Day Trips from Bogota, Colombia
Welcome to our guide covering some of the best day trips from Bogota.
The capital of Colombia, sitting over 8,000 + feet above sea level, is famous for its street art and flavorful cuisine that encompasses many of the country’s regions in one place.
After spending more than a few nights in Bogota and on more than one occasion, we have decided to write a guide that covers things to do in and around this gigantic city.
Day Trips from Bogota
Before you head out of the city you may want to check out some of the more popular things to do within the city limits. Some of which we have decided to include in this guide.
Below we’ve listed a few of the easy things you can do in Bogota below:
- Tour Bogota’s famous street art: Today, Bogota is one of the most street art friendly places in South America despite its tumultuous past. You can hire a guide or walk around, taking in the beautiful artwork. The best time to check it out is on Sunday’s and Holiday’s when Calle 26 is open for only bicycles and pedestrians.
- Chow down at Mercado: This farm-to-table restaurant prides itself on serving only the freshest ingredients from local farmers. Every item on their menu has a connection to Colombian tradition and culture. It has a relaxed atmosphere. It’s located roughly 1km from Plaza de Bolivar. This restaurant even makes its sodas from locally sourced fruits. It’s a popular spot for locals and travelers.
- Visit the Gold Museum: This is one of the most famous museums in Bogota, with more than 55,000 pieces of gold artifacts. It’s the largest display of gold artifacts in the world. In addition to this, the museum has one of the largest displays of pre-Hispanic art, culture, and tradition. You could easily spend an entire day here.
Some of these activities are also covered in our 3 days in Bogota travel guide so be sure to check that out especially if you’ll be visiting Bogota for the first time.
Got Travel Insurance for Colombia?
Day Trips from Bogota
If you’ve done all of the above and/or just really want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city you many want to unite yourself with some of the following excursions.
As mentioned earlier, we decided to include a few things to do that are still within the city limits, but will also take you to the outskirts so you get the best of both worlds, such as:
Monserrate hill and historic city tour
The history and culture of Bogota come alive on this tour through the city. On this day trip through Bogota, you’ll experience some breathtaking views of the city as you ascend to 10,335-feet above sea level via cable car to Monserrate Hill.
Once on the hill, you can visit the shrine of El Senor Caido and take some amazing pictures of the city below. I (Dan) got a bit carried away taking photos up there.
Descending the hill, you’ll begin your tour of this magnificent city by visiting Bogota’s main city square, the Plaza de Bolivar, and even La Casa de Narino, the seat of the Presidency of the Republic.
Watching the sunset from atop Monserrate is a trendy attraction for the city. Having said that, be aware that the altitude in Bogota can make you dizzy so take proper precautions.
Salt cathedral small-group tour
The Salt mines of Zipaquira are an architectural marvel. Although not officially a wonder of the world, the Colombian Congress has proclaimed that the Salt Cathedral is the first wonder of Colombia.
This cathedral is about 800-feet below ground, with about 600,000 visitors annually. Built initially inside the caves where miners would pray for protection against accidents, the current sanctuary is 200-feet below the original, which closed in the 1930s due to structural issues.
Many of the sculptures within the temple are made out of salt. On this daily group tour you’ll get to enjoy a laser light show at the end of your visit. Although the salt mine is no longer in use, Colombian ingenuity made it a popular tourist attraction.
Bogota food tour
Food enthusiasts will love this 3-hour tour of Bogota’s culinary delights. Guaranteed to stimulate the senses, you’ll start your walking tour of Bogota’s culinary landscape by visiting 7 local food shops.
You’ll have the opportunity to taste traditional Colombian dishes, such as Tamal and Patacon (fried plantain slices) with Hogao.
Enjoy the pleasure of tasting some of the best coffee in town and marvel at the sights of this beautiful historic city. You’ll also get hot chocolate and hervido narinense (a warm alcoholic drink).
What’s most exciting about this day trip from Bogota is meeting the local people and learning how to make traditional Colombian bread.
Wearing some comfortable walking shoes is a must! We like to recommend these for men, and these for women). The great thing about the food tours in Bogota is that they will get you up close and personal with the locals and their ambrosial cuisine.
Guided 5-hour coffee farm tour
A great opportunity to discover what Colombia is best known for, Coffee.
Your adventurous day trip from Bogota to the small town of Choachi begins early in the morning via private transportation.
Choachi is about a 5-minute drive from Bogota. You’ll get to meet local coffee farmers and enjoy a traditional breakfast with them before you tour the farm.
As you tour the coffee farm, you’ll learn about the different preparation methods as well as learning about the local way of life and culture.
You’ll get to take home a small pouch of coffee beans from the farm, as well as some fantastic pictures. Again, you should aim to wear some comfortable clothing and shoes as you’ll be moving around a lot during this tour.
We can assure you that this 5-hour coffee farm tour is a coffee connoisseurs dream come true. If you don’t know much about coffee, this is the perfect chance to learn.
Villa de leyva tour
Explore the town frozen in time on the Colombian countryside. Perhaps the most notable feature to Villa de Leyva is its colonial architecture and cobbled streets.
This is a small-group tour with no more than 10 people that allows you to have a deeper and more meaningful tour experience that is unheard of when visiting with larger groups.
You’ll get to visit the Paleontological investigation center, the Plaza Mayor, and Sol Muisca.
Learn about the indigenous music, people and their rich cultural heritage. You’ll cross over the Boyaca bridge, which serves as a symbol of Colombia’s independence.
This tour operates in all weather conditions, so be sure to dress appropriately. History and culture enthusiasts will love indulging themselves on this day trip from Bogota.
Bogota bicycle tours
Gain an intimate view of Bogota with a casual bike ride through the city. This bicycle 4 – 5-hour bicycle tour through Bogota is an excellent way to experience the city. A majority of tourists don’t have the opportunity to view the sights and sounds of this incredible city.
Your tour will take you through a traditional fruit market, cemetery, and even a local coffee factory where you’ll learn about how coffee is processed and prepared.
You’ll cruise around at a comfortable pace with frequent stops. Perhaps the most notable stop is at the bullfighting stadium. The small group size and leisurely pace are ideal for almost everyone. An ideal tour for seeing parts of the city most tourists don’t.
Day Trips from Bogota
There’s a plethora of fun and exciting day trips from Bogota and through the city itself.
Whether you’re sipping coffee and grabbing a snack at one of the street-side cafes or touring one of the coffee farms on the outskirts of the city, you’ll find Bogota charming and tourist-friendly.
Note that Bogota and many of the day trips from Bogota you’ll experience are at very high altitudes. If the beautiful landscapes and rich culture don’t take your breath away, the altitude will.
In the case that you’re uninspired by what’s on offer here, you may want to see our Colombia itinerary to get more ideas on which other Colombian cities are worth visiting.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
“Dear traveler! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps us to carry on traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
