Before our trip to Brazil, my daughter and I had a long layover in Bogotá, Colombia, and I planned it that way on purpose. I always book 19+ hour layovers when I can. Why? Because you can actually book a layover tour, and it’s totally worth it! It’s like getting a bonus destination without the extra flight cost.
As soon as we landed, we checked into the Hilton Garden Inn Bogotá Airport. It was perfect. Super close to the airport (great for catching our next flight), and the ideal starting point for our day of exploring. Even though we arrived early, the hotel held our luggage and gave us a private space to freshen up and get changed. That little extra hospitality goes a long way when you’ve been traveling!
Tour Time!
Our private tour guide picked us up right from the hotel, and off we went. First stop: Iglesia de San Francisco, one of the oldest churches in Bogotá. The architecture was gorgeous, with gothic and Mudejar styles that made you feel like you were stepping into a different era.
Then we visited the Museo del Oro, Colombia’s famous Gold Museum. Out of the seven gold museums in the country, this one is the star. It has over 33,000 pieces of pre-Colombian gold, yes, 33,000. It was beautiful, fascinating, and honestly one of the most impressive museums I’ve ever been to.
From there, we headed to Carrera 7, a busy street full of life. My daughter and I toured an emerald facility (because when in Colombia, right?) and learned how emeralds are made. Naturally, she suckered me into buying her an emerald ring. Me? I walked out with nada. 😂
And of course, we had to meet the alpacas! On Carrera 7, sellers often try to charge a lot for photos with the alpacas. Fortunately, our guide wasn’t having it. He handled it like a pro, took us to someone with fair prices, and played “bad cop” while I got to enjoy the fun.
Plaza de Bolívar & A Warm Drink for the Soul
We continued on to Plaza de Bolívar, the heart of Bogotá’s history and politics. It’s grand, beautiful, and buzzing with energy. Here, I had this warm drink called Canelazo…fruity, herbal, and just the thing for Bogotá’s cool mountain air. I’m still dreaming about it.
We also got to feed hundreds of birds in the square. At one point, I felt like the bird lady from Home Alone 2, except these birds didn’t love me back. I swear I’m nice! 😂 Apparently, they usually swarm when you offer seed, but they just weren’t feeling me that day. A humbling moment, for sure.
Artisan Markets, Street Art & Bogotá’s Soul
The Centro Artesanal Plaza Bolívar had some of the cutest handmade crafts, a great spot for souvenirs. But nothing, and I mean nothing, beat La Candelaria. This neighborhood is the soul of Bogotá. Cobblestone streets, delicious food, live music, people dancing in the street, and incredible street art.
Fun fact: graffiti is semi-legal in Bogotá, so artists go all out. The walls are full of massive, colorful murals, meaningful, vibrant, and impossible to ignore. It gave the whole city this raw, expressive beauty that I absolutely loved.
What We Missed (But Will Go Back For)
We were supposed to visit Museos del Banco de la República and take the cable car up to Mount Monserrate, but Olivia wasn’t feeling great from the travel and altitude, so we had to skip those. Honestly, no regrets…that just means we’ll have to come back. 😊
We did get to end our tour with a beautiful panoramic view of Bogotá, standing 3,170 feet above sea level and soaking it all in.
Before We Left… A Must-Try Dish
Back at the Hilton, I ordered Ajiaco Santafereño, a traditional Bogotá-style chicken and potato soup made with three types of potatoes, corn on the cob, shredded chicken, and this local herb called guasca. It was warm, hearty, and absolutely delicious. If you’re ever in Bogotá, you have to try it.
Final Thoughts
Colombia was such a beautiful surprise. The cobblestone streets, rich history, and vibrant energy completely won me over. Even in just a few hours, Bogotá gave us amazing food, warm people, and unforgettable memories. The fresh street food smelled so good, and the whole city had this perfect mix of upscale charm, authenticity, and soul.
