Bogota, Colombia | The BEST Nightlife and Logistics in LatAm

The weather is shit, but...

It’s not a place for everybody. In fact, many of you would hate it.

There’s never sunshine in the afternoons. Rain isn’t rare. Clouds are common.

The streets can get sketchy from time to time. Every Colombiana has a story or three of getting her cell phone stolen here.

That being said…

Bogota, Colombia is one of the best cities in LatAm for two things:

• Nightlife

• Logistics

And when I say one of the best, I mean probably the best. Punto.

Let me explain.

Bogota, Colombia | Introduction

The capital and largest city in Colombia, Bogota is home to nearly 10 million people. The sixth largest city in all of Latin America, you’ll find everything you could possibly want here.

World-class restaurants, five-star hotels, insane nightlife, and stunning women. The Airbnb options are plentiful, the Internet is fast + reliable, and Rappi delivers everything (literally everything, even items not on the menu…wink, wink) directly to your front steps in less than an hour.

Convenience.

You’ll also find street crime, shit weather, and a severe lack of sunlight. This is not your typical sunny beach nomad destination.

Oh, and English levels are not exactly high.

You need to speak some Spanish if you plan to spend a good amount of time in Bogota. Non-negotiable.

So…

Why Come to Bogota?

Simple really:

Bogota, Colombia offers what I consider to be the best neighborhood in all of Latin America…

Zona T

In Zona T, the premier “zona rosa” in the country, you’ll find everything an expat would ever need to be happy.

• Great Parks and green spaces

• Huge malls

• World-class international restaurants

• High-end hotels + great Airbnb options

• Dozens of bars

• Dozens of clubs

• Plentiful cafes + coworking

• Dozens of gyms

• Yoga, BJJ, MMA

• Private Hospital

I’m sure I missed something, but me point is: you won’t be missing for much here.

Oh, and the whole area is walkable. Everything I listed above is within a 5-10 minute walk.

Rent an apartment in front of a gorgeous park, while being only 5 minutes walking to some of the best bars and clubs in the country? Yep, that’s easy.

Oh, and speaking of the nightlife…

Bogota nightlife is truly world-class. People drink, people dance, people mingle, people flirt, people fuck.

While it’s common in Latin America to find huge clubs filled to the brim with tables and groups, Bogota is more open.

It’s an international city, but more than that, many Colombians move here for school and work. So you’ll find people out in about in groups of 2-3.

You’ll find everything here too. Dive bars. Hip-hop clubs. Reggaeton and salsa around every corner. Techno spots.

The options are endless in the city of 10 million people with shit weather and fuck all to-do for tourism. So people party. Hard.

And yes…

Due to the wonderful nightlife, meeting Colombianas to date and potentially mate isn’t too difficult.

In fact, for expats looking to enjoy a fun dating life without swiping their fucking life away, Bogota is a fantastic spot.

Why Expats Avoid Bogota?

Simple…

The weather is shit.

Sun is a rarity. Rain is common place. It’s not hot. In fact, it can get downright cold at night in Bogota.

182 rainy days a year + 30% chance of sunshine on any given day.

Gross.

And the worst thing about the sun in Bogota, it usually is only sunny before noon everyday. The afternoons are dreary as hell.

With the crazy nightlife, it’s easy to get into a routine of waking up late and never seeing the sunshine.

Street crime is also commonplace.

While Zona T and a few other areas are more than safe enough, the rest of Bogota can get a bit sketchy at night. Stolen cell phones is commonplace and public transport is a prime locale for robberies.

Lastly, there’s not a ton of tourism to do in Bogota.

There’s a few monuments and museums, maybe a hike or two half-an-hour outside the city, but outside of that you won’t find much nature. This is a large concrete jungle.

Hiking, surfing, swimming, and IG-worthy adventures are not found in Bogota.

Where to Stay?

If I haven’t scared you off yet, most likely because you’re a complete degen looking for perreo around every corner, then let’s dig in.

Like I said, Bogota has the best neighborhood in LatAm:

Zona T

For first time visitors, Zona T (or around Parque 93) is the only options for hotels and Airbnbs.

