
Colombia’s mountainous terrain means domestic flights are often the fastest way to travel between cities like Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Cali. Buses are reliable and affordable for shorter distances, especially in the Coffee Region or along the Caribbean coast. In cities, taxis and ride-hailing apps like InDriver or DiDi are commonly used, just avoid hailing street taxis at night for safety. Medellín is known for its clean and efficient metro system, while Bogotá has a rapid bus network called TransMilenio.
In smaller towns and rural areas, moto-taxis and colectivos (shared vans) are common. For those venturing into jungle or mountain areas, guided tours are often the best option. Car rentals are possible but only recommended for confident drivers due to local traffic and road conditions.
Must-Visit Places in Colombia
- Cartagena – Walled colonial city with colorful streets, Caribbean charm, and sunset views
- Medellín – The “City of Eternal Spring,” known for its transformation, cable cars, and vibrant neighborhoods
- Bogotá – Colombia’s capital with museums, markets, and viewpoints like Monserrate
- Tayrona National Park – Jungle-meets-beach hiking trails and wildlife on the Caribbean coast
- Salento & Cocora Valley – Coffee farms, charming towns, and the world’s tallest wax palms
- Guatapé – Rainbow-colored town and El Peñol rock with panoramic views
- San Andrés & Providencia – Coral islands with turquoise waters and laid-back island life
- Minca – A mountain escape above Santa Marta, known for waterfalls and birdwatching
- Caño Cristales – “The River of Five Colors,” a surreal natural phenomenon in the Serranía de la Macarena
- San Agustín – Archaeological sites with mysterious pre-Columbian statues
Stay Connected
Don’t waste time hunting for SIM cards or stressing about roaming. With an eSIM, you can get connected as soon as you land and stay online wherever your adventures take you.
🔗 Check out our guide to the cheapest eSIMs for international travel.
Colombian Food to Try
Colombian cuisine varies by region, blending indigenous, Spanish, and African influences:
- Arepas – Cornmeal cakes served plain, stuffed, or topped with cheese, eggs, or meat
- Ajiaco – Bogotá-style chicken soup with potatoes, corn, and guasca herbs
- Bandeja Paisa – Hearty platter with beans, rice, ground beef, chorizo, plantains, avocado, and a fried egg
- Empanadas – Deep-fried pastries filled with meat, potatoes, or cheese
- Tamales – Corn dough filled with meat and vegetables, steamed in banana leaves
- Sancocho – Stew made with meat, plantains, yuca, and corn, served across the country
- Patacones – Twice-fried plantain slices, often served with guacamole or cheese
- Obleas – Thin wafer sandwiches with arequipe (caramel), cheese, and fruit jams
Top 5 Things To Bring On Every Trip
- Travel Insurance: Protect yourself against unforeseen events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.
- Power Bank: Keep your devices charged on the go, ensuring you stay connected and capture every moment.
- Universal Travel Adapter: A must-have for international travelers to plug in and power up devices in different countries.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste; many destinations have refill stations available.
- Packing Cubes: Organize your luggage efficiently, making it easier to find items and maximize space.
Top Day Tours to Discover Colombia
- Guatapé: If you are staying in Medellín you can visit Guatapé and El Peñol on a day tour. Climb over 700 steps to the summit of La Piedra del Peñol for panoramic reservoir views, wander Guatapé’s colorful streets, enjoy breakfast and lunch, cruise the lake on a private boat, and meet llamas on a farm stop.
- Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral: Explore Colombia’s cultural wonder on a day trip from Bogotá to the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral. Descend 180 m into the salt mine to tour the Stations of the Cross, massive underground cross, and sculpted salt passages. You will also have time to browse Zipaquirá town.
- Cocora Valley: Visit the heart of Colombia’s coffee cultural landscape on a day trip from Salento. Hike Cocora Valley amid towering wax palms in lush Andean mist, visit the colorful town of Salento, then explore a traditional coffee farm – from seed to cup – before enjoying a tasting with insider insights into local farming culture.
- Rosario Islands: Take a speedboat from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca. Snorkel vibrant coral reefs or choose the aquarium, enjoy a traditional Caribbean lunch at a beach club on Barú, spot a sunken plane, relax by Lago Baru, and soak in the bay views.
- La Chorrera, Colombia’s Tallest Waterfalls: Explore beyond Bogotá to El Chiflón and La Chorrera, Colombia’s tallest waterfall (590 m). Hike approximately 7–10 km through misty Andean cloud forest, and marvel at the powerful falls. Take a lunch for the ultimate picnic spot.
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