Are you planning a trip to Bogota but feeling overwhelmed by all the information out there? Spending hours watching videos and reading blogs but still don’t know where to start?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this guide you’ll find everything you need to know to plan the perfect 3-day itinerary in our city, Bogota.
This is how we plan a 3 day trip for our travelers in Bogota: from classic must-sees to authentic local favorites. You can follow it on your own or make things easier (and way more fun) by booking the tours we’ve designed for exactly this kind of trip.
Day 1: Discover Bogota’s Historic Center
Let’s start in the heart of the city: La Candelaria, where history, street art, museums, and great food come together.
Morning: Monserrate Viewpoint
Start early and head up to Monserrate, Bogotá’s most iconic viewpoint. You can hike, take the cable car (teleférico), or the funicular: whatever suits your travel vibe.
Pro tips:
- Go on a weekday to avoid crowds.
- Buy your tickets online in advance.
- Avoid religious holidays for shorter lines.
- If you visit on a Sunday or holiday get the Fast Pass ticket to avoid the lines.
Midday: After Monserrate visit Museo del Oro. This is not a museum full of gold coins, it’s the world’s largest collection of prehispanic gold artifacts, crafted by Indigenous communities before the arrival of the Spanish.
*Note: Closed on Mondays (even holidays).
Time for Lunch: After the museum, wander through La Candelaria and stop for a bowl of ajiaco, Bogota’s traditional chicken and potato soup. Comforting, flavorful, and iconic.
Afternoon: Botero Museum + Street Art
Visit the Botero Museum, featuring Colombia’s most famous artist and his unforgettable “chubby” characters. Then stroll through the colonial streets to discover street art, plazas, and hidden corners full of color and life.
Want to make the most of your time here?
Our Mount Monserrate Bogota’s Perfect Introduction tour covers Monserrate with fast pass entry and a walking tour across La Candelaria, an unforgettable experience, guided by our local hosts.
👉 Check it out: https://zebrafisgona.com/tours/mount-monserrate-bogotas-perfect-introduction/
Day 2: Sacred Lake, Salt Cathedrals & Colombian Legends
Let’s leave the city and explore the mystical landscapes just 1.5 hrs from Bogota.
Morning: Guatavita Lake
This emerald lake isn’t just beautiful,it’s sacred. It’s the birthplace of the El Dorado legend, and the hike to reach it is full of Andean nature and ancestral stories.
Tips:
- Closed on Mondays (or Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday).
- Bring cash, sometimes cards can fail due to bad reception and there are no ATMs nearby.
Afternoon: Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
After Guatavita, continue to the Salt Cathedral, an underground marvel carved entirely out of salt. It’s one of Colombia’s top wonders and unlike anything else in the world.
Tip: Avoid Catholic holidays like Good Friday or Christmas if you want a more peaceful visit.
Want someone to handle the driving, timing, and storytelling?
Book our Bogota Day Trip: Salt Cathedral & Guatavita Lake and enjoy a full-day adventure with a private guide, local insights, and zero stress.
👉 See the full experience here https://zebrafisgona.com/tours/guatavita-lake-and-salt-cathedral-tour-ultimate-bogota-surroundings-tour/
Day 3: Bogota Like a Local
Time to see the side of Bogota that most tourists miss: local life, authentic flavors, and fun traditions.
Morning: Paloquemao Market
This is the best way to taste Colombia’s incredible biodiversity. Try exotic fruits, local snacks, and feel the rhythm of a real farmers market.
Important:
- Avoid visiting on Saturday and Sunday mornings, this is the busiest day for the vendors therefore tourism is not allowed then.
Having a guide with you to navigate the market, meet the local vendors and get the best fruits is priceless. Check out our Paloquemao Market Tour: https://zebrafisgona.com/tours/bogotas-favorite-farmers-market-paloquemao-tour-15-fruit-tastings/
Midday: Explore Chapinero
After breakfast at the market, head to Chapinero Alto, a cool, artsy neighborhood known for its LGBTQ+ pride, creativity, and entrepreneurial vibe. You’ll find local fashion designers, indie bookstores, craft coffee, and even chocolate made on-site.
Afternoon: Play Tejo!
Yes, this is the national sport, and yes, it involves gunpowder and beer. Tejo is messy, loud, and ridiculously fun. Just make sure you book in advance.
Evening: Zona Rosa
Wrap your Bogotá trip with a night out in Zona Rosa, the city’s most vibrant nightlife and dining area. From rooftop cocktails to dance clubs, this is the place to toast to your adventure.
Want to experience it all in one day with a local host?
Book our Bogota beyond tourist attractions Tour: Paloqiemao Market, Tejo & Local Life.
👉 book now here: https://zebrafisgona.com/tours/panoramic-bogota-city-tour-trendy-areas-and-hidden-gems-from-north-to-south/
Bonus Tips before you travel:
- Bogotá is 2,600 meters above sea level, take it easy on your first day.
- The weather is unpredictable, so bring layers and a small umbrella.
- Apps like Uber and Cabify are widely used to move around.
- A few words in Spanish go a long way, remember to use ‘Por favor’, and ‘Gracias’.
See Bogotá Through Local Eyes
Whether you follow this itinerary solo or book a tour with us, we hope you feel more excited (and less stressed) about planning your trip. And if you’re craving connection, stories, and real experiences, not just sightseeing, come tour with Zebra Fisgona. We’ll show you the Bogota we love.
🦓 Ready to explore with us?
Check out all our tours in Bogota
