Bogota: Old Town Food Tour & Tejo Game with 12+ Tastings

Summary

Walk Bogota’s La Candelaria for lechona tejo & coffee stories

You’ll taste your way through Bogota’s markets and hidden cafes with a local guide — from lechona to tamal with hot chocolate (trust me), plus a round of tejo and a hands-on coffee workshop to finish. Expect laughter, new flavors, maybe even a few awkward Spanish attempts — but mostly just real moments that stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start my day in Bogota standing in front of a pile of lumpy green fruit I couldn’t name, but that’s exactly where our guide Camila had us — right in the middle of La Perseverancia Market. The air smelled like ripe guava and something sharper (maybe lulo?), and Camila kept grinning as she sliced samples for us. I tried to say “guanábana” and absolutely butchered it; one of the vendors laughed and handed me another slice anyway. That first burst of sweet-sour juice was kind of a wake-up call — this food tour wasn’t going to be what I’d expected.

We wandered through old streets where the walls were splashed with murals and the air kept shifting between rain-damp stone and frying dough. Somewhere near a tiny chicheria, Camila poured us cloudy corn beer that tasted way better than it looked (I was skeptical). Then came lechona — honestly, it looked like chaos on a plate: shredded pork, crunchy skin, rice all mixed together. It was salty and rich and somehow comforting. People squeezed past us in the narrow doorway, everyone shouting greetings I barely caught. There’s something about eating in places where locals actually eat — you feel like you’re borrowing someone else’s city for an afternoon.

Later we played tejo in a back room that smelled faintly of gunpowder and spilled beer. If you haven’t thrown metal pucks at gunpowder targets before… well, it’s louder than you think. I missed every time but still cheered when someone else hit the mark — Camila just shrugged and said most people do. After that we ducked into an old bakery for tamal wrapped in banana leaves (so soft inside) with hot chocolate so thick you could almost stand your spoon up in it. I thought the combo sounded weird but honestly? It works.

The last stop was this little cafe near La Candelaria where they walked us through Colombian coffee — not just tasting but smelling beans, learning how roasting changes everything. The whole place smelled earthy-warm, like rain on pavement mixed with espresso steam. I still think about that moment when everything slowed down for a second before we stepped back out into the noise of downtown Bogota.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bogota food tour with tastings and activities

• Visit La Perseverancia Market
• Learn about exotic fruits
• Explore a local chicheria
• Taste lechona (roasted suckling pig)
• Try innovative ajiaco soup
• Sample buñuelos pastry
• Play a round of tejo
• Enjoy cold beer or juice
• Eat tamale with hot chocolate
• Attend coffee workshop at Casa Magola
• Tour ends near Museo Botero and Plaza de Bolívar

Top questions

How many tastings are included on this Bogota food tour?

The tour includes around 13 different tastings featuring local specialties like lechona, tamal, exotic fruits, desserts, and more.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; the tour begins at La Perseverancia Market in downtown Bogota.

Does the tour include playing tejo?

Yes, there is a round of tejo (Colombia’s national game) included during the tour.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

The guide will try to find alternatives where possible but severe allergies cannot be accommodated due to cross-contamination risks.

Where does the food tour end?

The tour ends at Casa Magola cafe along Carrera 3 in La Candelaria district.

How long does the Bogota food tour last?

The duration is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours depending on group pace.

Is this food tour suitable for children or strollers?

Infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers during the walking tour.

What should I wear or bring for this walking food tour?

Comfortable shoes are recommended; bring an umbrella if rain looks likely as tours operate rain or shine.

What’s included

Your day includes all 12+ food tastings across markets and local eateries (from lechona to tamal), bottled water throughout, a professional foodie guide leading your small group (max 8 guests), a round of tejo with drinks, plus an immersive Colombian coffee workshop before finishing near La Candelaria — no extra costs along the way.