Where to Stay in Bogotá?: Best and Safest Areas

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn from purchases made after clicking those links. Disclosure Policy.

Bogotá is Colombia’s sprawling capital city.

It’s notorious for bad traffic and has a bit of a reputation among both foreign and domestic tourists for being a bit dangerous, but it’s an often underrated and overlooked destination, in my opinion.

However, due to that reputation, it’s really important to pick one of the best places to stay in Bogotá to make sure you can get around easily and safely.

So, if you’re wondering where to stay in Bogotá, you’re in luck!

In this post, I’m going to go over my picks for the best areas to stay in Bogotá, share what to expect in each of these Bogotá neighborhoods, and give you some suggested hotels at different price points, all based on our many first hand experiences traveling through Bogotá ourselves.

Best Areas to Stay in Bogotá Detailed Guide

Bogotá is huge!

It also has a bit of a reputation for being dodgy, and some people advise avoiding it all together.

However, there’s a lot to see and do in Bogotá. It is after all the capital, and it is a center of culture with lots of museums and historical sites.

There are also lots of great restaurants in Bogotá and a vibrant nightlife.

There are even some neat places in the countryside nearby like Lake Guatavita and Zipaquirá as well and towns not far away like gorgeous Villa de Leyva.

It’s also the city with the most international flights in and out of Colombia, and it’s the best jumping off point for visiting lesser traveled destinations like the rugged hiking in Guaviare, the ancient Hills of Mavecure, going on a wildlife safari in Casanare, seeing the neat rock formations of the Tatacoa Desert, or exploring the archeological sites of San Agustín.

Susana and I used Bogotá as sort of a home base where we would spend a few days and wash clothes when we did a lot of those farther flung places while traveling extensively through Colombia in 2021 and 2022.

We have traveled in and out of Bogotá many other times too, both just to visit Bogotá itself or doing layovers while heading to other countries, not to mention doing things like visa interviews at the US embassy.

What we’ve learned is that advice on where to stay in Bogotá often goes something like, “Stay in the north” or “Stay in Chapinero,” which is good advice but a whole lot more ambiguous than it sounds.

Over our many visits, we definitely have developed a preferred area to stay, and it’s my top area recommended below, but there are some other good options depending on what you’re looking for.

We’ve also learned that some areas were not as nice as we expected based on that common advice, including parts of Chapinero.

So, I hope this guide will help clarify which are the best areas to stay in Bogotá based on both our good and bad experiences.

In the sections, below, you’ll find a quick description of why I consider each of these areas to be among the best places to stay in Bogotá and some ideas for hotels at different price points.

Chapinero: Overall Best Area to Stay in Bogotá, but Bigger Than People Think

As I noted above, you’ll probably see Chapinero listed as the best area to stay in Bogotá all over the place online.

It’s not bad advice, but what we’ve learned the hard way is it’s more complicated than it sounds.

The thing is, Chapinero is a humongous area, really more like a sector of the city than a neighborhood, and not all of it is quite so nice.

We’ve stayed a few spots here that seemed a big dodgy.

So, I’d like to give you some additional, more detailed advice based on those experiences and recommend you stick to one of the three following sub sectors of Chapinero:

• Zona G
• Parque 93
• Zona T

All are very safe and offer pretty easy access to getting around the city and things like restaurants.

Since Chapinero is bigger than the average neighborhood, this is Bogotá’s best area to stay, and there are tons of good options for places to stay in Bogotá here, I’m going to touch briefly on each of these sub sectors in their own section below.

Zona G – Bogotá’s Gourmet District

This area has a ton of great restaurants and a sort of upscale almost suburban-urban vibe. Some call it the SoHo of Colombia.

It’s easy and very safe to walk around, and it’s easy to access by both taxi and bus on Carrera 7, just down the hill.

I loved it when we stayed here for stopover for a few nights between traveling to Mexico and heading to Caño Cristales.

In my opinion, it’s the very best area to stay in Bogotá and would be my first choice for where to stay in Bogotá on any future trips we take.

For higher end places to stay in Bogotá’s Zona G, I’d recommend the Four Seasons Casa Medina, which is arguably the best hotel in all of Bogotá. It’s lovely, well regarded, and in a perfect spot along the major Carrera 7 thoroughfare, and is just a short walk away from the slew of nice restaurants and cafes in the heart of Zona G.

Other higher end options in the Zona G include the Casa Legado, the JW Marriott, and the Hilton Bogotá.

For something nice but a bit more affordable, consider the Holiday Inn Express Zona G, the Hotel Rosales Plaza, or the Embassy Suites, all centrally located in Zona G and all pretty good values for their quality.

You’ll get even more value at The Grace Hotel , which is very reasonably priced and very well reviewed. Mika Suites is also a great value and is located going up the hill at the heart of the Zona G. The SHG Liv Zona G is also terrific and despite being a bit nicer is still pretty budget friendly.

