Bogotá attractions

Founded by Spanish settlers in 1537, the town of Nemocón in Colombia earned fame for its highly productive salt mine. Between 1816 and 1968, some 8 million tons of salt were extracted from the mine via a process of collecting water from the salt spring in clay vessels and allowing the liquid to evaporate.

93 Park (Parque 93) is so much more than a grassy square in the center of Bogotá—it’s one of the cultural centerpieces of the city. Located in El Chicó, a well-to-do neighborhood within the city’s Chapinero district, the park is often frequented by Bogotá’s wealthiest. If you plan to take a stroll through here, be prepared to be surrounded by the local jet-set crowd.

Surrounded by leafy tropical trees in the verdant Colombian countryside, south of Bogotá, Hacienda Coloma is an elegant coffee estate offering tastings and tours meant to educate you about how coffee is made. It's a must for coffee lovers, gardening fans, and anyone who just wants to get away from the city for a bit of quiet.

See what it would be like to live in the world’s largest piece of artisanal pottery at Terracotta House (Casa Terracota). Located outside of Villa de Leyva, Casa Terracota, also referred to as Casa de Flintstone by locals, is a 5,400-square-foot (500-square-meter) house made entirely out of clay, baked and hardened by the sun.

Home to the Columbian Congress and Senate, the grand National Capitol (Capitolio Nacional) building is the center of Colombian politics. With its grand colonnaded frontage and neoclassical design reminiscent of ancient Greece, it makes a dramatic addition to Bolivar Square, over whose south side it reigns supreme.

On the northern tip of Bogota's sprawling Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park, this popular theme park features about 40 rides and attractions that run the gamut from toddler-friendly merry-go-rounds to thrilling roller coasters. You'll also find other distractions here, from carnival games to food carts.

Towering 50 storys above downtown Bogotá, the Colpatria Tower (Torre Colpatria) was once the tallest building in Colombia and remains a key Bogotá landmark. Now clocking in at fourth tallest in the country, each night visitors can admire the impressive LED light show or ascend to the 49th floor observation deck for 360-degree views over the capital on select days.

Located in Villavicencio, Bioparque Los Ocarros is a nature reserve dedicated to protecting the flora and fauna of the Orinoquia region of Colombia. Spanning 14.3 acres (5.8 hectares), the biopark is home to more than 190 species and 1,900 specimens of mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish, many of which were rescued.

At Biopark Reserve (Bioparque La Reserva) outside Bogotá, get up close and personal with animals rescued from illegal trafficking, while immersing yourself in several unique and varied Colombian ecosystems. Visitors can learn about the importance of conservation and sustainability at this family-friendly animal sanctuary.

Learn about marine dinosaurs that inhabited prehistoric Colombia and modern paleontological research techniques at the Paleontological Research Center (Centro de Investigaciones Paleontológicas). A modern research facility, CIP also houses a large collection of fossils from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras.

Located outside of Paipa, Manoa Park (Manoa Parque) is an adventure theme park for the whole family. Choose to suit up for the ziplines and ropes courses, or opt for a ride on horseback or via electric car, motorcycle, train, or boat. There's also a giant chess board, inflatables, and large labyrinth.

Situated around 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Bogotá on the Bogotá River, Tequendama Falls (Salto del Tequendama) is a massive cascade with waters that drop 515 feet (157 meters) before crashing into a forested valley below.

Housed in an angular red-brick building, the Bogotá Museum of Modern Art is one of the country’s foremost contemporary art spaces. Here, across four floors and six exhibition halls, visitors can marvel over some 4,000 permanent works of art, design, and photography, by both Colombian and international artists such as Diego Rivera, Andy Warhol, and Francisco Goya.

Science and technology take center stage at this interactive, family-friendly museum where visitors expand their knowledge through hands-on activities. Here you can learn about everything from the human body to the petroleum industry in a way that's fun, accessible, and designed to spark an interest in science among young guests.

Mundo Aventura Theme Park (Parque Mundo Aventura) boasts more than 30 rides and attractions, which range from extreme thrill rides to family-friendly roller coasters and log flumes. In classic carnival style, the park has sideshows and traditional fairground rides. For younger children, there’s a ballpark, petting zoo, and several playgrounds.

Get close to and learn all about ostriches at the Ostrich Farm (Granja de Avestruces). Located outside of Villa de Leyva, this ecological farm is home to more than 120 ostriches and a handful of other farm animals that visitors can interact with, including llamas, horses, sheep, goats, cows, and buffalo.