Travel guide
Visiting Bogotá and Latin America for the first time can be a life-changing experience. Bogotá is a city that welcomes everyone, from any corner of the country or other parts of the world.
Being a large metropolis, things are often chaotic and move quickly. That is why we have created this travel guide to ensure your visit goes smoothly. We recommend reviewing it before and during your visit and consulting it periodically, as we may update parts of it as the conference approaches.
About Bogotá
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and one of the most important cities in Latin America. It offers a first-class selection in gastronomy, culture, art, entertainment, and natural landscapes near the city. Our partners at Invest in Bogota have created a promotional guide of the city where you can find relevant tourist information. They also offer tourist packages to discover the city with designed experiences.
Before you fly
This section includes information to keep in mind before travelling to Bogotá. Be sure to check it thoroughly before buying your plane tickets.
Visa and Entry to Colombia
Most citizens of Europe, Oceania and the Americas (including the US, Canada and almost all of South America) do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days, extendable for another 90 days. However, nations such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, India, China, Vietnam and most countries in Africa and the Middle East must apply for a Visitor Visa (Type V), unless they meet specific exceptions such as holding a valid US or Schengen Area visa. If you need a visa to enter Colombia, check the visa guide built by our partners at Invest in Bogotá. We also recommend you check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for full entry requirements to Colombia.
Beyond visa requirements, Colombian law states foreign visitors who carry out academic activities must enter the country with a special permit called the Temporary Permanence Permit (PTP). To meet this requirement, once you buy your entry to Pabellón, we will send you an official invitation letter by email. Print this letter along with a copy of your passport to hand to the immigration officer at your port of entry, and ask them to stamp your passport with the PID (Integration and Development Permit) seal. With this letter, immigration officers will issue your PTP. Keep it with you for your whole stay.
Note that you must also complete the virtual Check-Mig registration through the official Colombia Migration website before your trip. This form must be completed between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight departs, and the airline will ask for your confirmation receipt during boarding, as will immigration authorities on arrival in the country.
What to pack
Bogotá is known for hard rain, strong winds, cold nights and sometimes sunny afternoons. Temperatures range from 20ºC during the day to 7ºC at night. Weather can change fast in a single day: cold mornings, sun at midday, rain in the afternoon. Pack layers of clothing to handle this.
Colombia’s electrical system runs on 110V with a three-pin Type B outlet or a two-pin Type A outlet (more information here). Bring your adapters.
Currency and payment methods
The official currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Practically all establishments in Bogotá accept credit and debit cards. However, it is advisable to have cash for local markets and some public transportation options. For currency exchange, you can do it safely at authorized exchange houses inside El Dorado International Airport upon arrival, or in the shopping centers of the city.
Where to stay
Bogotá is a great city with lots of tourism and accommodation options, from independent lodgings on Airbnb to large hotel chains. We have negotiated special prices for Pavilion attendees at our recommended hotels below:
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BH Bicentenario
Cra 4 #16-03
10 min 
5 min Discounted price per night
290.000 COP-340.000 COP
Book with discountPrices per night do not include taxes which are paid on arrival.
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Mercure Zona Financiera
Cra 7 #65-01
35 min
20 min Discounted price per night
260.000 COP
Book with discountPrices per night do not include taxes which are paid on arrival.
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BH La Quinta
Cra 5 #74-52
50 min
20 min Discounted price per night
320.000 COP - 400.000 COP
Book with discountPrices per night do not include taxes which are paid on arrival.
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Four Points by Sheraton Tequendama
Cll 26 #10-42
25 min
12 min Discounted price per night
310.000 COP
Book with discountPrices per night do not include taxes which are paid on arrival.
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The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection
Calle 72 #5-51, Chapinero
45 min
25 min Discounted price per night
165,94 USD
Book with discount -
Hotel Coco
Calle 70A #5-44, Chapinero
45 min
20 min Discounted price per night
420.000- 465.000 COP
Book with discount -
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bogotá DC
Av. Carrera 7 #67-39, Chapinero
40 min
25 min Discounted price per night
93 USD
Book with discount
Local Transport
Bogotá has a rather large public transportation system, as well as alternative transportation methods. Please consider all your options in this section.
