Traveling with children… this always sparks debates, opinions, and big feelings.
My take, every family should do what’s best for them (best for the kids too), and I prefer most kids to most adults anyway. At least kids have an excuse, their brains and bodies are in development.
But me, I chose to wait, we first traveled with our daughter when she was over 4 years old and tantrums were a thing of the past. And we chose close destinations from Puerto Rico, like the Keys and St. Petersburg in Florida to visit family.
I am not a fan of traveling with babies, specially to far places on long flights with drastic time zone changes. Kids have sensitive ears, and very specific sleep and feeding needs, and maybe because we traveled a lot before becoming parents, putting my child’s needs before my desires didn’t feel like a sacrifice.
That said, this last April 2024 we went to Bogotá, Colombia (not far from Puerto Rico).
Here is my guide for everything you need to know before visiting Bogotá as a family.
What to Pack
In April Bogota’s temperatures range from 57-72 Fahrenheit.
We got our child a Hello Kitty rolling carry-on and took her backpack as her personal item, cause we don’t do checked bags and this way it was fun for her to carry her own things like a “grown-up”.
I got her fleece lined leggings to pair with long sleeve fleece or warm knit tops/dresses, regular socks, and a pair of leather sneakers. For nighttime she had a puffy polyester jacket for when we were walking outside or at one of the parks.
Where to Stay
With the Copa Airlines Panama stopover program we could go to Panama stay the night and leave for Colombia at a comfortable time for all of us, plus it’s less expensive (wink). We checked in at the Central Apartmentos. We LOVED this hotel.
Located in a quiet area (so you can rest and sleep with your kids), but walking distance to restaurants, cafes, pharmacy, supermarket, bars, public transportation, and an amazing park – Parque De La 93.
The apartments are super comfortable; with separate bedroom, big bathroom, living room, full kitchen and you can take two apartments to have more than 1 bedroom because they have apartments with adjoining doors.
That also offer complimentary breakfast delivered and served to you, you pick out what you want form the menu each night. They have fresh fruits and natural juices.
They have parking if you rent a car or have visitors, a gym and a terrace, plus, a laundry area (you can add laundry to your room bill or pay with an app you can easily download). The staff are amazing, they help with Ubers, taxis, and give you recommendations.
Where to Eat
Bars in Bogotá may not let you inside with kids, even if they serve food like restaurants, check first.
Archie’s Pizza
They have various locations but the food is better than chain restaurants in the US. They are very kid-friendly, accommodating and friendly. Big menu, if you like Italian desserts you can actually enjoy a decent tiramisú here.
Osaki
They also have various locations, amazing quality Asian food and service, the ramen was superb. They were also accommodating and friendly with kids.
Café San Alberto
This place takes coffee seriously, they are Colombia’s most-awarded coffee and it shows. They have various locations, the atmosphere and decor is serene, but not stuck-up, the staff was friendly and very attentive. Try it all, the coffee, the tea, the sweets.
Plaza de Andrés
If you don’t feel like making the long trip to Andrés Carne de Res with kids in tow you can come here to their Plaza and enjoy the decorations, atmosphere, food variety and friendly service. Take pictures and enjoy an alfajor.
Santa Clara
An elegant restaurant that used to be a stunning home that traveled by boat from France many moons ago. Located up in Cerro Monserrate with lots of history and upscale service.
The food is traditional but elevated, the splurge is absolutely worth it, and they are nice to kids. They also have a cafe style area downstairs in the open for a more casual coffee and sweets atmosphere.
They have a dress code, sleeves, no shorts, sensible shoes.
Where to Go
We visited these places and our 5 year old enjoyed it as well.
Mercado Usaquén
This open market is in a very colorful and quaint area, it is big so take your time to walk around, sit down every now and then so your children can rest. They are open weekends and holidays from 9:00am – 5:30pm.
For over 30 years over 100 artisans and entrepreneurs have been gathering here to offer Colombia-made goods. And they have everything! Non-tacky souvenirs, clothes, decor, jewelry, beauty and personal care products, toys, food, sweets, art, beer, coffee, and so much more.
We ate, bought and drank our way through the streets in awe of the creativity around us.There is so much, that it will be easy to bribe your kids to keep walking a bit more (you know how it is).
Cerro de Monserrate (Monserrate Hill)
Over 3,000 meters above sea level it has stunning views even when it’s cloudy. They have a funicular and a cable car, you can buy tickets online but you still have to do the line to get in. They are open everyday bur different hours, check online.
Early is good because you avoid the “I don’t wanna get up early crowds” so your children can walk around without it being over-crowded. People go there to get a good hike, others to worship in the church, others just to eat either at local kiosks or at the restaurants in the area.
The restaurants and the church have a dress code, so no shorts, flip flops, sexy cleavage for women or sleeveless tanks for men.
Mercedes Sierra De Pérez Museum (aka Chicó Museum) + Park
Museum runs from Tuesday-Sunday + holidays 10:00am – 1:00pm | 2:00pm – 5:00pm and park runs same days from 8:00am – 5:00pm.
Mercedes was a lady who cared deeply for her home, community and children so she put her money, home, lands and name at the service of all. This museum is a gorgeous piece of architecture and the artifacts and decor will leave you taking many pictures and wanting to remodel your home.
Then when the kids are tired of seeing these things walk out and marvel at this big open park with various areas and some geese. Here you will find many locals as well.
Plaza Bolivar
In the Candelaria area, the historic heart of the city, is the Bolivar square. A must visit for history enthusiasts. There are other historic buildings around, many shops, museums and cafes.
You can walk around for a while but it is crowded and some areas aren’t that easy to get around specially with kids and the cars on the streets (some side walks aren’t very comfortable).
So you can plan on specific places you want to go to and stick to that. There are people selling dry corn for the kids to feed the pigeons on the square and most kids like that.
Zona Rosa
For those days when you want to chill out, just see and live the daily life of the community, the Zone Rosa is great to walk around.
With plenty of shops, restaurants, and parks everywhere. This is where the Andino Mall is located, the Retiro neighborhood, if you need to buy anything or it’s rainy day, this is the place.
When we went they had an Easter themed kids fun area with a giant ball pit, and slides. The mall itself has small play areas around where you can even pay to leave your kids with supervision and shop by yourself.
They have nice cafes and restaurants, not like “mall type” of food. They have a Lego store and for kids clothes, we like Off Corss.
Plan a Family Break to Bogotá
In conclusion we found Bogotá to be very child-friendly, they have well-taken-care-of parks everywhere, integrated with adult areas, great food, and respectful locals. Mind you, we are Puerto Rican, so knowing Spanish is a plus. We would definitely go back!
If you are planning a trip here for the first time view some important things to know before visiting Colombia.
