Where to Stay in Bogotá: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Located on a high Andean plateau at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level, Bogotá is the third-highest capital city in the world. Most travelers usually bypass it in favor of the popular digital nomad hot spot of Medellín or the coastal city of Cartagena.

I think that’s a shame and does this vibrant destination a disservice. I loved my time in Bogotá so much that I actually ended up extending my visit here! There is a lot to do and see here. Museums, parks, walking tours, amazing street art, great nightlife, and an incredible gastronomic scene — Bogota has it all.

With that in mind, you’ll want to choose where to stay in Bogotá carefully. It’s a huge city, divided into different estratos, or zones, and there are a few “no-go” areas that you’ll want to steer clear of as well. Bogota has a lot of petty crime, so don’t venture too far off the beaten path.

Here is my breakdown of the best neighborhoods in Bogota for visitors (as well as suggested accommodations in each):

 

Best for Budget Travelers and Sightseeing: La Candelaria

La Candelaria is the city’s historic center, and all of the main things to do in Bogotá are within walking distance from here, including the Gothic National Shrine of Our Lady of Carmen, the Botero Museum, and the Gold Museum. It’s also the main area for backpackers, with many hostels located here. If you’re on a budget and/or want to spend a lot of your time seeing the sights, stay in La Candelaria.

Best places to stay in La Candelaria:

BUDGET: The Cranky Croc – This is a backpacker institution. Located in a remodeled colonial house, this hostel has everything you could need, with comfy pod bunk beds and private rooms, a fully equipped guest kitchen, great showers, a bar/restaurant on-site, and plenty of common space (including outdoor patios). The staff are also super helpful and can also help you book tours and excursions around the region/country.

MID-RANGE: Magdalena Guest House – This affordable guest house is basic yet modern and cozy, with a little garden area and inner courtyard, a resident cat, and lovely hosts. The showers are always hot (not always the case in this neighborhood!), the beds are comfortable, and there’s also a kitchen that guests can use. I especially love the brightly colored tiled floors and walk-in showers.

LUXURY: Hotel Muisca – Named after the indigenous inhabitants of the area, this is a historic hotel located in a beautiful 200-year-old colonial home. You’ll find the expected amenities, like flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi, as well as luxury amenities such as a sauna, spa, a delicious complimentary breakfast (served in a lovely courtyard), and a rooftop dining area. The area is nice and quiet too, making it a great choice for those looking for a quieter stay. Just note that the hotel is on a very steep hill.
 

Best for Digital Nomads and Foodies: Chapinero

Chapinero is a trendy and bohemian neighborhood (there’s a park here called Hippie Park). It’s known for its street art, coffee shops, local markets, and thriving LGBTQ+ community (Theatron, the largest LGBTQ+ nightclub in South America is located here). Additionally, Chapinero is heaven for foodies, and home to Zona G (for gourmet), a concentration of the best fine-dining restaurants in town. It’s also one of the safest districts in the city.

Best places to stay in Chapinero:

BUDGET: Trip Monkey Hostel Zona G – This is a small, quiet, and laid-back hostel. The beds are super comfy and the location is perfect if you want to eat your way around the city. It’s not a super social hostel, but the staff are really friendly and welcoming and the curtains on the dorm beds make it easy to get a good night’s sleep. What it lacks in socializing it more than makes up for in location if you ask me!

MID-RANGE: HAB Hotel Bogotá – Situated on a quiet residential street, this hotel offers luxury amenities at mid-range prices, with a stylish interior, 24/7 fitness center, garden, outdoor terrace, and its own farm-to-table restaurant/bar. The spacious rooms have hardwood floors and huge windows. All rooms feature high-quality mattresses, a desk, a minibar, a flatscreen TV, and a safe. The sleek bathrooms include complimentary luxury toiletries. It’s a calm oasis in one of the city’s coolest neighborhoods.

LUXURY: Casa Legado – There are a number of luxury hotels in the neighborhood, but the five-star Casa Legado is exceptional, beautifully designed in a mid-20th century style. Each of its 13 rooms is unique; some have balconies, and others garden views. There’s complimentary breakfast, bikes for guests’ use, a tranquil inner courtyard, and a tour desk to help you organize activities. I’d stay here if you’re a foodie looking for luxury, as this neighborhood has the highest concentration of fine-dining restaurants in the city. It’s also one of the safest districts.
 

