Bogota BOG: The South American Stop Worth Making
Colombia has been safe for international visitors for over a decade. Bogota has great food, great coffee, and a colonial center that most US travelers only see from the air. El Dorado International is 30 minutes from La Candelaria. A 10-hour layover is enough to understand why people come back.
Getting in
Taxis from El Dorado to La Candelaria run around 25,000-35,000 COP (roughly $6-8 USD). Uber also operates in Bogota and is usually cheaper. The ride is 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Avoid rush hour — 7-9am and 5-7pm traffic in Bogota is serious.
Visa
US passport holders enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days. No form, no fee. Immigration takes 10-20 minutes at El Dorado. Have your onward flight details available.
La Candelaria
The historic center of Bogota is walkable, colorful, and worth 3-4 hours. Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) has the largest pre-Columbian gold collection in the world — $4 entry. The street art in the surrounding neighborhoods is some of the best in Latin America. Ajiaco (potato and chicken soup) at a neighborhood restaurant costs 12,000-18,000 COP (about $3-4 USD).
Coffee
Colombia produces some of the world's best coffee and Bogota takes it seriously. Pergamino and Azahar both have locations accessible from La Candelaria. A proper single-origin pour-over costs $3-4. The quality difference compared to airport coffee is not subtle.
Altitude
Bogota sits at 2,600 meters (8,530 feet). Some people feel it immediately — headache, shortness of breath, fatigue. Drink water, walk slowly, and don't sprint anywhere. Most visitors adapt within a few hours. If you have a heart condition, check with your doctor before leaving the airport.