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ColombiaColombiaVisited Sep 2024 · 1 month

Bogotá

Pack your umbrella.

Great valueWould return
Average8.4
Accommodation8.6
Coworking8.5
Value8.8
Excitement7.8
Living costs, excl. rent~$915
Mild and dry
JFMAMJJASONDMild and dry: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Dec
Nomad visaAvailable
Population7.9 million
Fly into

BOG

From Spanish colonial outpost to Colombia's vibrant capital.

Over the past 500 years, it has evolved into a major South American metropolis and a hub of politics, culture and commerce in the country and wider region.

Worth it if you're nearby

Even with so many positives, the city's inclement weather makes it somewhat tough to prioritise. It’s well worth incorporating into your itinerary and merits a prolonged stay if the weather doesn’t concern you.

At a glance

Accommodation

Great · #7 of 62

8.6/10

Airbnbs offer great value in Bogotá. With a budget of under £1,000 per month, you have an enviable selection of high-quality one-bedroom apartments in various parts of the city.

Prices generally tend to drop the further south you go, but any financial savings made are likely to be outweighed by the time spent commuting to the north.

Try to find somewhere with a dryer included, as apartments are unlikely to have central heating, making it arduous to dry clothes in low evening temperatures.

How it compares

Coworking

Great · #10 of 62

8.5/10

With seven WeWork locations, numerous independent operators, and a glut of coffee shops, you should have no shortage of places to work.

How it comparesWhere to work

Value

Great · #5 of 62

8.8/10

If you are bringing dollars, euros, or pounds, Bogotá currently provides exceptionally good value.

Accommodation and dining out are dramatically cheaper than you might find in Western Europe and are often comparable to what you would expect in South East Asia. A lunchtime "menu del día" (consisting of soup, a protein item and a variety of sides) at local parrillas can be found for as little as $13,000 pesos (£2.50).

Casual meals at more modern international restaurants come in at around $40,000 pesos (£7), with coffee shops and bars generally around half the price of what you may expect to pay in London.

Considering the distance, direct flights from Heathrow via the national airline Avianca also came in at a very reasonable £350.

It's worth noting that average monthly salaries are substantially lower in Colombia, with local purchasing power being much lower.

How it comparesCosts breakdown

Excitement

Good · #16 of 62

7.8/10

There's a lot going on in Bogotá. It's a mix of a busy contemporary working city with plenty of colonial heritage, natural attractions, and nightlife to keep you entertained.

Compared to the major capitals of Europe, it feels noticeably quieter, yet there's a consistent sense of life to the streets visible into the early evening, especially around the hubs of Zona T and Chapinero.

Two elements which don't work in the city's favour are the often inclement weather and persistent early sunsets, both of which hamper your ability to freely explore large parts of the city.

How it compares

Plan

Summary

I'd always envisaged visiting South America after making a concerted effort to learn Spanish for six months prior.

Sensing this degree of proactivity might never materialise, I booked a single flight to Bogotá to start a three-month journey through the continent.

Even by damp British standards, the rainfall in Bogotá was a consistent and unwelcome feature of most days. Weather forecasts are fickle, making it difficult to plan for any outdoor adventures.
Even by damp British standards, the rainfall in Bogotá was a consistent and unwelcome feature of most days. Weather forecasts are fickle, making it difficult to plan for any outdoor adventures.

Cost of living

$915a month, before rent

Basic living costs, rent not included

Day-to-day spending for a month: two meals out and a coffee every day, three taxis and two nights out a week, a gym and a coworking desk. Add your rent on top.

Very Affordable
  • Meal in a casual restaurant$7.52
  • Speciality coffee$2.51
  • Pint of local beer$3.13
  • Cocktail$7.52
  • Taxi for 2 miles$3.76
  • Men's haircut$10
  • Women's haircut$25
  • Gym membership, monthly$34
  • Coworking, monthly$188

Prices as of Oct 2026. Confidence: medium (gym & coworking verified; other prices restated at 2026-10-07 exchange rates). Sources: numbeo.com, nomadotravel.app, wework.com. Always check locally before planning around them.

Duration & season

You could pack all the historical and natural elements you need to see in Bogotá over two weekends, with plenty of time to explore the food and drink options during the work week. If you're in no rush, there's enough for a month's stay, especially if you're using it as a base to explore the rest of the country.

Due to the frequency of rain, I wouldn't recommend the September/October period, which, whilst bad, didn't appear unusual for the time of year.

December to March is generally considered one of the drier periods, with another window between July and August.

By month

Typical temperatures and rainfall by month
MonthLow °CHigh °CRain mmNotes
January92136peak season
February102199
March1021141wet month
April921127wet month
May102086
June102071peak season
July101931peak season
August92133peak season
September82131
October92076
November921161wet month
December102063peak season
Wettest months Peak season

Typical daytime highs and overnight lows, from the last two years of observations (Open-Meteo). Rain icons mark the wettest months.

