BogotáCapital
Colombia · Country profile
Bogota is the high-altitude capital of Colombia, a vast, modern metropolis that spreads across the flat savannah and climbs the slopes of the Andes at nearly three thousand metres above the sea. The old colonial district of the Candelaria, with its painted houses, its plazas and its museums, anchors the historic heart, while the modern city spreads the skyscrapers, the galleries, the cycle lanes and the enormous, rapidly transforming energy of the contemporary capital. The city has reinvented itself in a generation, and its books, its art, its coffee and its famously enthusiastic embrace of the bicycle culture give it a vibrant, youth-driven life. Cold in the evenings, warm in the hearts of its people, Bogota is the intellectual and the cultural heart of the country.
About Bogotá
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia. The city's documented population is around 8,000,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +57. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: El Dorado International Airport.
The Candelaria, the Gold Museum and the High-Altitude Centre
Bogota is a vast, energetic metropolis spread across a high mountain valley, and its contradictions are part of its appeal: freezing mornings and sunny afternoons, colonial lanes and towering skyscrapers, notorious traffic and an extraordinary culture of books, art and bikes. The historic Candelaria and the great museums of the city anchor the cultural circuit, while the lively districts of the north hold the modern life. The altitude is a real factor, so the first days move slowly and the evenings come early with the cool air. It is a city of ideas, of talent and of a phenomenal local energy that has made it one of the most talked-about capitals in Latin America.
The Altitude, the Layers and the Trails of the First Days
The altitude is the first thing to know, and the thin air means taking the acclimatisation seriously for the first couple of days. The weather is mild all year but changeable, with rain at almost any hour and cool temperatures every evening, so the layers and the umbrella are essential. The Candelaria, the Gold Museum and the great viewpoints of the city are the essential circuit, and the local experience rides on the coffee and the food of the neighbourhoods. Spanish is essential and the English is limited, so a translation app helps enormously. The city is safe in its main areas with the usual big-city care at night, and the currency is the Colombian peso.
The Cable Car of the Monserrate, the Ciclovia and the Coffee
The Gold Museum of the city is among the great collections of the pre-Columbian world, and the Museum of the Botero and the museums of the modern and the colonial art fill out the cultural circuit. The Candelaria is the historic walk, and the cable cars and the funicular of the Monserrate give the classic views over the whole city. The famous bicycle network of the city, the ciclovia that closes the main streets on the Sundays, is the great local ritual. The districts of the north hold the restaurants, the galleries and the nightlife, and the coffee shops of the city serve some of the best cups of the country. The evenings are cool, the people are warm and the city rewards the curious.
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- Country
- Colombia
- Population
- 8,000,000
- Coordinates
- 4.7016, -74.1469
- Capital
- Bogotá
- Region
- South America
- Currency
- Colombian Peso (COP)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +57
- Country code
- CO
Entry requirements for Colombia
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Colombia for tourism.
Getting to Bogotá
Airports we list for Bogotá:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Colombia
Other cities we cover in Colombia:
Frequently asked questions
Is Bogotá the capital of Colombia?
Yes — Bogotá is the capital of Colombia.
What currency do I need in Bogotá?
The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Languages spoken in Colombia include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Colombia?
The international dialling code for Colombia is +57.
Which airport should I fly into for Bogotá?
El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is the airport we list for Bogotá.
How far is Bogotá from the nearest airport?
Bogotá is about 215 km from José María Córdova International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Colombia?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Italy currently enter Colombia visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Bogotá? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.