How high is Bogotá?
That makes Bogotá one of the highest capital cities in the world. It is about 1,000 meters higher than Denver and higher than Mexico City.
The city sits on the Sabana de Bogotá, a high plain in the Andes, with the eastern hills rising behind it. El Dorado, Bogotá's international airport, is on the same plain, west of the center. You land at altitude, with no lower stop on the way into town.
Altitude in Bogotá: what you may notice
Many visitors find they get out of breath faster than at home, especially on stairs and on the slopes of La Candelaria. Some also sleep less well or feel tired on the first night or two.
How strongly people notice it varies from person to person, and it is hard to predict in advance. Plan your first day so that it doesn't matter if you need to slow down.
A calm first day in Bogotá
The simplest plan is to keep day one flat, short, and close to your hotel. Here is a first day that works for most travelers.
- Arrive and check in. Take an app taxi or a taxi booked by your hotel from El Dorado, and rest for an hour.
- Walk your own neighborhood. A short walk around Parque 93, Zona T, or Usaquén's main square keeps you on level ground.
- Eat early. An early dinner near the hotel means a short trip back after dark.
- Save the climbs. Keep Monserrate, the upper streets of La Candelaria, and hikes in the eastern hills for day two or three.
If you arrive late at night, a hotel near the airport keeps the first transfer short. Hilton Garden Inn Bogota Airport is about 4.5 km (2.8 miles) from El Dorado as the crow flies, and a free airport shuttle is listed. It has a guest rating of 8.9/10 from more than 4,000 reviews.
Hampton By Hilton Bogota Airport, about 5.2 km from El Dorado, also lists a free airport shuttle and has a guest rating of 8.9/10 from more than 2,000 reviews. Hotel Habitel Select, about 2.3 km away, lists a free airport shuttle, a spa, and a gym.
See all hotels near Bogotá airport, or only the airport hotels with a shuttle.
Where to stay for an easy start
Bogotá's northern neighborhoods and Salitre lie on the flat plain, while La Candelaria climbs toward the eastern hills. For the first days, a flat area means fewer slopes between your hotel and dinner.
- Parque 93 and Chicó: the polished one, with green parks, business hotels, and restaurants.
- Zona T and Zona Rosa: the night owl, with shopping and bars in a compact, level area.
- Usaquén: the villager, quiet, with a Sunday market.
- Salitre: the commuter, on the airport road, near Corferias and the US Embassy.
- La Candelaria: the historian, with colonial streets and museums, on a slope. Quiet at night, so take an app taxi after dark.
Within any area, a hotel with an elevator saves your legs on day one. Hotel Arena Suites Movistar Arena in Chapinero lists an elevator and a 24-hour front desk, and so does ExpoStay Hotel Corferias Embajada Americana in Salitre, about 0.6 km from the US Embassy.
Our where to stay in Bogotá guide compares all areas. The hotels in Bogotá home page has the full overview.
Why altitude makes Bogotá cold
Bogotá lies only a few degrees north of the equator, yet its height keeps it cool. There are no hot and cold seasons as in North America; the difference is mostly between drier and rainier months.
Warm Room is one of the five checks we plan for each hotel, the Bogotá Five. Until a hotel is checked, its page shows "Not yet checked", so ask the hotel about heaters or extra blankets when you book.
- Pack a warm layer and a light rain jacket, even for a short trip.
- Expect to wear long sleeves in the evening.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen: the sun is strong at this altitude, also on cloudy days.
What to ask your hotel before you arrive
A few practical questions make the first days at altitude easier. Ask them by email or through your booking, and keep the answers on your phone.
- Is there an elevator? Carrying bags up three floors on your first evening is effort you can skip. ibis Budget Bogota Marly in Chapinero and City Express Junior by Marriott Bogota Aeropuerto both list an elevator.
- Can you arrange my airport transfer? After a long flight, a driver waiting at El Dorado means one less decision.
- Can I check in early? If you land in the morning, an early check-in lets you rest before your first walk.
- What is in the room for cold nights? A heater, extra blankets, or both. The answer differs per hotel.
Running, cycling, and hiking in the first days
Bogotá has an active outdoor culture. On Sundays and public holidays the Ciclovía closes main roads to cars so people can cycle, run, and walk, and the trail up Monserrate draws hikers.
If you run or cycle at home, start with shorter and slower sessions than usual in your first days and build up from there. Parque 93 offers flat ground in the north, and the Parque Simón Bolívar, the city's large central park, lies close to Salitre.
Going higher, or lower, on day trips
Several popular trips take you higher than the city. Monserrate rises about 500 meters above the streets of La Candelaria, and the walk up the hill on foot is long and steep. The cable car and funicular are the easier choice on your first days.
The Guatavita lagoon and the páramo (a high Andean moorland) in the parks around Bogotá also sit above the city. Keep them for later in your trip, once the first days have gone well. Our guide to day trips from Bogotá has the details.
Other trips go down instead. The towns west of Bogotá, such as La Mesa and Anapoima, lie much lower and are warm enough for a pool. See our page on warm weekend towns west of Bogotá.
Coming from the coast or from sea level
Many trips to Colombia combine Bogotá with Cartagena or another city on the coast. If your route allows, some travelers prefer to start at the coast and fly up to Bogotá later, or simply plan a light first day in Bogotá either way.
Flying from sea level straight to 2,600 meters is the biggest jump. A quiet first afternoon, an early night, and a hotel with an elevator can make the start of the trip easier, especially if you carry heavy luggage.
