Why visit
Bogotá sits at 2,640 m with the Candelaria old town, Monserrate funicular views, Gold Museum, and an energetic new restaurant scene in Chapinero and Usaquén.
Bogotá at a glance
City population
7.9 million
Metro: 11.5 million
Elevation
2,640 m
8,661 ft
Time zone
UTC-5
America/Bogota
Airport
BOG
El Dorado International
Founded
1538
Getting around
TransMilenio BRT + SITP buses + Metro Line 1 (under construction); ciclovía Sundays
Signature dish
Ajiaco, bandeja paisa, lechona, arepa boyacense, chocolate con queso
Neighborhoods for travelers
La Candelaria (old town)ChapineroZona RosaUsaquénTeusaquillo
Colombia at a glance
Country center
4.0°, -72.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,141,748 km²
440,831 mi²
Country population
52.1 million
46/km²
Subregion
South America
Currency
Colombian peso ($)
COP
Dial
+57
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Colombian
Internet
.co
UN
Member state
ISO code
CO / COL
Where in the world
4.0° · -72.0°
Colombia
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Did you know
- Bogotá sits at 2,640m: the third-highest major city in the world, after La Paz and Quito.
- Every Sunday, the city closes 120 km of streets to cars for the Ciclovía: the world's largest weekly car-free event.
- The Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) holds 55,000 pre-Columbian gold artifacts: the largest collection of its kind.
- Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean.
- It produces over 1 billion red roses annually: most of the US supply comes from here.
Bordering Colombia
Traveler notes
- Gold Museum is free on Sundays
- Monserrate for sunset panorama
- Graffiti tours of La Candelaria
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Bogotá
What currency is used in Bogotá?
Bogotá uses the Colombian peso ($), ISO code COP.
What languages are spoken in Colombia?
The primary language is Spanish.
What is the international calling code for Colombia?
The calling code is +57.
What airport serves Bogotá?
El Dorado International (IATA: BOG).
Is Bogotá at high altitude?
Yes, Bogotá sits at 2,640 m (8,661 ft). Give yourself a day or two to acclimatize.
Other South America destinations
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Mendoza
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Ushuaia
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