From a cultural perspective, there is plenty of variety among the 8 million-strong population of Bogota. The Colombian people are largely considered to be friendly and accommodating. As with any holiday destination, the closer you get to the local culture, the more you can experience authentic hangouts.
The capital of Colombia is an impressive city by anyone’s standards and comprises a fair share of landmarks, culture, history, museums, cathedrals and churches, and many restaurants and bars.
Whether you lean towards five-star fine dining, or street food at a bustling local market, you won’t be disappointed. Bogota is definitely one of those places where the curious won’t run out of things to do.
In this article, we will look at where to stay in Bogota by looking at the best neighborhoods and their accommodations and attractions.
Best Places To Stay in Bogota
Do you just need an idea of the best accommodations in Bogota? We got you covered with our quick picks!
- 🏨 Best Overall Hotel — Hotel Retiro 84
- 🌅 Best Luxury Hotel — GHL Hotel Bioxury
- 🏚 Best Budget Hotel — The Hotel City Bog Usaquen
- 🏯 Best Boutique Hotel — Lucitania Hotel Boutique
- 👪 Best Hotel For Families — The NH Bogota Boheme Royal
- 🧍🏻♂️ Best Hostel for Solo Travellers — Hobu Hostel
- 👫 Best Hotel for Couples — NH Collection
Now, let us take a closer look at where to stay in Bogota, Colombia by exploring the four best areas.
The 4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Bogota
1. La Candelaria
Rich in history and culture
La Candelaria is one of the most prominent regions of Bogota. It is rich in historic culture and comprises narrow and winding cobblestone streets. Along with the buildings that date back hundreds of years, making your way through the streets of La Candelaria gives a distinct whiff of times gone by.
This is part of the city that also contains the most prominent government buildings of Bogota, along with the highest proportion of culturally and historically important museums and art galleries. Here you can learn everything from Colombian religious art to the country’s history steeped in revolution.
It is largely the density of historical landmarks that makes La Candelaria the most popular tourist destination in the city. So if you are geared towards sightseeing, and maybe looking to meet other travelers, then you will find this an ideal spot.
There are plenty of opportunities to explore the district, including walking and bike tours. And of course, the bus lines from La Candelaria are highly organized and make it possible to get to most of Bogota’s other main areas of interest.
In terms of accommodation, you will find the broadest range of lodgings available in this city district.
It is the central hot spot for hostels, which means you’ll find anything from affordable little family-owned outfits to the new breed of boutique and state-of-the-art hostels that have appeared in recent years. The hotels are somewhere between reasonably inexpensive to mid-priced ranges.
La Candelaria Mini Guide
Best Area to Stay in for Sightseeing
- Best Hotels – Hotel De La Opera • Hotel Casa De La Vega • Selina De Candelaria
- Best Hostels – Granada Hostel • El Yarumo Hostel • Fatima Hostel Bogota
- Best Apartments – 1 Bedroom Apartment • 1 Bedroom Apartment • 1 Bedroom Apartment
- Where to Eat – El Gato Gris ($$), La Puerta Falsa Restaurant ($), La Puerta de la Catedral ($$)
- Where to Drink – El Irish Pub, Bogota Beer Company, Dona Ceci
- Top Attractions – Museo Botero, Centro Cultural Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Museo del Oro
2. Chapinero
Central location with a bohemian vibe
Chapinero is a term that refers to a large expanse in the Northeast of the city comprising trendy neighborhoods like La Zona Rosa and Parque 93. Mostly it is regarded as a separate area by locals.
A somewhat affluent residential area of Bogota that includes most of the city’s university activity, Chapinero is also a good point from which to reach the other neighborhoods.
There is a definite ‘bohemian vibe’ to this region of the city, and as this area of Chapinero is a reasonably compact neighborhood, you can get around on foot. There is no shortage of high-end dining experiences in this corner of the city, as well as coffee shops and trendy little boutiques.
You won’t find too much in the way of historical landmarks, which is one of the reasons why many visitors find Chapinero ideal.
If you are looking to get a bit further out from the more chaotic vibe of the city, you won’t find too much along the lines of budget accommodation around here, but there are plenty of ‘mid-to-high range hotels’ if you are OK with the extra cost.
