Bogotá in the Andes: A Modern Look at Colombia’s Capital
- Mark Vogel
- Aug 25
- 9 min read
Updated: a few seconds ago
Bogotá, Colombia ✈
Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a city that sits high in the Andes mountains at more than 8,600 feet above sea level. Its altitude immediately sets it apart from many other Latin American capitals. The air is thinner, the weather is cooler, and there is always a sense of being perched above much of the surrounding region. For travelers arriving from lower elevations, the first few days can require some adjustment, but the setting offers a striking backdrop to daily life. Surrounded by mountain ridges and crowned by the hill of Monserrate, Bogotá is both geographically imposing and historically significant. Because of the high elevation, it is best not to overdo things on the first day. Moving too quickly, walking long distances, or exerting yourself heavily can lead to fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath. In my case, the first two nights I woke up in the middle of the night with a headache, and since I don’t usually get migraines, I believe it may have been due to the altitude. Taking it slow when you arrive helps your body adjust and ensures that you can enjoy the city more fully in the days that follow.
“Spending time in Bogotá gave me a sense of a city that balances past and present. The colonial buildings and historic plazas coexist with modern skyscrapers and shopping centers.”
The city has roots that stretch back to pre-Columbian times when the Muisca people inhabited the plateau. The Spanish arrived in the 16th century, establishing Santa Fe de Bogotá in 1538. From the colonial period onward, Bogotá developed as a political and cultural center, becoming the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. In the 19th century, it played a central role in independence movements, particularly under the leadership of Simón Bolívar. Over time, Bogotá transitioned from a colonial city into the national capital, with a history marked by both progress and conflict.
When people outside Colombia think of Bogotá, many still recall the city of the 1980s and early 1990s. During that time, Colombia was widely associated with drug cartels, political instability, and high crime rates. International travelers avoided it, and headlines rarely mentioned anything positive about life there. That reputation, however, no longer reflects today’s Bogotá. The city has changed dramatically. While it is not free of crime, it is no longer the dangerous capital it once was. Walking through many of its neighborhoods, it feels like any other major city in South America, with people going about their daily lives, students attending universities, professionals working in offices, and families enjoying parks and shopping malls. Safety concerns remain, and it is wise to avoid wandering alone late at night, but for a visitor with basic precautions, Bogotá is a destination worth experiencing. Police are stationed on most of the main streets, and nearly every major building has visible security. Shopping malls in particular have security guards with dogs, and visitors are routinely checked upon entry. These measures give the city a controlled environment in public areas, even though one still has to be mindful of pickpocketing and petty theft.
During my stay, I chose the Hilton Bogotá, located in the financial district. It provided a secure and comfortable base for exploring the city. The Hilton offered what I expected: reliable service, modern rooms, and amenities that made returning at the end of a long day easy. From there, it was easy to order an Uber to many of the landmarks and neighborhoods I wanted to see.
The weather in Bogotá is another defining feature of the city. Because of its elevation, temperatures remain relatively consistent year-round, with daytime highs usually in the 60s Fahrenheit and cooler evenings that often call for a jacket. Unlike coastal cities, Bogotá does not have distinct seasons of heat or cold. Instead, it is the rain that shapes daily life. Showers can appear suddenly, even on an otherwise clear day, and it is common to see people carrying umbrellas. Despite this, during my visit I did not get caught in any major downpours. The showers tend to pass quickly, but it is always best to be prepared when walking around.
Getting around Bogotá is possible through public transportation, including the TransMilenio bus system, which covers a large portion of the city. For a visitor, though, especially one who does not speak Spanish fluently, using Uber or other rideshare apps is often the simpler choice. Uber is widely used in Bogotá and is far more affordable than in the United States, making it an easy and practical way to move between neighborhoods or reach attractions without dealing with language barriers at bus stops. At major hotels, much of the staff speak English, which makes communication smooth for international guests. Outside of those settings, however, English is not widely spoken, as Bogotá is not primarily a tourist city. Travelers who do not know Spanish may find themselves relying on translation apps or gestures in smaller shops, restaurants, and local markets.
Bogotá is also home to a Jewish community that has been part of the city for generations. The community includes several institutions, such as Sinagoga Adat Israel, an Orthodox synagogue, and Comunidad Hebrea Sefaradí de Bogotá, which represents Sephardic Jews in the city. Chabad also maintains a presence, welcoming travelers and providing Jewish services. For visitors who keep kosher, there are multiple options. KosherTov operates with sub-brands such as PizzaTov for pizza and sushi through SushiTov, as well as KikiriTov for meat meals. Manhattan Delicatessen brings a New York-style kosher deli experience to Bogotá, while Babbka Bar is known for its baked goods. HaMakom and Kosher Express provide additional dining choices. These restaurants serve both the local community and international travelers, reflecting a level of infrastructure that makes Bogotá more accessible for kosher-observant visitors.
In terms of what I saw during my visit, I began with Plaza de Bolívar, the central square in Bogotá’s historic district. The plaza is framed by important buildings such as the Capitol, the Palace of Justice, the Mayor’s office, and the Cathedral. A statue of Simón Bolívar, the liberator of much of South America, stands in the center. The square is filled with activity, from tourists taking photos to locals passing through on their way to work. Pigeons gather in large numbers, often landing on the hands and shoulders of people feeding them. The scene captures a mix of national history and everyday city life.
From there, I took the cable car up to Monserrate, the mountain that rises above the city. At more than 10,000 feet above sea level, it provides sweeping views of Bogotá’s vast sprawl. The climb can also be made on foot, but the cable car is the practical choice for most visitors. At the top is a church that has long been a pilgrimage site. The view itself is one of the highlights of the city, giving a sense of just how large Bogotá is and how it extends across the plateau, framed by mountains on all sides.
