travel writing nomadic matt

Nomadic Matt: A Travel Writer Interview

Editor’s Note: I got to ask travel blogger, writer, conference organizer, and travel guru Matt Kepnes of Nomadic Matt some questions about travel, writing, and books (some of my favorite subjects, and, luckily, his too).

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• I read in a CNBC interview that you are working on a memoir, too. Is this true? If so, how’s it going? Can you give us any insight or tips about your writing process?

It is true! And it’s actually done — finally! I had wanted to write another travel book for a while, so I decided I would write about my experiences as a budget backpacker over the past decade. While sharing budget travel tips is something I love, I wanted to share my stories and create something more personal this time. So that’s where the idea for the book came about.

For the past year, I’ve been putting it together. It’s been a struggle to meet my publisher’s deadlines, but I recently submitted my final draft and the book is scheduled to be released in 2019. While some of the travel stories that will be in it have been shared on the blog, there are a ton that I’ve never shared so I’m really excited to see how people react. Of course, I’m nervous too, but that’s just part of being a travel writer.

Matt said that when it comes to being a travel writer (or just writing in general) the two biggest things, he finds helpful are:

• Reading more books – The more you read, the more you will absorb about the writing process. Reading is a great way to understand how books flow and it’s incredibly helpful for stimulating ideas and improving your own writing. I think if you want to be a writer you have to start off by being a reader. That’s how you will build your foundation.
• Actually writing – The only way you will get better at writing is by  actually writing. You need to put in the time and constantly be working on your craft. You can’t just think about it. You can’t just read about it. You need to do it. Spend time writing every day, whether that’s in your journal or on a blog or as part of a book – it doesn’t matter. The more you write, the better you will get. It’s a slow process, but it’s a necessary one if you want to improve your travel writing.

Editor’s note: Matt has a slew of superb courses through his Superstar Blogging online school , from travel writing and blogging to SEO to photography.

• I noticed that you are as passionate about books as I am. Have you ever traveled to a city because you know they have a great bookstore?

While I’ve never traveled somewhere specifically for a bookstore, visiting bookstores is definitely something I do when I’m traveling. (In fact, I was just visiting Los Angeles and made sure to pop into The Last Bookstore, a famous bookstore in the city). I think visiting bookstores is a great way to experience the local culture while you browse and people watch. Even though I travel carryon only (with one of the best travel backpacks on the market, if you ask me!) I always travel with books — and I’m always on the hunt for more. While I appreciate the convenience of e-books, I love physical books so I’m always looking to buy books about travel when I’m browsing bookstores abroad. 

• Did you read any books as a kid that inspired you to travel to a certain place? Which books? Which places? Why?

I think reading grand travel adventures like The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings helped cement that desire to see distant places and have adventures, but more in a general sense. For specific travel books, the first one that comes to mind is The Beach. Every time I re-read the book (or re-watch the movie) that I want to go back to Thailand. There’s just something in the book that captures the essence of travel, and what  backpacking Southeast Asia is like. It was definitely a book that sparked a desire to go backpacking in Thailand, and I wager it will continue to do so.

Another travel book that kindled a specific desire was On the Road. Ever since reading that, I wanted to go on a road trip across America — which I’ve since done! We always seem to travel to other countries before exploring our own backyard, yet the USA is one of the best countries in the world for a road trip. The freedom of life on the road is always something I enjoy, and On the Road was partly responsible for kindling that desire.

• Your site is loaded with resources for traveling, but you also have an emphasis on good writing, making your resource pages as satisfying to read as they are informative. Are there any particular writers (travel or otherwise) whose style, background, or story inspired your style of writing? 

I’ve had the opportunity to work with and meet tons of amazing and talented travel writers and bloggers over the years, which is definitely a huge perk of working in the travel industry! As for influences on my own writing and direction, I always wanted to try and be a mix of Anthony Bourdain and Bill Bryson. They both are incredibly skilled writers and travelers and have a knack for peeling back the layers of a destination to show their readers what life is like below the touristy surface. Their honesty and skill with their craft was humbling and inspiring.

When I first was  starting a travel blog , they were my main influences. Back then, I had hoped to start a blog and work for Lonely Planet, traveling the world and writing travel guides. While I never did end up working for Lonely Planet, having a blog has let me develop my own voice and create my own content. But I likely wouldn’t be here without the work of those two men, who really showed me what great travel writing can do.