Visitors a year
1.9M2024
Crowds
Medium
Peak season
Dec–Jan, Jun–Aug
Low season
Apr–May, Sep–Nov

Remote work visa

Digital nomad visa available

The Colombia digital nomad visa offers an affordable route for remote workers seeking to live and work in Colombia. At $177, it's significantly cheaper than many similar visas, and applicants only need to prove a monthly income of at least $684.

The application process is straightforward: you'll need a valid passport, health insurance, an employment verification letter, and bank statements showing your income. Successful applicants are granted a two-year stay in Colombia and receive a foreign ID card, the Cedula de Extranjeria.

This ID allows holders to rent properties and set up mobile phone contracts, adding further convenience for longer-term stays.

Read more about the visa

Working hours

Colombia Time (COT) is year-round GMT-5, placing it right on the edge of where you can comfortably work to maintain some overlap with European colleagues. I would generally start each day at 06:30 local time, finishing a couple of hours earlier than normal. For anyone maintaining North American hours, Colombia's position is ideal, aligning perfectly with Eastern Time during US Standard Time, and with Central Time during US Daylight Saving Time.

Safety

It's difficult to make general statements about how safe Bogotá is.

Throughout the month, I walked extensively across large areas of the city and fortunately didn't encounter anything that would raise alarm. Most areas have a visible police presence with Comandos de Atención Inmediata dotted across most neighbourhoods. The northern, more residential part of the city is deemed to be safer but is not immune to issues. Following typical safety protocols at all times should leave you in good stead.

Surprisingly walkable in the early evening.

Compared to somewhere like Cape Town, where sunset quickly removes all traces of life from the pavements, walking around the core arterial roads in Chapinero and Chico felt safe for the immediate hours after sunset. By no means should it be encouraged, especially in an area like La Candelaria, but you needn't necessarily be confined to a taxi on your way home from work or when grabbing dinner. Later on in the evening, or for any longer journeys, always use Uber.

Official hiking routes are secure and well policed.

Monserrate is highly popular, especially at weekends, with police stationed along the stair path leading to the top. There are more secluded routes at Quebrada La Vieja, where police are still present but their presence is more dispersed. Assuming you stick to the official paths within the designated operating hours, you should minimise your chances of experiencing any issues.

If you are planning on dating, caution should be exercised.

Stories of men who have been drugged and robbed throughout the country via the odourless drug scopolamine (locally known as Burundanga) have become increasingly common. This has led to the US Government producing official guidance on the matter, and dating site Hinge ceasing operations. With all this considered, its probably worth reconsidering the complementary Margarita offered to you on a night out.

If unsure about a location, keep an eye on Google Maps and Reddit.

In lieu of knowing anyone on the ground, this is the best way to get an accurate feel for any recent flare-ups.

Live & work

Where to stay

Bogotá has an unusual layout - the core of the city runs along a tall stretch beside the Cerros Orientales (Eastern Hills), which forms the eastern boundary of the city's perimeter.

With no metro (projected to open in 2028) and infamously bad traffic, it's a destination where you should be intentional about where to base yourself.

Usaquén

If you are looking for a more residential location, the more southerly neighbourhoods of Usaquén (below Calle #112) are worth considering. The streets are calmer, and it is renowned for being a safe locality. With that being said, it results in a less vibrant experience.

Work from WeWork #116

El Chicó

Recommended

Calmer than Chapinero, El Chicó has a more upmarket and relaxed feel. If you are planning on working from a WeWork, it is equidistantly placed to 4 of the city's WeWorks. Nearby 'Parque El Virrey' is the best place within the inner city to run without dodging cars.

Work from Wework #100

Chapinero · Zona G

Recommended

Where I stayed on my most recent trip, this area of northern Chapinero is renowned for it's wide range of high end eating and drinking options. Safe on the ground and walkable to other hubs such Zona Rosa.

Work from WeWork #81

La Candalaria

Would avoid

There's no reason I could make for staying in the cities downtown area. Worth visting on the weekends for the abundance of museums and cultural sights, but for all other daily activities you'll be better off in the more modern (and safer) north of the city.

Work from bdcoworking

Where to work

With seven WeWork locations, numerous independent operators, and a glut of coffee shops, you should have no shortage of places to work.

While there are options dotted across the city, the main bulk of them are situated north of Chapinero, so plan your accommodation accordingly.

Unfortunately, the WeWorks in the city were among the most disappointing I’ve found internationally, so unless you have pre-existing access, I’d recommend exploring other options beforehand.

WeWork - Calle 81 #11-08 coworking space

WeWork - Calle 81 #11-08

Good coffeeTop locationOn-site café

Out of the seven WeWorks in Bogotá, this one, despite its shortcomings, marginally gets the nod.