If you’re looking for a hostel in this area, the Hostal Macondo is located a few blocks from La Zona G but it is within walking distance.

Parque La 93 aka Chico – Arguably the Best Neighborhood in Bogotá

Parque 93 is a lovely public park located in the northern part of Chapinero known as Chico and just a bit farther north than Zona G.

Most of Chico is an upscale residential neighborhood, but there are lots of nice restaurants clustered around the park as well as a nice collection of hotels.

This would make an especially good place to stay in Bogotá for families as the park is great to visit with kids and the area is generally pretty quiet.

It’s also super safe to walk around here, and it’s still easy to get back and forth to the touristy stuff in and around La Candelaría.

For a high end place to stay in Chico, the Salvio Parque 93, located right on the park would be my top choice. In addition to very nice standard hotel rooms, they also have some one bedroom apartments with kitchenettes.

The Residence Inn by Marriot and the Hotel 93 Luxury Suites would make for two other great higher end choices in this area.

If you’re looking for something midrange, the Estelar Parque la 93 is a good value for something that is borderline luxury but more reasonably priced than the two nicer hotels above. Ditto for the Click Clack Hotel.

Meanwhile, the Hotel El Dorado Bogotá and the EK Hotel both have great reviews at even better prices.

For more budget friendly options here, consider the Soy Local Parque la 93, part of a chain of very reasonably priced apartment style hotels. There is even a 2 bedroom available there.

The Hotel bh Parque 93 is also pretty reasonably priced, and both the Hotel Madisson Inn and the Blue Suites Hotel are good bargains here too.

La Zona T aka La Zona Rosa – Best Area for Nightlife in Bogotá

La Zona T is often also called La Zona Rosa.

That’s because there are lots of bars and clubs clustered around this area, making it a favorite for a classy night out on the town.

It also is one of the best areas to stay in Bogotá with a number of nice, higher end hotels alongside some more moderately priced ones.

It’s located sort of in between Zona G to the south and Chico to the north, meaning it’s convenient to both of them and La Candelario. There is a nice mall and a lots of good restaurants around here too.

For something high end, consider the Four Seasons Bogotá, which is gorgeous. The Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia would also make a terrific choice.

For nice options that are a little more reasonably priced, the GHL Bioxury Hotel is really cute and nearly as nice as the pricier options above. The BOG Hotel is also a good midrange bargain.

For more budget friendly options, the Hotel 84 DC is a great value. The Hotel Saint Simon has nice accommodations at even more affordable prices.

Backpackers can check out 82Hostel, which would allow you to walk to go out nightclubbing while still getting the hostel atmosphere.

La Candelaria aka Centro Histórico – Best Area for Backpackers and Easy Sightseeing

La Candelaria is the historic section of Bogotá’s downtown.

This is the area where the city was founded, and it has some neat historic homes and architecture. It’s also the area where you’ll find most of the best museums in the city and sites like Bolívar Plaza with the National Cathedral and Capital building.

Easy walking access to these places is the main pro of staying here.

It’s a popular choice for backpackers and where you’ll find most of the best hostels in Bogotá. So, if you’re looking for a hostel where you can mingle with other travelers, it’s a good choice for where to stay in Bogotá.

There are a few nicer places too, so don’t think it’s just a choice for backpackers!

If you have limited time and want to be able to easily walk to the main sites, it’s also a good choice.

There are a few downsides to staying here too though.

First, it tends to be crowded.

It is the downtown of a bustling capital city metropolis after all.

Traffic going in and out to other places can be tough, and there is always a good amount of foot traffic and the occasional protest or event.

Second, especially at night, it can get pretty dodgy. I’d personally prefer and recommend staying somewhere mentioned above and just taxiing here, then walking around to go sightseeing during the day.

However, I do think staying here is fine as long as you take some extra, common sense, safety precautions.

Honestly, there’s nothing super luxurious or high end here, but there are some nicer options that have prices comparable to the nicer midrange options mentioned in the areas above.

A couple really pretty, small boutique hotels that would make great higher end choices here are The Orchids and Candelaria House Boutique.

The Hotel de la Opera and Hotel Casa Deco are good midrange priced options that are a bit more like your traditional hotel. The bh Bicentenario is slightly more upscale but a decent value for the quality too.

For more budget friendly hotels here, Casa de la Vega is a nice option. The Masaya Collection Camelia is a really pretty and very reasonably priced boutique. Hotel Regina is also a good value, and the Casa Candilejas is very budget friendly.

As I mentioned above, there are a slew of hostels in La Candelaria.

I’d pin the best overall as the Masaya Bogotá, which has a bit more a boutique hostel vibe but reasonably priced dorms too. The Viajero Bogotá is also really nice and even has a spa, if you’re more of a yuppie backpacker.