• I was recently in Beijing and spent some time in a huge bookstore downtown. Everything was in Mandarin, but I don’t read it. I still loved it, but I know it’s not for everyone. Do you ever go to foreign bookstores? Why or why not?

I think there is definitely something to be learned from visiting foreign bookstores. You get to see something so familiar, yet so different at the same time; you get to see their take on a universal experience. Is it relaxed and cozy or more organized and clinical? Do people browse or do they just come to get what they want? Are used books something people embrace or is it all about buying something new? These are mundane differences, but I think they’re fun to compare and shed some light on the culture.

• Can you tell me about a moment when you were overwhelmed with a travel experience and a particular local person helped you through it?

One experience that comes to mind is when I was  traveling Iceland . I was hitchhiking around the country, and found myself in Brjánslækur in the West Fjords of Iceland. Unfortunately, the ferry and bus didn’t align and I arrived almost 8 hours early. I was stuck on the side of the road with absolutely nowhere to go. I was in the middle of nowhere, which, in Iceland, really means  nowhere ! I was mad at myself for not planning better, and disappointed that I would lose a whole day (not to mention that I was stuck on the side of the road with no escape in sight). 

After standing around for hours, finally a car passed. A local named Stefan offered to give me a ride, and it was a godsend. We spent the ride chatting and I learned all about his life in Iceland. Without his kindness, I would have been stuck on the curb in a bad mood, but his generosity really made my day and reminded me that there are still plenty of kind people out there! 

• Which place in your travels surprised you more than any other place (good or bad)?

There’s so many places that I’ve been to that absolutely blew me away. Recently, I was traveling in Azerbaijan, which was a great trip. It’s definitely an up and coming travel area and I had a great time exploring the country. Another favorite travel destination was Australia.  Backpacking Australia is just one adventure after another, and my first trip there was far more amazing than I could have ever hoped. The country is an endless series of beaches and parties and perfect sunsets. You really can’t go wrong there!

Backpacking Vietnam was one of the few experiences that really put a bad taste in my mouth due to a lot of unfortunate experiences there. It was just travel scam after travel scam, and I found that I just couldn’t enjoy myself during my trip. But that was back in 2007, so maybe it’s time I give the place a second chance!

• I love the maps on  nomadicmatt.com . They are a user-friendly feature and an element of great design. Do you recommend any maps, map apps, or other specific navigation tools for traveling? Do you ever use/browse paper maps? Why or why not?

Back when I first started traveling, smartphones weren’t a thing so you had to reply on travel guides and actual maps. It required more travel planning and you had to be a bit more of a savvy traveler. These days, I just have all my maps on Google where I can keep them offline, pin all my destinations onto them, and build itineraries and routes. It’s super convenient, and a great way to plan a trip.

When I’m visiting a city, I always make sure to visit the local tourism office and get a map from there. The maps are great for quick reference and often include some coupon codes for local businesses. On top of that, the tourism offices will always have the most up to date information. They know what’s happening and where the discounts are so they are a great resource when it comes to planning your trip and making an ideal itinerary. (And with a paper map on hand, they can show you everything in relation to one another, which makes navigating your destination much easier!)

Thank you, Matt, travel writer extraordinaire, course guru , and travel conference organizer!

Matt Kepnes is a travel writer and New York Times best-selling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and founder of the Nomadic Matt travel website. He is also the creator of the Superstar Blogging course series .

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“The course is so good that after the first week I felt I had already got my money’s worth. I was shocked at how much useful information was included and it wasn’t until I finished the course that I finally started making money from website! (Something I was starting to seriously doubt would ever happen!)” – Sydney

“David not only explains the ins and outs of what it means to be a travel writer but inspires and teaches his students to become professional storytellers. The feedback and insights David gave me on homework assignments have carried over into everything I’ve written since, and have changed the way I read other people’s work, edit my own, and find ideas. The best part of all — the course actually gets you excited to sit down and write!” – Corey

“Superstar Blogging was the perfect course to learn the fundamentals of building a functioning blog. Before taking this course, things like coding and SEO terrified me! Now, I successfully have hundreds of readers a month, after launching my site only 2 months ago! Thanks Matt!” – Stacia