Best for Nightlife, Luxury, and Shopping: Zona Rosa

While there’s great nightlife to be found in Chapinero, if you really want to be in the middle of it all, stay in Zona Rosa. Also known as Zona T for its shape, the area is home to countless trendy nightclubs, bars, and restaurants, as well as high-end shopping malls and designer stores. It’s a bit more expensive to stay here, as this is the most fashionable area of town. Local bogotanos come here from all over the city to party and shop, and it’s pedestrian-friendly both by day and by night.

Best places to stay in Zona Rosa:

BUDGET: Urbana Hostel – This hostel is on the more basic side, but it’s clean and functional, and since accommodation is expensive in this area, this is definitely the best place to stay if you’re on a budget. There’s a small shared guest kitchen and a rooftop terrace, and all bunks have privacy curtains and outlets. The mattresses are thick too so you’ll get a decent sleep. There are a variety of private rooms available, and even a bike rental in case you want to explore the city on two wheels.

MID-RANGE: Avani Royal Zona T Bogotá Hotel – You can’t get any better than this location, in the heart of Zona Rosa. With soundproofing and air-conditioning in all the rooms, you’ll still be able to sleep well when you come back at night. The beds are large and comfortable, and rooms include all the standard amenities. The bathrooms are on the smaller end, but the water pressure is decent and there are complimentary toiletries. There’s also a fitness center, a buffet breakfast, and a very attentive staff. It’s also pet-friendly and has free on-site parking.

LUXURY: AC Hotel by Marriott Bogota Zona T – Marriott properties need no introduction in terms of luxury. The new hotel in Zona Rosa has a fitness center (overlooking the city), an expansive complimentary buffet breakfast, a bar/lounge, and free bikes for guest use. The rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, with flatscreen TVs and fast Wi-Fi. It’s a popular place to stay for business travelers.
 

Best for History, Culture, and Families: Teusaquillo

Located just north of La Candelaria, Teusaquillo is a great place to stay if you want to be close to all the main attractions but don’t want to stay within La Candelaria. It’s a huge district that is mostly residential, with tree-lined streets and 20th-century mansions and architecture from when the neighborhood grew in conjunction with the city’s upper class.

The area is known for its green spaces, including Bogotá’s largest park, Simón Bolívar, as well as the city’s botanical gardens and the Parque de los Novios, locally famous for its large kids’ play area. There’s also a sizable financial center in Teusaquillo, so there are many hotels here geared toward the business-traveler crowd.

Best places to stay in Teusaquillo:

BUDGET: Hostel Bandido – A beautiful red brick building is home to this excellent accommodation, which feels almost like a hotel but at hostel prices. There are both private rooms and dorm rooms with modern and comfy pod-style beds, and the Wi-Fi is super fast. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen, a shared lounge, a bar, and an outdoor garden area.

MID-RANGE: Hotel 5 Elementos Apartasuites – Combining the best amenities of staying in a hotel with renting an apartment, all units at Hotel 5 are full apartments with their own kitchens. There’s complimentary breakfast every morning in the shared lounge, as well as a fitness and business center. While I find the decor a bit dated, there are gorgeous hardwood floors throughout and rooms also have a seating area, desk, flatscreen TV, coffee maker, and even a laptop safe. The bathrooms aren’t huge but the showers are a decent size and have good water pressure.

LUXURY: Grand Hyatt Bogotá – If you’re looking to really splurge (or maybe have some Hyatt points to spend), you can’t get any more luxurious than this in Bogotá! The Grand Hyatt is home to the largest urban spa in Latin America, featuring a stunning indoor pool, a sauna, a hot tub, treatment rooms, and a fitness center complete with personal trainers. The rooms and suites are spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking either the Andes or the city itself. There are also two restaurants, a cocktail bar, and a grab-and-go market. There’s an exceptional breakfast available in the mornings too. The only downside to the hotel is it’s a bit far out of the historic center.

***Deciding where to stay in Bogotá is a crucial decision for any traveler visiting the Colombian capital. This huge, sprawling city can take some time to get around, and there are some real safety concerns here as well. Choose an area based on what you want to spend most of your time doing, and then hop around via the bus or Uber.

But no matter where you stay, plan more time here than you might otherwise think you need. Bogotá has so much to offer. I can’t speak highly enough of it!