Bogotá in 3 days

A high-altitude capital of cobbled colonial streets, world-class museums, street art and a serious coffee and food scene. Best time to visit: December-March and July-August (drier months). Average daily budget: $45 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: La Candelaria, The historic heart: cobbled lanes, museums, street art and student energy.

Morning: Gold Museum (Museo del Oro). One of the world's finest pre-Columbian gold collections.

Afternoon: Explore La Candelaria, The historic heart: cobbled lanes, museums, street art and student energy.

Evening: Monserrate by cable car. Ride up the mountain for sweeping views over the city.

Eat: Ajiaco, the hearty Bogotá chicken-and-potato soup

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Chapinero, Hip, leafy and LGBTQ+-friendly, full of cafés, bars and brunch spots.

Morning: La Candelaria street-art walk. Murals, history and the Botero Museum's free collection.

Afternoon: Explore Chapinero, Hip, leafy and LGBTQ+-friendly, full of cafés, bars and brunch spots.

Evening: Sunday Ciclovía. Join locals as major roads close to cars for cycling and skating.

Eat: Fresh arepas with cheese from a street stall

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Zona G, The 'gourmet zone' for the city's best restaurants.

Morning: The Usaquén Sunday market for crafts and brunch.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Zona G, The 'gourmet zone' for the city's best restaurants.

Evening: Paloquemao market for tropical fruit you've never seen.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Specialty Colombian coffee from a local roaster

Hidden gems

The Usaquén Sunday market for crafts and brunch.
Paloquemao market for tropical fruit you've never seen.
A coffee tasting at a specialty roaster in Chapinero.
The Quinta de Bolívar, Simón Bolívar's leafy former home.

Getting around

The TransMilenio bus rapid-transit network covers the city cheaply but gets crowded; pair it with the cycle network on Sundays. Use the InDriver or Uber-style apps rather than hailing taxis on the street, especially at night. Allow extra time for traffic, and take the first day slowly to adjust to the altitude.

Safety

Bogotá has improved hugely but still requires street smarts. Stick to well-trodden areas, don't flash phones or jewellery (the local saying 'no dar papaya' means don't give opportunities), use ride apps at night, and only carry what you need. La Candelaria is fine by day but quieter after dark.

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