“I had a dream, and Superstar Blogging as made it a reality. With constant guidance to navigate through the maze of WordPress, tons of great resources on good travel writing and access to a brilliant community of fellow bloggers, this course gave me the much needed jump-start.” – Ipshita

“Before Super Star Blogging there was no order to my madness. This program supplied me with a strategy to bring my big ideas to fruition. On top of it all Matt and the team are super involved in the entire process and respond to you personally.” – Dimi

“The support in this class is invaluable. Initially, I was concerned Superstar Blogging was just for novice bloggers. But Nomadic Matt’s tech guy helped me get unstuck from a backend issue I’d been stumped on for months. Anytime I have a question, someone is always there to help. I now have access to dozens of established bloggers with huge followings. There’s no way I could have done this on my own.” – Alicia

“I’ve tried other create-your-online business-courses (one was even 6x the price of Superstar Blogging from a well-known person) and they never worked. This course works because Matt first-hand has been through it and knows how the travel blogging business truly works. He doesn’t fluff things up to market to you and is honest about how much work it takes. AND he actually responds to emails” – Trang

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Inside the Success of NomadicMatt

I became “Nomadic Matt” by accident. After getting bit by the travel bug after traveling around Thailand , I decided to quit my job and travel the world for about eighteen months. When I came home, I sat back down in a cubicle and hated it. It was boring and made me feel like the previous eighteen months hadn’t happened.

So I decided to travel again.

Initially, I decided to start a travel blog just as a way to keep track of my travels and to have something of a portfolio to show to editors when I was writing articles. I pictured myself becoming a travel writer, pitching articles and writing guides for Lonely Planet as a way to make money to keep traveling. I wanted to be something of a mix between Bill Bryson and Anthony Bourdain, traveling the world in search of stories and adventures. However, my blog slowly began to grow and become popular. After a while, I realized I could just focus on my own blog and try to turn that into a business.

All those years later, here I am!

You’ve been blogging for over a decade now. How has blogging changed since you first started?

Pretty much everything about blogging has changed since I started back in 2008. Back then, you didn’t need to know much about SEO. There was no social media to worry about, and you could pretty much just write whatever you wanted to. There was only a handful of people back then so it was really easy to find other blogs and writers. And, chances are, if someone found someone else, they also found you.

Blogging today is much more focused and professional. There are a lot of skills to learn and it takes a lot more time and effort to be heard above the crowd. You really need to approach the whole endeavor like you would any business.

There are also a lot more blogs today. And while that may mean there is more competition, the fact is, most bloggers don’t last. They get impatient and quit when they realize that working online is not as fun or glamorous as social media makes it out to be. There are a ton of blogs out there with terrible writing too, so you’ll definitely want to make sure you learn how to improve your writing skills if you want to break through the noise and grow your audience.

At the end of the day, blogging is a marathon, not a sprint , so you really need to be ready to play the long game and take it slow. No one gets rich as a blogger or travel writer overnight. It’s all about the little wins and progressing step by step.

Do you think there are too many blogs these days?

I don’t think there are too many quality blogs , no. Sure, there are a ton of blogs out there but that doesn’t mean there are a ton of good blogs out there. And it’s not even just blogs anymore. You have YouTubers and Instagrammers too. There are a lot of content creators out there. But most of them aren’t good . There is always room for new, unique, fresh content and perspectives. Think of it like the restaurant industry. There’s always lots of restaurants out there – but there’s always room for another great one !

What are some common mistakes new bloggers and writers make?

A lot of new bloggers focus too much time on social media. While social media is important for your brand, you’re not going to get a lot of traffic from it. Aside from Pinterest, the traffic you get from social media pales in comparison to what you’ll get from search engines. For that reason, focusing more on SEO is a much better investment in the long run than focusing on social media.

I also see a lot of new bloggers not spending enough time on their writing. Poor writing really stands out, and bloggers need to up their game if they want to last . Using apps like Grammarly or the Hemingway are great tools to keep your writing on track, but you’ll always want to make sure you’re constantly reading too. Spend some time reading the best travel books and articles every week. The vocabulary and style will slowly seep into your own writing, giving you an edge and making your writing more engaging and captivating.

What advice do you give to bloggers who are just starting out?