I’m talking here:

For the absolute best lifestyle and logistics ever, stay between Calle 85 and Parque Virrey. Optimal.

You’ll be in walking distance to anything and everything you could ever want, while being next door to a gorgeous park.

The area is safe and a 5 minute walk to all of the action in Zona T. It’s also close to the “TransMilenio” that many locals use to navigate the city.

Parque 93

This is the only other area in Bogota I would personally stay. From Calles 90-100, you have another bar/restaurant district call Parque 93.

The area is actually safer than Zona T and is home to many multinational companies, expats, and affluent Colombians.

If you’re only looking to party on the weekends, staying in Parque 93 makes sense — as it’s only a 5 minute Uber to Zona T, while still having plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants nearby.

Chapinero

If money is an issue, you can stay 10 minutes south in the more bohemian area of Chapinero.

I’ve stayed here myself, and while the area has it’s charms, I’ve found it far more sketchy than Zona T and Parque 93.

More petty theft, more street crimes, more bums.

There’s plenty of dive bars and date spots here, though. Plus, it’s going to way cheaper to stay in Chapinero than it is in the nicer areas to the north. For the exact same style of apartment.

La Candelaria

Backpackers, or “pobres” as I prefer to call them, often choose to stay in the south of the city in an area called: La Candelaria.

Personally, I hate it.

While there’s heavy foot traffic here in the day and tons of hostels + cheap lodging options, I’ve found it not safe to walk around at night here.

Plus, none of the best nightlife in the city is nearby.

Avoid this area unless you’re a dirty backpacker.

The Best Nightlife in LatAm

I’ve been to almost every country in Latin America.

Over 100+ cities in the region.

I’ve yet to find anywhere with nightlife (year around) that compares to Bogota. Nada.

Massive city, fuck else to do due to bad weather, locals from all around Colombia, insane options, etc, etc, etc.

The list could go on and on.

Here’s my top recommendations for areas to party, with a few specific clubs thrown in:

Zona T

Dozens of amazing clubs all within walking distance in the safest area Bogota has to offer.

On the weekend, you’ll find pretty much every spot popping. Popular spots include:

• Morena

• Vintrash

• Presea

The kicker is during the week the nightlife still pops off here. My personal favorite?

Gringo Tuesdays

Located in the above mentioned Vintrash bar/club, you’ll find a great party every Tuesday.

The night starts off with drinking and a “language exchange” until the party really kicks off later.

Some of the best nightlife you’ll ever find during the week.

Sure, there’s bound to be tons of other foreigners, but it doesn’t matter. Everyone here is looking to have a good time.

Theatron

The largest gay club in all of Latin America.

Wait, what?

Yeah, hear me out…

This club is like 8-floors, thousands of people on the weekend, and surprisingly filled with straight and/or bi-sexual females.

Personally, I’m not a fan. However, I have many a friends who consider some of their nights at Theatron to be some of the best nights out.

I’m sure you can surmise why ;)

And it has nothing to do with constantly being accosted by gay Colombians.

Just go with a group of bros…for “security” purposes.

Kapputt

Massive techno club.

Great security. Everyone on drugs. Everyone.

If that’s your scene, you will absolutely love it here. Party doesn’t stop until the wee hours of the morning.

Very middle class and student scene. Not pretentious. Decent English levels…surprisingly.

Galerias

This is another “zona rosa” a bit south of Zona T. Middle class scene. Lots of perreo and reggaeton only.

Fun as hell, however…

Do NOT go here alone. Must have a few bros with you.

Do NOT go here without conversational Spanish. English levels very low.

Why?

Galerias is not a super safe area. The clubs can be fun as hell, but it’s an Uber in, Uber out with a group of bros type of spot.

Speaking good Spanish will help minimize any risks here.

Bogota, Colombia | El Fin

That about does it…

Breaking down Bogota, Colombia for expats and nomads alike.

Overall:

Amazing for nightlife, perfect logistics to keep life simple, friendly locals, and cute Colombianas.

While a lot of folks despise Bogota for the shit weather, slight danger, and bad traffic — I believe it’s a great city for many a LatAm enjoyor.

Te lo juro,

Jake Nomada