Botanico Hostel — Hotel in Bogota, Capital District

Good, safe location, near walking distance to the many restaurants and shops. This hostel is really unique. It sits on top of a hill (get your hiking shoes ready!) and has a rooftop area with a beautiful view of the city. We stayed in a private room with private bath which was very secluded from everyone else. It even had its own private enclosed patio which we didn't use since we enjoy being in the common areas and making friends.

They have a bar in the outdoor area on the main level with nightly happy hours, and the kitchen along with the dining area are up on the rooftop. They have different nightly dinners that you can pay for, which we did on two of the nights and really enjoyed not having to worry about where to eat and having to walk too far. The hostel was pretty packed when we stayed here, with many different travelers coming in and out. We made many friends here for sure!

The staff here are very nice and helpful, all spoke english. We even met the owner (lady), and she asked for any suggestions to help improve her hostel and the only issue we had was the WiFi didnt work in our room, but that was it. Also, the shower only had luke warm water which we also dealt with even though the weather was a little on the chilly side when we visited. That's another thing, it DOES get cold in the rooms, the walls are concrete and there is no heater so just be prepare for that.

Our room was clean and very spacious. The bathroom and shower was sufficient (except for the lack of hot water). We definitely enjoyed the nightly happy hours and dinners! Free breakfast was sufficient with eggs, toast and coffee. They have luggage storage but it's just in a hallway under the stairs with many foot traffic, which could be...

The positive aspects of this hostel are the cosy communal areas and the beautiful terrace with a lovely view over the city.

That said, I was genuinely surprised by the many glowing reviews, which were the reason I booked it. In my experience, the hostel was fairly average. It’s centrally located in La Candelaria, but so are many other, more affordable options.

One thing to be mindful of is the upper bunk bed—it’s very high and quite tricky to climb, with only one handle for support. I found it not just uncomfortable but potentially unsafe, so something to consider if you’re allocated one.

The kitchen is cosy but very small. Breakfast is available for purchase, but it's made in the same tiny kitchen during peak hours (8–10am), which can make self-catering challenging—especially if you're on a budget or prefer to cook your own meals.

I also encountered a discrepancy with the pricing. Before arrival, I was quoted 45,000 pesos per night for a dorm, but when I checked in, I was charged 60,000 per night, with only the first night discounted due to a “system offer”—something that hadn’t been mentioned in our prior communication. This felt deliberately misleading.

Overall, while the space has its charms, I found it overpriced for what it offers and wouldn't personally choose...

Before coming to Bogotá, I heard so many recommendations for this place and it definitely lived up! The hostel and its amenities are very nice, the garden is beautiful, and the location is great for discovering Bogotá. It has a really social vibe, it isn’t too big and therefore not too overwhelming, and also offers space to relax. They organise several activities every night of the week, so you won’t ever get bored. However, the very best part of the hostel is by far the staff! Everyone was super friendly and will make your time in Bogotá so much more amazing! Sergio, one of the world’s most passionate bar keepers, will give you an amazing introduction into the world of Colombia spirits and will make some of the best (and prettiest looking) cocktails you’ve ever tasted. Alejandra will take you on a fun pub crawl and introduce you to the locals brews. Carlos is an amazing yoga instructor that will help you with morning yoga, giving you an edge for the rest of the day. And last but most certainly not least, Jorge is the man you want to befriend if you want to get to know Bogotá night life….he has the key to the city and I enjoyed every night I was out with him.

Will most definitely...