Columbia’s capital, Bogota, lies in the centre of Columbia on the Eastern side of the Andes at over 2,600 metres altitude. It’s home to nearly 8 million people and one of the largest cities in the world. As the main gateway to the rest of the world, it makes sense to start your Columbia visit in the capital.
Arriving in Bogota
So I’m not going to lie, arriving in Bogota, the first stop on our Colombia itinerary, was nothing short of a culture shock. The airport was insanely busy and navigating our way to the taxi rank was a challenge. As our flight arrived in the middle of the night we had arranged airport pick up through our hotel.
Public transport and the city centre were equally manic – it took our jet-legged selves a while to find our bearings and get used to the hectic inner city. However, once we figured out broadly where we were on the vast city map and the workings of the TransMilenio transport system we dove right in. Bogota is organised numerically, with numbered ‘carreras’ leading south to north and ‘calles’ leading east to west.
We only had a couple of days in Bogota so we focused largely on the historic centre. It’s fun to wander round the old town. Street vendors, pastellerias, cafes, graffiti, art – there’s something to discover around every corner.









What to see and do in Bogota as a family
Our family loved the Museo Botero, an entire house dedicated to a vast collection of Colombia’s favourite artist. The kids had great fun discovering the chubby pictures and sculptures. It’s free to enter and a brilliant space to explore as a family.
The Museo d’Oro on the other hand, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Bogota, didn’t do so much for our kids. While fascinated at first, there was little to capture their imagination or engage them in the subject matter.




I definitely recommend a trip up the Monserrate mountain for a wonderful view over the city. You can travel up by cable car or funicular. The Basilica and Way of the Cross through the surrounding gardens offer a little tranquillity and respite from the hectic city down below. There are restaurants and a few walking trails, where you might spot the odd humming bird.





Catedral de Sal – Daytrip from Bogota
We didn’t want to miss the famous Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá so decided to catch the bus there on one of the days. Zipaquirá lies 50 kilometres north of Bogota and the bus from Terminal del Norte takes around an hour and a half. Watch out: On the way back our bus got stuck in rush hour traffic and the journey took nearly three hours.
The Roman-Catholic cathedral was build within the underground tunnels of a salt mine and is unlike anything I have ever seen. The combination of salt formations, carvings, light and sound effects create a mystical space that fascinates children and adults alike.
Zipaquirá itself is a small town with a neat little square and a pedestrianised old centre, with plenty of cafes and restaurants to refuel. The Catedral de Sal visitor area lies a short walk up the hill on the south end of town.






Where to stay in Bogota
We stayed at HAB hotel, a cute little Boutique hotel at Carrera 5 / Calle 58. While arguably not the most child friendly place, the staff at HAB were helpful and the food was delicious. In a neighbourhood popular with students, there were several places to eat nearby and we felt save walking around. From our hotel it was only a short walk to Carrera 7 from where we were able to catch the TransMilenia bus into the town centre.
There is of course a lot more to do and see in Bogota, but even as a starting point for a longer Colombia itinerary I definitely recommend spending a couple of days in the capital. It may be tiring but it’s worth it.
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