Posted: 2/24/2023 | February twenty fourth, 2023

Positioned on a excessive Andean plateau at 2,640 meters (8,660 toes) above sea stage, Bogotá is the third-highest capital metropolis on the earth (after Quito and La Paz). Most vacationers normally bypass it in favor of the favored digital nomad sizzling spot of Medellín or the coastal metropolis of Cartegena.

Most vacationers assume that Bogotá is barely price spending a couple of days in. I believe 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 number of the different greater cities which have developed a bigger expat and vacationer inhabitants.

There’s a lot to do and see right here from museums, parks, strolling excursions, superb road artwork, nice nightlife, and an unbelievable 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 totally different estratos, or zones, and there are a couple of “no-go” areas that you just’ll wish to keep away from as nicely. Bogota has loads of petty crime so don’t enterprise too far off the crushed path.

Right here is my breakdown of the perfect neighborhoods in Bogota for guests (in addition to steered lodging in every).

However, first, listed here are some frequent questions I get requested about staying in Bogotá:

What’s the perfect neighborhood for sightseeing?
In the event you simply wish to see the principle vacationer websites, I like to recommend staying in La Candelaria, so that you’re inside strolling distance of every thing.

What’s the perfect neighborhood for vacationers on a finances?
La Candelaria can also be the perfect neighborhood for vacationers on a finances. It’s one of many most cost-effective areas of city, and with many hostels positioned right here, it’s backpacker central. Since so most of the fundamental vacationer points of interest are close by, you’ll save on transportation too.

What’s the perfect 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 perfect neighborhood for nightlife?
If you’re staying for various nights and are extra all in favour of 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 secure in the course of the day however you’ll wish to follow the principle streets at night time.

What’s the perfect neighborhood total?
So long as you don’t thoughts touring a bit to a number of the fundamental sights, Chapinero is the perfect space to remain in, attributable to its cool vibe, nice eating places, unbelievable nightlife, and ample lodging choices.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with steered lodging for every, so you already know precisely the place to remain in Bogotá:

Finest for Price range Vacationers and Sightseeing: La Candelaria

La Candelaria is the town’s historic middle, and the entire fundamental issues 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 principle space for backpackers, with many hostels positioned right here. In the event you’re on a finances and/or need to spend so much of your time seeing the sights, keep in La Candelaria.

Simply take into account that though it’s moderately secure in the course of the day, it’s best to train warning at night time. Make sure that to comply with my security suggestions for touring in Colombia when you’re staying right here.

Finest locations to remain in La Candelaria:

• BUDGET: The Cranky Croc – This can be a backpacker establishment. Positioned in a reworked colonial home, this hostel has every thing you may want, with comfortable pod bunk beds and personal rooms, a totally geared up visitor kitchen, nice showers, a bar/restaurant on-site, and loads of frequent area (together with out of doors patios).
• MID-RANGE: Magdalena Visitor Home – This reasonably priced visitor home is fundamental but fashionable and comfortable, with just a little backyard space and inside courtyard, a resident cat, and beautiful hosts. The showers are at all times sizzling (not at all times the case on this neighborhood!), the beds are snug, and there’s additionally a kitchen that company can use.
• LUXURY: Lodge Muisca – Named after the indigenous inhabitants of the world, it is a historic lodge positioned in a lovely 200-year-old colonial house. You’ll discover the anticipated facilities, like flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi, in addition to luxurious facilities akin to a sauna, spa, complimentary breakfast, and a rooftop eating space.

Finest for Digital Nomads and Foodies: Chapinero

Chapinero is a classy 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+ group (Theatron, the most important 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 perfect fine-dining eating places on the town. It’s additionally one of many most secure districts within the metropolis.

Finest locations to remain in Chapinero:

• BUDGET: Selina Chapinero – Selina is a Latin American chain of hostels geared towards digital nomads. Like its different areas, this one is a big, design-forward hostel with a coworking area, a bar/restaurant, loads of frequent areas, a communal kitchen, and arranged social actions.
• MID-RANGE: HAB Lodge Bogotá – Located on a quiet residential road, this lodge provides 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 smooth, fashionable rooms have their very own desks, high-quality mattresses, and blackout curtains so you may get an excellent night time’s sleep.
• LUXURY: Casa Legado – There are a variety of luxurious inns within the neighborhood, however the five-star Casa Legado is outstanding, 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 inside courtyard, and a tour desk that will help you manage actions.

Finest for Nightlife, Luxurious, and Procuring: Zona Rosa

Whereas there’s nice nightlife to be present in Chapinero, when you actually wish to be in the course of all of it, keep in Zona Rosa. Also called Zona T for its form, the world is house to numerous fashionable nightclubs, bars, and eating places, in addition to high-end purchasing malls and designer shops. It’s a bit costlier to remain right here, as that is probably the most modern space of city. Native bogotanos come right here from all around the metropolis to get together and store, and it’s pedestrian-friendly each by day and by night time.

Finest locations to remain in Zona Rosa:

• BUDGET: Urbana Hostel – This hostel is on the extra fundamental facet, but it surely’s clear and useful, and since lodging is pricey on this space, that is undoubtedly the perfect place to remain when you’re on a finances. There’s a small shared visitor kitchen and a rooftop terrace, and all bunks have privateness curtains and shops. There are additionally quite a lot of personal rooms out there too.
• MID-RANGE: Lodge 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 whenever you come again at night time. There’s additionally a health middle, a buffet breakfast, and a really attentive employees.
• LUXURY: AC Lodge 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.

Finest for Historical past, Tradition, and Households: Teusaquillo

Positioned simply north of La Candelaria, Teusaquillo is a superb place to remain if you wish to be near all the principle points of interest however don’t wish to keep inside La Candelaria. It’s an enormous district that’s largely residential, with tree-lined streets and Twentieth-century mansions and structure from when the neighborhood grew along with the town’s higher class.

The world is thought 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, domestically well-known for its giant youngsters’ play space. There’s additionally a large monetary middle in Teusaquillo, so there are lots of inns right here geared towards the business-traveler crowd.

Finest locations to remain in Teusaquillo:

• BUDGET: Hostel Bandido – An attractive pink brick constructing is house to this glorious lodging, which feels virtually like a lodge however at hostel costs. There are each personal rooms and dorm rooms with fashionable and cozy pod-style beds, and the Wi-Fi is tremendous quick. There’s additionally a totally geared up kitchen, a shared lounge, a bar, and an outside backyard space.
• MID-RANGE: Lodge 5 Elementos Apartasuites – Combining the perfect facilities of staying in a lodge with renting an house, all models at Lodge 5 are full residences with their very own kitchens (along with the standard 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 – In the event you’re seeking to actually splurge (or possibly have some Hyatt factors to spend), you may’t get any extra luxurious than this in Bogotá! The Grand Hyatt is house to the most important city spa in Latin America, that includes a surprising indoor pool, a sauna, a sizzling tub, remedy 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 determination for any traveler visiting the Colombian capital. This large, sprawling metropolis can take a while to get round, and there are some actual security issues 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 sooner than touring by taxi or Uber).

And, when you can, plan extra time right here than you may in any other case assume you want. Bogotá has a lot to supply. I can’t communicate extremely sufficient of it.