Posted: 2/24/2023 | February twenty fourth, 2023
Situated on a excessive Andean plateau at 2,640 meters (8,660 toes) above sea degree, Bogotá is the third-highest capital metropolis on the earth (after Quito and La Paz). Most vacationers often bypass it in favor of the favored digital nomad scorching spot of Medellín or the coastal metropolis of Cartegena.
Most vacationers suppose that Bogotá is just price spending a couple of days in. I feel that’s a disgrace and does this vibrant vacation spot a disservice. I liked my time in Bogotá and ended up extending my go to right here! This metropolis simply feels extra Colombian than a few of the different greater cities which have developed a bigger expat and vacationer inhabitants.
There is a lot to do and see here from museums, parks, strolling excursions, wonderful road artwork, nice nightlife, and an unimaginable gastronomic scene.
With that in thoughts, you’ll wish to select the place to remain in Bogotá rigorously. It’s an enormous metropolis, divided into completely different estratos, or zones, and there are a couple of “no-go” areas that you simply’ll wish to keep away from as nicely. Bogota has loads of petty crime so don’t enterprise too far off the overwhelmed path.
Right here is my breakdown of the very best neighborhoods in Bogota for guests (in addition to urged lodging in every).
However, first, listed here are some frequent questions I get requested about staying in Bogotá:
What’s the very best neighborhood for sightseeing?
Should you simply wish to see the primary vacationer websites, I like to recommend staying in La Candelaria, so that you’re inside strolling distance of all the things.
What’s the very best neighborhood for vacationers on a price range?
La Candelaria can be the very best neighborhood for vacationers on a price range. It’s one of many least expensive areas of city, and with many hostels positioned right here, it’s backpacker central. Since so lots of the fundamental vacationer points of interest are close by, you’ll save on transportation too.
What’s the very best neighborhood for digital nomads?
Chapinero is the trendiest district and, whereas it’s a bit costlier than La Candeleria, it’s nice for digital nomads who need a cool place to work from.
What’s the very best neighborhood for nightlife?
If you’re staying for quite a lot of nights and are extra interested by having fun with Bogotá’s vibrant nightlife, then I like to recommend Zona Rosa or Chapinero.
What are the most secure areas of Bogotá?
Prosperous Zona Rosa and Chapinero are each thought of among the many most secure areas of city. La Candeleria is fairly protected throughout the day however you’ll wish to keep on with the primary streets at evening.
What’s the very best neighborhood total?
So long as you don’t thoughts touring a bit to a few of the fundamental sights, Chapinero is the very best space to remain in, as a consequence of its cool vibe, nice eating places, implausible nightlife, and ample lodging choices.
So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with urged lodging for every, so you already know precisely the place to remain in Bogotá:
Greatest for Price range Vacationers and Sightseeing: La Candelaria
La Candelaria is the town’s historic middle, and all the fundamental things to do in Bogotá are inside strolling distance from right here, together with the Gothic Nationwide Shrine of Our Woman of Carmen, the Botero Museum, and the Gold Museum. It’s additionally the primary space for backpackers, with many hostels positioned right here. Should you’re on a price range and/or need to spend so much of your time seeing the sights, keep in La Candelaria.
Simply remember the fact that though it’s fairly protected throughout the day, you need to train warning at evening. Make sure that to comply with my safety tips for traveling in Colombia if you happen to’re staying right here.
Greatest locations to remain in La Candelaria:
- BUDGET: The Cranky Croc – It is a backpacker establishment. Situated in a reworked colonial home, this hostel has all the things you may want, with cozy pod bunk beds and personal rooms, a completely outfitted visitor kitchen, nice showers, a bar/restaurant on-site, and loads of widespread area (together with out of doors patios).
- MID-RANGE: Magdalena Guest House – This reasonably priced visitor home is fundamental but fashionable and comfortable, with just a little backyard space and interior courtyard, a resident cat, and beautiful hosts. The showers are at all times scorching (not at all times the case on this neighborhood!), the beds are snug, and there’s additionally a kitchen that company can use.
- LUXURY: Hotel Muisca – Named after the indigenous inhabitants of the realm, this can be a historic lodge positioned in a gorgeous 200-year-old colonial dwelling. You’ll discover the anticipated facilities, like flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi, in addition to luxurious facilities corresponding to a sauna, spa, complimentary breakfast, and a rooftop eating space.
Greatest for Digital Nomads and Foodies: Chapinero
Chapinero is a stylish and bohemian neighborhood (there’s a park right here known as Hippie Park). It’s recognized for its road artwork, espresso outlets, native markets, and thriving LGBTQ+ neighborhood (Theatron, the biggest LGBTQ+ nightclub in South America is positioned right here). Moreover, Chapinero is heaven for foodies, and residential to Zona G (for gourmand), a focus of the very best fine-dining eating places on the town. It’s additionally one of many most secure districts within the metropolis.
Greatest locations to remain in Chapinero:
- BUDGET: Selina Chapinero – Selina is a Latin American chain of hostels geared towards digital nomads. Like its different places, this one is a big, design-forward hostel with a coworking area, a bar/restaurant, loads of widespread areas, a communal kitchen, and arranged social actions.
- MID-RANGE: HAB Hotel Bogotá – Located on a quiet residential road, this lodge presents luxurious facilities at mid-range costs, with a classy inside, 24/7 health middle, backyard, out of doors terrace, and its personal farm-to-table restaurant/bar. The modern, fashionable rooms have their very own desks, high-quality mattresses, and blackout curtains so you may get a great evening’s sleep.
