Before talking about neighborhoods, it is important to know how the streets and avenues work here. The first and most important landmark in Bogota is the mountain. Just remember that the mountain is east, and you will never lose your bearings . Also, all calles (streets) run east-west and all carreras (avenues) run north-south. You will also come across some diagonales, which are the same as calles but in a diagonal direction, and transversales, which are the same as carreras but in a diagonal direction.
Most of the time you will find it very easy to find an address. Let's look at an address and break it down. For example, Calle 80 #7-42. The first bit of information, Calle 80, tells you that the building is located on Calle 80. The next number, in this case 7, tells you the closest intersecting street. In this case it is Carrera 7. Lastly, 42 is the street number. So, if you were trying to find this building, you would look on Calle 80, between Carrera 7 and 8. Many buildings have the full address written directly on them.
This artsy neighborhood used to be a small town outside of Bogota. It kept its “Pueblo (village)” appearance with its plaza and impressive church. Every Sunday, there’s a big Flea market where you can find a great amount of local craft . The best place to buy gifts to bring back home! See our section on local designer as there’s a lot and they might be hard to find if you don’t know where to go and can’t make it to Usaquen on Sundays.
Literally, "the park at 93rd street," this beautiful, exclusive, and safe neighborhood is full of young professionals and families. Restaurants, cafes, and bars fill the perimeter of the park.
This is one of the most popular and trendy places in Bogota. With three big shopping centers located at its heart, (Altantis, Andino and El Retiro) it is usually full of people. La Zona Rosa includes the very famous "Zona T", which is two streets that intersect in a "T" shape. Cars are never allowed to enter the Zona T, it is filled with tons of great restaurants and bars. A ritual for a lot of us is to go down there after work and have a drink together. Due to its very central location, it's not rare that more and more friends join us late in the night!
Part of Chapinero, it could be loosely translated as "the g spot," and it's true that the Zona G brings many delights. Very upscale and well-maintained, this area houses the restaurants and cafes for Rosales, one of Bogota's most expensive neighborhoods just a little further up the mountain. There are several blocks full of architecturally spectacular restaurants.
One of the most important neighborhoods in Bogota because it has a lot to offer commercially, culturally, artistically, and residentially. It has a zone called “La Zona G” where you will find many of our restaurant recommendations. As you walk around Chapinero, you will see drastic physical changes. Some parts of the area were renovated and are very posh, some other parts are a little more rough. Don't be fooled by the old buildings as something they hide beautifully remodeled apartment and stores. When you get closer to the mountain, you will even see some of the few remaining poor "Barrios" where some entire families live in metal sheet houses.
Many college students and young adults live in this artsy up-and-coming neighborhood, which is located north of the Candelaria. There are a good selection of fun bars and delicious restaurants. The city is working on improving security in the Macarena, as there is drug problem in the area that brings occasional violence. If you are considering having a lunch or dinner there, you should go from Monday to Saturday, as most businesses in this neighborhood are closed on Sunday. A few years ago, an ordinance was issued to control noise level in the area, so as opposed to other neighborhoods, the streets of la Macarena are very quiet at night. Although it has a great selection of restaurants and lounges, you will not feel the party vibe when you arrive and you might think you are in the wrong area. Don't worry, as soon as you get in, you will get in the mood.
This is the oldest part of Bogota. There are many hostels located in the Candelaria, so you can meet foreigners. There are character-rich bars and restaurants. Be aware of petty crime, and keep in mind that although it is called “the center,” there are not many attractions south of the Candelaria, only North. One of our main goal doing this website is to expand Bogota to foreigners that is often limited to La Candelaria since most guide books will limit their Bogota section on that neighborhood. Don’t get me wrong, it's a great place, but there is so much more to Bogota than this. You will find in that area many great museums! Botero museum, Gold museum, National museum and the famous Monserrate Church perch on the top of a mountain where you can see the whole city.
This is the most important thoroughfare in Bogota. It runs from the presidential house downtown until the northern city limits. It crosses through some of the city’s most important neighborhoods. You will be affected by the big metropolitan pollution if you spend to much time close to it. The one thing to remember about La Septima, is that from 5pm to 8pm everyday of the week, it runs only North. They call it "Contraflujo". It's important to know as it changes the way you get around in the city!
This artsy neighborhood used to be a small town outside of Bogota. It kept its “Pueblo (village)” appearance with its plaza and impressive church. Every Sunday, there’s a big Flea market where you can find a great amount of local craft . The best place to buy gifts to bring back home! See our section on local designer as there’s a lot and they might be hard to find if you don’t know where to go and can’t make it to Usaquen on Sundays.
Literally, "the park at 93rd street," this beautiful, exclusive, and safe neighborhood is full of young professionals and families. Restaurants, cafes, and bars fill the perimeter of the park.
This is one of the most popular and trendy places in Bogota. With three big shopping centers located at its heart, (Altantis, Andino and El Retiro) it is usually full of people. La Zona Rosa includes the very famous "Zona T", which is two streets that intersect in a "T" shape. Cars are never allowed to enter the Zona T, it is filled with tons of great restaurants and bars. A ritual for a lot of us is to go down there after work and have a drink together. Due to its very central location, it's not rare that more and more friends join us late in the night!
Part of Chapinero, it could be loosely translated as "the g spot," and it's true that the Zona G brings many delights. Very upscale and well-maintained, this area houses the restaurants and cafes for Rosales, one of Bogota's most expensive neighborhoods just a little further up the mountain. There are several blocks full of architecturally spectacular restaurants.
One of the most important neighborhoods in Bogota because it has a lot to offer commercially, culturally, artistically, and residentially. It has a zone called “La Zona G” where you will find many of our restaurant recommendations. As you walk around Chapinero, you will see drastic physical changes. Some parts of the area were renovated and are very posh, some other parts are a little more rough. Don't be fooled by the old buildings as something they hide beautifully remodeled apartment and stores. When you get closer to the mountain, you will even see some of the few remaining poor "Barrios" where some entire families live in metal sheet houses.
Many college students and young adults live in this artsy up-and-coming neighborhood, which is located north of the Candelaria. There are a good selection of fun bars and delicious restaurants. The city is working on improving security in the Macarena, as there is drug problem in the area that brings occasional violence. If you are considering having a lunch or dinner there, you should go from Monday to Saturday, as most businesses in this neighborhood are closed on Sunday. A few years ago, an ordinance was issued to control noise level in the area, so as opposed to other neighborhoods, the streets of la Macarena are very quiet at night. Although it has a great selection of restaurants and lounges, you will not feel the party vibe when you arrive and you might think you are in the wrong area. Don't worry, as soon as you get in, you will get in the mood.
This is the oldest part of Bogota. There are many hostels located in the Candelaria, so you can meet foreigners. There are character-rich bars and restaurants. Be aware of petty crime, and keep in mind that although it is called “the center,” there are not many attractions south of the Candelaria, only North. One of our main goal doing this website is to expand Bogota to foreigners that is often limited to La Candelaria since most guide books will limit their Bogota section on that neighborhood. Don’t get me wrong, it's a great place, but there is so much more to Bogota than this. You will find in that area many great museums! Botero museum, Gold museum, National museum and the famous Monserrate Church perch on the top of a mountain where you can see the whole city.
This is the most important thoroughfare in Bogota. It runs from the presidential house downtown until the northern city limits. It crosses through some of the city’s most important neighborhoods. You will be affected by the big metropolitan pollution if you spend to much time close to it. The one thing to remember about La Septima, is that from 5pm to 8pm everyday of the week, it runs only North. They call it "Contraflujo". It's important to know as it changes the way you get around in the city!