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Bogota

Bogota travel guide

Capital and largest city of Colombia

Flights from$846 round trip
Best time to visitJanuary and September
Nearest airportBOG · 8 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−5
Population8,034,649

About Bogota

Bogotá is the capital and largest city of Colombia. The city is administered as the Capital District, as well as the capital of, though not politically part of, the surrounding department of Cundinamarca. Bogotá is a territorial entity of the first order, with the same administrative status as the departments of Colombia. It is the main political, economic, administrative, industrial, cultural, aeronautical, technological, scientific, medical, educational and airport center of the country and northern South America.

Cheap flights to Bogota

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $846 from Montreal, travelling 13 Nov – 17 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Airlines travellers compared most often: Air Canada.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Places to visit in Bogota

  1. Gold Museum

    Gold Museum

    Museum

    A museum with one of the world's largest collections of pre-Columbian gold artifacts from across Colombia. Entry is free on Sundays, but expect crowds, so arrive early or visit on a weekday morning.

  2. Monserrate

    Monserrate

    Viewpoint · 2 mi from centre

    A mountain above the city with a church at its summit. Take the funicular or cable car up, and avoid hiking alone early or late in the day.

  3. La Candelaria

    La Candelaria

    Neighborhood · 1 mi from centre

    The colonial heart of Bogotá, with cobbled streets, colorful houses, museums and street art. Join a walking or graffiti tour to learn about its history, and keep valuables out of sight after dark.

  4. Bolívar Square

    Bolívar Square

    Landmark

    The city's main square, surrounded by the cathedral, the Capitol, the Palace of Justice and city hall. It is busy with pigeons and vendors, so watch out for pickpockets, especially during crowded events.

  5. Botero Museum

    Botero Museum

    Museum

    A free museum featuring Fernando Botero's famously rounded figures, along with works by artists like Picasso and Monet from his personal collection. Combine it with the nearby Gold Museum on the same morning.

  6. Usaquén

    Usaquén

    Neighborhood · 8 mi from centre

    A charming area in the north of the city with a colonial square and Sunday flea market. Visit on Sunday for crafts, food and street performers.

  7. Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

    Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

    Religious · 29 mi from centre

    An underground church built inside salt mine tunnels. It is about an hour from Bogotá, so take the weekend tourist train for a relaxed trip.

Top experiences in Bogota

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 94 available.

See all things to do in Bogota

Where to stay in Bogota

Popular hotels in Bogota, out of 416 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Bogota

Best time to visit Bogota

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bogota is January and September, when average daytime highs are around 68–70°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 47° – 70° 8
Feb 51° – 69° 19
Mar 50° – 69° 22
Apr 50° – 68° 19
May 51° – 67° 19
Jun 49° – 66° 18
Jul 49° – 65° 11
Aug 47° – 67° 10
Sep 48° – 68° 8
Oct 49° – 68° 14
Nov 50° – 67° 21
Dec 50° – 69° 15

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Bogota weather forecast

  • Wed 11 Nov 68° 49° 82%
  • Thu 12 Nov 69° 50° 94%
  • Fri 13 Nov 71° 50° 51%
  • Sat 14 Nov 72° 49° 47%
  • Sun 15 Nov 73° 48° 41%
  • Mon 16 Nov 72° 52° 45%

Know before you go

Currency
Colombian peso (COP)1 US dollar ≈ $3,277
Language
Spanish
Calling code
+57
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/BogotaUTC−5
Capital
Bogotá

Upcoming public holidays in Colombia

  • Independence of CartagenaIndependencia de Cartagena
  • Immaculate ConceptionLa Inmaculada Concepción
  • Christmas DayNavidad
  • New Year's DayAño Nuevo
  • EpiphanyDía de los Reyes Magos
  • Saint Joseph's DayDía de San José

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Bogota

These are the airports closest to central Bogota. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • BOG El Dorado International Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Bogota

InDrive, Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city. As of November 2015, Uber rides can take a while to reach you, particularly if you are in the La Candelaria area. You can also use Uber app to hail a taxi. Note that while rideshare apps are commonly used, they are officially illegal in Colombia, so drivers can be hesitant to drive to places where they may be hassled by police (e.g. bus stations).

By taxi

While ubiquitous and affordable – the local yellow taxis are arguably the most visible representative to the world of Bogotá's worst side. Travelers used to being cheated by taxi drivers probably aren't yet acquainted with the paseo millionario, or "Millionaire Ride," where a taxi driver swings by to pick up well-armed accomplices who then rob you, possibly drug you, and almost certainly take you to multiple ATMs to forcibly withdraw a large sums of money. This rather extreme practice is actually pretty common.

By Transmilenio

Bogota's rapid bus service, the Transmilenio.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link] is extremely affordable, clean and efficient. It carries commuters to numerous corners of the city in exclusive lanes, bypassing the notorious city traffic. Tickets cost COP$3,600 (May 2025) for Transmilenio buses & cable cars and COP$3,200 for SITP buses. You must buy a rechargeable card at any Transmilenio station beforehand for COP$8,000 (May 2025).

By gondola lift

The TransMiCable[dead link] inaugurated in 2018 is a 3,340 m (10,960 ft) gondola lift that takes passengers from the TransMilenio stop .mw-parser-output .listing-directions{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output .listing-phone-symbol{text-decoration:none}.mw-parser-output .listing-tollfree-symbol{text-decoration:none}.mw-parser-output .listing-metadata{font-size:0.8em}.mw-parser-output .listing-lastedit{color:rgb(150,150,150)}.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external,.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external:visited{color:var(--c…

Bogota travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Bogota?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bogota is January and September, when average daytime highs are around 68–70°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.

What is the weather like in Bogota?

January is usually the warmest month in Bogota, with average highs of 70°F (21°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 49°F (9°C). The wettest month is typically November, with about 161 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Bogota?

El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Bogota.

How much are flights to Bogota?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Bogota in the last 30 days was $846 from Montreal, travelling 13 Nov – 17 Nov.

What currency is used in Bogota?

Bogota uses the Colombian peso (COP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $3,277.

What time zone is Bogota in?

Bogota uses the America/Bogota time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Bogota?

InDrive, Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city. As of November 2015, Uber rides can take a while to reach you, particularly if you are in the La Candelaria area. You can also use Uber app to hail a taxi.

What are the best places to visit in Bogota?

Top sights in Bogota include Gold Museum, Monserrate, La Candelaria and Bolívar Square. A museum with one of the world's largest collections of pre-Columbian gold artifacts from across Colombia. Entry is free on Sundays, but expect crowds, so arrive early or visit on a weekday morning.

What are the top things to do in Bogota?

Popular experiences you can book in Bogota include Combo: Guatavita + Zipaquira + Monserrate and Candelaria, City Tour Monserrate and La Candelaria and Zipaquira Salt Cathedral - Half-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 94 tours and activities here.

Where should I stay in Bogota?

Popular areas for hotels in Bogota include Bogota. Well-reviewed options include NH Collection Bogotá Andino Royal and NH Bogotá Urban 26 Royal.

How many hotels can I book in Bogota?

Destina Holidays currently lists 416 properties in and around Bogota, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.