Cities & Airports
Guide/Tips
Bogota Layover Guide (BOG)
El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is an international airport serving Bogotá, Colombia, and its surrounding areas. The airport is located mostly in the Fontibón district of Bogotá and it is located 15 km (9.3 mi) from the center of Bogota. It has had international flights since it was opened in 1959. Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and a global city known for its education, art, history, nightlife, cuisine, and as a cultural center, with many theaters, libraries, and museums.
Can you leave Bogota Airport (BOG) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
It's possible to leave El Dorado International Airport during a layover. You would need a visa depending on your nationality to pass through immigration and customs control. However, some nationalities have visa waivers. (more info).
What are you looking for in BOG? Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money
Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing
Organized Tours
From Bogotá: Hike to La Chorrera Waterfall With Meals
Travel deep into the Andean jungle and leave the bustling city of Bogotá for a day. Learn about the native flora and fauna with your bilingual guide. Trek through the lush, green Andean forest on a 3-hour round-trip hike. Witness the natural wonders of El Chiflón and La Chorrera, Colombia's tallest waterfall. Experience the natural wonders of El Chiflón and La Chorrera waterfalls and get to enjoy local Colombian breakfast and lunch. » book this tour
Bogota: Salt Cathedral Small-Group Tour with Entrance Ticket
Venture 180 m under the earth to experience the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, voted Colombia's number 1 attraction. Enjoy round-trip transportation in a luxury coach. Explore the Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a mine. Learn about the process of salt formation and mining. Inside the mine, there are different pieces of stonework and sculpture that make for a spectacular engineering wonder. You may also visit the light show at the very end of the tunnels before returning to Bogotá. » book this tour
Bogota: 4 Hour Bicycle Tour of the City
Cycle through Bogota, visiting traditional fruit markets, a coffee factory, the bullfighting stadium, the historical center, and a whole host of plazas, parks, and neighborhoods, and get an inside view of the city as you talk to locals on the way. You're always guaranteed an eclectic mix of fun and culture in Bogota. The terrain is mostly flat, and there are plenty of stops making for a decent level of exercise as you explore the city. » book this tour
Things to do / Sightseeing
The Gold Museum
Not only is this the most famous museum in Bogota that receives around 500,000 visitors annually, but it's also one of South America's most fascinating exhibits. It holds the world's largest collection of gold artifacts, over 55,000 pieces. The collections are displayed in thematic rooms that feature materials from the pre-Hispanic cultures of Columbia on all three floors of the museum. Learn about the different cultures of gold mining, its symbolism, and the spiritual aspect of the precious mineral.
Time required: 2-3 hours.
Airport to here: 17 minutes via taxi and an hour via public transport.
The Salt Cathedral Of Zipaquirá
Another one of Bogota's most popular places to visit is the underground cathedral built within a salt mine in the Zipaquirá town. The architectural wonder is built like a city on its own serving the purpose of pilgrimage and has since become a tourist site as well. It's divided into sections representing the birth, life, and death of Jesus. As a place for worshipping it features alcoves and significant religious sculptures with beautifully illuminated crosses. Take a day trip to see the first wonder of Columbia, there are food sections where you can eat and purchase trinkets
Time required: 3 hours.
Airport to here: An hour via private transport unfortunately it is hardly accessible by public transport.
Casa Terracota
Take a stroll through the beautiful colonial town of Villa De Leyva which has some of the finest well preserved Spanish architecture. Your destination is the Casa Terracota, the biggest pottery work in the world made solely out of clay by hand. The artistic 500 square meter house is a full functioning cottage built by architect Octavio Mendoza to inspire other architects to consider employing the use of eco-friendly building materials. The interior is decorated with lights and other ornate pottery. It's earned the nickname 'Flintstone House' as a result.
Airport to here: 3 hours via private transport unfortunately it is hardly accessible by public transport.
Plaza de Bolívar
A very popular place in Bogota, the large concrete Plaza de Bolívar is the heart of the original town of the city. This is where the city's first monument, an 1846 bronze statue of Simón Bolívar who led Colombia to independence and whom the place is named after by Italian artist Pietro Tenerani is located. Also around the square is the Palace Of Justice, Parliament of Colombia, the Cathedral of Bogota, Museum, and the office of the Mayor of Bogota. This square bears evidence of Bogota's architectural history and is grounds for cultural activities. Don't miss the pigeons that populate the grounds of the square.
Time required: Half day.
Botanical Garden Of Bogota
If you're looking to enjoy a peaceful day and some fresh air there's nowhere to do it better than the Botanical Garden Of Bogota which has around 20,000 plants for your marvel. Go for a walk through this wonderful large garden space and admire some of the plants grown here. Their food stalls close by for you to grab a snack as you enjoy the atmosphere around.
Airport to here: 10 minutes via taxi and 31 minutes via public transport.
Museo de Botero
Displayed here is a vast collection of artworks donated by artist Fernando Botero including some works of other renowned artists like Monet and Picasso, to the museum in exchange for a promise that the works be displayed for everyone to see for free. Fernando employs the use of a style known as "Boterismo" which depicts people and figures in large, exaggerated forms, sometimes representing political criticism and humor. Admission to the museum is free but you're required to pay for an audio guide if you require one.
Lake Guatavita
This lake is central to the 16th-century legend of El Dorado, a tale about a ceremony observed when a new ruler is appointed. He is covered with gold dust and submerged underwater accompanied by other precious gold jewels as an offering to a god believed to live in the lake. This claim is supported by proof of gold artifacts found underneath the water several years later. You can take a day trip to the sacred lake to learn more about the story of El Dorado and enjoy the hot springs that are nearby.
Time required: 2 – 3 hours.
Airport to here: 1 hour via private transport unfortunately it is hardly accessible by public transport.
Relaxing and Sleeping
Airport Lounges and Relaxing
There are several lounges in each terminal. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online
Hotel and Sleeping
There are many options for hotels close to the airport. » view all or book an airport hotel online
Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
There is a dedicated rest area within one of the Avianca Lounges in Terminal 1.
WIFI/Internet and SIM Card
WIFI/Internet: Free unlimited WiFi is available in Terminal 1.
SIM Card: There are several shops within the airport that sell SIM cards.
Transportation to/from airport
Taxi: Authorized taxis operate from gates of Terminal 1, and from the Arrivals gate in Terminal 2.
Train: There is no train service.
Bus: There are buses to the downtown city center. Stops are outside the International Terminal. (more info).
Shuttle: Hotel shuttles leave from Terminal 1 at exit 5.
Car rentals: The car rental agencies are available onsite. » view available cars or rent a car now online
Parking: T1 has three parking lots, and T2 has one. Short and long-stay parking is available, as are accessible parking spaces.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Store your luggage at the Guarda Equipaje found on the 1st floor of Terminal 1.
Money Exchange and Withdrawal
- Bogota Airport (BOG) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks
- Order your foreign currency ONLINE and PICK IT UP at the airport!
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