El Dorado International Airport

El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is Colombia's busiest airport and the primary gateway for international travelers to South America. Located 15 km west of downtown Bogota, BOG handles over 35 million passengers annually and serves as the main hub for Avianca, Colombia's flag carrier.

The airport has two terminals:

• El Dorado Terminal (Main Terminal): Handles all international flights and most domestic operations. This is where Avianca, LATAM, and all international carriers operate. The terminal has a North Pier (domestic) and South Pier (international).
• CATAM (Puente Aereo Terminal): A smaller, separate terminal 1.5 km away, handling some domestic flights. This terminal was historically used for the Avianca shuttle service.

Important note: BOG sits at 2,548 meters (8,360 feet) elevation. The high altitude affects aircraft performance and means arriving passengers may experience mild altitude effects. Allow extra time on your first day to acclimate if you're not accustomed to high elevations.

The main El Dorado terminal is modern and efficient, having undergone significant expansion. The international and domestic sections are connected airside via a central hub, making connections relatively straightforward.

BOG is located 15 km west of central Bogota. Travel times vary based on traffic and destination:

Destination	Off-Peak	Peak Hours
Zona Rosa/Zona T	25-40 min	45-90 min
Chapinero	25-40 min	45-80 min
La Candelaria (Historic Center)	30-50 min	60-100 min
Usaquen	35-50 min	60-100 min

Traffic warning: Bogota has notorious traffic congestion. Rush hours (6:30-9 AM, 5-8 PM) can dramatically increase travel times. The city also implements "pico y placa" traffic restrictions that limit vehicles based on license plate numbers on certain days.

The most reliable option for predictable timing is the TransMilenio bus rapid transit system, which has dedicated lanes.

Uber works in Colombia and is widely used at BOG, though it operates in a legal gray area. The app functions normally and is generally considered safe.

Pickup locations:

• Exit arrivals and request your ride
• Drivers will provide instructions via the app for pickup location
• Some drivers may ask you to sit in the front seat to appear less like a rideshare

Typical fares to central Bogota:

Destination	Uber Fare	Notes
Zona Rosa/Zona T	COP 25,000-40,000 (~$6-10 USD)	Popular tourist area
Chapinero	COP 22,000-35,000 (~$5-9 USD)	Central neighborhood
La Candelaria	COP 25,000-40,000 (~$6-10 USD)	Historic center
Usaquen	COP 30,000-45,000 (~$7-11 USD)	North of center

Wait times average 5-15 minutes.

Official Airport Taxis are available at designated stands:

• Use only authorized yellow taxis from the official taxi stands
• Request a taxi ticket from the airport taxi booth before exiting
• The ticket shows the fixed fare to your destination zone
• Typical fare to Zona Rosa: COP 35,000-50,000 (~$8-12 USD)
• Fares are fixed by zone and displayed at the taxi counter

Safety tip: Never accept taxi offers from people approaching you inside the terminal. Always use the official taxi stands or rideshare apps.

Other rideshare options:

• DiDi: Available and legal in Colombia
• Cabify: Also operates in Bogota
• InDriver: Negotiation-based rideshare popular locally

TransMilenio

The TransMilenio bus rapid transit system connects BOG to central Bogota with dedicated bus lanes, avoiding traffic congestion.

Portal El Dorado Station:

• Located outside the main terminal
• Free shuttle buses run between the terminal and Portal El Dorado station

To reach the city center:

1. Exit arrivals and follow signs to "TransMilenio"
2. Take the free airport shuttle to Portal El Dorado station (5-10 min)
3. Purchase a Tullave card (COP 6,000 for the card)
4. Load fare (COP 2,950 per trip)
5. Board TransMilenio toward the city

Key routes:

• Portal El Dorado → Museo Nacional: ~50-60 min
• Portal El Dorado → Portal Norte (north Bogota): ~70-80 min

TransMilenio details:

• Cost: COP 2,950 (~$0.70 USD) per journey
• Hours: 4:30 AM to 11:00 PM (reduced service Sundays)
• Frequency: Every 5-15 minutes during peak hours

Tips:

• TransMilenio gets very crowded during rush hours
• Keep belongings secure and be aware of pickpockets
• Avoid traveling with large luggage during peak times

Airport Shuttle Buses

Private shuttle services operate between the airport and various hotels/destinations. Check with your hotel for pickup arrangements.

BOG offers parking at the main terminal:

Lot	Hourly Rate	Daily Rate	Notes
Terminal Parking (P1/P2)	COP 7,000/hr (~$1.70)	COP 45,000/day (~$11)	Covered, close to terminal
Economy Lot	COP 5,000/hr (~$1.20)	COP 30,000/day (~$7)	Shuttle to terminal

Tips:

• Pay at automated machines before returning to your vehicle
• The cell phone lot is available for free passenger pickup waiting

BOG has a reasonable selection of dining options, with more variety in the international departures area.

