Bogota Food Tour: Historic Center Walk & Local Dishes Tasting

Summary

Walk Bogota’s old streets tasting tamales, empanadas, coffee and chocolate with museum stops

You’ll walk Bogota’s old streets with a local guide, tasting tamales, empanadas, and sipping Colombian coffee as you learn stories behind each dish. Expect museum stops, lively markets, and moments to just pause and take in city life. This tour leaves you full — but also kind of hungry for more of Bogota’s stories.

What’s the experience like?

We started weaving through Bogota’s historic center just as the city was waking up — a bit of mist in the air, people selling newspapers, and that faint smell of arepas somewhere close by. Our guide Camilo greeted us outside the Gold Museum, which honestly looks more like a bank than a treasure chest from the outside. Inside though? The gold glowed under the lights, and Camilo told stories about ancient rituals and lost cities while I tried not to touch anything (almost failed). Then we stepped back out onto the street and he handed us our first tamale, still warm in its banana leaf. It was heavy in my hands — I didn’t expect it to be so filling this early but somehow it worked.

We wandered past Santander Park where parrots shrieked overhead (louder than I thought they'd be) and tried some fresh fruit juice that tasted like sunshine after rain. There were older men playing chess on benches, barely glancing at us as we passed. At Banco de la República, Camilo pointed out coins from every era — I only half-listened because I was too busy biting into these tiny sandwiches they call “sanduchitos”. He laughed when I asked for seconds. We stopped at Jorge Eliécer Gaitán’s monument and talked about politics over steaming bowls of ajiaco soup; honestly, it was so thick you could stand your spoon up in it.

There were more stops than I expected — Plaza del Rosario for empanadas (crunchy, salty), La Concordia Market with all those smells mixing together (cilantro, ripe mangoes), Calle del Funnel where the walls are painted wild colors and someone always seems to be singing nearby. Tried fritters there — almost burned my tongue but worth it. By Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo we sipped something called liquid tamale which is basically comfort in a cup if you ask me.

I lost track of time at some point between churros dipped in hot chocolate at the Botero Museum (the sculptures really do look like they’re about to waddle off) and that last coffee in Plaza de Bolívar watching pigeons strut around like they owned the place. Camilo gave us a free map at the end but honestly what stuck with me most was how every bite seemed tied to some story or memory for him — made me wish I’d grown up here too, just for a second.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bogota historic center food and culture tour

• Visit Gold Museum and learn history
• Eat tamale, typical Colombian dish
• Walk to Santander Park and drink juice
• Visit Banco de la República and numismatic museum
• Taste various sandwiches
• See Jorge Eliécer Gaitán monument
• Try traditional ajiaco soup
• Enjoy empanadas at Plaza del Rosario
• Explore La Concordia Market Square
• Taste fresh seasonal fruit
• Walk Calle del Funnel and see colonial houses
• Eat popular Colombian fritters
• Visit Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo
• Drink liquid tamale
• Admire Residential Complex Calle del Sol
• Taste Colombian dessert like dulce de leche
• Visit Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria
• Drink Colombian coffee
• See Botero Museum artworks
• Enjoy hot chocolate with churros
• Admire Teatro Colón architecture
• Taste Colombian dessert like custard
• Visit Plaza de Bolivar and historic buildings
• Drink coffee at Plaza de Bolivar cafes
• Eat traditional dishes at La Puerta Falsa
• Visit Economic Culture Fund for books
• Relax with coffee at cafeteria

Top questions

How long does the Bogota food tour last?

The reference content does not specify duration; check with provider for details.

Is pickup included on this Bogota gastronomy tour?

No hotel pickup is included; meeting point is likely central in Bogota's historic center.

Are vegetarian options available during the tour?

The reference content does not specify vegetarian options; contact provider directly to confirm.

What are some foods tasted on this Bogota food tour?

You’ll try tamales, empanadas, ajiaco soup, sandwiches (“sanduchitos”), fritters, hot chocolate with churros, Colombian desserts, fresh fruit juice and coffee.

Does this day trip include museum visits?

Yes; stops include the Gold Museum and Botero Museum along with other cultural sites.

Is this shared food tour suitable for children?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes; public transportation options are available near the meeting point.

Will we visit Plaza de Bolívar during this food tour?

Yes; Plaza de Bolívar is included as one of the stops on this walking food tour.

What’s included

Your day includes all tastings along the route—tamales, empanadas, soups and desserts—plus entry to museums like Gold Museum and Botero Museum. You’ll have a certified professional guide leading you through each stop in Bogota’s historic center and receive a free map to help you explore further after your shared group experience ends.