Another historic stop was Calle del Embudo, a narrow, colorful street in the La Candelaria neighborhood. The street is known for its colonial buildings and is lined with murals and graffiti art. Walking through, I could see the contrast between the preserved architecture and the modern artistic expression. La Candelaria as a whole is a district filled with cobblestone streets, small museums, and cultural institutions, and Calle del Embudo is one of its most photographed corners.
BD Bacatá is a newer landmark, the tallest skyscraper in Bogotá. It represents the city’s growing modern skyline. While much of Bogotá is still low-rise compared to other capitals, buildings like BD Bacatá mark a shift toward contemporary urban development. Seeing it from different angles while moving around the city, it stood out as a symbol of Bogotá’s ongoing growth.
I also visited the Botero Museum, which houses the works of Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous modern artist, known for his distinctive style of exaggerated proportions. The museum also includes pieces by international artists such as Picasso and Monet. Admission is free, and the museum is located in a restored colonial building, making it accessible to locals and tourists alike. It provided an opportunity to understand how Colombian art connects to global movements.
Nearby is the Gold Museum, another essential stop in Bogotá. It contains the world’s largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts, showcasing the craftsmanship of indigenous cultures like the Muisca. The exhibits explain both the technical skill and the cultural significance of gold in these societies. Seeing the finely detailed work firsthand makes clear why Colombia became so central to Spanish conquest and why myths such as El Dorado emerged. Many of the pieces on display directly relate to the rituals carried out at places like Lake Guatavita, where gold was offered to the gods.
To experience another side of Colombian culture, I visited Café San Alberto on Calle 81. Coffee is one of Colombia’s most famous exports, and tasting it in the country itself is an entirely different experience than drinking it abroad. Café San Alberto serves single-origin coffee from their own plantations, and the staff take time to explain different brewing methods and flavor notes. Sitting there with a cup gave me a sense of the pride Colombians have in their coffee industry. It was not just about drinking coffee but about understanding the care that goes into cultivating and preparing it.
For a modern contrast, I went to the Andino Shopping Mall in the Zona Rosa district. Andino is just one of many malls in the city, but it is among the most upscale. Inside, it resembles any international shopping center, with luxury brands, local shops, restaurants, and cafés. Malls in Bogotá serve as gathering places, particularly because of the city’s unpredictable weather, with sudden rain showers common throughout the year. Spending time in a mall is not only about shopping but also about meeting friends and relaxing indoors.
Another area that reflected Bogotá’s modern side was Parque 93. This is a park surrounded by restaurants, cafés, and offices. During the day, professionals come for meetings or lunch breaks, while in the evenings and weekends it attracts families and groups of friends. The park hosts cultural events and festivals, adding to its role as a central public space in the north of the city.
While I could not see everything, Bogotá has far more to explore. The graffiti tour is one of the more unique experiences, showcasing the extensive street art throughout neighborhoods like La Candelaria. The city government has come to recognize graffiti as a form of cultural expression, and many murals have political or social messages. The Museo Nacional de Colombia presents a broader view of the country’s history, covering everything from pre-Columbian times to contemporary events. The Jardín Botánico offers a look at Colombia’s diverse plant life, with greenhouses representing ecosystems from across the country. For those seeking views, the Mirador in the Colpatria building provides another vantage point over the city.
Day trips outside Bogotá also add depth to a visit. The Catedral de Sal in Zipaquirá is an underground cathedral built within a salt mine. It is both a religious site and a feat of engineering, with dramatic chambers carved into the salt. Guatavita, a lake northeast of the city, is associated with the El Dorado legend. The Muisca people performed rituals there involving gold, giving rise to the stories that drew Spanish explorers. Visiting Guatavita today allows travelers to connect with both natural beauty and historical mythology. The legend of El Dorado grew out of these ceremonies, where a new Muisca ruler would cover himself in gold dust and paddle to the center of the lake before washing it off, while treasures were cast into the water as offerings. The Spanish reimagined this ritual as proof of a city made entirely of gold, which led to countless expeditions across South America in search of a place that never existed. The myth endured for centuries, but its origins remain tied to the waters of Guatavita, linking directly to the artifacts preserved in the Gold Museum back in Bogotá.
Spending time in Bogotá gave me a sense of a city that balances past and present. The colonial buildings and historic plazas coexist with modern skyscrapers and shopping centers. Museums preserve the country’s artistic and cultural traditions, while neighborhoods display contemporary creativity through street art. It is not the city that international headlines once warned about in the 1980s. While crime still exists, Bogotá has developed into a place where travelers can explore with reasonable precautions. For me, staying at the Hilton provided a comfortable base, visiting Jewish institutions and kosher restaurants connected me to community life, and the variety of cultural and historical sites kept each day full.
Bogotá’s altitude, history, and scale make it unlike many other capitals in South America. It is not a coastal city defined by beaches or ports, nor is it a small mountain town. It is a metropolis that reflects Colombia’s complexity. Experiencing it firsthand, walking its plazas, riding its cable cars, eating in its restaurants, sipping Colombian coffee, and learning in its museums gave me insight into both the challenges it has faced and the progress it continues to make. For anyone considering a visit, Bogotá is no longer the place to avoid—it is a city worth discovering.
Colombia is known around the world for its coffee, and Bogotá provides countless opportunities to appreciate that tradition. Visiting Café San Alberto was just one way to connect with that legacy, but the experience underscored how coffee is woven into Colombia’s identity. Ending my days in the capital with a cup grown and brewed in the country itself brought the journey full circle, reminding me that Bogotá is not just a political and cultural capital but also a place where the essence of Colombia can be tasted directly.
