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 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 just value spending just a few 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 number of the different larger cities which have developed a bigger expat and vacationer inhabitants.

There is a lot to do and see here from museums, parks, strolling excursions, wonderful avenue 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 just a few “no-go” areas that you simply’ll need to keep away from as properly. Bogota has numerous petty crime so don’t enterprise too far off the crushed path.

Right here is my breakdown of the very best neighborhoods in Bogota for guests (in addition to urged lodging in every).

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

What’s the very best neighborhood for sightseeing?
Should you simply need to see the primary vacationer websites, I like to recommend staying in La Candelaria, so that you’re inside strolling distance of every part.

What’s the very best neighborhood for vacationers on a funds?
La Candelaria can also be the very best neighborhood for vacationers on a funds. 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 predominant vacationer points of interest are close by, you’ll save on transportation too.

What’s the very best 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 desire a cool place to work from.

What’s the very best neighborhood for nightlife?
If you're staying for various nights and are extra considering 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-about among the many most secure areas of city. La Candeleria is fairly secure throughout the day however you’ll need to keep on with the primary streets at evening.

What’s the very best neighborhood general?
So long as you don’t thoughts touring a bit to a number of the predominant sights, Chapinero is the very best space to remain in, as a result of its cool vibe, nice eating places, implausible nightlife, and ample lodging choices.

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

 

Finest for Funds Vacationers and Sightseeing: La Candelaria

La Candelaria is the town’s historic middle, and all the predominant things 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 primary space for backpackers, with many hostels situated right here. Should you’re on a funds and/or need to spend so much of your time seeing the sights, keep in La Candelaria.

Simply understand that though it's fairly secure throughout the day, you need to train warning at evening. Be certain to observe my safety tips for traveling in Colombia for those who’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 every part you would want, with comfortable pod bunk beds and personal rooms, a completely geared up visitor kitchen, nice showers, a bar/restaurant on-site, and loads of widespread house (together with out of doors patios).
• MID-RANGE: Magdalena Guest House – This reasonably priced visitor home is fundamental but fashionable and comfortable, with slightly backyard space and internal courtyard, a resident cat, and wonderful hosts. The showers are at all times sizzling (not at all times the case on this neighborhood!), the beds are snug, and there’s additionally a kitchen that friends can use.
• LUXURY: Hotel Muisca – Named after the indigenous inhabitants of the realm, this can be a historic resort situated in an exquisite 200-year-old colonial dwelling. You’ll discover the anticipated facilities, like flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi, in addition to luxurious facilities akin to a sauna, spa, complimentary breakfast, and a rooftop eating space.

 

Finest 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 identified for its avenue artwork, espresso outlets, native markets, and thriving LGBTQ+ group (Theatron, the most important LGBTQ+ nightclub in South America is situated right here). Moreover, Chapinero is heaven for foodies, and residential to Zona G (for connoisseur), a focus of the very best 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 places, this one is a big, design-forward hostel with a coworking house, a bar/restaurant, loads of widespread areas, a communal kitchen, and arranged social actions.
• MID-RANGE: HAB Hotel Bogotá – Located on a quiet residential avenue, this resort presents luxurious facilities at mid-range costs, with a trendy inside, 24/7 health middle, 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 may get evening’s sleep.
• LUXURY: Casa Legado – There are a selection of luxurious inns within the neighborhood, however the five-star Casa Legado is phenomenal, superbly 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 internal courtyard, and a tour desk that will help you arrange actions.

 

Finest 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 midst of all of it, keep in Zona Rosa. Often known as Zona T for its form, the realm is dwelling 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 probably the most modern space of city. Native bogotanos come right here from all around the metropolis to occasion 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 fundamental aspect, but it surely’s clear and purposeful, and since lodging is dear on this space, that is positively the very best 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 obtainable too.
• MID-RANGE: Hotel 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 be capable to sleep properly while you come again at evening. There’s additionally a health middle, a buffet breakfast, and a really attentive workers.
• LUXURY: AC Hotel by Marriott Bogota Zona T – Marriott properties want no introduction by way of luxurious. The brand new resort 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 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 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 side 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, regionally well-known for its massive children’ play space. There’s additionally a large monetary middle in Teusaquillo, so there are a lot of inns right here geared towards the business-traveler crowd.

Finest locations to remain in Teusaquillo:

• BUDGET: Hostel Bandido – A gorgeous crimson brick constructing is dwelling to this glorious lodging, which feels virtually like a resort however at hostel costs. There are each personal rooms and dorm rooms with fashionable and cozy pod-style beds, and the Wi-Fi is tremendous quick. There’s additionally a completely geared up kitchen, a shared lounge, a bar, and an outside backyard space.
• MID-RANGE: Hotel 5 Elementos Apartasuites – Combining the very best facilities of staying in a resort with renting an residence, all models at Resort 5 are full flats with their very own kitchens (along with the standard mid-range resort facilities). There’s complimentary breakfast each morning within the shared lounge, in addition to a health and enterprise middle.
• LUXURY: Grand Hyatt Bogotá – Should you’re seeking to actually splurge (or perhaps have some Hyatt points to spend), you may’t get any extra luxurious than this in Bogotá! The Grand Hyatt is dwelling to the most important 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 a vital choice for any traveler visiting the Colombian capital. This big, sprawling metropolis can take a while to get round, and there are some real safety concerns right here as properly. Select an space based mostly 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 usually quicker than touring by taxi or Uber).

And, for those who 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.