bogota, the vibrant capital city of colombia
Home to more than 8 million people, Bogota, Colombia is nestled along the Andes Mountain Range. The capital city sits 2,640 meters, or 8,660 feet, above sea level. Due to its high altitude, you should take a day or two to get acclimated before doing strenuous activities like hiking or sports. Bogota was founded in 1538 and still retains its historical charm in areas such as La Candelaria.
Aside from being historically significant, Bogotá offers a vibrant mix of rich culture, history, and modern urban life. Explore world-class museums like the Gold Museum, stroll through the colorful streets of La Candelaria, and enjoy stunning views from Monserrate. Bogotá's dynamic food scene and lively nightlife make it an unforgettable destination.
our most popular bogota tours
Private Expedition
Paloquemao Food Market and Cooking Class Tour Bogota
From £195
7 Hours
Price based on two people sharing
Explore Paloquemao market, bargain like a local, join a Bogotá cooking class, and enjoy traditional Colombian dishes & desserts on this immersive food tour.
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Private Expedition
Invisible Borders Tour in Bogota with local families
From £89
5 Hours
Price based on two people sharing
Discover the real Bogotá beyond the tourist spots. Explore the city's invisible borders, hear real stories from locals, and share a traditional breakfast with a welcoming family!
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Private Expedition
Monserrate & Coffee Farm Day Tour in Bogota
From £249
9 Hours
Price based on two people sharing
Enjoy a Bogota tour to visit Monserrate Hill for panoramic city views, then visit an organic coffee farm in Choachi to experience Colombia's rich coffee culture.
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Private Expedition
Bogota Birding Day Tour
From £196
9 Hours
Price based on two people sharing
Discover Bogotá’s rich birdlife with an expert guide near Chingaza, spot hummingbirds, tanagers & more in local nature spots; ideal for both avid birders & nature lovers.
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Private Expedition
Zipaquira and Guatavita Tour
From £204
10 Hours
Price based on two people sharing
Embark on a day trip from Bogotá to explore the mystical Lake Guatavita, birthplace of the El Dorado legend, and the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, a marvel of architecture and faith
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Private Expedition
Zipaquira Cathedral & Outdoor Cooking Class Tour
From £246
10 Hours
Price based on two people sharing
Day trip from Bogotá to Zipaquirá’s Salt Cathedral and Neusa Reservoir. Explore the cathedral, enjoy a Colombian cooking class, and take a nature walk by the reservoir
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Private Expedition
Classic City Tour in Bogota: Best things to do
From £185
12 Hours
Price based on two people sharing
Explore Paloquemao Market, La Candelaria, the Gold Museum, Chorro de Quevedo, Botero’s art, walk cobbled streets, and ride up Monserrate to get great views of Bogota
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Private Expedition
Zipaquira Cathedral and Salt Stone Carving Tour
From £215
8 Hours
Price based on two people sharing
Explore the underground Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá, delve into its Stations of the Cross, then craft your own salt-stone souvenir with a local artist. Culture & creativity in one day
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Private Expedition
Bogota Uncovered: Culture, Coffee & Graffiti Tour
From £451
3 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Discover Bogotá’s culture, rural life, coffee farms and local cuisine through hands‑on, immersive activities. Accommodation is not included, giving you the freedom to choose your own hotel
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Private Expedition
Bogota and Cartagena Highlights Tour
From £1,329
6 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Experience Bogota's museums and the Salt Cathedral, then explore the vibrant, charming Cartagena
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Private Expedition
Colombia Gastronomy Tour: Bogotá and Cartagena
From £1,981
7 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Enjoy a gastronomy tour through Bogotá and Cartagena, with gourmet dining, cooking classes, rum and coffee tastings, local markets, and cultural activities
More detailstop places to visit in bogota
gold museum
With more than 55,000 pieces of gold on display, the gold museum showcases shiny artefacts from Colombia’s indigenous cultures. Learn how these pieces were created and about their significance. Temporary exhibits are also common.
la candelaria
La Candelaria is a historic neighbourhood located a few minutes' walk from Bolivar Plaza. It is home to la Casa de la Moneda and the Botero Museum, among other important museums and landmarks. La Candelaria offers hours of walking down narrow, colonial streets lined with colonial-style houses and buildings.
monserrate hill
The mountaintop el Cerro Monserrate is an iconic symbol of the city of Bogotá located 3,152 meters, or 10,341 feet, above sea level. Visitors can make their way to the top on foot, by train or by cable car. Once at the top, you can visit the beautiful church, buy some handicrafts at the small market, or simply take in the amazing view.
botero museum
The Botero Museum in Bogotá showcases the works of renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero, known for his signature "voluminous" style. The museum houses a vast collection of his paintings, sculptures, and also features works by other famous international artists.