Situated in El Retiro and just a 2-minute walk from the Andino Mall, its location makes it easily accessible if you are staying in either Chico or Chapinero. You have somee great options for food and coffee within a couple of minutes’ walk, along with an in-house branch of Café 18.

Unfortunately, like each of the destinations I visited across the city, and by WeWork's normally 'ambient' standards, there are practically no quiet working areas. The All Access Desks are placed in the middle of the main common area for all the private offices.

The combination of tables swamped with groups of colleagues and the bass-heavy speakers can make it unbearably loud during the afternoons.

It’s fine if you are passing through town for a couple of weeks, but I would recommend exploring a non-WeWork alternative if you are planning a prolonged stay in the city. This site is likely to have all the seating capacity booked in advance, so if you plan to visit, I would suggest looking 7 days ahead to secure a seat for the day.

Other options in Bogota:

WeWork #116 - Only really an option if you are staying in Usaquén. It is a relatively large but dark space with rather tired seating options.

WeWork #100 - This was comfortably the best actual office space WeWork had in the city, but its location makes it about a 1-hour walk if coming from Chapinero. It is the only location with a proper focused seating area, but there are limited options for lunch and coffee in the immediate vicinity.

WeWork #99 - Incredible views of the hills to the east of the city, but it’s insanely loud and busy, with the All Access area consisting of just a thin strip of tables on the top floor.

WeWork #78 - Potentially the most poorly equipped WeWork site I've visited globally. A selection of four small tables makes up the meaningful working area, only partially redeemed by exceptional panoramic views. The atmosphere is particularly uninspiring.

DirectionsWebsite

Food & drink

Coffee

Azahar Coffee

A nice spot for brunch, offering a range of pastries, coffees, and light breakfasts. There are several locations spread across the city.

El Rocío Café

Top rated

Some of the best coffee I sampled in Colombia. El Rocío is a small family-run business that serves a range of specialty beans to enjoy in-store or as takeaway, along with a selection of cakes. The chocolate torte is highly recommended.

Food

CAMACHO MY FRIEND

Varied selection of light meals including burgers, toasted sandwiches and pizzas. Would specifically recommend the rice bowls. Quick, attentive and friendly service.

Ancestral Parrilla

If you are working in one of the nearby WeWorks, this is only a short walk away and a great place to try Colombian staples, including Bandeja paisa. Large portions and filling food.

NÓMADA

Bogotá has no shortage of empanada outlets, but this place had the best ones I sampled during my stay, served with a chimichurri dressing.

Parrilla Beef

If you're looking for a casual, traditional, no-frills lunch in Chapinero, this small grill offers a remarkably good value 'Menu del día' for just 13,000 pesos, including a soup, protein, bottomless fresh lemonade, and a selection of sides.

Drinks

Birreria Macha Parque 93

Top rated

A fun, informal bar featuring a range of craft beers and small bites to eat. The 'Hazy IPA' is worth mentioning.

El Mono Bandido Chapinero

A small chain of bars with locations throughout the city, featuring well-styled interiors and offering a range of beers, cocktails, and light food.

There appeared to be an enormous amount of cultural events planned throughout the year, this theatrical fire display was shown for free in Parque de la Independencia as part of FIAV Bogota. Check out what is going on this week at https://bogota.gov.co/que-hacer/agenda-cultural
There appeared to be an enormous amount of cultural events planned throughout the year, this theatrical fire display was shown for free in Parque de la Independencia as part of FIAV Bogota. Check out what is going on this week at https://bogota.gov.co/que-hacer/agenda-cultural

Off the clock

Off work

Hike up Monseratte

Hike up Monseratte

If you fancy an athletic challenge, you should definitely consider the one-hour hike up to the Monserrate Monastery. The route is well-policed and incredibly popular at weekends, with hundreds of people ascending at any given time.

Try to go on a clear day to make the most of the panoramic views once you reach the top. If you're not feeling so adventurous, there is a cable car that takes you from the bottom.

Check out the museums

Check out the museums

Given the tendency of rain to make an unwelcome appearance, Bogotá's selection of over 50 museums provides a perfect way to spend any wet periods.

Whilst most are predominantly in Spanish, the Museo Nacional de Colombia is a great place to start, with 20,000 artefacts spread across a range of exhibitions exploring the country's colourful pre- and post-colonial history.

Other notable ones include Museo del Oro, Museo de Botero and Museo Colonial.

Exercise

Walk

Quebrada La Vieja

Secluded trail which runs along a stream through deeply forested areas, with some great views of the city from the top. Be sure to book in advance, as access is only granted with a QR code sent to your email address.

Run

Circunvalar Loop

It's a challenging ascent to get onto the Circunvalar road from the flat in Chapinero, but it's worth following it along the top to get some panoramic views of the city before dropping into the top of 'Parque Nacional Enrique Olaya Herrera'.

