Bogotá Private Walking Tour: La Candelaria, Monserrate & Museums

Summary

Discover Bogotá’s Old Town & Local Secrets with a Private Guide

If you want to really feel Bogotá—not just see it—this private walking tour lets you wander colonial streets, ride up Monserrate for city views, sip real Colombian coffee, and hear stories only locals know. You’ll come away feeling like part of the city instead of just another visitor.

What’s the experience like?

We kicked off our day in the heart of La Candelaria, where the streets are narrow and the houses wear their age proudly—paint peeling here and there, bright colors everywhere else. Our guide, Andrés, seemed to know every shortcut and story. He pointed out a tiny bakery on Calle 11 that sells chicha in old glass bottles—locals swear by it. The morning air was cool but not cold; you could smell fresh coffee drifting from open windows as we wandered past murals that felt alive with color and protest.

Monserrate was next. We took the cable car up—honestly, my palms got sweaty just watching the city shrink below us. At the top, the view is wild: Bogotá sprawls out forever, high-rises mixing with red-tiled roofs. You can spot the financial district’s glass towers and then look south to see neighborhoods where time seems slower. There’s a little café up there where we grabbed aguapanela (sweet hot drink) because it gets chilly fast at that altitude.

Back down in town, we stopped at Quinta de Bolívar. The house feels frozen in time—creaky floors, old maps on the walls. Our guide shared stories about Simón Bolívar that don’t make it into textbooks; apparently he loved mangoes and hated paperwork. Afterward, we ducked into a tiny café for Colombian coffee—the kind that leaves your hands warm even after you’re back outside.

Chorro de Quevedo is small but packed with energy: street performers juggling or rapping for coins, students laughing on stone steps. It’s easy to imagine what this place looked like centuries ago—if you squint past the graffiti and food carts selling arepas.

The Botero Museum surprised me—I’d seen pictures of his plump figures before but standing in front of them is different. The building itself creaks when you walk upstairs; sunlight falls just right on paintings by Picasso and Dalí too (didn’t expect those). Our guide explained how Botero’s style pokes fun at power without being mean about it.

We wrapped up at Plaza de Bolívar. Pigeons everywhere! The square buzzes with life—vendors selling obleas (wafers filled with caramel), kids chasing each other around statues, government buildings looming over it all. We strolled down Carrera 7ma for a bit; street musicians played salsa while office workers hurried by. By then my feet were tired but I felt like I’d actually seen Bogotá—not just its postcard side.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Historic Bogotá

• Tour La Candelaria historic center
• Ride funicular to Mt. Monserrate for views
• Visit Quinta de Bolívar Museum and coffee break
• Explore Chorro de Quevedo area
• See art at Botero Museum
• Walk Plaza de Bolivar and Carrera 7ma

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families or older travelers?

Yes! The pace is relaxed and there are plenty of stops to rest or grab a snack. Public transport makes getting around easy too.

Are museum tickets included?

Your entrance to museums is covered except for Quinta de Bolívar Museum—you’ll need to pay that one separately if you want to go inside.

What should I bring?

I’d recommend comfy shoes (those cobblestones are no joke), a light jacket—it can get chilly especially up Monserrate—and maybe some cash for snacks or souvenirs.

Is the tour available in English?

Absolutely! Guides speak both English and Spanish fluently so you won’t miss any details or stories along the way.

What’s included

You’ll get entrance tickets to museums (except Quinta de Bolívar), public transportation fares including cable car rides up Monserrate, plus a cup of fresh Colombian coffee along the way. Your private guide speaks both English and Spanish—and knows all those hidden corners locals love.