paloquemao market
Paloquemao Market is one of the most traditional and oldest markets in Bogotá. This market ist known for its colorful array of fresh produce, flowers, meats, and artisanal goods. It offers an authentic Colombian shopping experience rich in culture and flavors.
guatavita lake
The peaceful lake, located about 2 hours by car from Bogota, was once an important ceremonial site for the ancient Muisca civilization which later gave rise to the legend of El Dorado.
zipaquira salt cathedral
The famous Cathedral is the most popular place for a day tour from Bogota. This Cathedral was built inside a network of monumental chambers and tunnels that were left behind when commercial mining operations stopped.
chingaza national natural park
If you love hiking or birding this is the perfect destination. The park is located in the mountains and outside of the city offering easy access to good montane elfin forest and paramo.
chicaque natural park
This natural park is located just half an hour by car from Bogota. It is located next to a huge rock canyon that protects the cloud forest of Chicaque and ancient oak forests. 258 species of birds have been recorded there.
more things to do in bogota
- Walk through La Candelaria: La Candelaria is Bogota’s historic district, a very interesting area for a Bogota day tour. Featuring Spanish colonial buildings, museums and a big square called Plaza Bolivar, visitors can spend hours meandering through this area that seems to be frozen in time.
- Take a cooking class in Bogota: With years of experience and a love for culinary arts, the expert chef will show you how to make a dish commonly found on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
- Sample Exotic Fruits: Paloquemao Market is the ideal place to try many exotic Colombian fruits such as lulo, granadilla, guanabana, mangosteen and more. Many visitors have never even seen these delicious fruits and a lot of people also enjoy them blended into a smoothie. Make sure you include this market during your tour in Bogota.
- Visit a coffee farm: The coffee triangle region in Colombia is where most of our famous coffee is cultivated and processe. However, around Bogota you can still visiting coffee farms where you can learn all about the coffee making process. This is a great alternative if you don't have time to travel to the coffee region.
- Ciclovia: On Sundays from 7:00 a.m. at 2:00 p.m. more than 120 kilometers of roads in the city become a space for citizens to run, walk, tour the capital by bicycle, practice aerobics or learn to dance. This program is more than 40 years old and is considered the first of its kind in the world.
- Birding in Bogota: Bogotá might not seem at first glance like the best place to base yourself for a Colombia birding tour, but that really couldn’t be further from the truth: a dedicated birder could happily spend at least a week birding in and around Bogotá and rack up a species list well into the hundreds, with around 10 endemic species seen. If you love birding and nature, check out one of our Bogota Birding tours.
- Visit a flea market: If you are visiting Bogota on a Sunday, the traditional flea market in Usaquén could be a good experience to at tour your Bogota tour. At the flea market, you can buy handicrafts and appreciate the architectural beauty of the town, which became part of Bogotá in the 1950s. Find unique pieces of art and souvenirs at this market and then have lunch at one of the many nearby restaurants.
- Night life: Bogota offers many options to go out and party or "rumbear". Although there are bars and clubs throughout the city, the Zona Rosa is full of bars and restaurants and is the largest sector to enjoy the nightlife.
Local
gastronomy
The good and varied gastronomy, which forms a fundamental part of the cultural diversity of the city, is one of the strongest attractions of Bogotá. Learn which are the typical dishes of the region!
Arepa: An arepa is cooked dough full of possibilities. The most basic kind of arepa is filled with cheese and butter, but these babies can get extravagant. Some arepas are served filled with various meats, egg, cheese and crispy potato bits.
Empanada: They are a food prepared with corn flour and depending on the region they are filled with different ingredients. In the region of central Colombia they are stuffed with meat, spices and potatoes.
Ajiaco: The ajiaco santafereño is the most representative dish and a cultural reference of the cundiboyacense highlands. It is a soup prepared with chicken breasts, three different types of potatoes, cob and guascas (a spice), usually added milk cream and capers and accompanied by avocado slices.
Fritanga bogotana: A group of fried foods typical of the region. A plentiful chop with pork ribs, beef, chicharrón, among others, usually accompanied by ají, chimichurri and guacamole.
Masato: It consists of a creamy drink made with rice, cloves, cinnamon, among other ingredients. Its artisanal preparation is made in clay pots and it is kept in fermentation vessels so the flavor concentrates more.
Best time to go
when is the best time to visit bogota?
Weather:
The weather in Bogota is known for being unpredictable. The sky could be clear and blue, then the next hour it can be pouring down rain. It’s best to always carry a jacket and umbrella while exploring Bogota. The average temperature in Bogota is 15°C, or 58°F.
The warmest months are from May to June.
Festivals:
Any time is good to visit Bogota, however if you want to be part of a festival these are the good times to go:
- March: The Ibero-American Theatre Festival, the most important theatre festival in the world, takes place every two years, bringing together artists from all over the world.
