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Planning a Trip to Bogota? Do This, Not That

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As much as I liked Bogota, it’s only because I showed up with a plan. This is a city that rewards travelers who know what to look for and disappoints those who expect to show up and hope for the best.

Bogota is a dream for sightDOERS if you only know where to look. These twists on things to do in Bogota transformed my trip from “just another city” to one where I fully expect to return.

Do: Head Out with a Colombian Buddy

Bike tours in Bogota make a lot of sense since there’s so much ground to cover, but reviews are mixed due to large group sizes and unmaintained bikes.  If there’s one thing I know about me and biking, I absolutely need a bike I can depend on since my own skills are lackluster at best.

But my friend Jeff empowered me to plan one epic day in Bogota for him since he only had 24 hours and I was determined to work on that.  That meant hiring a “Colombian Buddy” for a private bike tour of the city!

thing to do in bogota bike tour colombia

Downhill is easier, but you pick up so much speed it can be scary!

Instead of joining a big group, we were able to tailor the tour to our own schedule and interests…or perhaps more importantly, to our own fitness level.  For half a day, we biked through the city learning about everything from firefighting techniques to which bars to head out to on a Friday night.

Do It: You can request your own Colombian Buddy online.  All tours are private, based on your scheduling preferences, and donation-based.

Do: Tour Candelaria on Foot (Sort Of)

Sometimes I feel like walking tours do more harm than good.  Instead of getting lost and discovering things on your won someone’s telling you what the “most important” parts of a city are.  You’ll nod in agreement, snap a few photos, and stick to the prepared route.

That’s okay if your goal is learning to navigate the city, but if it’s the only one you intend to get to know a city, it usually doesn’t create a deep connection.  That’s why I chose to join the Septima Challenge instead.  On a team of locals, expats, and tourists, we completed a scavenger hunt expertly designed to take us past city landmarks, push us out of our comfort zone, and interact with Bogota.

things to do in bogota septima challenge

Our list of challenges for a Bogota scavenger hunt

As far as things to do in Bogota, this is as unusual as it gets. I marched in a parade, danced on the street, drank chicha from street vendors, and taught Colombians how to celebrate a touchdown on Superbowl City.  It’s cultural exchange — in both directions — and by the end of the afternoon, I was eating bandeja paisa in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with my new friends.

Basic city walking tour? I don’t think so.

Do It: Bogota & Beyond (who also hosted my hike from the city) organizes the Septima Challenge on select weekends. At an absurdly low 20,000 pesos (about $7), bring extra to treat your team to a pitcher of beer at the end.

Do: Taste a Minimum of 6 Colombian Fruits

Colombia has a ton of fruits I’ve never seen before, even with my extensive travel throughout other countries in Central America.  Absolutely nothing was stopping me from buying a bunch from local vendors at the market, but if some is good, more is better.  I signed up for both a cooking class and a food tour.

There’s nothing quite like letting an Australian expat guide you through local Colombian markets, but that’s exactly what we did.  Loon has been living in Bogota for years and knows the right places for a great meal — while still keeping tourists comfortable and safe.  Among other foods, we tasted five Colombian fruits straight from the market and a few others as local juices or smoothies.

A smattering of Colombian fruits.

A smattering of Colombian fruits.

And even though my cooking class was a bust — we made scrambled eggs — the portion tasting fruit was top-notch.  I got to pick out everything I wanted to taste and I ate to my heart’s delight before we even started cooking.

Have you tried these fruits?

  • Feijoa, a green fruit that tastes sort of like “bubblegum”
  • Mangostino, a purple mangosteen which has a center that looks like garlic cloves
  • Lulo, a fruit I’ve never seen or heard of anywhere in the world that tastes like super sour skittles
  • Maracuya, the most common passionfruit, which is semi-tart
  • Curuba, a banana passionfruit with bitter sweets
  • Granadilla, a sweet passion fruit (and my personal favorite from all of Colombia)
  • Pitaya, a yellow dragon fruit
  • Guayaba manzana, or apple guava…not nearly as good as the original guava, another favorite of mine
  • Uchuva, little orange berries that taste more like a tomato than a berry
  • Tomate de arbol, or tree tomato, which tastes like a tomato until it’s boiled in sugar (yum!)

Do It: Loon’s food tour was great and plenty of food to substitute for lunch at a reasonable ~$35.  My cooking class had room for improvement in the menu, but my instructor was generous and friendly.   Maybe ask for a custom menu?

