So, you’re thinking about moving to Bogotá? Let me stop you right there—because deciding whether Bogotá is right for you isn’t about grabbing a weekend flight, snapping a selfie on Monserrate, and calling it research. Bogotá is a city that demands a proper scouting trip. Why? Because the real value of living here isn’t only in Bogotá itself—it’s in everything you can access within just a couple of hours.
If you’re serious about relocating, here’s how I’d plan it.
Bogotá as Your Base (1–2 Weeks)
Start with the city itself. Give Bogotá at least one to two weeks. That’s enough time to test its neighborhoods—Chapinero, Usaquén, Santa Bárbara, Cedritos—each with its own flavor, price point, and lifestyle.
Walk the streets, shop at local markets, check out the malls, grab coffee at the neighborhood cafés, and see what daily life feels like. Don’t just look at apartments—get a sense of the rhythm.
You’ll also meet Bogotá’s most persistent roommate: the weather. Sitting high in the Andes, the capital is famously cool and rainy—sweaters and umbrellas are daily essentials. For some expats, that’s a dealbreaker; for others, it’s a refreshing change from tropical heat.
This is also the time to test daily life hacks: order groceries with Rappi, try out transportation with Uber or buses, maybe even visit an EPS clinic if you’re thinking long-term. One to two weeks will answer the big question: Does Bogotá itself feel livable for me?
Side Trip #1: Zipaquirá, Villa de Leyva & Tunja (5 Days)
Now, let’s leave the city. Just north of Bogotá lies your first essential loop.
Zipaquirá → Famous for the Salt Cathedral, a massive underground church carved out of a salt mine, lit up in neon blues and purples. A tourist magnet? Sure. But also a symbol of Colombia’s ingenuity.
Villa de Leyva → A colonial gem, with whitewashed walls, red-tile roofs, and a sprawling cobblestone plaza. A place that feels frozen in time, but with boutique hotels, wine tours, and restaurants that lure Bogotá’s elite on weekends. It’s a “Could I live here?” kind of town.
Tunja → Bigger, working-class, less touristy. Packed with colonial churches, museums, and authentic daily life. It’s what Colombia looks like when you peel away the Instagram filters.
Together, these towns show you the weekend lifelines that Bogotanos rely on. Living in Bogotá isn’t just about Bogotá—it’s about quick escapes like these.
Side Trip #2: Warm Weather & Coffee Country (10 Days)
Here’s the big one. Ten days through warm valleys, resort towns, and Colombia’s legendary coffee axis.
Fusagasugá → Just two hours away, the climate jumps to the 80s°F. It’s the gateway to Colombia’s warm valley lifestyle.
Melgar & Girardot → Bogotá’s pool party towns. Resorts, Airbnbs, nightlife, blazing heat. If you live in Bogotá, you’ll end up here at some point—guaranteed.
Ibagué → Colombia’s musical capital, a mid-sized city with authenticity, culture, and modern amenities. Slower pace, warmer climate, still accessible.
Armenia, Pereira & Quindío (The Coffee Axis) → Rolling green hills, eco-lodges, coffee farms, wax palm valleys. UNESCO heritage, postcard landscapes, and some of the most affordable living in Colombia.
Manizales → A college town perched in the clouds. Youthful energy, crisp air, hot springs, and mountain scenery.
If you want to understand the range of lifestyles you’d have at your fingertips living in Bogotá, this loop is essential.
Side Trip #3: Villavicencio & The Llanos (3 Days)
Drive east a few hours, and Bogotá suddenly gives way to cowboy country. Villavicencio, or “Villavo,” is the gateway to the Llanos—vast plains stretching toward Venezuela. Think cattle ranches, barbecued mamona (veal), harps and guitars, and a laid-back cowboy culture that feels worlds apart from Bogotá’s hustle.
This trip shows you Colombia’s diversity in a way few expats ever see. Bogotá isn’t just Andean mountains and city buzz—it’s also your launchpad into the Llanos.
The Big Picture
Here’s the truth: Bogotá isn’t just a city. It’s a hub.
One weekend you’re floating in a pool in Melgar, the next you’re sipping world-class coffee in Salento, then you’re back in Bogotá exploring galleries and nightlife. That range—the ability to live multiple lifestyles from one base—is rare.
For expats, that’s the real value of Bogotá. It’s not just whether you like the city itself. It’s whether you like the menu of lifestyles you get by living here.
👉Ready to plan your own scouting trip? I’ve put together a full checklist that covers neighborhoods, side trips, daily life essentials, and the paperwork you’ll need to make Colombia work for you. Get your free copy now and start mapping your move.