Walk

Montserrate hike

Whilst short in distance, the hike up to Montserrate is challenging due to the immense altitude of the city. The route is secure with a police presence from top to bottom and with hundreds of others doing it simultaneously

Run

Simón Bolívar Park

One of the best places for uninterrupted running across the city, this large park is set against a big lake with a number of running routes going around it. It's worth passing through the smaller 'Parque de los Novios', which is en route if running from Chapinero.

People

For a country reputed to be popular with remote workers, there's little visible evidence of it on the ground in Bogotá. Apart from a few familiar faces at WeWork, I rarely saw other foreigners most days. If you're hoping to meet like-minded others, there is a small digital community through a couple of WhatsApp groups (#1, #2), but you'd be better off heading to Medellín or the coastal cities.

If you are interested in polishing your Spanish (or any other language), there is a weekly event called Gringo Tuesdays which doubles up as a language exchange/nightclub. I ended up there one night and it made for a remarkably good evening, surprising given the idea of such an event would usually make my skin crawl.

Notes

Positives

Warm, friendly, and approachable people.

I can't recall many places where I felt so warmly welcomed throughout my stay. I lost track each morning of how many buenos días were both given and received.

Surprisingly walkable.

For a city with such historical security concerns, navigating on foot felt remarkably safe, with a strong police presence throughout each district.

Excellent coffee.

As you would expect from Colombia's capital, there is no shortage of domestically produced, high-quality coffee available across the city.

Enjoyable local and international cuisine.

Hearty and filling regional foods are well represented across the city, with most international cuisines available, including a surprising number of options from East Asia.

Comfortably off the main tourist/digital nomad path.I was actually shocked at just how few Europeans or North Americans I encountered during the month. For better or worse, Bogotá rarely felt like an international tourist destination.

Considering you are at an elevation of 8,000ft+ and practically on the equator, much of the aesthetic of the city is entirely unremarkable. Many residential areas in the north could be mistaken for Europe.
Considering you are at an elevation of 8,000ft+ and practically on the equator, much of the aesthetic of the city is entirely unremarkable. Many residential areas in the north could be mistaken for Europe.

Negatives

The weather is, at best, underwhelming.

The duration of my trip felt like a particularly bad period, with most days featuring some form of rainfall, usually occurring after midday. The weather forecasts are routinely incorrect, with rain appearing and lasting for as long as it feels on any given day. If you are looking for euphoric blue skies and the ability to confidently plan outdoor excursions, you would be better off looking elsewhere. If you are susceptible to the cold, be sure to bring warm clothes, as central heating is not commonly found in residential properties.

Not the prettiest of cities.

While the city is not without its architectural charms, particularly the older colonial buildings of La Candelaria, much of the city's building stock is a mix of 20th-century red brick and concrete. Paired with the often cloud-laden sky, it doesn't make for the most appealing cityscape.

The sunsets occur around 18:00 year-round.

Given that you are better off limiting your explorations on foot at night, this leads to a consistently early end to the days in the city.

Hiking requires some planning.

Due to conservation efforts, you need to book access to the trails in advance using a (terribly designed) government portal ,which are often oversubscribed. During wet periods, it appeared not possible to book at all. If you can get through, you will get provided with a QR code which allows you access at the entrance. Even though you have to specify a particular time for arrival, it appeared loosely enforced.

Tips

The physical impact of elevation is real.

Its effect may vary from person to person, but even for someone in relatively good cardiovascular health, you may want to wait a few days before physical exertion and gradually build up before attempting any hikes.

If you are new to the city or arriving late at night, consider using 'Imperial Taxi.'

There is a small concession stand in the airport manned 24 hours a day where you can book a private car to your apartment or hotel. If you don't have pesos readily available or any data on your phone, this counter service offers a fixed price, payable by card, saving you from haggling in Spanish. Uber operates in an unofficial capacity within the country, which can cause issues with pickups at the airport. Elsewhere in the city, Uber works flawlessly without issue and with low fares.

There is widespread availability of cards in businesses of all sizes.

Aside from purchasing an Arepa or a Chorizo Colombiano from a street vendor, there are very few places where you'll need cash. Even so, it's worth carrying around a few thousand pesos. A UK Monzo card worked flawlessly, with about a £3 charge to withdraw from most ATMs.

Tipping is generally managed through the inclusion of a Propina Voluntaria.

In most places, you will be cheerfully asked if you would like to add the voluntary service charge of 10%. This further reduces the need to carry cash or calculate a reasonable tipping amount.

Most museums are free on the last Sunday of the month.

If you plan to visit several at once, this is a great way to see many simultaneously, with many located around the La Candelaria area.

Planning a trip to Bogotá?

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