- June - July: Every year, Bogota offers a free, three-day rock and metal festival: the Rock Park Festival. This Picnic Stereo Festival, is the second largest rock festival in Latin America.
- July: Indiebo Independent Film Festival. This 10-day festival aims to raise awareness about society issues with the help of culture. You wild find different projections in cinemas, parks and other unconventional places.
- August: Carnival of Bogota: Founded in 1538, Bogota celebrates its birthday on August 6. Visitors can expect several events in La Candelaria to mark the occasion.
- August: The Summer Festival, celebrated during the second week of August. You will find cultural events, live music, events for children, international sports tournaments.
- October: Artbo is one of the most important cultural events inthe country. This fair gathers more than 75 art galleries and features about 500 artistes. It has for mission to promote the local art scene of Colombia nationally and beyond.
Transport
how to get there?
Bogota is located in the centre of the country and is often where international flights arrive and depart. El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is located in the western part of the city. It’s best to fly into Bogota since the city is surrounded by curvy roads because of the Andes Mountains.
Moving around:
There are different applications to request taxi service such as Easy Taxi, Tappsi and Uber. For all your transportation in Bogota, make sure you have cash on hand. A key part of the public transportation system in Bogota is the TransMilenio system. TransMilenio is a bus rapid transit system that runs all over the city. You can take TransMilenio to and from the El Dorado Airport, to the historic city centre of Bogota (Candelaria, Monserrate, Gold Museum, etc.…), to the neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the city (Suba, Usaquen, etc.…), and to most of the tourist attractions zones.
Safety
is it safe to travel to bogota?
Colombia is the biggest city in Colombia and like in any other big city in the world, you can encounter some petty theft.
These are some simple tips that should keep you out of trouble:
- Don’t flash large amounts of money in public
- Look out for pickpockets on public transportation
- Call or use a smartphone app to arrange for a taxi instead of hailing it on the street
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Keep your phones and cameras out of sight
- Don’t wear flashy jewellery
- Avoid taking cards or passports out with you
more travel tips to visit bogota
What our clients say about us
We knew we were in for a treat just looking at the detailed and personalized 18-day itinerary that Uncover Columbia put together for us! Our specific goals were woven in with new and interesting locations and activities that had us very excited. Unfortunately, my father and I succumbed to the flu upon arrival in Bogota. This is when Uncover Columbia revealed themselves to be more like a caring host family! Communication was so smooth and the local guides so helpful that we even had someone to walk us through the process of seeing a local doctor and filling prescriptions. We were sad to miss out on activities, but UC rescheduled a couple key outings with our birding guide, and we didn’t miss the hummingbird observatory! Our next destination was Leticia for the primary birding portion of our adventure. Our second super knowledgeable guide paired up with local and often indigenous guides to acquaintance with the sauna-like Amazonas. It was a truly amazing experience, connecting with the jungle and river on foot and by boat, especially at Marasha Nature Reserve, where a nighttime paddle left us awestruck at the beauty -despite the Caiman being elusive. From there we went to the Caribbean and Sierra Nevada Tyrona National Park. We visited an authentic native village in a manner that was entertaining as well as respectful and educational. We were fully recovered and not really wanting a day at leisure so Uncover Columbia arranged an impromptu city tour of Santa Marta with our third guide and we wrapped up our tour with a fourth guide in beautiful Cartagena with a quick island stop for snorkeling and fishing lesson in Bocadilla. All of the partnering guides, drivers and accommodations were friendly and helpful to the point that saying adios was bittersweet! And here’s a special shout out to Ana at Uncover Columbia for helping us with all the on the ground changes!! She was always accessible on WhatsApp and so sweet and helpful!
– Dana, October 2026
Nidia at Uncover Colombia organised a fabulous 19 day holiday across 5 locations in Colombia for my family. She was wonderful to deal with and really listened to our requests. Ana took over once we were on the holiday and made changes immediately where things weren’t quite as we’d all expected. We all had the best holiday ever. Thank you
– Annie, July 2026
We did the La Boquilla Fishing Village and African Drum Workshop. Sofia and Juan picked us up from our hotel and we took a drive to La Boquilla. We rode the canoes through the mangroves and learned to fish with a net and set crab traps with Señor Juan. We then went to the drum workshop and worked with some amazingly talented young people who introduced various musical styles and different types of drums. We played and danced and they truly made us feel like we were part of the family. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in diving into the culture of Cartagena, and spending time face to face with the guardians of their craft and environment.
– Glen K, July 2026
I have traveled throughout the world and worked with many tour companies. Uncover Colombia is the most organized, detailed and responsive tour company I have worked with. Every guide that was provided is an amazing and enthusiastic person. Accommodations were incredible. Overall , nothing can top it ! USE UNCOVER COLOMBIA and you won't be disappointed.