Arrivals/Landside:

• Juan Valdez Cafe: Colombia's famous coffee chain, excellent coffee
• Crepes & Waffles: Popular Colombian chain, crepes and light meals
• El Corral: Colombian burger chain

International Departures (South Pier):

• Andres Carne de Res Express: Outpost of the famous Colombian restaurant
• Wok: Pan-Asian cuisine
• Bogota Beer Company (BBC): Craft beer and pub food
• Juan Valdez Cafe: Multiple locations
• La Brasserie: French-style bistro

Domestic Departures (North Pier):

• Kokoriko: Colombian rotisserie chicken
• Subway: Sandwiches
• Juan Valdez Cafe: Coffee and pastries

Must-try Colombian items:

• Tinto: Colombian black coffee, strong and sweet
• Almojabana: Cheese bread
• Empanadas: Fried pastries with meat or cheese
• Aguapanela: Sweet cane sugar drink

Tip: Juan Valdez offers excellent Colombian coffee at reasonable prices. Try the "granizado" (frozen coffee drink) if you have time.

Free WiFi is available throughout the airport.

Network name: "WiFi Gratis El Dorado"

How to connect:

1. Select the network
2. Open your browser
3. Register with email or social media
4. Accept terms

Details:

• Free and unlimited
• Speed adequate for browsing and email
• Can be slow during peak times

Lounge WiFi is faster and more reliable for heavy usage.

Colombian SIM cards are available at the airport:

Locations:

• Claro: Main terminal arrivals area
• Movistar: Terminal arrivals
• Tigo: Various kiosks

Major carriers:

• Claro: Best overall coverage nationwide
• Movistar: Good urban coverage
• Tigo: Competitive pricing

Typical costs:

• Prepaid SIM with 5-10GB data: COP 30,000-50,000 (~$7-12 USD)
• Top-up packages available at convenience stores throughout Colombia

Requirements: Passport required for registration.

Tip: Consider ordering an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) before departure for immediate connectivity. Colombian SIMs are affordable but registration can take 15-30 minutes.

ATMs are located throughout the terminal in arrivals and departures areas.

Major banks with ATMs at BOG:

• Bancolombia
• Banco de Bogota
• Davivienda
• BBVA
• Citibank

Tips:

• Colombian ATMs dispense Colombian Pesos (COP)
• Typical withdrawal limit: COP 600,000-1,000,000 per transaction (~$150-250 USD)
• ATM fees: COP 12,000-18,000 per withdrawal (~$3-4 USD) plus your bank's fees
• Choose to be charged in Colombian Pesos, not your home currency, for better rates

Currency Exchange:

• Multiple exchange bureaus in arrivals
• Rates are poor (typically 5-10% markup)
• ATM withdrawal usually offers better rates

Credit cards: Widely accepted in Bogota at restaurants, hotels, and shops. Visa and Mastercard work throughout. American Express has limited acceptance.

Current exchange rate: Approximately COP 4,100 = $1 USD (rates fluctuate).

BOG offers duty-free shopping for international travelers and general retail.

Duty-free (Dufry):

• Located in international departures
• Colombian coffee, emeralds, and handicrafts are popular
• Typical duty-free selection of liquor, cosmetics, electronics

Colombian specialties to buy:

• Colombian coffee: High-quality beans (Juan Valdez, Cafe de Colombia brands)
• Emeralds: Colombia is famous for emeralds (buy from reputable dealers)
• Artesanias: Traditional handicrafts, textiles, pottery
• Aguardiente: Anise-flavored Colombian spirit
• Sombrero vueltiao: Traditional Colombian hat

Retail shops:

• Artesanias de Colombia: Government-sponsored handicraft shop, quality guaranteed
• Britt Shop: Coffee and chocolate
• Local boutiques: Colombian fashion and accessories

Tip: Colombian coffee makes an excellent gift and is well-priced at the airport. Look for "100% Colombian" labels.

BOG has several lounge options, primarily in the international departures area.

Priority Pass Lounges

Avianca Lounge (International):

• Location: South Pier, international departures
• Access: Priority Pass, Avianca LifeMiles Gold/Diamond, Star Alliance Gold, Business Class
• Quality: Good Colombian food, coffee bar with barista service, showers, business center
• Hours: Opens early morning to late night based on flight schedule

El Dorado Lounge:

• Location: International departures area
• Access: Priority Pass, various credit cards
• Quality: Basic lounge amenities, can get crowded

Airline Lounges

Avianca Lounge (Domestic):

• Location: North Pier, domestic departures
• Access: Avianca LifeMiles Gold/Diamond, Star Alliance Gold, Avianca Business
• Quality: Smaller than international lounge but comfortable

Copa Club:

• Location: International departures
• Access: Copa Business Class, ConnectMiles Gold/Platinum, Star Alliance Gold
• Quality: Decent food and beverages, reliable WiFi

Credit Card Lounges

• American Express Centurion Lounge: Not currently at BOG
• Various Priority Pass affiliated lounges accessible with premium credit cards

Day Passes

Avianca Lounge sells day passes when capacity allows, typically $35-50 USD. Purchase at the lounge entrance or through LoungeBuddy.

