Every time I spend a decent amount of time in a big city, I make it a mission to hunt down the quirky, funny, offbeat things that lie beyond the standard tourist trail. Since this was my second time in Bogotá, I’d already ticked off the usual “must-seesâ€â€”the Monserrate views, the Gold Museum, La Candelaria strolls. Time to dig deeper.
While Latin America might not match Asia in sheer quirky volume, there’s still no shortage of weird, wonderful experiences to be found. Here’s what I uncovered during my week in Colombia’s capital.
1. For women only: Stay at the Women’s Wellness Hostel Spa
Hidden in a quiet part of town far from the hustle of downtown Bogotá lies a hostel unlike any I’ve stayed at before. The Women’s Wellness Hostel Spa is dedicated to the well-being of female travelers, with a particular focus on those recovering from cosmetic surgery or giving birth in the capital. Yes, you read that right.
Cosmetic surgery tourism is very much a thing in Colombia. Women from all over the country—and plenty from abroad—flock here for high-quality procedures at a fraction of the price you’d pay in the U.S. or Europe. The country is known for top-notch surgeons and budget-friendly packages, making Bogotá something of a surgery hub.
But you don’t need to have had a boob job or tummy tuck to stay here. The hostel welcomes all women, surgery vacation or not. There’s a small gym, a beauty salon, and a homely spa for a bit of well-earned “me-time.†I stayed a couple of nights (purely out of curiosity, not because anything was nipped or tucked), and treated myself to a spa night: sauna, full-body scrub, chocolate body mask, candlelit jacuzzi, and a heavenly massage by the fireplace. The masseuse had golden hands—I felt like a princess wrapped in melted cocoa and eucalyptus steam.
Don’t expect five-star luxury; the place feels more like a cozy homestay with spa perks than a traditional hotel. My room was small but tidy—just right for reconnecting with myself after weeks on the road.
That said, it’s quite far from the city center. If you’re planning on exploring the historical core, it might not be ideal. But if Bogotá is your final stop and you’re winding down before a flight, it’s a soothing little oasis to consider.
Rates are approx. 26$ for a double room, 21$ for a single, breakfast included. You can book with them directly or through your usual hostel booking site. Calle 159 A N° 22 – 11, Bogotá.
2. Beer and explosives: Play a few rounds of Tejo
A game where beer flows freely and explosives spark up continuously, what could possibly go wrong?
Tejo is one of Colombia’s traditional sports, and while the original version may not have involved much alcohol, today’s informal games often come with copious amounts of beer. Here’s how it works: players toss a round metal puck (called a tejo) across a long dirt court, aiming at a board 20 meters away. On that board, small triangular envelopes filled with gunpowder, pressed into a clay target.
Hit the right spot and BOOM—your tejo triggers a mini explosion and you score points. Cue laughter, cheering, and more beer.
Tejo has become a favorite among backpackers and hostels often organize “tejo nights,†complete with “all-you-can-drink†packages. It’s loud, filled with laughter, and not something you’ll forget anytime soon.
3. Dunk your cheese in a cup of hot sugar water: Aguapanela con queso
You can try aguapanela all over the country, you could even find it in other Latin American countries but it’s said to be a Colombian speciality. Aguapanela might sound exotic, but it’s essentially hot water mixed with panela—a raw form of cane sugar that tastes like rich, dark brown sugar. Locals swear by its health benefits, saying it contains more vitamin C than orange juice and is packed with minerals to help rehydrate. I’m skeptical—it tasted like liquid sugar to me.
You can drink it cold with a squeeze of lemon or hot with a splash of milk (or chocolate milk), but the truly Colombian way? Dunk a piece of fermented cheese straight into your steaming cup.
Yes, cheese. In hot sugar water.
As someone who mostly avoids sugar these days, this was a hard pass for me in terms of flavor. But still, it’s a fun tradition to try—if only for the raised eyebrows and cultural curiosity it sparks.
4. Quadruple your spare change on the streets: Bet on a guinea pig
You’re walking through Bogotá when you spot a crowd gathered around a man on the pavement. He’s placed a bunch of numbered plastic cups upside down in a circle. Curious? Welcome to one of the city’s more surreal street games.
Here’s how it works: you place your bet—aka your spare coins—on the cup you think a guinea pig will choose. The host releases the animal, and if it scampers into the cup you’ve bet on, you win back four or five times your stake.
Of course, the odds aren’t in your favor. The animals are trained, and this is hardly a transparent game. But it’s entertaining to watch and, frankly, you should think of it as tipping a street performer rather than gambling.
Worried about animal cruelty? That’s fair. I can’t speak for their behind-the-scenes life, but the guinea pigs I saw looked clean, healthy, and well-groomed—more pampered performers than mistreated pets.
You’ll find these games not just in Bogotá, but in other Colombian cities too.
5. Dine and Dance in hell, purgatory or heaven: Andrés D.C.
I wouldn’t know how else to describe this restaurant other than quirky. Andrés D.C. prides itself with 4 floors of total madness. The top floor represents heaven and as you lower down, you’ll reach earth, purgatory and eventually hell. Upon entering the restaurant, you won’t know where to look: the decor is insane featuring all kinds of kitsch trinkets, all matching the floor’s theme. Then, there is the staff bouncing around in wacky outfits (think disco dude or lady from a Botero painting- with fake, disproportioned arms and behinds). Once you’re seated, try to chose an item from the menu… I think it’s the longest menu I’ve ever seen: it’s a bout 30 pages long. While you try to make what seems like an impossible choice, the staff will serenade you, make you dance, bring props for you to wear… They’re not just your waiters, they are your entertainment for the night.
You never know what might happen next while you’re sipping on your “lethal mojito”. If the loud music, the laughter and the cocktails have given you an appetite for a dance, just head to hell where you can devilishly swing your hips while you wait for your food. The food is very tasty but let’s face it, you don’ t really dine here for the grub… It’s the atmosphere and the original concept that make this restaurant worthwhile.
Andrés D.C. is extremely popular, so make sure you have a reservation or you’re in for a very long wait. Now that’s what I would call hell. Calle 82, No. 12-21, C.C. El Retiro, Zona Rosa, Bogotá
Have you been to Bogota? What did you think of the city?
The post “5 Quirky things to do in Bogotá” first appeared on Travel Cake.
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