After almost three months travelling around Colombia as a family, Bogotá became our final stop before flying home.
To be honest, we weren’t sure what to expect.
We’d heard mixed opinions from travellers. Some loved it. Others told us to skip it completely and spend more time elsewhere. Compared to places like Cartagena, Minca, Palomino and Medellín, Bogotá didn’t seem to get the same excitement.
What we found was something completely different.
Bogotá isn’t the city that immediately grabs you. It doesn’t have Caribbean beaches, colourful colonial streets or jungle-covered mountains. Instead, it feels like a real, lived-in city. A place where Colombians actually live, work, study and raise families.
After spending a month on the beaches of Palomino and then time in Medellín, Bogotá felt like a refreshing change of pace.
The cooler weather was welcome.
The parks were fantastic.
The food scene was excellent.
And surprisingly, it ended up being one of the easiest places to travel with kids in Colombia.
If you’re planning a family trip and wondering whether Bogotá is worth visiting, this was our honest experience.
Don’t have time to read? Start here:
Would we recommend Bogotá with kids?
✅ Yes
How long would we stay?
4–7 days
Best area for families?
Chapinero, especially around Parque Virrey
Best thing we did?
Exploring Bogotá’s huge parks and green spaces.
Where did we stay?
We stayed at the NH Bogotá Pavilion Royal Hotel, which was in a great location for exploring Chapinero and the surrounding area.
👉 Check prices for NH Bogotá Pavilion Royal Hotel
Would we return?
Absolutely.
👉 Compare family-friendly hotels in Bogotá
Why We Chose Bogotá Before Flying Home
Bogotá wasn’t originally a destination we were desperate to visit.
In many ways it was simply the most practical place to finish our Colombia journey.
It has one of the country’s largest international airports, plenty of accommodation options and direct connections back towards Europe.
But after spending weeks in smaller destinations and beach towns, we also liked the idea of finishing with one final city experience before heading home.
It turned out to be a great decision.
There was something quite nice about spending our final week walking through parks, drinking good coffee, eating great food and reflecting on everything we’d experienced over the previous nine months.
Instead of rushing around trying to tick attractions off a list, Bogotá gave us a chance to slow down before returning to normal life.
First Impressions Of Bogotá
The first thing that surprised us was how modern it felt.
For some reason, we’d imagined Bogotá being a little chaotic and overwhelming.
Instead, large parts of the city felt organised, clean and far more developed than we’d expected.
The second surprise was the temperature.
Many travellers talk about Bogotá as if it’s freezing cold.
Coming from the Caribbean coast and Palomino, it definitely felt cooler, but we found the climate comfortable rather than cold. Most days we were happy wearing a light jumper or jacket, which was actually a welcome change after weeks of intense heat and humidity.
The third surprise was how green it was.
There are parks everywhere.
Tree-lined streets.
Open spaces.
Running tracks.
Cycling routes.
Families out enjoying weekends together.
After spending a month somewhere with limited infrastructure like Palomino, Bogotá felt incredibly easy.
Why We Stayed In Chapinero
If you’re travelling to Bogotá with kids and wondering where to stay, we’d happily recommend Chapinero.
This ended up being one of our favourite neighbourhoods in the city.
It struck a nice balance between being lively and feeling relaxed.
There were plenty of cafes, restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and green spaces within walking distance. We never felt like we had to travel far to find something to do.
Being close to Parque Virrey was another huge advantage.
Many of our daily walks naturally ended up there, and it quickly became one of our favourite areas in Bogotá.
Is Chapinero safe?
Like any major city, you still need common sense.
We weren’t wandering around late at night with phones out, and we remained aware of our surroundings.
But compared with what we’d read online before arriving, Chapinero felt comfortable and family-friendly.
It was one of the areas where we felt most relaxed walking around during the day.
Is Chapinero good for families?
In our opinion, yes.
The combination of parks, restaurants, walkability and accommodation options makes it one of the easiest places to base yourself when visiting Bogotá with children. When planning your family trip, it’s essential to consider familyfriendly hotels in Bogotá that cater to the needs of parents and kids alike. Many of these hotels offer amenities such as playgrounds, childcare services, and family-oriented activities. Staying in such accommodations ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the NH Bogotá Pavilion Royal Hotel during our time in the city.
The location worked really well for us, giving easy access to Chapinero, Parque Virrey and plenty of family-friendly restaurants within walking distance.
For a short family stay in Bogotá, we’d happily stay there again.
👉 View availability for NH Bogotá Pavilion Royal Hotel
Parque Virrey Was Our Favourite Place In Bogotá
One thing we’ve learned during long-term family travel is that not every memorable experience needs to be a major attraction.
