I hear it over and over by shivering visitors standing on Bogota’s streets: “Why is it so cold here?”
It doesn’t make sense to some people. They traveled that far south (after all, Colombia is near the equator) – and they’re colder here than back home in the U.S. or Europe.
In this article I’ll talk about why it’s so cold here and how you can keep warm in Bogota.
And yes, Colombia is near the equator. But keep in mind that Bogota is a high-altitude city. At around 2,600 meters (8,360 feet) above sea level, it can get quite chilly. From time to time it even snows in the towns around Bogota.
Nighttime temperatures can go down into the mid-40s (that’s a chilly 7 degrees Celsius), and indoor heating is rare. And on days when the sun doesn’t come out from behind the clouds, it can feel downright cold.
I always find myself looking for good ways to warm up in Bogota. Here are a few of my favorites (and since I’m a foodie, expect some of them to involve food).
1. Coffee
Of course, in this coffee-producing country there are coffee shops on almost every corner of the city. And usually several shops down the block, too!
Juan Valdez is one of the most famous shops, but there are many others that have comforting lattes and cozy armchairs and sofas to enjoy them on. Some of our favorites are Amor Perfecto, Cafe Cultor, Varietale, Azahar…and thousands of other places.
Or keep warm on one of our coffee workshops.
You probably have a lot of questions about Colombian coffee. We answer a lot of them in this extensive article about common coffee questions.
2. Chocolate santafereño
Rich hot chocolate has been a classic drink in Bogota for decades. But with chocolate in Bogota, there’s a surprise lurking in that cup.
The unusual thing about hot chocolate here is that cheese is often served with the hot chocolate. So yes, go ahead and drop the cheese into the chocolate. When it’s hot and gooey, you can fish it out with a spoon and eat it.
Whether you want it with the cheese or not, good hot chocolate can be had all through the city. Famous places to have it are at La Puerta Falsa in the historic La Candelaria and not too far from there at La Florida Bakery.
3. Ajiaco
Ajiaco is a soup made with shredded chicken, corn on the cob, three different types of Colombian potatoes, and an herb called guasca, that, frankly, you’ll just have to come to Colombia to taste.
On the side you’ll get a dish with avocado, rice, capers, and cream (the last two go into the soup). It’s creamy, thick, and delicious – and is a comforting way to warm up on a cool Bogota evening.
4. Ride the Ciclovia
Ciclovía is the extensive cycle route that covers about 70 miles and takes you from one end of Bogota to the other end. This isn’t just for bicycling – on Sundays whole families keep warm while jogging, rollerblading, or just moving any way they can.
5. Walk to the top of Monserrate
Yes, it’s quite a hike to get up to that symbol of Bogota, Mt. Monserrate. But by the time you get to the top you’ll be warm even on the coolest morning.
If you’re not up for the climb to the top (at 3,152 meters, or 10,341 feet, above sea level), take the cable car up. As you walk around and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city you might feel the chill, so try the very popular canelazo, a cinnamon drink made with aguardiente.
6. Aromatica
Tea in Bogota takes on a fresh attitude. Aromatica is a hot drink made with fresh fruits and herbs. Basically, fruits and herbs are placed in a cup and hot water is poured over them. You wait the time you want (about 5 minutes) and then drink it with all the stuff in the cup. Then you can choose to scoop out and eat all the fruit (or not).
It is often sweetened with panela, a type of raw sugar. Mint aromatica is very common, as well as frutos rojos, a berry tea. You can choose your aromaticas by color (green, red or yellow). You can also ask them to leave out any ingredients you’re not so fond of.
7. Tamales
Tamales are meat stews encased in corn dough, then wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled. If you order one at any of the many bakeries or restaurants around the city, you’ll get a steaming hot package ready to be unwrapped, and guaranteed to warm you up.
8. Outdoor heating
Bogotanos love to eat outdoors, and most restaurants have year-round outdoor seating. But what to do when the temperatures plummet?
Heating elements are the answer, and you’ll find electric heaters hanging from the walls or ceilings. Most restaurants also have ingenious standing gas heaters with flames of fire that drive away the cold. If you’re feeling a bit of a nip in the air, ask your server to light up a heater.
9. A ride on Transmilenio
Getting on a bus isn’t the first thing you think of when trying to keep warm, but Bogota’s bus system is probably one of the hottest spots in the city. Literally! At rush hour the buses get packed beyond what you can imagine, and the temperature rises.
Transmilenio is the immense bus system that crosses Bogota, and normally it’s the quickest way to get around the city. During those peak hours, expect to be nearly cheek-to-cheek with other passengers. You’ll no longer feel the slightest bit cold!
10. Beer
Craft beer is getting more popular in Colombia, so you can choose from a variety of inexpensive (yet still good) Colombian brands like Pola del Pub at El Irish, Bogota Beer Company’s many pubs, or try Chelarte or Las 3 Cordilleras.
*This article was updated on July 6, 2022
