Chapinero-Zona G, Bogotá: neighborhood guide

Chapinero is a long, affluent district in the north-east of Bogotá, running roughly from Calle 39 north to Calle 100, bounded by Avenida Caracas on the west and the eastern hills. Zona G — G for gourmet — is its restaurant heart, packed into a few blocks between Calles 65 and 71 and Carreras 3 and 7. Embassies, offices and apartment towers fill the blocks around it.

The streets mix high-rise towers with older mansions. Quinta Camacho, two blocks from Zona G, was laid out in the 1930s and 1940s as a suburb for wealthy Bogotanos, with English and Parisian-style houses; many are now cafés, boutiques and university buildings. It is the most pleasant area to walk in the district.

Chapinero Alto, between Calles 45 and 65, is one of the city's most LGBT-friendly zones, with bars and clubs around the area. Parque Hippies, on Carrera 7 at Calle 60, is a small square by La Salle University with cheap eats and live music at weekends.

This is a working, residential district rather than a sightseeing one. You come here to eat well, sleep in a quieter part of town and use it as a base for the rest of Bogotá.

Zona G is the reason many visitors choose this district. Within a few blocks you get Colombian cooking, Italian, French, Peruvian, Japanese and Middle Eastern kitchens, from mid-range to fine dining. Prices are higher than in the centre; book ahead for weekend dinners, and check menus before you commit.

Quinta Camacho and the streets around Parque Hippies are better for casual meals: bakeries, coffee, sandwiches, and student-priced set lunches at midday. Breakfast and brunch are strong in this district, which matters if you are adjusting to the altitude.

For a cheap, filling meal, look for the set lunch (almuerzo del día) at neighbourhood restaurants away from the Zona G core — usually soup, a main with rice and meat, and a drink. Tipping is the usual 10% 'propina voluntaria' offered on the bill.

Carrera 7 is the spine of the district, with frequent buses running north towards Zona Rosa, Parque 93 and Usaquén and south towards the historic centre. Signs are not always clear, so check that Carrera 7 appears on the board before boarding. The TransMilenio system runs on Avenida Caracas to the west, with stations along the district's edge.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easy option for cross-town trips and after dark; agree or check the fare in the app before you set off. From El Dorado airport, the drive is typically 30–50 minutes depending on traffic (check at your arrival time).

Within Chapinero and Zona G, walking is the best way to move: the blocks are short, there are parks and green spaces, and the district is small enough to cross on foot. Wear shoes you can walk in — pavements are uneven in places.