Do: Hit the Streets

The best tour in all of Bogota might just be the Graffiti Tour.  You can see national treasures in the city museums, but the street art goes above and beyond both in talent and message.

Daily walking tours through Candelaria provide background on the artists, information on the skills and methods used to create certain pieces, and just enough context on local culture or sociopolitcal factors where you can draw your own conclusions.  I learned far more — about art and about Bogota — by joining this fascinating tour than you’d ever learn by reading a museum display or two.

things to do in bogota graffiti tour

One of my favorite works of street art in Bogota

The reason why this tour has so much success is because it’s led by passionate artists.  I can’t imagine anything but the original tour would be nearly as good, even though a few imitators are trying.

Do It: The Bogota Graffiti tour is held twice daily and is donation-based.  Since public groups are large, it’s worth considering a private tour, which is offered as a complete steal ($65).

Do: Make a Day of It

The number of tours heading to Zipaquira is mind-numbing and a ton of travelers head to the salt cathedral and then immediately turn right back around after touring it (which, by the way, is remarkably impressive).

things to do in bogota day trip to zipaquira

Zipaquira’s main cathedral hall. Gorgeous.

I was about to follow the exact same pattern until my friend Tim suggested we hire a private driver and turn it into more of an event.  Only a short detour from the route back is the small town of Chia, best known for Bogota’s most unusual restaurant: Andres Carne de Res.

Not only was my meal fantastic, but the visual overload is unmatched by anywhere else I’ve ever eaten.  Between the 75 page menu, the tchotchkes hanging from the ceiling, and the painted cows out front…I didn’t know where to look.

things to do in bogota andres carne de res chia

Inside Andres Carne de Res, Chia, Colombia

Do It: If you really want to see the madness of Andres Carne de Res, visit Zipaquira late in the day then head to Chia for dinner and plan on staying for awhile: the restaurant turns to nightclub starting around 9pm. Order the coconut milk lemonade.  Seriously.

Do: Try the Coffee Culture

Not only is Colombian coffee fabulous, but they have a coffeehouse culture that most other coffee-producing regions don’t have.  They aren’t just growing and roasting coffee, the locals actually have the means to enjoy it.

There are coffeehouses all over the city, many of which have baristas that can tell you all about the specific origin and type of beans that influence the overall flavor.  Cafe Cultor, in Chapinero, is probably the best for English speakers — and they’ll gladly make a few pour overs for year to sample in succession.

For a place to work, meet locals, or just enjoy the people-watching, my favorites were Amor Perfecto in Zona G and Catacion Publica in Usaquen.

coffee culture things to do in bogota colombia

Coffee from Amor Perfecto. It got crowded quickly when afternoon storms rolled in and locals ducked for cover!

Do: Save plenty of room in your suitcase to take coffee beans home.  It’s the perfect souvenir!

Do: Give Bogota More Than a Day

For many travelers, Bogota is just a point of transit.  If you only have a day to spare, by all means, make the most of it.

But if there’s any chance you have 3-5 days, that would be perfect.  This is one city you  just might be surprised by.

If you go…

Where to Stay: My favorite area of the city was Zona G (Zona Gourmet), for cute streets, local atmosphere, proximity to historic areas, and so many restaurants and coffeehouses to check out.  Try the Hotel Boutique Zona G, perfectly located.  Usaquen is also a lovely part of town, but less walkable.  There, I can personally vouch for the Hampton Inn.

Where to Eat: Most of my meals in Bogota were wonderful, and all were affordable.  Grazia is a charming little restaurant in Zona G, with the most amazing pastries to eat on-site with a cappuccino or to take away for later.  Sant Just in La Candelaria has French-Colombian fusion and is open for lunch only and if they have the french onion soup that day, you won’t want to miss it.  Lastly, Helartesano in Usaquen has some of the world’s creamiest ice cream and is perfect for a stroll through the neighborhood’s Sunday market.

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Share your advice!

What other tips do you have for travelers headed to Bogota?

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Read More on The Girl and Globe:

  • Learn about my experience with safety in Bogota.  The city isn’t a walk in the park, but it shouldn’t be completely avoided either.
  • Brush up on your Bogota budget.  My break-down of costs will help you plan.
  • Learn about the game of tejo and add it to your plans.  You won’t want to miss this explosive sport!

The post Planning a Trip to Bogota? Do This, Not That appeared first on The Girl and Globe.


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