Bogota events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Monserrate, Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park, plus Plaza de Bolívar. December in Bogota averages 20°C / 68°F highs, 8°C / 46°F nights, and about 12 rainy days.
Expect 20°C/68°F days and about 12 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Monserrate★ 4.7 · 12.0k reviewsThe church-topped mountain rises east of downtown with funicular, cable car, and walking routes to the summit.
- Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park★ 4.7 · 83.8k reviewsThe huge west-side park is Bogotá main green lung, with lakes, lawns, concerts, the botanical garden nearby, and cycling routes.
- BOGOTÁ SHORT FILM FESTIVALDec 1 – Dec 8Bogotá · Source: festival calendar
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Bogota in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
68°F / 46°F
20°C / 7.7°C
RainPrecipitation
12d
2in · 50mm
LightDaylight
11.7h
December dries out, with holiday travel and clearer Monserrate views making early bookings useful.
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 8Immaculate ConceptionPublic holiday
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 5-Dec 8Long weekend with bridge day
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
About Bogota
City overview
Bogotá is a 2,640m Andean capital where La Candelaria, Monserrate, TransMilenio corridors, universities, and northern dining districts stretch along the eastern mountains. The useful visitor map starts in La Candelaria, then moves north through La Macarena, Chapinero, Zona T, Parque 93, and Usaquén.
Food & drink
Bogotá food is built for cool Andean weather: ajiaco santafereño is chicken-and-potato soup with guascas herbs, corn, capers, and cream, while changua is a milk-and-egg breakfast soup. Paloquemao Market, La Perseverancia Market, La Candelaria cafes, and Usaquén restaurants add tamales, arepas, chocolate con queso, lechona, empanadas, obleas, and fruit juices from both highland and tropical regions.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Plaza de Bolívar
- 2Ciclovía
- 3Museo del Oro
- 4Botero Museum
- 5Museo Nacional de Colombia
- 6Paloquemao Market
- 7La Candelaria
- 8Usaquén
1Plaza de Bolívar
4.6★ · 89,328outdoorOpen dailyThe national square is framed by the Primatial Cathedral, Capitolio Nacional, Palace of Justice, and city hall. It is the civic center of La Candelaria and the natural start of a downtown walk.
Wikipedia
2Ciclovía
5★ · 3outdoorOn Sundays and holidays, Bogotá closes long road corridors for cyclists, runners, skaters, and food stalls. The event shows the city public-space culture better than a single monument.
Wikipedia
3Museo del Oro
4.8★ · 49,967indoorClosed MonThe Gold Museum holds one of the world major pre-Hispanic gold collections, including Muisca, Zenú, and Quimbaya pieces. It sits near Santander Park and is an easy walk from La Candelaria.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Botero Museum
- 5Museo Nacional de Colombia
- 6Paloquemao Market
Neighborhoods
1La Candelaria
La Candelaria is historic, student-heavy, and steep, with Plaza de Bolívar, museums, colonial houses, churches, murals, hostels, and daytime walking routes.
2La Macarena and Centro Internacional
La Macarena adds galleries, restaurants, bullring streets, National Museum access, and a transition from old downtown to modern office towers.
3Chapinero
Chapinero is broad and mixed, with universities, LGBTQ nightlife, cafes, informal commerce, mountain-edge streets, and quick TransMilenio links.
Day trips
50km / 1.5h by bus, car, or Turistren from Bogotá
Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
The underground cathedral was carved inside a salt mine north of the city. It is the most straightforward structured day trip from Bogotá.
75km / about 2h by car or tour from Bogotá
Laguna de Guatavita
The highland lake is tied to Muisca ritual history and the El Dorado legend. Weather changes quickly, so bring rain gear and warm layers.
165km / about 3h by car or 3.5-4h by bus from Bogotá
Villa de Leyva
The colonial town has a vast stone plaza, whitewashed streets, fossils, wineries, and dry highland scenery. It is better as an overnight, but long day tours exist.
Getting around
TransMilenio BRT, SITP buses, TransMiCable, and the TuLlave card cover most formal transit, while taxis and ride-hail handle late nights and mountain-edge neighborhoods. The altitude is real: plan gentler first-day walks, hydrate, and avoid sprinting up Monserrate or La Candelaria hills.
Planning a Bogota trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Bogota in December
- What to pack for Bogota in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Bogota checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 20°C / 68°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 8°C / 46°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 12 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Bogota
- 4 days covers the main Bogota highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Bogota worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Bogota averages 20°C / 68°F highs, 8°C / 46°F nights, and about 12 rainy days.
Ready to plan Bogota?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Bogota plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.