At the Airport:

There is no hotel inside the terminal. The closest options are immediately outside.

Near the Airport (5-15 min):

• Hilton Garden Inn Bogota Airport: Modern hotel across from the terminal, free shuttle. Rooms from COP 400,000/night (~$100 USD).
• NH Bogota Pavillon Royal: Business hotel near airport, shuttle service. Rooms from COP 350,000/night (~$85 USD).
• Holiday Inn Express Bogota Airport: Reliable chain option with airport shuttle. Rooms from COP 280,000/night (~$70 USD).
• Wyndham Bogota Art: Near airport with transfer service. Rooms from COP 320,000/night (~$80 USD).

In Bogota (for layovers with time to explore):

• Zona Rosa/Zona T area: Entertainment district with excellent restaurants, bars, and shopping. 30-45 min from airport.
• Chapinero Alto: Trendy neighborhood with boutique hotels and restaurants.
• La Candelaria: Historic center with colonial architecture, budget-friendly hostels.

Tip: For very early departures, the Hilton Garden Inn directly across from the terminal offers the most convenient location.

Bogota is a dynamic capital city of over 8 million people, sitting at 2,640 meters elevation in the Andes mountains. It offers rich history, vibrant culture, excellent dining, and serves as a gateway to Colombia's diverse regions.

Getting around Bogota:

• TransMilenio: Bus rapid transit covers main corridors
• Uber/DiDi: Widely available and affordable
• Taxis: Use only authorized yellow taxis
• Walking: Best in specific neighborhoods (Zona Rosa, La Candelaria, Chapinero)
• Traffic: Avoid rush hours when possible

Top attractions (with transit time from airport):

• La Candelaria (40-70 min): Historic colonial center, colorful streets, Botero Museum (free), street art
• Monserrate (45-75 min): Mountain overlooking the city, funicular ride, stunning views
• Museo del Oro (40-70 min): World's largest collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts (exceptional museum)
• Zona Rosa/Zona T (30-50 min): Upscale shopping, restaurants, nightlife
• Usaquen (40-60 min): Charming neighborhood with Sunday flea market, cobblestone streets

Neighborhoods to explore:

• La Candelaria: Colonial architecture, museums, street art, bohemian atmosphere
• Chapinero: LGBT-friendly, craft breweries, trendy restaurants
• Zona Rosa: Upscale dining and nightlife
• Usaquen: Sunday market, boutiques, outdoor cafes
• La Macarena: Artistic neighborhood, excellent restaurants

Day trips from Bogota:

• Zipaquira Salt Cathedral (1.5 hours): Underground cathedral carved in a salt mine
• Villa de Leyva (3.5 hours): Preserved colonial town, cobblestone plaza
• Lake Guatavita (2 hours): Sacred Muisca lake, legend of El Dorado

Colombian food to try:

• Ajiaco: Bogota's signature soup with chicken, potatoes, and corn
• Bandeja Paisa: Hearty platter with beans, rice, meat, egg, plantain, and arepa
• Arepa con queso: Cornmeal cake with cheese
• Empanadas: Fried pastries with meat or potato filling
• Patacones: Fried plantain slices

Coffee culture: Colombia produces some of the world's best coffee. Visit Juan Valdez, Amor Perfecto, or Azahar for excellent specialty coffee.

Altitude note: Bogota sits at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet). Take it easy on your first day, stay hydrated, and limit alcohol intake initially. Most visitors adjust within 24-48 hours.

Safety tips:

• Bogota has improved significantly but normal urban precautions apply
• Use rideshare apps rather than hailing taxis
• Avoid displaying expensive jewelry or electronics
• Tourist areas (Zona Rosa, La Candelaria during day, Usaquen) are generally safe
• Avoid walking in La Candelaria late at night
• Keep copies of your passport and leave originals in hotel safe

Weather: Bogota has mild temperatures year-round (average 14°C/57°F) due to altitude. Days can be warm and sunny, but rain is common, especially from April-May and October-November. Always carry a jacket and umbrella.

Language: Spanish is spoken throughout. English is limited outside tourist areas and upscale establishments. Learning basic Spanish phrases is helpful and appreciated.