Bogota – The most underrated city on Earth!
I went into my second year as a Digital Nomad with a one-way flight to Bogotá. I had nothing booked apart from a 9 day apartment. No plan, no expectations. Yet I found a city that for me is one of the most underrated destinations on the planet. My actions say it all. I booked 9 days and extended to 16…
For an English Digtial Nomad. Bogotá is far more practical than you would imagine. The weather sits in a permanent spring with no unbearable heat and no freezing winters. You can get a decent apartment on Airbnb for just £25a night (£750pcm) with all bills included. No contracts or hassle. Supermarkets are well stocked with surprisingly good quality products. When you leave the UK, you realise the everyday genius of British retailers is rare globally.
The heart of the city is La Candelaria, colonial architecture and murals that spill down the streets. You have great galleries like the Botero Museum where Colombia’s most famous artist fills entire rooms with his brilliantly distorted, oversized fat people. Oddly brilliant art!
One of the best things about Bogotá is the instant access to nature. You are never more than fifteen minutes from a serious hike. Cerro de Monserrate is a perfect example. A steep climb, crisp mountain air and a sweeping view of the entire city from the monastery at the top. It is the kind of walk that resets you and it is right on your doorstep in Bogota. If you want to catch a football match Bogota has the atmosphere matched the passion of an English lower league game. Flags everywhere. People singing from the first minute to the last. Just raw football energy that felt like home! Many countries have technically good football, very few offer crazy passionate fans!
The food scene is another of the city’s quiet strengths. As a vegetarian, I found plenty of excellent options. My favourite was Marie Candella (La Candelaria), a vegan spot that serves veggie versions of Colombian classics. I munched my way through the entire menu and became addicted to their Menu De Dia for just £6! When you want something international you can find a proper bowl of ramen that would stand up against London or Tokyo. Medellín might dominate the Digital Nomad circuit, but the food in Medellin was tourist fare. On my “Bowl of Ramen Test”, Bogota scores 10/10, the one I make at home 6/10, and Medellín 2/10.
Bogotá also has one of the strongest LGBT scenes in Latin America. Theatron is the giant of the nightlife here. It is often said to be the biggest LGBT nightclub in the world and has a crazy latino atmosphere! I only lasted until 1am because of my 6am starts, but it is a must visit, even for a 42 year old who is slighted jaded with clubbing! You do have to be careful with apps in Colombia because safety issues of Scopolamine poisonings but meeting people in bars in Bogota is generally safer.
Then there is El Dorado International Airport which is easily one of the best connected airports in Latin America. Almost every internal flight in Colombia goes through it. I passed through 4 times in 7 weeks and found it surprisingly efficient. Once you try the chaotic Colombian coach system you will appreciate a Hub Airport even more. Weekends in other Colombian Cities or across Latin America are very affordable and a short flight away. More importantly also puts you just 11hr from London on a direct flight which makes Bogotá a realistic long term base for Digital Nomads who need to pop back to Europe.
I arrived in Bogotá with no plan and left wondering why more Digital Nomads have not discovered it. It is practical, cultured, affordable and full of life. Medellín might have the hype but Bogotá quietly gets on with being brilliant. It suited me perfectly.
I arrived with no expectations. I left with the expectation that I will be back. I loved Bogota.
