Coffee culture and street art in Bogotá

Bogota has a reputation problem. People warned me about safety, about the altitude, about not drinking the water. But I found a city that’s vibrant, creative, and full of energy.

The altitude is real - at 2,640 meters, you feel it. I was out of breath climbing stairs for the first few days. But you adjust, and honestly, the cool temperatures at this elevation are perfect after the heat of the coast.

I stayed in La Candelaria, the historic center. Colonial buildings painted in bright colors, cobblestone streets, walls covered in street art. Every corner seemed to have a cafe or gallery. I spent my first few days just wandering, getting a feel for the city.

The street art is world-class. Bogota has embraced graffiti as legitimate art rather than vandalism. There are walking tours dedicated to it, but I mostly just walked and looked. Whole buildings covered in murals, political commentary mixed with pure artistic expression. The artists are respected here, commissioned rather than chased away.

The coffee culture blew me away. Colombia grows some of the world’s best coffee, and Bogota takes it seriously. Third-wave coffee shops everywhere, serving single-origin beans from different regions, explaining the flavor profiles. I visited Amor Perfecto multiple times, working from there in the afternoons, drinking perfectly pulled espressos.

I did a day trip to a coffee farm outside the city. Watching the whole process from cherry to bean, learning about harvesting and processing, and then cupping different roasts was fascinating. The care and knowledge that goes into Colombian coffee is impressive.

The food scene was better than expected. Ajiaco, a chicken and potato soup with corn and cream, became a regular order. Bandeja paisa, a massive platter of beans, rice, meat, and a fried egg, is delicious but requires a nap afterward. And arepas, corn cakes that Colombians eat constantly, in a hundred different variations.

I took the cable car up to Monserrate, the mountain that overlooks the city. From the top, you can see Bogota spread out below, a sprawl of buildings stretching in every direction. The church at the summit draws pilgrims, and the whole scene - religious devotion mixed with tourists taking photos - felt very Colombian.

What I loved about Bogota was its authenticity. It’s not polished for tourists. It’s a working city with problems and rough edges, but also incredible energy, creativity, and culture. People are passionate about their city, proud of how it’s changed, optimistic about where it’s going.

I left thinking I’d spent too little time there. Bogota is a city that deserves more than the quick stopover most travelers give it. It’s a place that rewards those who stick around long enough to understand it.