From the airport to the hotel
Once you collect your luggage, look for the authorized taxi line (taxis in Bogotá are yellow) right in front of the exit door. Although there are other means of transportation, we consider this the safest option. The fare should be between 15 and 20 dollars to your hotel, depending on the distance (payment is cash only in Colombian pesos; you can find currency exchange offices and ATMs inside the airport). If you need a receipt, let the taxi line attendant know, as not all taxi drivers have paper to provide one.
How to get to the conference
The conference registration will be located in the ML Building at Universidad de los Andes (Calle 19A No. 1-82 Este). At the entrance, you will find event signage to complete your registration.
Once you have your conference materials, make sure to wear your badge at all times, as you will need it to enter and exit the campus (Los Andes has a closed campus) as well as to receive your lunch and refreshments.
Most of the conference activities will take place within the Universidad campus. You can use the campus map to guide yourself as you walk from one building to another.
Transportation options
Bogotá has several transportation options. Click on any of the sections below to find out how each one works.
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Transmilenio and SITP
Transmilenio is the largest BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system in the world and serves many areas of the city. The service is frequent and costs 3,550 COP. In general, the lines operate from 4:30 a.m. to midnight from Monday to Saturday and from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays.
The SITP is an urban bus system that mainly consists of: urban service (blue buses, covering routes not served by Transmilenio), and complementary service (orange buses; serving routes to and from nearby Transmilenio stations). All buses have a sign at the front indicating their destination.
Both types of transport are paid exclusively through the smart card tullave, which costs 8,000 COP. It must be preloaded with credit before traveling (up to 100,000 COP). The card is sold at all Transmilenio stations and can be recharged there as well as in some pharmacies and stationery stores.
If you are interested in using this transport option, you can download the Moovit or TransmiApp application on your smartphone to plan your trips.
Keep in mind that during peak hours (from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), both Transmilenio and SITP can be very crowded. Try to plan your trips outside peak hours.
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Taxi & Private Vehicles
If you are going to use a taxi, we recommend doing so through the application and avoiding taking one directly on the street. For both taxis and private vehicle services requested through an app, the following companies operate: Uber and Cabify.
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Bicycles
Bogotá has one of the most extensive bike lane networks in the world, with more than 375 km of separated and clearly marked bike lanes. Free maps of Bogotá from the Tourist Information Points (PIT) show the bike lane routes. Additionally, on Sundays and public holidays, from 7:00am to 2:00pm, 121 km of urban roads are closed to vehicle traffic for the Ciclovía.
If you want to rent bicycles, Tembici, the largest Latin American bike-sharing system, has more than 300 stations throughout Bogotá. Through its smartphone app, you can rent bicycles at any station and return them at any other, paying per trip or purchasing a daily, monthly, or annual plan. They offer both traditional mechanical bicycles and electrically assisted pedal bicycles. However, they do not provide helmets, so make sure to bring your own. At Universidad de los Andes, we have bike parking available free of charge.
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Intercity buses
If you want to travel to any of the municipalities around Bogotá, it is best to go to the Terminal de Transporte. There, you can take buses that will take you to practically any point in the country, including destinations close to the Sabana de Bogotá. Most of these buses have several round-trip services throughout the day. The payment method for this service is cash.
General considerations
For most transportation in Bogotá, make sure to carry cash in Colombian pesos, especially low denomination bills and coins. It will be difficult to get change for a 50,000 peso bill, and sometimes even for a 20,000 peso bill, depending on the bus or taxi you take.
Safety and Well-being
Taking these tips into account will help you have a better experience during your visit to Bogotá.
Water and hydration
Tap water is safe. The dry air at high altitude requires more hydration, so make sure to stay hydrated at all times.
Altitude
Bogotá is 2,640 meters above sea level. Take your first day of arrival easy: avoid heavy meals, rest, and stay hydrated.
Tourism Police
Bogotá has Police officers who will provide you with guidance and assistance. You can identify them as the people who wear a dark blue uniform. They are a useful resource if you need help or if you feel at risk at any moment during your visit.
Emergency Contacts
For any emergency, you can call any of these numbers. Emergencies: 123, Tourist Police: +57 1 337 4413, Ambulance: 125, Firefighters: 119.
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