Gone are the days where you can just write about anything travel related. People want experts . So go niche. What are you an expert in? Or, what will you become an expert in? There are billons of people online these days. SOMEONE is going to want to read about the topic you’re writing about. Go narrow, go deep . Don’t just do yet another backpacking blog. Be something really specific .

Also, invest in yourself. Spend time learning the skills you’ll need to succeed. Join Facebook groups, take an online course, network with people in the industry. Treat this like you would any business. The more you invest in yourself, the smoother your journey will become.

Lastly, read! Self-improvement books, travel writing books , business books, marketing books. There is a TON of knowledge out there that you can benefit from. Spend some time reading every day so you can make the most from it. One of the reasons I’ve been able to last so long in this industry is because I’m always reading, always trying to learn something new. It’s how to get ahead and how you stay relevant. Read often!

What’s one thing you wish you did differently when you first started blogging?

I wish I started an email list sooner. I kept putting it off to focus on writing new content ( and traveling ) because it just didn’t seem necessary. However, when one of my posts went viral and my site started to really get a lot of traffic I missed out on collecting emails. That was thousands of potential emails lost because I kept putting the task off.

Emails are the best way to stay connected with your readers. It’s the best way to go about marketing new content as well as new products. If you’re going to be making money from your blog in the future, you’re going to need an email list .

Speaking of books, you’ve got a book coming out this month. Tell us about it!

My next book is called Ten Years a Nomad . It chronicles all of my travels and adventures since I started this whole crazy journey over a decade ago. I share lots of stories I have never shared before , and go into much more detail about stories and experiences I have shared. It’s part memoir, part reflection on the whole art of travel itself. It was a massive undertaking but I’m really proud of how it turned out and I’m excited to share it with everyone.

Why did you want to write this book?

I wanted to write a travel memoir that not only shares my stories and misadventures, but explores why we even travel in the first place. While you can do that on a blog, it’s much easier to do that in a book where you have more space and freedom to untangle your thoughts, feelings, and reflections. Most of my writing is service based. It’s the nuts and bolts of how to travel the world and do it on a budget. Do this, see that, stay here kind of stuff. I wanted my next book to be something more story-focused. I wanted something more inspirational. I wanted to describe what life is like on the road and show people that it’s not as hard as you think to travel.

What advice do you have for writers looking to one day write their own travel book?

I’ve spent the past 2 years working on Ten Years a Nomad. Writing a book is a long, slow process. The sooner you can start, the sooner you can start piecing everything together. You need to time not only to edit and write but to think over the flow of your book and how you want to arrange it. So, the more time you can spend on that the better.

It also helps to have tons of notes to reference, whether that be blog posts I’ve written in the past or things I’ve written in my travel journals. If you think you want to maybe write a book one day, make sure you take tons of notes while you travel. That way, you’ll be able to lean on those notes in your writing, making the process much easier when you finally get down to it.

I have a terrible memory so I’m glad I had the blog as well as my original journals to help me really get the details, characters, and emotions down accurately. I don’t think I could have written this book without them. It really helped jog my memory and the conversations I had with people.

Finally, any parting words of wisdom?

Practice, practice, practice! The key to becoming a better writer is to work on your craft as often as possible. Nobody is born an amazing writer. It’s a skill. The more time you spend sharpening it, the better you’ll get. Invest in yourself . Read regularly. And read books about writing, too. Yes, pitching and marketing and SEO are all important, but at the end of the day it all comes down to your writing. That’s what will get you ahead and differentiate you from the crowd.

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Great interview Trisha, and excellent answers and advice, Matt. To stand out these days, bloggers & writers need to write well, keep learning & improving, and carve out a distinctive niche, instead of the standard backpacking blogs we are inundated with. Right on!

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• Creator spotlights

Nomadic Matt

Matt Kepnes was just 23 in 2004 when he took his first overseas vacation to Costa Rica. For someone else, this would have been a brief break from a corporate job. But to Matt, this trip — followed by a second overseas trip to Thailand — set him on the road to pursuing his newfound passion for travel full time.

In July 2006, Matt set out on an adventure around the world that continued for 10 years. An early travel blogger, he founded Nomadic Matt in 2008 with the goal of helping people “travel better for less.”

