About
Bogotá is the capital and largest city of Colombia, set in the department of Cundinamarca in the northern Andes of South America. The city sits high in the mountains at more than 2,600 metres above sea level, so the air is cool and the light often clear, and visitors are wise to allow a day or two to adjust to the altitude before taking on steep walks.
What the city offers
Bogotá is known for its colonial architecture, and the historic core of the city, with its older streets and buildings, is the natural place to begin. Its cultural life is lively and varied, with a busy calendar of art, music and theatre that gives the city a distinct character from one neighbourhood to the next.
What kind of visit it makes
- A city trip built around architecture, museums and cultural events.
- A base for exploring the highlands of Cundinamarca beyond the capital.
- A chance to experience a large South American capital set against striking mountain scenery.
The city is also known by the longer names Santafé de Bogotá and Capital District, which you may see on signs, maps and official material. Whether it suits you depends on whether you want a city of history, culture and mountain air, and a visit planned with the altitude in mind will make the most of it.