{"id":2406,"date":"2015-03-09T17:48:50","date_gmt":"2015-03-09T17:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelcake.site\/?p=2406"},"modified":"2025-05-06T18:55:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T18:55:02","slug":"quirky-things-to-do-in-bogota-colombia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/quirky-things-to-do-in-bogota-colombia\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Quirky things to do in Bogota, Colombia"},"content":{"rendered":"

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 Bogot\u00c3\u00a1, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d already ticked off the usual \u00e2\u20ac\u0153must-sees\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe Monserrate views, the Gold Museum, La Candelaria strolls. Time to dig deeper.<\/p>\n

While Latin America might not match Asia in sheer quirky volume, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still no shortage of weird, wonderful experiences to be found. Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what I uncovered during my week in Colombia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s capital.<\/p>\n

1. For women only: Stay at the Women’s Wellness Hostel Spa<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Hidden in a quiet part of town far from the hustle of downtown Bogot\u00c3\u00a1 lies a hostel unlike any I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve stayed at before. The Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 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.<\/p>\n

Cosmetic surgery tourism is very much a thing<\/em> in Colombia. Women from all over the country\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand plenty from abroad\u00e2\u20ac\u201dflock 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 Bogot\u00c3\u00a1 something of a surgery hub.<\/p>\n

But you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to have had a boob job or tummy tuck to stay here. The hostel welcomes all<\/em> women, surgery vacation or not. There’s a small gym, a beauty salon, and a homely spa for a bit of well-earned \u00e2\u20ac\u0153me-time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d 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\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI felt like a princess wrapped in melted cocoa and eucalyptus steam.<\/p>\n

\"Women's<\/a>
jacuzzi fit for a queen…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u201djust right for reconnecting with myself after weeks on the road.<\/p>\n

That said, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quite far from the city center. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re planning on exploring the historical core, it might not be ideal. But if Bogot\u00c3\u00a1 is your final stop and you’re winding down before a flight, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a soothing little oasis to consider.<\/p>\n

\"Women's<\/a>
the single room, Colombian breakfast (huevos revueltos, arepa and hot chocolate with panela, fresh juice), the massage table by the chiminea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.\u00c2\u00a0Calle 159 A N\u00c2\u00b0 22 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 11, Bogot\u00c3\u00a1.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Beer and explosives: Play a few rounds of Tejo<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A game where beer flows freely and explosives spark up continuously, what could possibly go wrong?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tejo is one of Colombia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s traditional sports, and while the original version may not have involved much alcohol, today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s informal games often come with copious amounts of beer. Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s how it works: players toss a round metal puck (called a tejo<\/em>) 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.<\/p>\n

Hit the right spot and BOOM\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyour tejo triggers a mini explosion and you score points. Cue laughter, cheering, and more beer.<\/p>\n

Tejo has become a favorite among backpackers and hostels often organize \u00e2\u20ac\u0153tejo nights,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d complete with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153all-you-can-drink\u00e2\u20ac\u009d packages. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s loud, filled with laughter, and not something you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll forget anytime soon.<\/p>\n

\"tejo,<\/a>
ready to play<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"tejo\"<\/a>
gunpowder envelope and tejo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Dunk your cheese in a cup of hot sugar water: Aguapanela con queso<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s essentially hot water mixed with panela\u00e2\u20ac\u201da 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\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m skeptical\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit tasted like liquid sugar to me.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Yes, cheese. In hot sugar water.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u201dif only for the raised eyebrows and cultural curiosity it sparks.<\/p>\n

\"Aguapanela<\/a>
Aguapanela con queso. Source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Quadruple your spare change on the streets: Bet on a guinea pig<\/strong><\/h4>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re walking through Bogot\u00c3\u00a1 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\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s more surreal street games.<\/p>\n

Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s how it works: you place your bet\u00e2\u20ac\u201daka your spare coins\u00e2\u20ac\u201don the cup you think a guinea pig will choose. The host releases the animal, and if it scampers into the cup you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve bet on, you win back four or five times your stake.<\/p>\n

Of course, the odds aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t in your favor. The animals are trained, and this is hardly a transparent game. But it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s entertaining to watch and, frankly, you should think of it as tipping a street performer rather than gambling.<\/p>\n

Worried about animal cruelty? That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fair. I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t speak for their behind-the-scenes life, but the guinea pigs I saw looked clean, healthy, and well-groomed\u00e2\u20ac\u201dmore pampered performers than mistreated pets.<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll find these games not just in Bogot\u00c3\u00a1, but in other Colombian cities too.<\/p>\n

\"Guinea<\/a>
tourists en locals in full suspense…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Dine and Dance in hell, purgatory or heaven: Andr\u00c3\u00a9s D.C.<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

I wouldn’t know how else to describe this restaurant other than quirky.\u00c2\u00a0Andr\u00c3\u00a9s D.C. prides itself with 4 floors of total madness.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

\"the<\/a>
the crazier, the better<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Andres<\/a>
serenaded by the entertainers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u00c2\u00a0while 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.<\/p>\n

\"lively<\/a>
lively dance floor (source<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Andr\u00c3\u00a9s D.C.\u00c2\u00a0is 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, Bogot\u00c3\u00a1<\/p>\n

Have you been to Bogota? What did you think of the city?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The post “5 Quirky things to do in Bogot\u00c3\u00a1<\/a>” first appeared on Travel Cake<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 Bogot\u00c3\u00a1, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d already ticked off the usual \u00e2\u20ac\u0153must-sees\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe Monserrate views, the Gold Museum, La Candelaria […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2425,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,75],"tags":[38,12,20,46,98],"country":[189],"class_list":["post-2406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombia","category-latin-america","tag-backpacking","tag-experiences","tag-off-the-beaten-track","tag-quirky","tag-south-america","post_format-post-format-image","country-colombia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2406"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5005,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2406\/revisions\/5005"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2406"},{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=2406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}