Today, Matt has two New York Times best-selling books, “How to Travel the World on $50 a Day” and “Ten Years a Nomad.” He teaches blogging and writing courses, engages with his active online community and runs a charity he founded in 2015.

In a recent interview, we chatted with Matt while he was traveling through Oaxaca, Mexico. He shared how he built Nomadic Matt from the ground up, what he’s working on now and how he manages to enjoy a non-working vacation every once in a while.

Can you give us a breakdown of all your current creative undertakings?

I have the blog, which is NomadicMatt.com, and then I have blogging and writing courses. Then we have a conference called TravelCon, where online creators and media go to learn what's hot in the travel industry.

I had a hostel, which is closed due to COVID-19, and we have our online community, the Nomadic Network, which also used to hold in-person events around the world. And then I have a charity called FLYTE, that raises money to send high-school kids in underserved communities on study-abroad trips.

Why did you decide to become a travel blogger?

I started the website to try to get freelance writing gigs. I naively thought that if I started a website, that people would hire me to write. So I sent out a lot of freelance writing pitches and worked as a copywriter for online ads and websites for a time.

While building up the blog, my mentor said to me, “You have a travel website and expertise. You should just focus on that full-time." And so I did, and it took off.

I brought a lot of SEO knowledge into Nomadic Matt, so I was ranking highly on search, which helped me get media mentions. I got a hit in the New York Times in 2010 and that launched everything. And one day I woke up, and I said to myself, I guess I'm a travel writer.

Matt’s second book, “Ten Years a Nomad,” came out in October 2019.

How much of your SEO knowledge do you use today?

At least two-thirds of the searches on our site have nothing to do with the pandemic, so a considerable amount of our time and effort goes into ensuring we rank highly on these more evergreen topics. I’m also always updating our content and asking, “How can we optimize this page?” and “How is Google ranking our competitors?”

I've identified about 150 pages on my website that I always want to rank highly. So we cycle through those articles and ask ourselves, “Where do we stand?” And if we see we’re down in the rankings, we ask, “What's changed and what can we do better?"

I also do every interview I’m offered, because those interviews link back to my site.

You mentioned your blogging course. Can you tell us about that?

I have a blogging course called Superstar Business Masterclass, and we have one for writing, too. You can buy a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription, and I am your teacher. I edit your work. We have weekly calls. You have tech support. We have a community forum and a collaboration board so other students can meet each other. I share what I’ve learned over 12 years, so people don't end up making the same mistakes I did. I also help you stick out when there's a million platforms and a seemingly endless number of bloggers.

Matt offers a blogging and writing course on his website.

Why do you still maintain a website when you have all these other platforms? Why is it important to you?

Algorithms change, but my space on the web is something that can't be taken away. It allows me to build an email list and be a reference for people. So rather than constantly having to find new people through search or having to play a social media algorithm game where things are always changing, I have my own place to call home online.

And travel is a research-heavy thing. You don't make a $3,000 vacation purchase because Instagram has a “shop now” button. You have to get time off from work, you have to plan your trip, you're doing a lot of research, buying guidebooks, etc. So people still use text-heavy articles to research, and a blog is the best medium for that.

Does travel writing as a job ever take away from the pleasure of traveling?

Yes, yes it does. When I was traveling for fun, I wasn't taking pictures of menus and walking into grocery stores to write down prices for vegetables. But there's different kinds of travel writing, and I do a lot of what is called service journalism, where knowing how much things cost is important. I have to be a little more attuned to prices, especially because I work on the budget side of things where people are price-sensitive.

Like any job, it's really important to take time off. So, there are many times where I'll just go somewhere, shut down the computer and just enjoy a place without writing. You learn how to balance it.

Matt pictured with a furry friend on the island of Madagascar

Related Creators

The 20 Best Things to Do in Bogotá, Colombia

The capital of Colombia , Bogotá was the home to the region’s indigenous people, the Muisca, before the Spanish arrived to plunder gold and resources. Centuries later, it’s been the country’s main city ever since.

Before I went, everyone told me Bogotá wasn’t anything special: dirty, crowded, hard to get around, and lacking the charm of the other big cities in Colombia.

“Spend a few days there and move on,” they all said.

Well, I spent a few days there…and then a few more.

Because I LOVED Bogotá.

It felt like the most “Colombian” city I visited. It’s not like the gringofied cities in the rest of the country. Its “gritty” nature was what appealed to me.

