The Greatest Neighborhoods for Your Go to

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

Positioned on a excessive Andean plateau at 2,640 meters (8,660 toes) above sea degree, 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 suppose that Bogotá is barely price spending a number of days in. I feel 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 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 road artwork, nice nightlife, and an unbelievable gastronomic scene.

With that in thoughts, you’ll need to select the place to remain in Bogotá rigorously. It’s an enormous metropolis, divided into completely different estratos, or zones, and there are a number of “no-go” areas that you simply’ll need to keep away from as nicely. Bogota has a variety of petty crime so don’t enterprise too far off the crushed path.

Right here is my breakdown of the perfect neighborhoods in Bogota for guests (in addition to advised lodging in every).

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

What’s the perfect neighborhood for sightseeing?
In the event you simply need to see the principle vacationer websites, I like to recommend staying in La Candelaria, so that you’re inside strolling distance of every thing.

What’s the perfect neighborhood for vacationers on a funds?
La Candelaria can also be the perfect neighborhood for vacationers on a funds. It’s one of many least expensive areas of city, and with many hostels positioned right here, it’s backpacker central. Since so lots of the essential vacationer points of interest are close by, you’ll save on transportation too.

What’s the perfect 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 perfect neighborhood for nightlife?
If you’re staying for various nights and are extra thinking 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 protected through the day however you’ll need to keep on with the principle streets at night time.

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

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with advised lodging for every, so precisely the place to remain in Bogotá:

Greatest for Funds 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 Girl of Carmen, the Botero Museum, and the Gold Museum. It’s additionally the principle space for backpackers, with many hostels positioned right here. In the event you’re on a funds and/or need to spend so much of your time seeing the sights, keep in La Candelaria.

Simply remember that though it’s moderately protected through the day, it is best to train warning at night time. Make sure that to comply with my security suggestions for touring in Colombia for those who’re staying right here.

Greatest locations to remain in La Candelaria:

• BUDGET: The Cranky Croc – This can be a backpacker establishment. Positioned in a transformed colonial home, this hostel has every thing you could possibly want, with comfortable pod bunk beds and personal rooms, a totally outfitted visitor kitchen, nice showers, a bar/restaurant on-site, and loads of frequent area (together with out of doors patios).
• MID-RANGE: Magdalena Visitor Home – This reasonably priced visitor home is primary but fashionable and comfy, with somewhat 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 friends 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 residence. You’ll discover the anticipated facilities, like flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi, in addition to luxurious facilities corresponding to a sauna, spa, complimentary breakfast, and a rooftop eating space.

Greatest for Digital Nomads and Foodies: Chapinero

Chapinero is a classy and bohemian neighborhood (there’s a park right here referred to as Hippie Park). It’s recognized for its road artwork, espresso outlets, native markets, and thriving LGBTQ+ group (Theatron, the biggest LGBTQ+ nightclub in South America is positioned right here). Moreover, Chapinero is heaven for foodies, and residential to Zona G (for gourmand), a focus of the perfect fine-dining eating places on the town. It’s additionally one of many most secure districts within the metropolis.

Greatest 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 frequent areas, a communal kitchen, and arranged social actions.
• MID-RANGE: HAB Lodge Bogotá – Located on a quiet residential road, this resort gives 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 glossy, fashionable rooms have their very own desks, high-quality mattresses, and blackout curtains so you will get a very good night time’s sleep.
• LUXURY: Casa Legado – There are a selection of luxurious motels 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 arrange actions.

Greatest for Nightlife, Luxurious, and Procuring: Zona Rosa

Whereas there’s nice nightlife to be present in Chapinero, for those who actually need to be in the course of all of it, keep in Zona Rosa. Also referred to as Zona T for its form, the realm is residence 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 probably the most trendy space of city. Native bogotanos come right here from everywhere in the metropolis to get together and store, and it’s pedestrian-friendly each by day and by night time.

Greatest locations to remain in Zona Rosa:

• BUDGET: Urbana Hostel – This hostel is on the extra primary facet, but it surely’s clear and practical, and since lodging is dear on this space, that is positively the perfect place to remain for those who’re on a funds. 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 personal rooms out there too.
• MID-RANGE: Lodge NH Bogotá Boheme Royal – You’ll be able to’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 be capable to sleep nicely whenever you come again at night time. There’s additionally a health heart, a buffet breakfast, and a really attentive employees.
• 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 well-liked place to remain for enterprise vacationers.

Greatest for Historical past, Tradition, and Households: Teusaquillo

Positioned simply north of La Candelaria, Teusaquillo is a superb place to remain if you wish to be near all the principle 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 realm is understood 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 massive children’ play space. There’s additionally a large monetary heart in Teusaquillo, so there are a lot of motels right here geared towards the business-traveler crowd.

Greatest locations to remain in Teusaquillo:

• BUDGET: Hostel Bandido – A ravishing pink brick constructing is residence to this glorious lodging, which feels nearly like a resort 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 totally outfitted kitchen, a shared lounge, a bar, and an out of doors backyard space.
• MID-RANGE: Lodge 5 Elementos Apartasuites – Combining the perfect facilities of staying in a resort with renting an condo, 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 – In the event you’re seeking to actually splurge (or possibly have some Hyatt factors to spend), you may’t get any extra luxurious than this in Bogotá! The Grand Hyatt is residence to the biggest city spa in Latin America, that includes a shocking 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 determination for any traveler visiting the Colombian capital. This large, sprawling metropolis can take a while to get round, and there are some actual security considerations right here as nicely. Select an space based mostly on what you need to spend most of your time doing, after which hop round by way of the TransMilenio (the bus fast transit system that has its personal devoted lanes and is commonly quicker than touring by taxi or Uber).

And, for those who can, plan extra time right here than you may in any other case suppose you want. Bogotá has a lot to supply. I can’t communicate extremely sufficient of it.