The 10 Best Things to See and Do for Solo Travellers in Bogotá

One of Bogotá’s most iconic tourist attractions is the church and viewpoint of Monserrate, perched on a mountaintop overlooking the vast sprawl of Bogotá below. It’s a must-do activity on any trip to Bogotá, solo traveller or not, but the good news for anyone travelling alone is that Monserrate is a safe and reasonably priced option and one which does not cost any more to do alone.

One of Bogotá’s most enduringly popular tours, the Bogotá Bike Tour is a great way to see more of the city, learn something about the geography and history of Bogotá and enjoy a fun tour with a bunch of fellow travellers. This tour is always fully booked and it’s a brilliant way to combine a tourist activity with a social event.

If you want to learn more about coffee during your time in Bogotá, the perfect tour for you is the Flavors of Bogotá Coffee Shop Tour, which visits three different specialty coffee shops in the city and explains the complex process of growing and preparing a world-class cup of Colombian coffee. Tours are small and intimate, but you will also have the chance to share the experience with some new people and meet the interesting and knowledgeable guides, should you be travelling solo.

For any beer lovers out there, this is the Bogotá tour of your dreams! A fun and laid-back way to learn about and sample various different craft beers in Bogotá, the Bogotá Beer Tour visits several excellent independent bars and breweries, where you will learn all about the brewing process and the history of craft beer in Bogotá, as well as enjoying some samples along the way. It’s a fun tour, and the guides are excellent at getting everyone to relax and socialise, so you will definitely meet some people at the same time.

Another of Bogotá’s classic walking tours, the Graffiti Tour is one of those must-do experiences for anyone travelling to Bogotá. It’s extremely popular and an excellent way to meet fellow travellers if you are alone in Bogotá. Not only will you learn a lot about Bogotá’s cultural history and its street art, but many of the clients end up taking the guide’s advice and heading to a local restaurant together for lunch after the tour. Many budding traveller friendships have been forged during the Bogotá Graffiti Tour.

The ultimate Bogotá social event, Gringo Tuesday’s has been bringing travellers and locals together for years now and remains one of the most popular nights out in the city. Having recently moved to a bigger and better location, the club night is going from strength to strength, and their conversation club is the best way to make new friends as a solo traveller and to practise your Spanish at the same time.

The huge green spaces of the Botanical Gardens and Simon Bolivar Park are the peaceful and relaxing heart of Bogotá, and if you’re a solo traveller looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, a day out here is the perfect way to achieve that. You can wander the peaceful trails through the gardens or take a bike out in the park and enjoy some exercise. Either way, if you are travelling alone and want to enjoy some solitude, these parks are your best bet.

There is no better way to enjoy a Sunday in Bogotá than by heading up to the Usaquen neighbourhood for the weekly flea market (although it’s really more of a craft fair than a flea market). With stalls selling just about everything you can imagine, loads of great cafés and restaurants and even live music in the street, Usaquen has a laid-back, friendly vibe and is a great place to wander around by yourself, checking out the bargains and enjoying the Colombian atmosphere.

Andres Carne de Res restaurant and club in the northern area of Chia is practically a Bogotá rite of passage, and it just isn’t a trip to Bogotá without heading up north for some world-class steak, cocktails and a dance. Locals and visitors alike fall head over heels in love with Andres’ unique and quirky vibe, and if you are travelling alone, you won’t have any trouble getting there, as most hostels in the city now organise weekend nights out there, complete with private transport and a table.

The only activity which might top Usaquen Market on a Sunday is the weekly ciclovia event, in which over 120 kilometres (75 miles) of roads are closed off throughout Bogotá, and cyclists, joggers and dog-walkers take to the streets to enjoy some car-free exercise. You could go for a run or rent a bike from your hostel or hostel; either way, it’s a great way to get out and about and see some of the best of Bogotá (and meet some locals). You could even cycle up to Usaquen and visit the market.