The Cranky Croc is one of Bogotá’s longest running and bests regarded hostels, and the Casa Dreamer, is also really well regarded.

Usaquén – Best Place to Stay in Bogotá for Families and Foodies

Usaquén is a mostly residential neighborhood towards the northeastern edge of Bogotá.

It’s known for being a quiet and safe area of Bogotá with some great restaurants, malls, and a famous flea market.

Some of the city’s best restaurants are located here, and there are always new ones opening up. That’s why I think this is the best area to stay in Bogotá for foodies.

For those looking for a peaceful place to stay that’s safe for families and for walking around, it’s a great option too.

Another additional pro of staying here is that if you planning to head north out of Bogotá, it is super easy to get to the Terminal del Norte bus station from Usaquén.

Susana and I have stayed in this area before for precisely this reason.

The con of staying in this area of Bogotá is that it’s a slightly farther and more expensive taxi ride to many of the main attractions.

Still, if you’re looking for a place to stay that offers peace and quiet for a family or perhaps a longer stay like doing some digital nomading, it’s can be a really good choice for where to stay in Bogotá.

For something higher end in Usaquén, the W Bogotá, which has really luxurious and spacious rooms would be a terrific choice.

For nice midrange options, check out the NH Collection Bogotá Royal Teleport and Hacienda Royal, both of which offer really reasonable prices for the quality. The Hampton by Hilton is another good choice in this price range.

For good budget friendly options here, consider the Hotel Casona Usaquén, which is super nice for the price.

Susana and I stayed at the Hotel Santa Barbara Real here on our way to Villa de Leyva, and thought it was plenty fine and a good value.

Finally, if you’re looking for a hostel here, the Casa Mood has mostly private rooms but does have a dorm room too.

Best Places to Stay in Bogotá Near the Airport

This one is really self-explanatory.

Bogotá’s airport is not actually too horribly far away in terms of distance from the best areas to stay in Bogotá mentioned above.

However, traffic can make the trip take much longer than you might expect.

So, if you are only passing through Bogotá for a night or two with the primary purpose to catch a flight somewhere else, staying nearby is not a horrible option, especially if you have an early flight.

The two main neighborhoods to stay in Bogotá near the airport are Fontibón and Modelia, which I’ve lumped together in the hotel recommendations in this section.

The nicest hotel near the airport is the Aloft Bogotá. The Movich Buro 26 and the Courtyard by Marriott are both extremely close to the airport and very nice too.

For midrange options close to the airport, the Hilton Garden Inn is a good value for the quality and offers a bit closer access to the sightseeing in La Candelaria. Same for the Hampton by Hilton Bogotá Airport.

For a budget friendly place near the airport, check out Mr. Huesped, which has a great name. Susana and I stayed here before flying out early to Caño Cristales, and we found it to be nice, clean, and comfortable plus an easy taxi ride to the airport even if the surrounding area isn’t quite a place I’d like to walk around at night.

We’ve also stayed at the Apartamentos Plaza Modelia, which is right by a big shopping center, and liked it a lot for a budget friendly apartment style hotel near the airport.

Places to Stay in Bogotá Near the US Embassy

If you happen to be coming in to Bogotá to do something at the US embassy, such as renewing a passport or interviewing for a visa, there are a few very nice hotels and a lot of fairly cheap hotels nearby.

The embassy is sort of in the middle of where the airport and Centro are located, so options in those sections above also work.

The area in the immediate vicinity of the embassy isn’t the prettiest in the world but is ok to stay if you need to be at the embassy first thing in the morning.

For a higher end option, the Wyndham Bogotá is very nice and within easy walking distance to the embassy.

There’s also a solid food court here, which Susana and I actually ate at several times when we stayed at a cheaper place nearby (one that I don’t recommend, to be honest) when we were doing her US resident visa stuff.

The Grand Hyatt Bogotá is a tad further away but the most luxurious place nearby, and the Hilton Bogotá Corferias is another nicer option near the embassy.

There is a whole little cottage industry of cheaper hotels near the embassy. Most of them have small rooms with thin walls, so I really only recommend them for embassy business.

The Hotel Embassy Park and AZ Hotel standout as solid, slightly nicer options.

Meanwhile, the Hotel Ejecutivo Embajada and the Hotel Casa Navi look like the best of the cheaper options.

Which Area to Stay in Bogotá Will You Choose?

Whew…hopefully you’ve got no shortage of options for where to stay in Bogotá now!

I hope this guide to the best areas to stay in Bogotá was useful and helped you decide where to stay while clarifying some of the confusion about the different Bogotá neighborhoods.

Do you have a particular area you prefer in Bogotá? Did you stay in one of these areas and like or not like it? I’d love to know in the comments!

I do have some other Bogotá content on the site, so please give it a search. And, of course, I’d love for you to check out all the great content here to plan a Cartagena leg of your trip too!

Cheers and Happy Exploring!