Bogotá rarely makes the first page of romantic travel lists, and that is exactly its charm. The Colombian capital sits at about 2,600 metres in the Andes, wrapped in green mountains, with cool mornings, sudden afternoon showers and evenings that call for a jacket and someone to share it with. If you are looking for romantic things to do in Bogotá, you will find them in small moments: a cable car ride above the clouds, a cup of hot chocolate with cheese melting into it, a Sunday spent cycling through streets closed to cars.
This guide is for couples travelling together, for long-distance partners finally meeting in person and for anyone curious about love and dating in Colombia. We cover the most romantic places in the city, a few spots most visitors miss, where to eat, when to go and what to know about Colombian dating culture before your first date.
Why Bogotá is a great city for couples
Bogotá is big, busy and full of contrasts. Colonial churches stand a few blocks from glass towers, and street artists paint entire walls while office workers queue for empanadas. What makes the city special for two people is its pace once you step off the main roads. In La Candelaria, the old town, you can spend a whole afternoon wandering cobbled lanes and ducking into tiny cafés. In Usaquén, the mood is that of a village, with a Sunday market and long lunches under string lights.
The climate helps too. The locals call it eternal spring: temperatures usually stay between 8 and 20 °C all year. That means no sweltering beach days, but plenty of reasons to stay close, order another tinto (the small black coffee Colombians drink all day) and keep talking.
Sights that make your heart beat faster
These four places belong on every Bogotá itinerary for couples. Each one shows a different side of the city, from the view over the endless sea of lights to the quiet corners of the old town.
More romantic things to do in Bogotá
Watch the sunset from Monserrate
Monserrate rises 3,152 metres above sea level and has looked over the city for centuries. You can ride up by funicular (running since 1929) or by cable car, which was built in the 1950s. Go in the late afternoon, find a spot near the white church and stay until the city switches on its lights below you. It gets cold quickly up there, so bring a warm layer. The city of Bogotá’s page on Monserrate has current information on access and opening hours.
Get lost in La Candelaria
The historic centre is where Bogotá began. Colourful one-storey houses, wooden balconies and street art cover almost every wall. Join a graffiti tour to learn the stories behind the murals, then visit the Botero Museum, where the famously round figures of Fernando Botero hang in a quiet colonial house. Entry is free, which leaves more budget for dinner.
Lose track of time in the Gold Museum
The Museo del Oro holds tens of thousands of gold objects made by the peoples who lived here long before the Spanish arrived. The highlight is a dark circular room on the top floor where the lights come up slowly and the gold around you seems to glow. It is one of those moments you will want to share with someone standing next to you.
Ride the Ciclovía on a Sunday
Every Sunday and public holiday, more than 100 kilometres of main roads close to traffic and fill with cyclists, joggers and families. Rent two bikes, ride north towards Usaquén and stop for fresh fruit juice from the street stands. It is the easiest way to see the city like a local, and it is a surprisingly good first-date activity.
Take a day trip to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
About 50 kilometres north of Bogotá, a cathedral was carved into a salt mine, roughly 200 metres underground. The current cathedral opened in 1995 and is lit in shifting blues and purples. Walking through the tunnels together feels a little unreal. Many couples combine it with lunch in Zipaquirá’s colonial main square.
Spend a slow Sunday in Usaquén
Usaquén was once a separate town and still feels like one. On Sundays its streets fill with a flea market of crafts, jewellery and music. Afterwards, sit down for a long lunch in one of the restaurants around the small square and let the afternoon drift.
Hidden gems off the beaten path
- Chorro de Quevedo: The little square where Bogotá is said to have been founded. Today it is a meeting place for storytellers, musicians and students drinking chicha, a traditional corn drink.
- Paloquemao Market: Go early in the morning for the flower hall and fruits you have probably never heard of, like lulo, granadilla and uchuva. Ask a vendor to let you taste them.
- Jardín Botánico: Bogotá’s botanical garden is quiet, green and rarely crowded on weekdays. The orchid and Andean forest sections are perfect for a slow walk.
- Laguna de Guatavita: A round lake in the mountains linked to the legend of El Dorado. The short hike is beautiful and you can visit it on a day trip from the city.
Romantic restaurants and cafés in Bogotá
Bogotá has become one of the most exciting food cities in Latin America. For a special dinner, head to Zona G or the area around Quinta Camacho, where many of the city’s best restaurants sit in renovated brick houses. For something completely different, take a taxi to Andrés Carne de Res in Chía, just outside the city: part restaurant, part party, with dancing until late.