Bogotá was a vibrant, lively city I couldn’t get enough of.

The museum scene is incredible, there’s a lot of history, a blossoming art community, an exciting food scene, a wild nightlife, and super welcoming people.

It is also a huge city with a ton of tours, day trips, and other things to do. You could easily spend a week here and not get bored.

To help you make the most out of your visit, here’s my list of the best things to see and do in Bogotá .

Table of Contents

The Best Things to See and Do in Bogotá

The best day trips from bogotá, where to stay in bogotá, staying safe in bogotá.

1. Take a Free Walking Tour One of my favorite things to do when I get to a new destination is to take a free walking tour. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land, see the main sights, and have a local expert answer any and all of my questions.

BeyondColombia has an insightful free walking tour that will give you a solid introduction to the city. They also offer a free food tour, which is a terrific way to get a taste of some local Colombian dishes (you’ll spend around 37,000 COP on food for the tour). Just be sure to tip your guides at the end!

3. Stroll in the Botanical Gardens Opened in 1955, the Botanical Garden of Bogotá is home to almost 20,000 plants. There is a focus on regional plants, usually those that are endemic to the Andes and other high-alpine regions of the continent. It’s a really peaceful place to walk around, and there are some food stalls nearby so you can grab a quick bite as you explore the gardens and browse the exotic flowers and trees.

Cl. 63 No. 6895, +57 1-437-7060, jbb.gov.co. Open Tuesday-Friday 8am-5pm (9am-5pm on weekends). General admission starts at 7,000 COP. There are separate tickets for the tropical gardens (10,000 COP).

4. Attend Gringo Tuesdays This is a weekly language exchange that evolves into an international party. Every Tuesday, you can meet with other locals and travelers for a few hours of conversation. Once that’s over, the real party begins and goes late into the night. It’s a fun, social night out if you’re looking to meet fellow travelers. A lot of hostels organize party buses to the event, so if you’re coming from La Candelaria, this is a good transportation option.

Street 85 No. 11-53, Promenade del Faro, +57 311-492-0249, instagram.com/gringotuesdays. Every Tuesday, the language exchange occurs 4pm-8pm, followed by the party, which runs 8pm-3am. It’s free entry until 6pm, 10,000 COP from 6pm-8pm, and 20,000 COP from 8pm onwards.

5. Visit the Museo del Oro (The Gold Museum) This is the most interesting museum in the entire country and sees over half a million tourists every year. Opened in 1939, the Gold Museum documents the importance and use of gold in pre-Hispanic civilizations in Colombia and is home to over 55,000 gold items. There’s a lot of information to take in, so be sure to get the audio guide (8,000 COP) or join one of the daily free tours.

Cra. 6 No. 15-88, +57 1-343-2222, banrepcultural.org/bogota/museo-del-oro. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-7pm and Sundays 10am-5pm. Admission is 5,000 COP for adults and free for children. Admission is free for adults on Sundays, but it gets busy quickly so arrive early!

6. Climb Monserrate Standing tall at over 3,000 meters (9,840 feet), you can see Monserrate from pretty much everywhere in town. It’s a popular spot to take in the view, and since there is a church at the summit, it’s also a popular spot for local weddings. You can walk up yourself in under an hour, or you can take a cable car or funicular to the top. Keep in mind that the walk up isn’t that safe at night or alone as thieves scout out the route. Travel during the day and with a group if possible, just to be safe.

monserrate.co. The funicular runs Monday-Friday 5:30am-11:45am, Saturdays 5:30am-4pm, and Sundays 5:30am-6pm. The cable car is available Monday-Saturday 12pm-10pm and Sundays 5:30am-6pm (ticket offices close one hour beforehand). Tickets for either vehicle are the same price: round-trip tickets cost 27,000 COP (16,000 COP on Sundays).

7. Check out the Museo de Botero Founded in 2000, this museum is home to one of Latin America’s most important art collections. The museum was created after artist and sculptor Fernando Botero donated hundreds of his works to the Banco de la República de Colombia with the promise that they would be displayed in a free museum for everyone to see. In addition to his own pieces, included in the donation were works by Monet, Picasso, and other world-famous artists.

