Where to Stay in Bogota, Colombia
Are you wondering where to stay in Bogota, Colombia? You’re in the right place!
Bogota, Colombia’s sprawling capital city, is an amazing destination. I’m always shocked when other travelers skip Bogota because they don’t think it’s worth visiting. Maybe it’s because I’m from New York and I’m a big city person, but I absolutely loved Bogota and would definitely recommend going!
It’s a city that has a lot to offer to everyone, whether you’re interested in history, culture, food, views, or something else. One thing to know about Bogota is that it’s at a very high altitude (8,660 feet), so keep in mind that you may experience altitude sickness symptoms in your first day or two there.
You don’t need to spend a whole week here, but it’s absolutely worth a few days. I personally spent four nights and three full days in Bogota, and this was the perfect amount of time for me to explore the city.
Before I get into where to stay in Bogota, here’s a quick overview of the Bogota itinerary I followed:
- Day 1: Free walking tour of La Candelaria (historic district) in the morning, followed by a visit to the Botero Museum (always free and has a great art collection!) and a visit to the Museo de Oro (free on Sundays and has an impressive gold collection), with dinner in the Chapinero neighborhood
- Day 2: Full-day trip to Guatavita Lake (where the legend of El Dorado originated) and Zipaquira (home of the incredible Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, which was truly awe-inspiring)
- Day 3: Took the funicular up to Monserrate (a beautiful mountaintop that overlooks all of Bogota) in the morning, and took a free walking tour of the Chapinero neighborhood in the afternoon
The free walking tours I did were with Beyond Colombia, and I highly recommend them! If I’d had more time in Bogota, I would have done one of their other tours (they offer several in Bogota.)
If I’d had more time, I also would have done a food tour in Bogota or taken a tour by cable car to the colorful, working-class neighborhood of El Paraiso. There are honestly so many things to do!
Best Neighborhoods for Tourists in Bogota, Colombia
Now, let’s get into where you should stay when you visit Bogota.
Bogota (and Colombia as a whole) is safe for tourists. The country has done a remarkable job of establishing peace after the violent conflicts throughout the second half of the 20th century and into the early 2000s.
However, you still need to exercise caution when traveling in Colombia, and this includes Bogota. Not every neighborhood is safe to wander around, and wherever you are, you should always be vigilant, because pickpocketing and robbery are still things you need to look out for in Bogota.
There are two neighborhoods that I would recommend for tourists in Bogota:
Chapinero: This is a large neighborhood that has a natural border to the east of the mountains that rise above the city. Chapinero is known for being safe and upscale. It’s a good neighborhood for shopping and dining, but there aren’t as many tourist attractions here. Since Bogota is so spread out, you’ll likely end up taking Ubers almost everywhere anyway, so I wouldn’t worry about the proximity to tourist attractions.
La Candelaria: This is a much smaller neighborhood further south in Bogota. It’s the historic center of the city, and it’s where you’ll find a lot of tourist attractions and museums. However, La Candelaria is known for being a little less safe, especially at night. That being said, it’s still a popular area to stay in. It’s also where you’ll find more affordably priced hotels and hostels than you’ll find in Chapinero.
I personally stayed in Chapinero, but I met many people staying in La Candelaria. You really can’t go wrong with either of these neighborhoods, and all the places I’m recommending are in one of the two.
Best Hotels in Bogota, Colombia
Here are my top picks for where to stay in Bogota:
- Best luxury hotel: Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia
- Best mid-range hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton Bogota Rosales
- Best budget hotel: Hotel Museo San Moritz
- Best hostel: Granada Hostel
And here’s a full breakdown of the best places to stay in Bogota, Colombia…
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Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina
The most prestigious hotel in Bogota is the Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina. This five-star hotel was right across the street from where I stayed (keep reading to find out where that was!), and I have to admit, it’s certainly gorgeous. This is the place to stay if you want to splurge on your trip to Bogota.
That being said, I think this hotel is a bit overpriced for what it is. It’s a beautiful, historic, and character-filled property, though, and it’s in a great location in Chapinero with many nice restaurants nearby. This is where celebrities and politicians stay in Bogota, so if you want the best of the best, this is it.
Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia
For a more reasonably priced luxury hotel in Bogota, check out the Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia. This five-star hotel is also in Chapinero, but a little further north. It’s close to lots of shopping, dining, and nightlife.
The rooms here are modern and stylish, making this a comfortable respite in the heart of busy Bogota. This is a good place to stay if you’re looking for luxury at a more affordable price point.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Bogota Rosales
I personally stayed at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Bogota Rosales, and I would highly recommend it! This hotel is located in Zona G of Chapinero, which is known as the best culinary area in the city. There were lots of great restaurants nearby, as well as several good bookstores and plenty of other shops.
The rooms here were a bit dated, but very spacious and comfortable. I also liked that the hotel offers free breakfast and a free evening reception with lots of snacks and beverages. The staff was also very friendly.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bogota Zona G
One more excellent hotel to consider in Chapinero is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bogota Zona G. This is the perfect option if you’re looking for an affordable hotel that is still modern and comfortable.
Once again, you’ll be in a good neighborhood that is safe and filled with lively restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. The hotel also offers a free breakfast buffet every morning so you can save some money there.
Camelia by Masaya Collection
Moving to the area of La Candelaria, Camelia by Masaya Collection is a stunning boutique hotel that is the perfect place to stay if you want something filled with historic charm and lots of character.
This hotel is just a few blocks from many museums and tourist attractions in Bogota. The style of the hotel is traditional colonial, but the rooms are modern and stylish. Free breakfast is included.
Hotel Museo San Moritz
If you are looking for an affordable hotel in La Candelaria, Hotel Museo San Moritz is the perfect choice. The rooms here are basic but comfortable, with beautiful artwork that elevates the look and feel.
The hotel is just around the corner from the Museo del Oro, or Gold Museum, as well as other top tourist attractions in Bogota. Guests staying here will enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning.
Granada Hostel
For budget travelers, Granada Hostel is a highly rated place to stay. It’s located in the heart of La Candelaria and offers a colorful, cozy atmosphere for guests who want a relaxed and affordable hostel.
Granada Hostel offers private rooms with private bathrooms, as well as dorm rooms with shared bathrooms. There are common spaces where guests can hang out, both indoors and outdoors at the hostel.
The Cranky Croc Hostel
Finally, one more place to stay in La Candelaria is The Cranky Croc Hostel. This is another good option for budget travelers and backpackers who are looking for a lively, social place to stay in Bogota.
Guests can choose from private rooms or dorm rooms at this hostel. You can join tours and activities from The Cranky Croc, making it a great place to stay if you want to meet other travelers.
Where to Stay in Bogota, Colombia
This guide showed you where to stay in Bogota, Colombia.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury hotel: Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia
- Best mid-range hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton Bogota Rosales
- Best budget hotel: Hotel Museo San Moritz
- Best hostel: Granada Hostel
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Bogota!
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