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.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Bogotá is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Colombia. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Bogotá, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Colombia better matches the trip style.
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 ($)
COP
Dial
+57
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Colombian
Internet
.co
UN
Member state
ISO code
CO / COL
Where in the world
4.0° - -72.0°
Colombia
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Bogotá sits at 2,640m: the third-highest major city in the world, after La Paz and Quito.
- Every Sunday, the city closes 120 km of streets to cars for the Ciclovía: the world's largest weekly car-free event.
- The Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) holds 55,000 pre-Columbian gold artifacts: the largest collection of its kind.
- Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean.
- It produces over 1 billion red roses annually: most of the US supply comes from here.
Bordering Colombia
Traveler notes
- Gold Museum is free on Sundays
- Monserrate for sunset panorama
- Graffiti tours of La Candelaria
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Bogotá
What currency is used in Bogotá?
Bogotá uses the Colombian peso ($), 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
Mendoza
Mendoza is Argentina's wine capital. Malbec at Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley, Andes cordillera backdrop, and summer climbing on Aconcagua.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is the southernmost city on earth. Tierra del Fuego National Park, Beagle Channel cruises, penguin colonies, and the main departure port for Antarctica.
El Chaltén
El Chaltén is Argentina's trekking capital. Laguna de los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, glacier hikes, and quiet hostels between Andes granite.
Valparaiso
Valparaíso is a UNESCO-listed port city on 42 hills. Pablo Neruda's La Sebastiana house, ascensor funiculars, street art on every wall, and a poetic, chaotic energy.
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro is the Atacama Desert's base. Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geysers at dawn, the world's clearest skies for stargazing, and Bolivian salt-flat crossings nearby.
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos are the evolutionary laboratory. Giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, hammerhead sharks. Visitable by cruise or by island-hopping from Santa Cruz.