Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and its largest city. Bogota has not been a major tourist destination until recently. It is undergoing a boom as people start to discover all it has to offer in terms of art, culture, history, nature and food. There are a number of great activities so I would put this on my list of places to go before the word gets out. For what experiences to see and do in Bogota see here: Perfect Week in Bogota. For what you need to know see below.
Entry Requirement
Entry Requirements:
The one requirement is the pre-enrollment online form which must be filled out 72 hours before travel (both entry and exit). It can be found here:
Colombia Entry and Exit
Visa
For U.S., EU and UK Citizens not required for stays 90 days or less.
When to Go
Bogota is great anytime of the year as the temperature only ranges between 45 to 70 Fahrenheit. The rainy season is March to May and October to November. This usually means it rains hard for an hour or two and then clears up. Good to keep a small umbrella with you during these months.
Flights
Main airlines are Spirit, Copa, American, United, Avianca and JetBlue
You can check for the best prices on flights at google flights.
The cheapest airline is usually Avianca or Spirit but note the small print as these are no frills airline and you need to pay for may things which are included in the price of other airlines ie choosing you seat, water and snacks and most importantly luggage.
On Spirit they also charge for carry on bags which can be around $45 each way although a personal item is allowed for free (i.e purse, small backpack). The personal item can be (18 x 14 x 8 inches/ 45 x 35 x 20 cm).
Guests must wear facemark in the airport and plane.
Main Airport: El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
To City
– by taxi: 60,000 pesos (about $15.50) about 35 minutes to City Center. (Please note Uber is illegal in Colombia. That said the app still works there so a car and driver will show up. The driver may ask you to sit in the front so the driver does not look like an Uber. As taxis are plentiful and cheap, I would advise using them instead of Uber in Colombia).
-by bus: 1st you need to take the free shuttle bus service 16-14 to Portal El Dorado which is a few minutes from the Airport. Then go to the bus stop in front of Terminal 1, Exit 6. Then take the Transmilenio bus, bus 1 or K86 to the city. Buses run about every 10 minutes and it takes about 1 hour to get to the city center, cost is (1,700 COP). To pay for the bus you need a Tullave card which you can buy at the bus station.
Currency & Credit Cards
The Colombian Peso
For the exchange rate with US dollars see: Exchange Rate
Most places do not take US dollars.
Credit Cards can be used in most places.
The exchange rate at the airport is very bad. Best way is take out from Bank ATM’s. These have the best exchange rate although some have a small service fee depending on the bank. For ATM’s look for Banks or places with the sign “Cajeros”.
Safety
Bogota is different than other Colombia cities I have visited. Usually they have good and bad neighborhoods. The problem with Bogota is that even in the good neighborhoods if you go down the wrong street a few blocks it could be bad.
I would advise staying in Chapinero and at night I would always take a cab to and from destinations, Luckily in Bogota taxis and Uber are cheap and plentiful.
Electricity
In Colombia the standard voltage is 110 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. For U.S residents there is no need a power plug adapter in Colombia. As some sockets are 3 prong, you may want to bring 3 to 2 prong adapter.
Water
The tap water is safe to drink in Bogota. It is treated and filtered to remove impurities before being distributed to homes and businesses.
Neighborhood to Stay in
The best neighborhood I recommend for travelers is Chapinero. Its central and has great restaurants, cafes and bars. It is the most foreigner and tourist friendly. Usaquen is nice although not as central so good if you want a little more quiet place. La Candelaria is popular with the backpacking crowd.
Hotels
Luxury
Mid-Range
Hostels
Conclusion
Bogota is becoming a top tourist destination and after being there I know why. It has a lot to offer from art and culture to restaurants and nightlife, and surprisingly its easy to get out of the city for some beautiful nature. Many people have skipped this city on their way through Colombia in the past, I would definitely advise to stop and explore. Please let me know what you think and any places you find or if you have any questions or comments.
Enjoy the Capital!
