Quick Guide

Bogotá is green year-round, with temperatures averaging in the 60s. December to February (winter) and July to August (summer) are peak dry seasons.

The rainy seasons of April to May and October to November are guaranteed to have downpours, but not necessarily all day. You can snag travel bargains if you’re willing to risk a daily deluge until the sun breaks out again.

Visas

To travel to Bogotá, register with Colombia’s travel ministry at Check-Mig 24 hours before your flight. Print your Check-Mig, with a unique bar code, to enter the country. The document is good for 30 days. Visas are not necessary, but a valid U.S. passport along with your Check-Mig document is required.

Money

Bogotá currency is the Colombian peso (COP). A U.S. dollar exchanges for thousands of pesos, so get used to exchanging for large denominations.

Travel Health

Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.

Getting Here

Bogota is served by Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG).

Getting Around

BOG is about half an hour from Bogotá, and taxis to the city center are available. Rideshares have been banned on and off over the years in Colombia, so check in advance to see if Uber is running. Taxis, the most common mode of transportation, are ordered in advance with a company like Taxilo.

Local Lingo

The dialect spoken in Bogotá is known as Colombian Spanish. A local greeting is asking: Bien o que? (Well, or what?) — to which you can answer: Todo bien. (All is well.) The fact that it’s the most common answer speaks to the fact that Colombia is often rated one of the happiest countries.

Must-Have Apps

Taxilo, Tiqets (for the cable car)

Insider Tip

Bogotá sits at 8,660 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. Be ready for high-altitude travel by doubling your water intake to stay hydrated and taking it slow if you get light-headed before becoming acclimated to the air up there.

Bogotá is green year-round, with temperatures averaging in the 60s. December to February (winter) and July to August (summer) are peak dry seasons.

The rainy seasons of April to May and October to November are guaranteed to have downpours, but not necessarily all day. You can snag travel bargains if you’re willing to risk a daily deluge until the sun breaks out again.

Visas

To travel to Bogotá, register with Colombia’s travel ministry at Check-Mig 24 hours before your flight. Print your Check-Mig, with a unique bar code, to enter the country. The document is good for 30 days. Visas are not necessary, but a valid U.S. passport along with your Check-Mig document is required.

Money

Bogotá currency is the Colombian peso (COP). A U.S. dollar exchanges for thousands of pesos, so get used to exchanging for large denominations.

Travel Health

Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.

Getting Here

Bogota is served by Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG).

Getting Around

BOG is about half an hour from Bogotá, and taxis to the city center are available. Rideshares have been banned on and off over the years in Colombia, so check in advance to see if Uber is running. Taxis, the most common mode of transportation, are ordered in advance with a company like Taxilo.

Local Lingo

The dialect spoken in Bogotá is known as Colombian Spanish. A local greeting is asking: Bien o que? (Well, or what?) — to which you can answer: Todo bien. (All is well.) The fact that it’s the most common answer speaks to the fact that Colombia is often rated one of the happiest countries.

Must-Have Apps

Taxilo, Tiqets (for the cable car)

Insider Tip

Bogotá sits at 8,660 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. Be ready for high-altitude travel by doubling your water intake to stay hydrated and taking it slow if you get light-headed before becoming acclimated to the air up there.