We ended up in Bogotá on a whim. The capital city of Colombia was a required layover between Mexico City and Cartagena and there weren’t any great flight options that didn’t include spending the night. An affordable (~$30/night) but highly rated hotel was found and booked with credit card points and we didn’t think much more of this small portion of our trip until we were getting ready to leave Mexico City.
We left for Colombia EXHAUSTED. Altitude fatigue, a small bed that caused sleepless nights and an early flight had us craving rest, but we were determined to make use of the few hours we had in the city. Luckily the flight was non eventful and Mary was able to doze while Tom read. As we descended into Bogotá we were awestruck by how the metropolis was nestled into the towering and green Andes mountain range. We’d never seen anything like it and energized by the view, we couldn’t wait to land and explore.
Over the next 24 hours we got small glimpses into the bustling life of Bogotá and absolutely loved everything we saw. We fell in love with the city and the country immediately and hope someday to return to explore even more!
Where We Stayed
Hotel Villar America | There wasn’t rhyme or reason to choosing where we stayed but we ended up enjoying both the hotel and neighborhood we spent the night in. Located in the Chapinero Neighborhood, our hotel had a quaint villa feel to it and was super comfortable. Our suite was spacious and charming and an easy place to relax in. For $30 a night, we felt like we had found a great deal.
What We Did
Explore La Candelaria
Having arrived in the afternoon we quickly showered and headed towards the Barrio La Candelaria for exploring and dinner. This beautiful neighborhood is considered the historical center of Bogotá and is known for colorful colonial era architecture, museums and famous murals. We walked up and down the streets of this beautiful part of town making sure to stop by Plaza Bolívar, the main square of Bogotá and host to the National Capitol and Primary Cathedral of the city.
Drinks at Bogotá Beer Company
Being big fans of beer and having seen recommendations from several sources, we stopped by Bogotá Beer Company near La Candelaria for pre dinner drinks. BBC is known for locally brewed craft beer and while they were out of their IPA (Mary’s favorite) she enjoyed a Pale Ale while Tom opted for a cocktail. Both were well done and the atmosphere was enjoyable.
Dinner at Capital Cocina y Café
We ended up at Capital Cocina y Café after reading rave reviews on Trip Advisor. Tucked away on a quiet hill in La Candelaria, the restaurant was unassuming but wonderfully charming. Beef toasts were ordered as appetizers while Tom had a shrimp salad and Mary a chicken sandwich for dinner. Both entrees were plated beautifully and tasted fantastic and the whole meal ended up costing only $26.74USD.
Hiking Monserrate
After a much needed night of sleep we woke up early, had breakfast at our hotel and taxied to the base of Cerro de Montserrate. This beautiful mountain, popular with both locals and tourists alike, plays host to a church, a few restaurants and a small food and crafts market at its summit. While you can reach the top via a cable car, we instead opted for the ~1 hour hike to the top. With Bogotá being at high altitude, the 400m trek had us stopping frequently to catch our breath, but the chance for exercise and the beautiful natural views were worth the effort.
At the peak we were rewarded with spectacular views of both the city below and of the rest of the mountain range and we spent the next hour exploring the markets and grounds and taking plenty of pictures. On our return journey we opted to take the inexpensive tram. Costing only a few dollars and taking about 5 minutes, the tram was an easy way to travel down the steep mountainside and worth taking if you’re not up for the hike back.
Explore Chapinero
After showering, packing and checking out of our hotel room, we left our bags with the concierge and explored the neighborhood of Chapinero where we had spent the night. While not as popular with tourists, Chapinero is one of Bogotá’s trendiest neighborhoods and is filled with cafe’s and bars, restaurants, museums and is a great way to experience cultural urban Bogotá. Having only about on hour to spare we simply wandered the streets, stopping at a both a café and dessert restaurant for coffee and a treat before heading back to the airport.
Our 24 hours in Bogotá were charming and left us only wanting to see more of the beautiful capital of Colombia. Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to return someday and get to know the city even more.
