Bogotá is Colombia's capital district, a high-altitude Andean metropolis of roughly eight million people spread across a plateau at 2,640 metres (8,660 ft). The city pairs a dense colonial core in La Candelaria — home to the Gold Museum and the Botero collection — with the glass towers of the northern business districts, a 200-kilometre cycle network, and the green wall of the eastern mountains rising directly behind the historic centre.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Colombian emeralds from Boyacá and Cundinamarca mines, bought with an invoice from a registered dealer at the Emerald Trade Center
Single-origin roasted coffee from Huila, Nariño or Tolima, sold whole-bean at Juan Valdez and independent roasters for COP 25,000-60,000 per 500g (approx USD 7.90-19.05)
Mochila bags hand-woven by Wayúu and Arhuaco communities, COP 90,000-450,000 (approx USD 28.60-142.90)
Sombrero vueltiao, the black-and-white caña flecha hat of Córdoba, COP 60,000-300,000 (approx USD 19.05-95.25)
Ceramics from Ráquira and La Chamba black clay cookware, COP 20,000-150,000 (approx USD 6.35-47.60)
Filigree silver from Mompox, worked in fine twisted wire, COP 150,000-800,000 (approx USD 47.60-254)
Tagua nut (vegetable ivory) carvings and jewellery, COP 15,000-120,000 (approx USD 4.80-38.10)
Colombian cacao bars and Santafereño sweets such as obleas, arequipe and bocadillo veleño, COP 8,000-40,000 (approx USD 2.55-12.70)
Aguardiente Néctar or Antioqueño and Colombian rum such as Ron Viejo de Caldas, COP 35,000-90,000 (approx USD 11.10-28.60)
Handwoven ruanas, the Boyacá wool cape that suits Bogotá's climate, COP 80,000-350,000 (approx USD 25.40-111.10)
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao
Bogotá's great working market, trading since 1972 across flower, fruit, meat, fish and dry-goods halls. The flower section is at its best very early on Tuesday and Saturday, the fruit aisles carry lulo, guanábana, granadilla, uchuva, mangostino and dozens more, and the food counters serve tamales, changua and fresh juices to traders and visitors alike.
Where: Paloquemao, Los Mártires, Bogotá
Hours: Mon-Sat 04:30-16:30; Sun 05:30-14:30
Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquén
The flea market that takes over the colonial plaza of Usaquén and the surrounding streets each weekend, mixing independent designers and craft producers with antique and bric-a-brac stalls. Street musicians, arepa and empanada carts and the plaza's restaurants make it a half-day rather than a quick browse, and bargaining is accepted.
Where: Plaza de Usaquén, Bogotá
Hours: Sat, Sun and public holidays 09:00-17:30; Sunday is the main day
Mercado de Pulgas San Alejo
The city's long-running Sunday antiques and curiosities market, held in a covered lot on Carrera 7 beside the Ciclovía corridor. Dealers lay out vinyl, old photographs, typewriters, religious carvings, coins and Colombian ephemera, and prices are openly negotiable.
Where: Carrera 7 with Calle 24, Santa Fe, Bogotá
Hours: Sun 09:00-17:00
Pasaje Rivas
A covered craft arcade trading since the 1890s in the heart of the old city, packed with stalls selling fique baskets, esparto mats, hammocks, Ráquira pottery and woollen ruanas. Prices sit well below the northern boutiques and modest bargaining is accepted on multiple items.
Where: La Candelaria, Bogotá
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-18:00; limited Sunday trading
Plaza de las Esmeraldas
Open-air corner of the historic centre where emerald dealers trade. Buy only with a written invoice and a gemological certificate, and compare at established jewellers before paying.
Where: Santa Fe, Bogota
Hours: Mon-Sat roughly 09:00-17:00; traders active on weekdays
Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia
Historic working-class market in Santa Fe with produce stalls and a food court of regional set lunches; best visited by day.
Where: La Perseverancia, Santa Fe, Bogota
Hours: Mon-Sat 06:00-16:00; Sun 06:00-15:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Centro Comercial Andino
The anchor of Bogotá's upmarket Zona Rosa, opened in 1993 and linked by walkway to El Retiro and Atlantis Plaza. It carries the strongest concentration of international fashion houses in the country alongside Colombian names, and its top floor is a dining and cinema destination in its own right.
Hours: Mon-Thu 10:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-21:00; Sun and public holidays 12:00-18:00
Centro Comercial El Retiro
The most design-led of the Zona Rosa malls, built around a courtyard and home to Colombian labels including the Mercedes Salazar jewellery store, plus a cluster of restaurants and the multi-floor Andrés D.C. It sits directly opposite Centro Andino on Calle 82.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00; Sun and public holidays 12:00-18:00
Unicentro Bogotá
Colombia's first modern shopping centre, opened in 1976 on Avenida 15 in Usaquén and still one of the busiest in the country, with several hundred stores across low-rise wings and gardens. It is the practical choice for everyday Colombian brands, pharmacies, eyewear, electronics and a branch of Galería Cano for emerald and pre-Columbian replica jewellery.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00; Sun and public holidays 11:00-19:00
Centro Comercial Santafé
One of the largest malls in Colombia, in the far north of the city, combining international chains with Colombian anchors, a multiplex, an ice rink and an extensive restaurant level. Its scale makes it a wet-afternoon destination rather than a quick errand.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00; Sun and public holidays 11:00-20:00
Hacienda Santa Bárbara
A shopping centre built around and inside an 18th-century hacienda house, with courtyards, thick adobe walls and a chapel absorbed into the retail plan. It is the most atmospheric mall in the city and sits a short walk from Usaquén's plaza and Sunday flea market.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00; Sun and public holidays 11:00-19:00
Centro Comercial Gran Estacion
Large mall beside the Calle 26 TransMilenio corridor, convenient on the way to the airport for last purchases.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00; Sun and public holidays 11:00-19:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
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Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Rule
- VAT refund for non-resident visitors
- Notes
- Colombia refunds the 19 percent IVA on qualifying goods bought by non-resident foreign visitors who export them, claimed through the DIAN process at El Dorado airport. Original invoices in the traveller's name and the goods themselves must be presented before check-in, so time should be allowed at the airport.
- Rule
- Emerald exports
- Notes
- Emeralds may be exported legally when bought from a registered dealer with an invoice. Carrying the invoice and any laboratory certificate in hand luggage avoids questions at customs on arrival home.
- Rule
- Cultural heritage restrictions
- Notes
- Genuine pre-Columbian artefacts and colonial religious art are protected by Colombian law and cannot be exported. Museum-shop replicas and clearly marked reproductions are legal and are what reputable galleries sell.
- Rule
- Coca and plant products
- Notes
- Coca tea and coca-leaf products sold locally are prohibited on entry to the United States and many other countries. Coffee, cacao and packaged sweets are generally accepted, but fresh fruit, flowers and seeds face agricultural controls.
- Rule
- Cash, cards and duty limits
- Notes
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere in the north of the city; markets and small craft stalls are cash-only. Travellers carrying more than USD 10,000 in cash must declare it on entry and exit.