Cl. 11 No. 4-41, +57 1-343-1316, banrepcultural.org/bogota/museo-botero. Open Monday and Wednesday-Saturday 9am-7pm and Sundays 10am-5pm (closed Tuesdays). Admission is free with free audio guides as well.

8. Wander the Usaquén Market Every Sunday, artisans line the cobblestoned streets to sell all sorts of local crafts and goods. While it’s usually referred to as a flea market, things here are a bit nicer and more upscale than some of the other markets. It’s still quite affordable, though, and makes for a fun way to spend the day. It’s a great place to people-watch too.

Carrera 6A entre Calles 119 y 120A, mercadopulgasusaquen.com. The market runs 9am-5:30pm every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Mondays.  

Watch live music while hanging at Plaza Chorro de Quevedo, try the local chicha (a drink made from corn, often fermented to be alcoholic) on the side streets, and take in some of the amazing restaurants in this district.

Gran Colombia Tours offers a tour of the neighborhood that also includes local coffee and fruit juice tastings. It’s a really fun tour and provides a lot of information about the neighborhood and culture.

10. Discover the National Museum of Colombia Situated in the heart of Bogotá, this is the oldest and biggest museum in the entire country (and one of the oldest on the continent). Built in 1823, it’s home to over 20,000 pieces of art and historical artifacts, some dating as far back as 10,000 BCE. The building was actually used as a prison initially (it definitely looks imposing) until it transitioned into a museum in 1946. If you’re a history buff or just want to learn more about the country, this museum is a must.

Carrera 7 No 28-66, +57 1-381-6470, museonacional.gov.co. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm. Admission is around 39,000 COP for foreign adults. Entrance is free on Wednesdays from 3pm-5pm, and on the last Sunday of the month.

11. See the Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen The National Shrine of Our Lady of Carmen is a Gothic church located in La Candelaria. The church has a red-and-white striped pattern (both on the outside and inside) making it look like a giant candy cane. Built from 1926 to 1938 and designed by architect Giovanni Buscaglione, the church stands almost 60 meters tall (196 feet) and has some incredible Byzantine and Moorish art. It was designated a National Monument in 1993 and is worth a quick visit to snap photos as it is one of the most unique churches you’ll ever see.

Cra. 5 No. 8-36, +57 1-342-0972. Unfortunately, opening hours for the interior are erratic but are listed as 7:30am-11:30am.

The best way to get a sense of the city’s culinary offerings, though, is to take a food tour. The True Colombian Experience takes you on a food-tasting extravaganza that lasts three hours, stopping at seven different eateries within the La Candelaria neighborhood. It’s the best food tour in the city.

13. Sample the local brews Bogotá (and the country as a whole) has a growing craft beer scene. On this three-hour tour , you’ll learn the history of Colombian beer and taste some of the best craft brews in town at a mix of historic and trendy bars and breweries. The tour includes a bottle of beer, five pints of beer, plus samples, so it’s definitely one for beer lovers! I had a blast and learned a lot.

14. Visit Simon Bolívar Metropolitan Park This is one of the most popular parks in Bogotá. Created in 1979, it spans almost 1,000 acres. You can find people exercising, relaxing, or attending concerts here. The park is named after the famous Simón Bolívar, who led the liberation of the region from its Spanish overlords. It’s a nice place to relax with a book or take a stroll when the sun is shining.

Open daily 6am-6pm. Admission is free unless there is a concert or event in progress.

15. Explore Parque 93 This park is in the district of Chapinero, one of the nicer areas of town, known for having some of the best restaurants, nightclubs, and bars in the entire city. The park itself is fairly new, having opened in 1979. It’s home to an ongoing rotation of temporary art exhibitions and is a great place to just stroll around or have a picnic. It’s more frequented by locals than tourists, so it’s a great place to really soak up local life.

16. Visit the Iglesia de San Francisco Built in the 16th century, this Catholic church is the oldest surviving church in Bogotá. The interior is incredibly ornate, with a beautiful altar that dates back to the 17th century. It’s still in use, and you’ll likely see some locals praying during your visit, so make sure to dress appropriately and be respectful.

Av. Jimenez De Quesada No. 7-10, +57 1-341-2357. Open Monday-Friday 6:30am-10:30pm, Saturdays 6:30am-12:30pm and 4pm-6:30pm, and Sundays 7:30am-1:30pm and 4:30-7:30pm. Admission is free.

