The Finest Neighborhoods for Your Go to

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

Situated on a excessive Andean plateau at 2,640 meters (8,660 ft) above sea degree, Bogotá is the third-highest capital metropolis on the planet (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 value spending a number 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 few of the different larger 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 need to select the place to remain in Bogotá fastidiously. It’s an enormous metropolis, divided into totally different estratos, or zones, and there are a number of “no-go” areas that you just’ll need to keep away from as effectively. Bogota has quite a lot of petty crime so don’t enterprise too far off the overwhelmed path.

Right here is my breakdown of the most effective neighborhoods in Bogota for guests (in addition to instructed lodging in every).

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

What’s the most effective neighborhood for sightseeing?
If you happen to simply need to see the primary vacationer websites, I like to recommend staying in La Candelaria, so that you’re inside strolling distance of the whole lot.

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

What’s the most effective neighborhood for digital nomads?
Chapinero is the trendiest district and, whereas it’s a bit dearer than La Candeleria, it’s nice for digital nomads who need a cool place to work from.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for nightlife?
In case you are staying for various nights and are extra curious about 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 need to stick with the primary streets at evening.

What’s the most effective neighborhood general?
So long as you don’t thoughts touring a bit to a few of the foremost sights, Chapinero is the most effective space to remain in, because of its cool vibe, nice eating places, improbable nightlife, and ample lodging choices.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with instructed lodging for every, so 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 foremost issues to do in Bogotá are inside strolling distance from right here, together with the Gothic Nationwide Shrine of Our Girl of Carmen, the Botero Museum, and the Gold Museum. It’s additionally the primary space for backpackers, with many hostels situated right here. If you happen to’re on a finances and/or need to spend so much of your time seeing the sights, keep in La Candelaria.

Simply understand that though it’s moderately secure in the course of the day, it is best to train warning at evening. Be sure to comply with my security suggestions for touring in Colombia in case you’re staying right here.

Finest locations to remain in La Candelaria:

• BUDGET: The Cranky Croc – This can be a backpacker establishment. Situated in a reworked colonial home, this hostel has the whole lot you could possibly want, with cozy pod bunk beds and personal rooms, a completely outfitted visitor kitchen, nice showers, a bar/restaurant on-site, and loads of widespread area (together with outside patios).
• MID-RANGE: Magdalena Visitor Home – This reasonably priced visitor home is primary but fashionable and comfortable, with slightly backyard space and inside courtyard, a resident cat, and wonderful hosts. The showers are all the time sizzling (not all the time the case on this neighborhood!), the beds are snug, and there’s additionally a kitchen that friends can use.
• LUXURY: Lodge Muisca – Named after the indigenous inhabitants of the world, it is a historic lodge situated in a lovely 200-year-old colonial dwelling. You’ll discover the anticipated facilities, like flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi, in addition to luxurious facilities equivalent to a sauna, spa, complimentary breakfast, and a rooftop eating space.

Finest for Digital Nomads and Foodies: Chapinero

Chapinero is a stylish and bohemian neighborhood (there’s a park right here referred to as Hippie Park). It’s recognized for its road artwork, espresso retailers, native markets, and thriving LGBTQ+ group (Theatron, the biggest LGBTQ+ nightclub in South America is situated right here). Moreover, Chapinero is heaven for foodies, and residential to Zona G (for gourmand), a focus of the most effective 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 widespread areas, a communal kitchen, and arranged social actions.
• MID-RANGE: HAB Lodge Bogotá – Located on a quiet residential road, this lodge presents luxurious facilities at mid-range costs, with a classy inside, 24/7 health middle, backyard, outside terrace, and its personal farm-to-table restaurant/bar. The modern, fashionable rooms have their very own desks, high-quality mattresses, and blackout curtains so you will get a great evening’s sleep.
• LUXURY: Casa Legado – There are a variety of luxurious lodges within the neighborhood, however the five-star Casa Legado is phenomenal, fantastically designed in a mid-Twentieth century model. Every of its 13 rooms is exclusive; some have balconies, and others backyard views. There’s complimentary breakfast, bikes for friends’ 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, in case you actually need to be in the midst of all of it, keep in Zona Rosa. Often known as Zona T for its form, the world is dwelling to numerous fashionable nightclubs, bars, and eating places, in addition to high-end purchasing malls and designer shops. It’s a bit dearer to remain right here, as that is essentially the most trendy space of city. Native bogotanos come right here from all around the metropolis to social gathering and store, and it’s pedestrian-friendly each by day and by evening.

Finest locations to remain in Zona Rosa:

• BUDGET: Urbana Hostel – This hostel is on the extra primary facet, but it surely’s clear and purposeful, and since lodging is dear on this space, that is undoubtedly the most effective place to remain in case 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 may’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 have the ability to sleep effectively while you come again at evening. There’s additionally a health middle, a buffet breakfast, and a really attentive workers.
• 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 well-liked place to remain for enterprise vacationers.

Finest for Historical past, Tradition, and Households: Teusaquillo

Situated simply north of La Candelaria, Teusaquillo is a superb place to remain if you wish to be near all the primary points of interest however don’t need to keep inside La Candelaria. It’s an enormous district that’s principally 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, regionally well-known for its giant children’ play space. There’s additionally a large monetary middle in Teusaquillo, so there are lots of lodges right here geared towards the business-traveler crowd.

Finest locations to remain in Teusaquillo:

• BUDGET: Hostel Bandido – A ravishing pink brick constructing is dwelling to this wonderful lodging, which feels nearly like a lodge however at hostel costs. There are each personal rooms and dorm rooms with fashionable and comfortable pod-style beds, and the Wi-Fi is tremendous quick. There’s additionally a completely outfitted kitchen, a shared lounge, a bar, and an outside backyard space.
• MID-RANGE: Lodge 5 Elementos Apartasuites – Combining the most effective 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 – If you happen to’re trying to actually splurge (or possibly have some Hyatt factors to spend), you possibly can’t get any extra luxurious than this in Bogotá! The Grand Hyatt is dwelling to the biggest city spa in Latin America, that includes a shocking indoor pool, a sauna, a sizzling tub, therapy 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 an important choice for any traveler visiting the Colombian capital. This big, sprawling metropolis can take a while to get round, and there are some actual security considerations right here as effectively. Select an space primarily based on what you need 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 commonly quicker than touring by taxi or Uber).

And, in case 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 converse extremely sufficient of it.