Guard your drink and your date plans on a night out

Before a day of market shopping, decide how much cash you need and withdraw it carefully. Advisories say express kidnappings are often linked to ATMs, especially at night, so use machines inside banks, supermarkets or shopping centers during business hours. Cover the keypad when you type your PIN, check around you…

Bogotá runs a series of free outdoor concerts called Festivales al Parque, covering rock, hip hop, jazz, salsa and Colombian music, mostly in the second half of the year. In the 2026 calendar Hip Hop al Parque falls in October and Salsa al Parque in November. Dates change every year, so check the city and Idartes…

Rock al Parque has filled Parque Simón Bolívar with free live music since 1995, run by the city arts institute Idartes, and it usually lasts about three days. The date shifts from year to year, so follow Idartes announcements before you book flights. Arrive early to settle in, carry a rain layer for the afternoon…

Bogotá museums do not share a rest day. The Museo Nacional closes on Mondays, while the Botero museum in La Candelaria closes on Tuesdays, so one fixed day plan can leave you at a locked door. Look up the current days and any holiday changes on each museum's own page the evening before. On a Monday, base yourself in…

Colombia's oldest museum, founded in 1823, has occupied the former Penitenciaría Central, known as the Panóptico, since 1948. The prison held inmates for almost 72 years, so look at the building as much as at the collections. Part of the rooms are closed for renovation work, so check the museum's visit page for what…

Buses in the SITP network require a TuLlave card, the same fare card TransMilenio uses, and you can recharge it online, from your phone or at TransMilenio stations. Buy one at a station when you arrive, then top it up in advance so you are not stuck at the turnstile. Plan each trip with the TransMilenio route map or…

Official advisories report express kidnappings and robberies in unlicensed taxis in Bogotá, and they say not to hail cabs on the street. Order a car through your hotel, a reputable company or a ride app, and check that the vehicle and driver match before you get in. Never board a taxi that already has a passenger, and…

Quebrada La Vieja is a forest trail on the eastern hills of Chapinero, managed by the city water company, and you must register in advance through its Caminos de los Cerros Orientales app or website. Entry is limited to morning slots, so book early and arrive on time. Follow the staff instructions, leave pets at home…