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 toes) above sea stage, Bogotá is the third-highest capital metropolis on this 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 simply value spending just a few days in. I feel that’s a disgrace and does this vibrant vacation spot a disservice. I beloved my time in Bogotá and ended up extending my go to right here! This metropolis simply feels extra Colombian than among 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, wonderful avenue artwork, nice nightlife, and an unbelievable gastronomic scene.

With that in thoughts, you’ll wish to select the place to remain in Bogotá fastidiously. It’s an enormous metropolis, divided into totally different estratos, or zones, and there are just a few “no-go” areas that you just’ll wish to avoid as effectively. Bogota has a whole 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 wish to see the principle vacationer websites, I like to recommend staying in La Candelaria, so that you’re inside strolling distance of all the things.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for vacationers on a finances?
La Candelaria can also 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 positioned right here, it’s backpacker central. Since so most of the essential 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?
If you’re staying for quite a lot of nights and are extra eager 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 through the day however you’ll wish to stick with the principle streets at evening.

What’s the most effective neighborhood total?
So long as you don’t thoughts touring a bit to among the essential sights, Chapinero is the most effective space to remain in, attributable to 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 you recognize precisely the place to remain in Bogotá:

Finest for Finances Vacationers and Sightseeing: La Candelaria

La Candelaria is the town’s historic heart, and all the essential 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. 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 through the day, it is best to train warning at evening. Ensure that to observe my security suggestions for touring in Colombia in the event you’re staying right here.

Finest locations to remain in La Candelaria:

• BUDGET: The Cranky Croc – It is a backpacker establishment. Situated in a transformed colonial home, this hostel has all the things you possibly can want, with cozy pod bunk beds and personal rooms, a totally outfitted visitor kitchen, nice showers, a bar/restaurant on-site, and loads of frequent house (together with out of doors patios).
• MID-RANGE: Magdalena Visitor Home – This inexpensive visitor home is primary but fashionable and comfy, with a little bit 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 comfy, and there’s additionally a kitchen that visitors can use.
• LUXURY: Lodge Muisca – Named after the indigenous inhabitants of the realm, this can be a historic resort positioned in a ravishing 200-year-old colonial house. You’ll discover the anticipated facilities, like flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi, in addition to luxurious facilities reminiscent of 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 identified for its avenue artwork, espresso retailers, 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 connoisseur), 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 house, a bar/restaurant, loads of frequent areas, a communal kitchen, and arranged social actions.
• MID-RANGE: HAB Lodge Bogotá – Located on a quiet residential avenue, this resort affords luxurious facilities at mid-range costs, with a trendy inside, 24/7 health heart, backyard, out of doors 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 selection of luxurious resorts 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 visitors’ use, a tranquil inside courtyard, and a tour desk that can assist you manage actions.

Finest for Nightlife, Luxurious, and Procuring: Zona Rosa

Whereas there’s nice nightlife to be present in Chapinero, in the event you actually wish to be in the midst of all of it, keep in Zona Rosa. Also called Zona T for its form, the realm is house to numerous fashionable nightclubs, bars, and eating places, in addition to high-end procuring 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 everywhere in 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 aspect, however it’s clear and purposeful, and since lodging is dear on this space, that is undoubtedly the most effective place to remain in the event you’re on a finances. There’s a small shared visitor kitchen and a rooftop terrace, and all bunks have privateness curtains and retailers. There are additionally a wide range of non-public rooms obtainable 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 if you come again at evening. There’s additionally a health heart, 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 resort in Zona Rosa has a health heart (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

Situated simply north of La Candelaria, Teusaquillo is a good 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 at the side of the town’s higher class.

The realm 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 heart in Teusaquillo, so there are lots of resorts right here geared towards the business-traveler crowd.

Finest locations to remain in Teusaquillo:

• BUDGET: Hostel Bandido – A stupendous pink brick constructing is house to this glorious lodging, which feels nearly like a resort however at hostel costs. There are each non-public rooms and dorm rooms with fashionable and comfortable pod-style beds, and the Wi-Fi is tremendous quick. There’s additionally a totally outfitted kitchen, a shared lounge, a bar, and an out of doors backyard space.
• MID-RANGE: Lodge 5 Elementos Apartasuites – Combining the most effective facilities of staying in a resort with renting an condominium, all items at Lodge 5 are full residences with their very own kitchens (along with the same old mid-range resort facilities). There’s complimentary breakfast each morning within the shared lounge, in addition to a health and enterprise heart.
• LUXURY: Grand Hyatt Bogotá – If you happen to’re seeking to actually splurge (or possibly have some Hyatt factors to spend), you’ll be able to’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 heart 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 based mostly 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 commonly sooner than touring by taxi or Uber).

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