Bogotá Travel Tips for First-Timers
Bogotá is an easy city to enjoy once you know a handful of specifics. Here’s what actually matters for a first visit.
Before you go: Bogotá in 2026. Bogotá is a welcoming city well outside the rural border departments that carry Colombia’s highest US travel warnings, and everyday tourism runs smoothly here. Two habits matter most: only ride in taxis booked through an app (Uber operates legally) or called by your hotel or restaurant, never one hailed off the street, since that’s how “express kidnapping” scams start; and stay alert to drink-spiking and dating-app setups in nightlife areas by watching your drink and meeting new people somewhere public. A strong earthquake struck the distant Chocó region in August 2026 and was felt in Bogotá, with no local damage. Conditions shift, so check your government’s current travel advisory before you fly.
Before You Go
Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia can enter visa-free for 90 days, but everyone must complete Colombia’s Check-Mig online form within 72 hours of both arrival and departure. Yellow fever vaccination isn’t required for Bogotá itself, only if you’re continuing on to the Amazon. Pack layers and a rain shell: Bogotá’s climate is “eternal autumn,” cool and often overcast year-round, not the “eternal spring” older guides sometimes claim.
Altitude
Bogotá sits at roughly 2,640 meters, high enough that mild altitude sickness is common in the first day or two. Take it easy, drink more water than usual, and go light on alcohol your first night. Save the climb up Monserrate, which adds another 460 meters, for once you’ve adjusted.
Money and Safety
The Colombian peso floats against the dollar, so check a live converter rather than relying on an old exchange rate. Bogotá’s tap water is genuinely safe to drink, a real plus compared to many other Latin American capitals. Tipping around 10 percent is standard and often added automatically as “servicio voluntario,” which you can decline if you’d rather tip differently. Only take taxis booked through an app or called by your hotel, never one hailed on the street, and keep an eye on your drink in nightlife areas.
Getting Around
The TransMilenio bus system covers most of the city cheaply, though rush-hour cars draw pickpockets, so keep bags zipped and in front of you. The long-planned Metro Line 1 is still under construction and doesn’t carry passengers yet. Every Sunday and holiday, Ciclovía closes roughly 120 km of streets to cars from 7am to 2pm, a free, only-in-Bogotá tradition running since 1974.
Culture
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Colombia since 2016, and Chapinero has one of South America’s best LGBTQ+ scenes. Spanish is the main language, though English is common in tourist areas, and a little effort with greetings goes a long way.
Read more: our Bogotá guide rounds up sights, food, and neighborhoods to plan your full trip around.