Parque 93 Bogotá, Colombia: A Traveler’s Guide to the Park and Its Neighborhood
- Mark Vogel
- Sep 17
- 6 min read
Bogotá, Colombia ✈
I arrived in Bogotá, Colombia with a plan to explore one of the city’s more relaxed but still energetic zones: Parque de la 93, commonly called “Parque 93.” The name refers to its location on Calle 93 in the north part of the city, in the El Chicó sector of Chapinero.
Walking into the park, I found a rectangular plaza of lawn, palm and ficus tree plantings, pathways, lighting posts, and open space where people sit, stroll, or rest. Surrounding it are cafés, restaurants, bars, terraces, and nightlife venues pressing close to its edges. The setting feels urban but not confining — tree trunks rise, foliage frames the sky, and through gaps there are hills rising above the buildings.
“Parque de la 93 is open year-round as a public park. There is no admission fee; it is a city space accessible at any hour (though early and late hours are quieter).”
Parque de la 93 lies in the north of Bogotá, in Chapinero, between Calle 93A and 93B and between Carrera 11A and Carrera 13 in El Chicó. As Bogotá expanded northwards over the 20th century, the wealthier neighborhoods and commercial districts moved upward, and Parque de la 93 occupies a prime spot in that shift.
Historically, the site was not always so polished. Before the mid-1990s, parts of the area were degraded, even used as dumping ground or as informal parking. In 1995, the park underwent a redevelopment funded by public, private, and community sources. Local institutions, business groups, and community associations partnered to rehabilitate the grounds, install walkways, lighting, planting, and amenities. Over time an association called “Friends of Parque de la 93” was established to help care for the park. Later on, the park received further investment and was reinaugurated after a refresh of its infrastructure and public spaces.
Because of that layered development and continuous care, the park feels like more than a leftover green plot — it feels like a community space that has been claimed, improved, and maintained through time.
I spent some time drifting across the lawn, under the palms whose trunks are banded in pale bark with palm leaves overhead. The park features walking paths, benches, and lighting columns. Round shrubs and clipped hedges sit near seating areas, giving some soft edges to the walking loops. I saw people relaxing on the grass, under shade, reading, talking, or just pausing. Families, couples, local residents — the mix changes during day and evening. The ground is level, largely open, making it easy to walk or find a resting spot.
Although Parque de la 93 is well known, it is not a large park in terms of physical size. It spans just a couple of city blocks, bounded by Calle 93A and 93B and Carrera 11A and 13. You can cross it on foot in just a few minutes, and its layout is compact enough that you can always see from one side to the other. This scale is part of its appeal. Unlike Bogotá’s expansive Simón Bolívar Park, which covers hundreds of hectares, Parque de la 93 feels more like a neighborhood square. The compact dimensions make it easy to meet friends, find a place to sit, or walk around without feeling lost in a vast landscape. Despite its smaller size, it supports a steady flow of activity, from people lying on the grass to open-air events and seasonal decorations.
At certain times, the park hosts temporary art installations, small concerts, cultural events, or outdoor movie nights. During the holiday season, they string lights across the space and often erect a central Christmas tree. Because it sits in a commercial and residential zone, the park remains active past daylight. In the evening, music from nearby bars or venues sometimes drifts in. I stayed long enough to see the lighting come on: the globes atop the poles glowed, and people lingered on terraces and paths. The juxtaposition of green breathing space amid a dense architecture belt feels intentional.
I wandered to the fringes and noted familiar names: Café Renault, Gato Negro, a Juan Valdez coffee shop, and numerous smaller cafés, bars, and terraces crowding the streets immediately around the park. In fact, the southwestern edge of the park hosts some of Bogotá’s first major coffee chain locales. Within one or two blocks you’ll find a wealth of dinner options, bars, and lounges. At night, some venues offer live music, others a more relaxed bar scene.
In terms of safety and neighborhood character, the El Chicó / Chapinero area around Parque 93 is considered among the safer zones for visitors, especially compared to many sectors of Bogotá. The north is generally more affluent, better maintained, and more aligned with tourism and business. Locals often note that walking around the park and toward nearby cafés or restaurants at night is more predictable, since the lighting, street life, and pedestrian traffic are stronger. That said, standard caution is still wise — avoid isolated pathways at very late hours, keep personal items secure, and use trusted ride services when needed.
Chapinero is diverse. It includes upscale and more modest areas, and hosts embassies, commercial zones, universities, and a strong daytime population. Parque 93’s location between main arteries (Carrera 11 and Carrera 13) gives it accessibility and avoids the feel of being too tucked away.
There are several lodging options nearby. Salvio Parque 93 Bogotá, Curio Collection by Hilton sits directly across the street from the park, offering immediate access and views over the green space. DoubleTree by Hilton Bogotá – Parque 93 is also very close, providing brand comfort and a short walk to the park. Novotel Bogotá Parque 93 is another well-placed option. Holiday Inn Express Bogotá – Parque La 93 also lies in the area. A more boutique / social concept lodging is Socialtel Bogotá Parque de la 93, just a few blocks from the park; it offers extras like social lounges, a library, café in the lobby, and wellness options. Because this is a desirable neighborhood, hotel rates tend to be moderate to high, but the trade-off is convenience and safety.
During my explorations of the area, I saw numerous cafés and terraces where people enjoyed both local and international plates — from Colombian staples to fusion menus. Ice cream parlors, bars, and tapas-style restaurants line the streets adjacent to the park. Well-known international chains are also present, including a McDonald’s and a Starbucks located across the street. At night the atmosphere shifts; some venues feature music or live entertainment, while others maintain a more relaxed bar setting. The density of restaurants means it is easy to find multiple dinner or drink choices within a block or two of the park.
Beyond the park is Museo del Chicó, a colonial-era house museum in the same El Chicó area. The house is restored with period rooms, gardens, and botanical elements; it offers a calm museum experience not far from the park. I also walked into adjacent residential streets to observe architecture, tree-lined boulevards, boutique shops, galleries, and quieter cafés. The commercial spines along Carrera 11 and 13 are busy, with offices, shops, and street-level commerce.
For public transit, the Virrey station on Bogotá’s TransMilenio system lies nearby along Autopista Norte and Calle 90, facilitating connection to other parts of the city. If you prefer taxis or ride-hailing services, short trips from the park to neighborhoods like Usaquén, La Candelaria, or the Zona Rosa are feasible, though Bogotá’s traffic can slow transit in peak times.
Parque de la 93 is open year-round as a public park. There is no admission fee; it is a city space accessible at any hour (though early and late hours are quieter). You can enter from any side via adjacent sidewalks connecting to streets. The pathways are largely flat and walkable; though in some places near plant beds you may find slight unevenness. Because the park is integrated into a walkable urban environment, reaching it from nearby hotels or transit stations is easy.
My visit gave me a sense of balance: green relief amid a dense city, social life interspersed with moments of quiet, cafés steps away, and terraces waiting just beyond tree shadows. Staying in a place where you could rest in nature midday, sip coffee, and dine nearby in the evening felt strategic. The park’s evolution and the community care behind it reveal a place shaped by real people rather than staged for tourism.
If I return, I’d revisit at different times of day — early morning before cafés open, midday when the shadows shift across the lawns, and evening when lights engage and city sounds deepen. I’d spend more time in Museo del Chicó, stroll the off-main streets for hidden cafés, and perhaps linger longer on terraces to let the suburb-meets-urban rhythm sink in. Parque 93 is not just a waypoint on Bogotá’s map — it is a pause, a space to center yourself in the city’s movement.