– Richard, January 2026
Uncover Colombia put together an itinerary for us based on our love of nature, scenery, and hiking, and our desire to see some of the best the country has to offer. We loved their suggestions and we have felt looked after every step of the way - hotel bookings, transfers, internal flights, guides...
– Ellie, January 2026
Beatriz was a wonderful tour guide for visiting Guatape city from Medellin. She went out of her way to help me find shoes before we officially started our tour because my shoes got ruined in the rain the day before and I had nothing proper to wear. She has a clear love for the city she grew up in and that personal connection to it made the tour and information she shared more genuine and meaningful.
– Rahma, January 2026
We traveled three weeks across Colombia – from Bogotá, Villa de Leyva, Barichara, Medellín, the Pacific coast of Nuquí, the Coffee Region, Tayrona National Park, and finally Cartagena. In one word: exceptionally well organized. Excellent guides, seamless transfers, and an organization where everything worked exactly as planned.
– Damjan, December 2025
We have travelled to just under 80 countries around the world, often on our own, sometimes, when the country had some problems, relying on an agency; something we decided to do for Colombia as well. I must say that UncoverColombia is absolutely among the best tour operators I have ever met. The organization is immaculate, precise and very accurate...
– Cinzia and Luca, August 2025
Uncover Colombia did a great job in arranging accommodation, transport which included 4 domestic flights and meals. Most importantly, they have assigned tourist guides who are professional, friendly and passionate. They are sometimes funny and always helpful.
– S L, August 2025
Every detail was taken care of, the destinations are world class, communication was excellent. I would give them 6 out of 5 if I could. The guide UC booked for us was exceptional. He knew his stuff, was very good with e-bird, he was an interesting guy and an overall good bean. Our tour actually started in Barranquilla...
– Derek, April 2025
Sol, our tour guide, was amazing. We did a three day tour of Medellin and local villages nearby. Sol shared her vast knowledge of the political and social recent history of the region. She led the tour at our pace. She was lovely to be with. The driver was very cautious. It was a great experience.
– Lynn, February 2025
Uncover Colombia was fantastic to work with! We had a 12 day itinerary and everything went very well. The agency reps were very flexible before and during the trip even when we requested last minute changes. They always did their best to accommodate us. The assigned contact person during the trip was always reachable and responsive...
– Gary, December 2024
My girlfriend and I wanted to visit Colombia, but were late in the planning. We reached out to Uncover just a couple of weeks before our departure and they were able to organize the whole tour in just a few days, and for a more than fair price...
– David, December 2025
We had a FANTASTIC experience with Uncover. Nidia and her team organized the most magical 4-day trip to the Colombian Coffee Region. I am Colombian but needed assistance as I wasn’t familiar with the area. We went to the Cocora Valley, Rafting down a river, had a fabulous coffee farm experience and even visited a cacao farm where we got to make artisan chocolate. We traveled with our school aged children...
– Daniela, July 2024
We feel very fortunate to have chosen Uncover Colombia. Your guides were passionate and professional and informative, the accomodation was exceptional at every stop and most impressively, we were aware of you constantly checking in our wellbeing. We return to Australia with an awareness of Colombia’s variety, vitality and positivity.
– Mal & Michelle, July 2024
My mother and I did a 5-day trip to San Agustin, Tierradentro and the Tatacoa dry forest/desert with Uncover Colombia. It was absolutely brilliant. The communication was great and Nidia helped us to ensure that the trip was tailored to our needs and wishes. Our driver, Jesus, and guide, Jorge, were very friendly and Jorge was very knowledgable...
– Gary, July 2024
Uncover Columbia, specifically Helena (who handled all logistical questions pre-trip) Sergio (our amazing guide) helped make an unforgettable 4 day experience as part of our honeymoon.
– Mates, July 2024
 | Want to know more?Get in touchAll our tours are private and can be customised. Just complete our tailor-made tour form or give us a call. We’re flexible and happy to design the most suitable Colombia tour for you! |
Why Travel with Uncover Colombia
Local Expertise
- As Colombians, we know the best local spots and the stories that bring them to life
- We understand the diversity, traditions, and subtle nuances of every region
- Our guidance is shaped by years of exploring our homeland with genuine passion
Private and Tailor-made
- Private, tailor-made tours designed around your interests
- Hand-picked hotels, meaningful experiences, and real local encounters
- Support and flexibility throughout your trip; travel at your own pace
Trusted & Protected
- UK‑based, fully bonded, and ATOL‑protected
- Transparent, reliable service from planning to travel
- Peace of mind knowing your holiday is financially secure
Positive Impact
- We create journeys that actively support Colombia’s people, nature, and cultural heritage
- Every tour strengthens local communities through fair partnerships and meaningful engagement
- Travel with us contributes to conservation efforts and leaves a lasting, positive footprint