17. Explore the Museo Santa Clara This church was built in the 17th century and is one of the oldest in the entire country. It was deconsecrated in the 1960s and converted into a museum by the government. There are over 148 baroque paintings that almost entirely cover its walls, making this one of the most beautifully decorated churches you’ll see in Colombia.

Cra. 8 No. 8-91, +57 1-337-6762, museocolonial.gov.co. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm. Admission is 6,000 COP and is free on the last Sunday of the month. There is also free admission every Wednesday from 3pm-5pm.

19. See Bogotá by bike Exploring a city by bike is a great way to cover more ground, and while it might seem surprising, Bogotá is a pioneer in urban cycling. Every Sunday since the 1970s, cyclists (and pedestrians) take over the city’s streets during La Ciclovía, when 120 kilometers of the city’s streets are closed to traffic from 7am-2pm. It’s a great way to enjoy the city like the locals do in this beloved institution. You can rent a bike for 15,000 COP per hour, or 80,000 COP for eight hours.

If you won’t be in the city on a Sunday or want a more guided experience, Bogota Bike Tours offers daily tours. You’ll visit local fruit markets, a traditional coffee roastery, the bullfighting stadium, the historic center, and many different plazas, parks, and neighborhoods. Tours last around four hours and cover a lot of ground. It’s really fun but still quite leisurely.

20. Grab a snack from La Puerta Falsa This little shop has been serving locals for over 200 years! La Puerta Falsa (The False Door) is a small restaurant with room for fewer than 20 people, yet the tamales and ajiaco soup have been community staples for generations. If you’re looking to try traditional Colombian food, this is the place to go!

Calle 11 No. 6-50, +57 1-286-5091, restaurantelapuertafalsa.inf.travel. Open daily 7am-7:30pm (Sundays until 6pm) though its schedule isn’t set in stone.  

Day trips to the area last around six hours and vary in price. Many day trips, such as this one , combine a trip to Guatavita and the Salt Cathedral (see below) in one adventure-filled day. This is one of the most popular activities and it’s best to visit on a tour because it’s hard to get there on your own.

See the Salt Cathedral Located about an hour’s drive from Bogotá in the city of Zipaquirá, the Salt Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church built in the tunnels of an old salt mine. It’s 200 meters (656 feet) below ground, making this one of the more unique religious sites in the country, if not the world. Every Sunday, up to 3,000 people attend church services here. Bogotá City Bus runs day trips to the cathedral, including round-trip transportation and skip-the-line entrance.

Parque de la Sal, +57 315-760-7376, catedraldesal.gov.co. Open daily 9am-5:40pm. Basic admission is 98,000 COP.  

Two other areas of the city that are considered safe are Zona Rosa and Chapinero. However, they are both more expensive areas and too far away from downtown to walk to all of the main tourist attractions.

With that in mind, here are some of my suggested places to stay in Bogotá:

• Selina (Chapinero)
• The Cranky Croc Backpackers Hostel (La Candelaria)
• Masaya (La Candelaria)
• Botinico Hostel (La Candelaria)

That means no walking around with your phone out, never keeping anything in your pockets (especially when on public transport), and always keeping hold of your bag. If you are eating out, keep your backpack on your lap or place your foot or a chair leg through your strap. It is very common for someone to try to do a bag swap (meaning they swap their empty bag for yours).

For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Colombia, check out this post that answers some frequently asked questions and concerns.

Lastly, make sure to purchase good travel insurance before you go. I recommend SafetyWing if you’re on a budget and just need basic coverage and World Nomads if you want something more comprehensive.

It’s true that Bogotá is an “edgy city” where you have to be more alert than in other places. Yet I loved the atmosphere and vibe of the city. It had grit (kind of like Naples , Italy). I loved the art, the museums, and the food. The city has so much to offer travelers. You can really fill a lot of time between all the sights, tours, parks, and activities. I would have liked to stay longer in Bogotá if I could.

I’d budget three to five days for your visit. It will definitely be worth it.

Book Your Trip to Colombia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of favorite places to stay are:

• Masaya Hostel
• Botánico Hostel

For all the best neighborhoods and more suggestions on where to stay, here’s my detailed neighborhood breakdown of the city .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Colombia? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Colombia for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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