Finding a place to stay in Bogota, a city that doesn't have centralized tourist attractions and where daytime mobility and overnight safety may be a concern, can be confusing for visitors. To avoid searching for hours, it is best to first determine what type of traveler you are: if you prefer to share your experiences in a hostel and stroll through colonial streets, or if, on the contrary, luxury and tranquility are what you are looking for. If you are thinking about staying in Bogotá, we have 4 options so you can pick the one that best suits what you have in mind. [caption id="attachment_13978" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Bogotá is filled with traditional restaurants, museums, bars, luxury hotels, shopping malls, and many other attractions / Photo: Daytours4u[/caption]

1) T Zone and Park 93: Varied and Luxurious

Known as Bogotá’s chic Pink Zone, it houses a wide variety of the city's most renowned bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes, and casinos. The T-shaped pedestrian street gives name to this area, and within the same sector is the Calle del Sol, a street on which the boutiques of some of Colombia's most famous designers are located. This seductive neighborhood has parks where you can spend the afternoon and then at night, you can explore different bars and feel the rhythm of Colombia. It is a safe area to stay, with hotels like Sofitel, with its atmosphere of elegance and beauty. If you prefer to get away from the crowds, just a few blocks away you will find Park 93, famous for its cultural events such as Opera in the Park, and here there are even more luxurious options such as 93 Luxury Suites or Click Clak Hotel. Travel Tip: If you are a traveler who enjoys a comfortable and refined lifestyle, this area is ideal for you. Here the nights are full of flavour but be careful, some pickpockets tend to take advantage of the large amounts of people. [caption id="attachment_13971" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Staying in Bogotá Dare to dance Salsa in the best bars of Bogotá / Credit: Lida Flickr[/caption]

2) Chapinero: The ideal place to discover Colombian culture

This neighborhood located in the northeastern section of the city is home to all types of commerce and part of the Rola’s daily life. The streets are quite busy during the day, and at night you can find bars, clubs, and hotels for all tastes. The main route in this area is Carrera Séptima, making north to south mobility and travel between various tourist destinations very easy. This colloquial neighborhood has been the inspiration for writers such as Andrés Ospina, who comments that Chapinero, due to its configuration, is an analogy for the development of the world: First a wasteland, then people start to arrive and all of a sudden they are everywhere. In this commercial neighborhood, you can find 4-star hotels like Estelar Suite Jones, located on the historic Carrera Séptima, or 2-star hotels like Abitare 56, located in the heart of the Pink Zone of Chapinero. Keep in mind that the best area for tourist is between 45th and 72nd Street, so look for options here. Staying in this neighborhood is a mix between comfort and good prices, so if you are a tourist who prefers things to be simple with regards to your lodging and getting around, this area is perfect for you. In the daytime, the neighborhood is quite busy, due to the commerce and confluence of universities, however, at night some sectors are a bit sparse, so it is advisable to use some kind of transportation service instead of walking. As the Colombians say: No des papaya (don’t expose yourself to danger). Travel Tip: If you want to get to know some of the best tourist attractions in this beautiful city, reserve a spot on our Bogotá City Tour. [caption id="attachment_13967" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Staying in Bogotá Explore the magical streets of Bogotá and discover its best-kept secrets / Kzoop Flickr[/caption]

3) Usaquén: A colonial village in the middle of the capital

In Usaquén you can experience the best of both worlds: the tranquility of a colonial village absorbed by the city and the modernity of Bogotan bars and restaurants. On the weekends there are street markets where you can enjoy the most traditional Colombian products: food, crafts, clothes, etc. in this area there are chain restaurants and local ones, so you will have many options to choose from. You should also take the opportunity to book a Tour to Zipaquirá by Train, as the station is located a few blocks from the Main Park. If you are looking for a combination of tranquility and glamour, this neighborhood is for you: The Santa Barbara Real Hotel is a comfortable place with a good restaurant and a great location. Hotel Monteluna is a more natural choice, with wooden facilities that evoke peace. If you are a traveler looking for more social experiences, you will love this Hippie Chic area. Just keep in mind that because this area is not central, travel time on the Carrera Séptima, the main road through this neighborhood, will increase. [caption id="attachment_13969" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Staying in Bogotá Plan a train trip through Sabana, you won’t regret it! / Credit: Alfredo y Paola Fan`s photos Flickr[/caption]

4) La Candelaria: A trip to the past

The historical center of Bogotá, in this neighborhood there are about 500 artistic institutions including theaters, museums, libraries and universities. That's why walking through its streets is not just a trip to the past but also a cultural journey. Staying in this area, you will be strategically located: you can find artisan markets, tour the Eje Ambiental (an area in which you can find museums, plazas, and nature reserves) or get to know the national museum, approximately a 30-minute walk from La Candelaria. Here you will find accommodations for all tastes and prices. Posada Anandamayi is an old house, with large corridors where hammocks hang in a garden in the center of the house that invites you to rest and share stories with other travelers. There are also more private spaces such as the Hotel Casa Deco, a renovated structure suitable to provide the best service. If you have a backpacking spirit and like to share with other travelers, this bohemian area is for you. If your focus is museums and history, but at night you prefer calmness, you can choose to stay in this sector, but you may want to stay in a hotel and not a hostel. During the day it is full of students and workers, but during the night it is a bit lonely and it isn’t highly recommended to be walking around.

Bonus: Salitre and Calle 26

This residential area is located near El Dorado International Airport. Here you will find convention centers such as Corferias, the American embassy and business parks nearby. It is a strategic location for those who come on a business trip or are just passing through the city. This area is ideal for those travelers who are looking to do business or have a short stay in Bogota, so in the sector, you can find hotels such as classic Hotel Tequendama, built in 1950 in the heart of the San Diego neighborhood. There are intermediate options near the Corferias Convention Center, such as the Hotel Boutique City Center, or more modest places such as Casa Normandía, a simple and affordable space close to the Transport Terminal and Calle 26. [caption id="attachment_13968" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Staying in Bogotá Get to know the magic of the eastern hills of Bogotá / Credit: Flickr[/caption]

Useful advice for visiting Bogotá:

- Before traveling, reserve private shuttle service to get from the airport to your hotel. Locals tend to raise transport prices for tourists. - Bogotá is a city with mobility problems, so before planning your itineraries you should take into account the travel time. - It is important when deciding on which tours you should pick to immerse yourself in the culture that you make sure they can either come to your hotel or have easily-recognisable meeting points. This way you won’t spend too much time getting to the tour in the first place. - The best tourist attractions are spread throughout the city, so make sure you consider their locations when creating your itinerary so that you can enjoy your stay to the fullest. - It is important to be careful with your personal items, as security isn’t the best in some areas.

Here you can reserve the best experiences in Bogotá

Written by: Laura García Betancur, Colombian journalist and audiovisual communicator at the University of Manizales, Colombia.