There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Bogotá each year.
The main ones are listed below.
Commemorates the declaration of independence from Spain on July 20, 1810.
August 7 : Battle of Boyacá (national holiday)Marks the key victory in 1819 of troops led by Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander over Spanish forces, a turning point in the struggle for independence.
Second Monday in October: Columbus Day (national holiday)Also commemorated as Día de la Raza ("Day of the Race") in several South American countries, this day pays tribute to the struggles against the European invaders having first arrived on their shores in 1492 and also marks the beginning of the mixing of peoples as well as the cultural richness engendered by this process.
November 11 : Independence of Cartagena (national holiday) December 25 : Christmas (national holiday)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3/37 | 20/68 | 58/2.3 | Good period to go
|
| February | 5/41 | 19/66 | 66/2.6 | Good period to go
|
| March | 6/43 | 18/64 | 102/4.0 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 7/45 | 18/64 | 147/5.8 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 8/46 | 18/64 | 114/4.5 | Not the best period to go |
| June | 8/46 | 18/64 | 61/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
| July | 8/46 | 17/63 | 51//2.0 | Good period to go
|
| August | 7/45 | 17/63 | 56/2.2 | Good period to go
|
| September | 7/45 | 17/63 | 61/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
| October | 7/45 | 17/63 | 160/6.3 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 7/45 | 18/64 | 119/4.7 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 6/43 | 19/66 | 66/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
El Dorado, Bogotá's international airport, is located about 15 kilometres (9 miles) from the city centre. Calle 26 and El Dorado Avenue are the main access roads to the airport.
Using public transport or taxis is recommended for getting around Bogotá, rather than rental cars.
Bogotá's two main bus companies, TransMilenio and Busetas, operate many routes allowing you to reach all of the city's major landmarks, for very reasonable fares. For example, tickets on the TransMilenio network start at COP 1,700.
Taxis offer the advantage of being available at all hours, plentiful and relatively inexpensive. However, it is important to note that, for safety reasons (illegal taxis and drivers operating in collusion with thieves or kidnappers), you should never hail a taxi directly in the street. Instead, order or reserve them in advance online. For more information, visit the local tourist office.
Upon your arrival in Bogotá, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Instituto Distrital de Turismo (ITD, main tourist office in Bogotá)Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
At various locations throughout the city, you can obtain information and recommendations for your stay in Bogotá and its surrounding area. Listed below are the main addresses for the PIT's kiosks:
The official travel website of the Colombian government agency provides a wealth of information on Bogotá.
See your doctor before you travel. Bogotá counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home.
VaccinationsThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Colombia. The following vaccines are recommended for travelling to Colombia:
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
Avoid ice cubes, raw vegetables and shellfish.
WaterBogotá is the only Colombian city where tap water is considered safe to drink. However, due to rather frequent contamination of water with microorganisms, bacteria, viruses and parasites, it is preferable to drink bottled water.
Altitude sicknessIf you tend to be afflicted by altitude sickness (Bogotá is over 2,700 metre /8,000 feet above sea level) and/or have an increased risk of respiratory insufficiency, be sure to take the necessary precautions. Before you travel, talk about your plans with your doctor.
To enter Colombia, visitors from certain countries must apply for a tourist visa at the Colombian consulate general closest to their place of residence while others need only be in possession of a valid passport to enter Colombia.
For further information, visit the website of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Bogotá, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Spanish phrases that will make your stay in Bogotá a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: ¡ Buenos días ! (morning) / ¡ Buenas tardes ! (afternoon)
Good evening: Buenas noches
Goodbye: Adiós
Yes: Sí
No: No
No, thank you: No, gracias
Thank you very much: Muchas gracias
Please: Por favor
I don't understand: No entiendo
Could you repeat ?: ¿ Puede repetir ?
What time is it ?: ¿ Que hora es ?
Sorry: Disculpe (to say sorry)
Excuse me: Con permiso (to get past) / ¡ Por favor ! (to get attention).
Airport: Aeropuerto
Train station: Estación de trenes
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Hotel
Hospital: Hospital
Bank: Banco
Telephone: Teléfono
I'm (…): Yo soy (…)
I'm looking for (…): Estoy buscando (…)
How much is (…)?: ¿ Cuál es el precio de (…) ? /¿ Cuánto es ?
Do you have (…)?: ¿ Tiene (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: ¿ Dónde puedo encontrar (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: ¿ Dónde puedo comprar (…) ?
I'd like (…): Quisiera (…).
Tipping
In Bogotá and throughout Colombia, tipping is not required though well appreciated, if the service is especially friendly and attentive. At a restaurant or café, a 10% tip is acceptable. Note that a gratuity, called a "propina voluntaria", usually amounting to 10% of the bill, is sometimes already included. If this is the case, there is no need to pay it twice!