In the old town, La Puerta Falsa has served tamales and hot chocolate since the early 19th century. Order the chocolate santafereño and do as the locals do: drop small pieces of cheese into the cup and wait for them to melt. And try ajiaco, a chicken and potato soup that is perfect for a cool Bogotá evening.
Colombian coffee deserves its own date. Several speciality cafés in Chapinero and La Macarena offer tastings where you compare beans from different regions. It is a nice way to learn something new together.
Best time to visit Bogotá as a couple
Because the temperature barely changes, the main question is rain. The driest months are usually December to March and July to August. December is especially festive, with lights across the city and families out in the evenings. April, May, October and November tend to bring more showers, but they usually come in the afternoon and pass quickly. Plan your outdoor plans, such as Monserrate or Guatavita, for the morning.
Give yourselves a day to adjust to the altitude. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol the first night and don’t plan a long hike the day you arrive.
Where to stay in Bogotá
For couples, the most popular areas are Chapinero Alto and Quinta Camacho (leafy, close to good restaurants), Zona G and Zona T (central, lively, easy to get around) and Usaquén (quieter, with a village feel). La Candelaria is wonderful during the day and has charming boutique hotels, but it gets very quiet at night, so many visitors prefer to stay further north and visit the old town by taxi.
Dating in Bogotá: what to know about Colombian dating culture
Colombians are known for being warm, open and curious about other people. If you are meeting someone from Bogotá, expect genuine interest in your life, your family and where you come from. Here are a few things that help:
- Warmth matters. A greeting usually comes with a kiss on the cheek, and compliments are given freely. Being friendly and attentive goes a long way.
- Family comes first. Families are close, and meeting them is a big step. Showing interest in someone’s family is a sign of respect.
- Time is flexible. People sometimes joke about la hora colombiana, Colombian time. Arriving 15 minutes late is not unusual, so be relaxed about it.
- Dancing brings people together. You don’t need to be good at salsa. Being willing to try is more important than getting the steps right.
- Bogotanos are a little more reserved than people on the Caribbean coast. Conversations often start politely and warm up over time.
Learning a few words of Spanish makes a big difference, even if your date speaks English. Our guide on love across cultures explains how to avoid common misunderstandings when you date someone from another country, and on our Cultures & Countries page you can learn more about the places our members come from.
Absolute must-do
A cup of Colombian coffee or a hot chocolate with cheese, just the way Bogotanos love it, followed by a street art tour through La Candelaria. Bogotá tells its stories on its walls.
Only here in the world: the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá was carved around 200 metres deep into a salt mountain. An underground place of worship made of salt and light, unlike any other.
Tip for your first date
Take the cable car up Monserrate in the late afternoon and wait together until the city lights come on, with a hot chocolate in hand. If you are still getting to know each other, our article on what to talk about on a first date has plenty of ideas for keeping the conversation going.
Staying safe in Bogotá
Bogotá is much safer than its old reputation suggests, but like any big city it calls for common sense. Colombians have a saying for it: no dar papaya, which means don’t make yourself an easy target. Keep your phone out of sight on busy streets, use a ride app or a taxi ordered by your hotel or restaurant, and avoid empty streets in the centre after dark. If you are meeting someone you met online for the first time, choose a public place and tell a friend where you are going. Our safety tips help you date with confidence.
FAQ: Bogotá for couples
Is Bogotá romantic?
Yes, though in a different way than a beach destination. Bogotá is romantic in its views, cafés, markets and cool evenings. It suits couples who like culture, food and city life.
How many days do you need in Bogotá?
Three to four days are enough to see the main sights, visit Monserrate, explore La Candelaria and take a day trip to Zipaquirá or Guatavita.
Do you need to speak Spanish in Bogotá?
Not necessarily, but it helps a lot. English is spoken in many hotels and restaurants in the north of the city, less so in markets and taxis. A translation app and a few basic phrases go a long way.
What is the best way to meet people from Colombia?
Many couples meet through friends, dancing or online. On a platform for international dating you can get to know someone from Colombia before you travel, so your first date already feels like seeing an old friend.
Dreaming of a trip to Bogotá with someone special? Create your free FoundmyLove profile and meet people from Colombia and all over the world. If South America has caught your heart, read our guide to romantic things to do in Rio de Janeiro next.
Title image: Jos Cuevasc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)