This hip neighborhood sits at the heart of Bogotá, and most sightseeing tours pass through its historic streets. A typical tour of the capital’s old town will include stops at Plaza de Bolivar, Chorro de Quevedo, the Botero Museum, Teatro Colón, and Casa de Nariño, where the Colombian president lives and works. Tours of La Candelaria can also be combined with excursions to Mt. Monserrate or the nearby Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, situated in the Colombian countryside.
La Candelaria is a must-visit for art lovers, history buffs, foodies, and all first-time visitors to Bogotá.
Wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces; the neighborhood is full of cobblestone streets.
Leave valuables at your hotel and be aware of your surroundings.
La Candelaria is not easy to access for wheelchair users and those with strollers.
To get to La Candelaria on public transportation, take a TransMilenio bus to Museo del Oro Station. The neighborhood can get a bit seedy after dark, so plan to take a taxi for evening visits. Alternatively, pass by on a guided walking tour of Bogotá.
Plan to visit the neighborhood during the day, when museums, restaurants, churches, and shops are open for business. Though police regularly patrol the streets of La Candelaria, it’s not recommended to walk around the neighborhood after dark.
During your explorations of the old city center, be sure to stop into one of the cool little cafés for a taste of La Candelaria’s signature beverage, a traditional Andean canelazo. This warming drink is made with sugarcane liquor, cinnamon, and panela sugar, and is served steaming hot.