Sometimes the best travel memories come from simple places.
For us, that place was Parque Virrey.
The park became part of our daily routine.
We’d walk through it, stop for a drink nearby, let the kids burn off energy and simply enjoy being outside.
There were runners, cyclists, dog walkers, families and groups of friends everywhere.
It felt safe, relaxed and genuinely local.
After months of moving between destinations, it was exactly the kind of environment we needed.
In many ways, Parque Virrey sums up why we enjoyed Bogotá more than expected.
It wasn’t trying to impress us.
It was simply a pleasant place to spend time as a family.
Don’t Forget The Boring Stuff
Whether you’re renting a car, whale watching in Uvita, exploring national parks, or travelling between destinations, things don’t always go to plan.
We’ve used SafetyWing throughout our travels because it gives us flexible coverage while travelling long-term as a family.
What We Enjoyed About Bogotá With Kids
Bogotá isn’t packed with obvious family attractions in the same way as somewhere like Orlando or even Medellín. What makes it work is how easy it is to simply live there for a few days.
The city felt comfortable.
There were plenty of places to walk, lots of green space and enough cafes, restaurants and bakeries that we never struggled to find somewhere to eat.
The kids loved having room to run around again after spending time in airports, buses and accommodation.
One thing we noticed throughout Bogotá was how many local families were out enjoying the city together. Parks were busy, restaurants were welcoming and there was a strong sense that children were part of everyday life rather than an inconvenience.
For family travellers, that makes a big difference.
Bogotá vs Medellín For Families
Before arriving in Bogotá, Medellín was comfortably our favourite city in Colombia.
After spending time in both, that didn’t really change.
But Bogotá definitely closed the gap.
Choose Bogotá if you want:
-
Cooler temperatures
-
Huge parks and green spaces
-
A more traditional big-city feel
-
Museums and cultural attractions
-
Fewer tourists
Choose Medellín if you want:
-
Better weather year-round
-
Easier transport
-
More family activities
-
A more relaxed atmosphere
-
Longer-term stays
If we had to choose just one city for families, we’d probably still pick Medellín.
But Bogotá surprised us far more than Medellín did.
We expected Medellín to be great.
We weren’t expecting to enjoy Bogotá nearly as much as we did.
What We'd Do Differently Next Time
If we returned to Bogotá, there are a few things we’d change.
Firstly, we’d stay a little longer.
A week felt about right, but another few days would have allowed us to explore more neighbourhoods and see another side of the city.
Secondly, we’d use Bogotá as a base for a couple of day trips.
By the time we arrived, we were nearing the end of nine months of travel and honestly running low on energy for big sightseeing days.
Instead, we found ourselves enjoying slower routines, local walks and family time.
And that’s perfectly fine.
Not every destination needs to be about seeing everything.
Sometimes it’s enough to simply enjoy where you are.
Our Final Thoughts On Colombia
Looking back, Colombia ended up being one of the highlights of our entire Latin America journey.
It gave us almost everything.
Caribbean beaches in Cartagena.
Mountain towns like Minca.
The laid-back lifestyle of Palomino.
The energy of Medellín.
And finally, the parks, cafes and city life of Bogotá.
Few countries offer so much variety in such a relatively small area.
What stands out most though isn’t the destinations.
It’s the people.
Throughout Colombia we met friendly locals, helpful hosts, fellow travelling families and expats who had built lives there. Almost everywhere we went, people were welcoming to our children and curious about our journey. Family adventures through Colombia offered us a chance to explore breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures. We ventured into the lush coffee regions, where the aroma of fresh brews filled the air. Each day brought new experiences, from hiking in the Andes to enjoying local festivals that celebrated the rich heritage of the country.
Bogotá felt like a fitting final chapter.
Not the most exciting destination we visited.
Not the most beautiful.
But perhaps one of the most surprising.
It quietly exceeded our expectations and gave us the perfect place to reflect on an incredible few months in Colombia before boarding a plane home.
Quick Family Verdict
Would we recommend Bogotá with kids?
✅ Yes
Best area to stay?
Chapinero, especially around Parque Virrey.
Best family activity?
Simply exploring the parks and green spaces.
Where we stayed
👉 NH Bogotá Pavilion Royal Hotel – a great base for families wanting to explore Chapinero and enjoy one of Bogotá’s best neighbourhoods.
Best for
Families, city breaks, digital nomads and slower travellers.
How long should you stay?
4–7 days.
Would we return?
Absolutely.
Our family rating
⭐ 8.5/10
Bogotá wasn’t our favourite destination in Colombia, but it was one of the biggest surprises. If you’re travelling Colombia with kids, don’t be too quick to skip the capital. It might end up exceeding your expectations too.