Chapinero Mini Guide
Best Area to Stay in for Fine Dining & Nightlife
- Best Hotels – GHL Hotel Bioxury • NH Collection Bogota WTC Royal • Mercure Calle Bogota 100
- Best Hostels – Hostel Trip Monkey Bogota • Hobu Hostel • Hostal CQ Chapinero
- Best Apartments – 1 Bedroom Apartment • 1 Bedroom Apartment • 1 Bedroom Apartment
- Where to Eat – Restaurante La Herencia ($$), Restaurante Armadillo ($$), Al Agua Patos ($$)
- Where to Drink – El Mono Bandido Chapinero, Vintrash Bogotá, Bar la Negra
- Top Attractions – Parque 93, Museo del Chico, Centro Comercial Andino
3. La Zona Rosa
For shopping and nightlife
You’ll likely find a ‘Zona Rosa’ in most Latin American central nightlife neighborhoods, which is no different in Bogota. So if you want to center your stay close to the lively regions of the city that don’t do early nights, then La Zona Rosa is for you.
This is also where the locals go to party, but many like-minded visitors from far and wide will be found hanging out in the locality.
You’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and discos in this area and a fairly diverse choice of eateries. Many people agree that this is the area of Bogota where cultural diversity is most apparent.
This is apparent in the area’s cuisine and the bars and clubs, which are more cosmopolitan than in the other neighborhoods.
Budget travelers will be happy to find that some of the best hostels in Bogota are located in La Zona Rosa (although not as extensively as in La Candelaria) and some impressive mid to high-range hotels, especially in the region of Pink Zone.
La Zona Rosa Mini Guide
Best Area to Stay in for Shopping & Nightlife
- Best Hotels – NH Bogota Boheme Royal • Hotel Retiro 84 • Mercure Bogota
- Best Hostels – Selina Chapinero • 82 Hostel • Republica Hostel
- Best Apartments – 2 Bedroom Apartment • 1 Bedroom Apartment • 1 Bedroom Apartment
- Where to Eat – Andres D.C. Bogota ($$$), Abasto ($$), Pajares Salinas ($$$)
- Where to Drink – McCarthy’s Irish Pub, Yumi Yumi, El Mono Bandido
- Top Attractions – Monserrate Hill, Parque del Chico, Hippies Park
4. Usaquen
Quaint and trendy area perfect for those wanting to avoid large crowds
Usaquen is in the North of Bogota and thus offers a different perspective to the built-up central regions of the city. If you are interested in scenic, local villages surrounded by a little more natural beauty than you are likely to find in the denser area, then Usaquen could be the place for you.
You won’t find so many luxury hotels in this region, and the hostels are probably a little thinner on the ground, but plenty of mid-range accommodation is around.
Even though this region of Bogota is a lot more open than La Candelaria, it is home to some equally impressive architecture. The colonial quarter can give you the feeling of being transported back in time once you wander among its impressive Spanish colonial-style buildings.
But aside from the historical aspect, Usaquen is still pretty quaint and trendy. Around the winding, cobbled streets of the colonial district, you’ll find plenty of impressive restaurants, coffee bars, and the weekly market, the Mercado de Las Pulgas. This is where you’ll find hand-crafted, locally-made souvenirs and such.
It is a lively environment surrounded by different types of street performers, and many people come to the market for the social aspect. A decent shopping mall called Hacienda Santa Barbara is near the market.
Usaquen Mini Guide
Best Area to Stay in for Luxury
- Best Hotels – Sonesta Hotel • NH Collection • Hotel City Bog
- Best Hostels – Usaquen Station Hotel • Aloha Hostel • La Parada Del Tren
- Best Apartments – 2 Bedroom Apartment • 2 Bedroom Apartment • 2 Bedroom Apartment
- Where to Eat – Cafe Amarti ($$$), El Mediterraneo by Andrei ($$$), La Mar ($$$)
- Where to Drink – Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar, El Irish Pub, Draft Bogota
- Top Attractions – Mercado de las Pulgas, Parque de Usaquén, Iglesia Nuestra Senora de Lourdes
FAQs About Where to Stay in Bogota, Colombia
So, Where Should You Stay in Bogota?
- La Candelaria — This region is where you will find Bogota’s most historical and cultural landmarks. For those travelers who want to get to as many landmarks as possible, La Candelaria is an excellent choice for where to stay in Bogota.
- Chapinero — This affluent neighborhood offers visitors a more culturally immersive experience due to its focus on shopping and food over tourist attractions. This area is excellent for those with money to spend on their trip.
- La Zona Rosa — If you love immersing yourself in the nightlife of an area, La Zona Rosa is THE place to stay for late-night entertainment.
- Usaquen — This trendy neighborhood has fewer accommodations and attractions than other areas, but the payoff is solitude away from the big crowds. That is not to say this area is barren for entertainment, as you can catch street performances daily. This area is excellent for families, given the fewer crowds and greenspaces.
With its wide range of flavors, scenery, and accommodation options, it is easy to find something to suit your idea of a perfect vacation in this region of Columbia. Once you have experienced Bogota, after a little prior planning, you will very likely head back in the future.