- LUXURY: Casa Legado – There are a variety of luxurious resorts within the neighborhood, however the five-star Casa Legado is phenomenal, superbly designed in a mid-Twentieth century type. Every of its 13 rooms is exclusive; some have balconies, and others backyard views. There’s complimentary breakfast, bikes for company’ use, a tranquil interior courtyard, and a tour desk that can assist you manage actions.
Greatest for Nightlife, Luxurious, and Procuring: Zona Rosa
Whereas there’s nice nightlife to be present in Chapinero, if you happen to actually wish to be in the midst of all of it, keep in Zona Rosa. Also referred to as Zona T for its form, the realm is dwelling to numerous fashionable nightclubs, bars, and eating places, in addition to high-end buying malls and designer shops. It’s a bit costlier to remain right here, as that is essentially the most modern space of city. Native bogotanos come right here from all around the metropolis to occasion and store, and it’s pedestrian-friendly each by day and by evening.
Greatest locations to remain in Zona Rosa:
- BUDGET: Urbana Hostel – This hostel is on the extra fundamental facet, but it surely’s clear and practical, and since lodging is dear on this space, that is positively the very best place to remain if you happen to’re on a price range. There’s a small shared visitor kitchen and a rooftop terrace, and all bunks have privateness curtains and retailers. There are additionally quite a lot of non-public rooms out there too.
- MID-RANGE: Hotel NH Bogotá Boheme Royal – You’ll be able to’t get any higher than this location, within the coronary heart of Zona Rosa. With soundproofing and air-conditioning in all of the rooms, you’ll nonetheless be capable to sleep nicely if you come again at evening. There’s additionally a health middle, a buffet breakfast, and a really attentive employees.
- LUXURY: AC Hotel by Marriott Bogota Zona T – Marriott properties want no introduction by way of luxurious. The brand new lodge in Zona Rosa has a health middle (overlooking the town), an expansive complimentary buffet breakfast, a bar/lounge, and free bikes for visitor use. The rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, with flat-screen TVs and quick Wi-Fi. It’s a preferred place to remain for enterprise vacationers.
Greatest for Historical past, Tradition, and Households: Teusaquillo
Situated simply north of La Candelaria, Teusaquillo is a good place to remain if you wish to be near all the primary points of interest however don’t wish to keep inside La Candelaria. It’s an enormous district that’s principally residential, with tree-lined streets and Twentieth-century mansions and structure from when the neighborhood grew along side the town’s higher class.
The world is understood for its inexperienced areas, together with Bogotá’s largest park, Simón Bolívar, in addition to the town’s botanic gardens, and the Parque de los Novios, regionally well-known for its massive children’ play space. There’s additionally a large monetary middle in Teusaquillo, so there are various resorts right here geared towards the business-traveler crowd.
Greatest locations to remain in Teusaquillo:
- BUDGET: Hostel Bandido – A stupendous crimson brick constructing is dwelling to this wonderful lodging, which feels nearly like a lodge however at hostel costs. There are each non-public rooms and dorm rooms with fashionable and comfortable pod-style beds, and the Wi-Fi is tremendous quick. There’s additionally a completely outfitted kitchen, a shared lounge, a bar, and an out of doors backyard space.
- MID-RANGE: Hotel 5 Elementos Apartasuites – Combining the very best facilities of staying in a lodge with renting an house, all items at Resort 5 are full flats with their very own kitchens (along with the same old mid-range lodge facilities). There’s complimentary breakfast each morning within the shared lounge, in addition to a health and enterprise middle.
- LUXURY: Grand Hyatt Bogotá – Should you’re seeking to actually splurge (or perhaps have some Hyatt points to spend), you’ll be able to’t get any extra luxurious than this in Bogotá! The Grand Hyatt is dwelling to the biggest city spa in Latin America, that includes a shocking indoor pool, a sauna, a scorching tub, therapy rooms, and a health middle full with private trainers. The rooms and suites are spacious, with floor-to-ceiling home windows overlooking both the Andes or the town itself.
Deciding the place to remain in Bogotá is a vital resolution for any traveler visiting the Colombian capital. This large, sprawling metropolis can take a while to get round, and there are some real safety concerns right here as nicely. Select an space primarily based on what you wish to spend most of your time doing, after which hop round through the TransMilenio (the bus fast transit system that has its personal devoted lanes and is usually quicker than touring by taxi or Uber).
And, if you happen to can, plan extra time right here than you may in any other case suppose you want. Bogotá has a lot to supply. I can’t communicate extremely sufficient of it.
E-book Your Journey to Colombia: Logistical Suggestions and Methods
E-book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to discover a low cost flight. They’re my favourite search engine as a result of they search web sites and airways across the globe so that you at all times know no stone is left unturned.
E-book Your Lodging
You’ll be able to e book your hostel with Hostelworld as they’ve the largest stock and greatest offers. If you wish to keep someplace aside from a hostel, use Booking.com as they persistently return the most affordable charges for guesthouses and low cost resorts.
Don’t Overlook Journey Insurance coverage
Journey insurance coverage will defend you in opposition to sickness, harm, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes incorrect. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many instances prior to now. My favourite firms that supply the very best service and worth are:
Searching for the Greatest Firms to Save Cash With?
Take a look at my resource page for the very best firms to make use of if you journey. I record all those I take advantage of to economize after I’m on the street. They are going to prevent cash if you journey too.
Need Extra Info on Colombia?
You should definitely go to our robust destination guide on Colombia for much more planning suggestions!