Arriving in Colombia, due to time constraints, I only visited a few major cities. The highland capital of Bogotá was quite chilly, but it couldn’t dampen the warmth of the people here.
💼 Entry
With a US visa, you can enter for 90 days. You are required to fill out the checkmig form in advance. This website is quite frustrating; I only remembered to fill it out at the airport, and both Android and Apple phones couldn’t complete it.
Many people say it’s not checked, so I gave up. I flew from Panama and wasn’t checked, but I heard that some flights from other countries might be checked. No one was prevented from boarding, but it’s recommended to fill it out on a computer in advance.
💵 Currency Exchange
UnionPay seems to be available only at Banco Bogota, where you can withdraw 2 million pesos at a time.
The exchange rate at the airport is the best, with an exchange rate of 3900 at Bogotá airport.
🛜 SIM Card
SIM cards are sold in small shops and by street vendors. A 20GB data plan costs around 30,000 pesos, and Claro has the best signal.
🚕 Transportation
To get an Uber from the airport, go to the second floor.
In the city, you can use Uber, Indriver, etc. Traffic congestion is severe. Bogotá does not have a subway, only a rapid transit bus system. At major rapid transit bus stations, you can buy a bus card for 8,000 pesos, and each ride costs 3,200 pesos.
🗺 Attractions
📍 Plaza de Bolivar (Bolivar Square) (Photos 3-5)
The center of Bogotá, surrounded by the cathedral, parliament, and presidential palace.
There are many street food stalls and flocks of pigeons that are great for photo opportunities.
📍 La Candelaria (Photos 16-18)
The oldest neighborhood in Bogotá, with lots of graffiti and colorful houses. It’s very photogenic just walking around.
📍 Museo Botero (Photos 9-11)
Free admission; all exhibits are donated by the famous Colombian artist Botero.
Besides his own works, including the classic “fat” series, there are also paintings by Picasso and Monet. Unfortunately, the gallery with the famous “fat Mona Lisa” was closed for renovation on the day I visited.
📍 Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Photos 6-7)
A beautiful Spanish-style church near the square.
📍 Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) (Photos 12-15)
Admission is 5,000 pesos, free on Sundays. The museum is full of dazzling gold exhibits, with the highlights on the third floor.
These attractions are close to each other and can be reached on foot.
📍 Monserrate
A place to overlook the entire city. Take a taxi or bus to Taquilla Teleférico Monserrate, and then take the cable car, funicular, or walk up the mountain.
📍 Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
Worth spending a whole day to visit. See the separate guide on the homepage for more details.
🍖 Food
👉 La Perseverancia Distrital Market
A local food market featured on a Netflix show.
👉 La Puerta Falsa: Near Bolivar Square, known for the traditional Bogotá dish Ajiaco, a chicken and potato soup served with avocado and rice.
It’s rich and delicious, with portions so generous they might just leave you in awe.
👉 Arepa: A beloved national snack, these cornmeal cakes are at their absolute best when picked up from a street vendor, where authenticity and flavor truly shine.
