Table of Contents
Bogota for Business Travelers
Bogota is Colombia’s capital and largest city.
The Colombian capital is a vibrant city, the largest industrial and commercial hub in the country, and where most financial and service institutions are headquartered.
For a few years now, Colombia’s economy has been steadily growing, and nowhere is this more obvious than in Santa Fe de Bogotá, a thriving beautiful mountain city with modern business centers, the busiest airport in the region, and increasingly improved infrastructure.
Colombia’s capital is also booming in the technological field, with a large amount of local (and international) start-ups, e-commerce sites, and new businesses opening up every year.
Bogota is also known for being a Latin American service center and outsourcing powerhouse. Its relative low salary costs, large English-speaking population, and geographic position make it one of the top cities for call centers in the world, especially for Spanish-speaking and North American companies.
El Dorado International (BOG), Bogota’s main hub, is located west of the city center. It is the busiest airport in Colombia and one of the main airports in all of South America. It has air connections to many domestic, North American, and European destinations and it’s the main hub for Colombia’s premier carrier Avianca and a few local low-cost airlines. See accommodation near BOG.
Bogota is a huge city of almost 8 million inhabitants. This massive town hosts more than a few business-oriented areas, the most important being Centro Internacional de Bogotá.
The Colombian capital is also one of the main trade fairs and events cities in South America. Corferias, the main congress and trade fair venue is the most important trade fair organizer in Colombia. Bogota’s main exhibition grounds are located in the Teusaquillo district, near the Universidad Nacional. See accommodation around Corferias.
Public Transport in Bogota is certainly not its most attractive asset. There is no metro system in the city, and the local alternative, TransMilenio (a network of express buses with exclusive lanes) is crowded, complicated to navigate, and not extensive enough for a city its size. Taxis and peer-to-peer apps are the best options to move around the Colombian capital.
Safety is another concern for business travel to Bogota. Although the Colombian city is relatively safe for Latin American standards, it is by no means exempt from crime. Common sense is advised throughout the city, but, generally speaking, northern districts are safer and more developed than the ones in the south. See accommodation in North Bogotá.
Some of the top companies headquartered in the Bogota Metropolitan Area include Ecopetrol, Fondo Nacional del Café, Esso Colombiana Limited, Codi Mobil, Telecom, Empresa de Energía de Bogotá, Occidental de Colombia, Bavaria, Colmotores and most (if not all) Colombian banks and financial institutions, along with almost every multi-national company with operations in Colombia.
Where to Stay in Bogotá for Business
Business Hotels
The best business hotels in Bogotá.
Apartments
Independence and comfort at once.
Best Areas to Stay in Bogota for Business Travelers
The best areas to stay in Bogota for business include:
- Centro Internacional: Centro Internacional de Bogotá is the main business district in town. It is located right in the heart of the city, north of La Candelaria (Historic Center) and south of the wealthier districts of northern Bogota. This area is home to the city’s tallest skyscrapers and a handful of luxury business hotels. It is also where most banks, financial institutions, and the Colombian Stock Exchange are located. See accommodation around Centro Internacional de Bogotá.
- Corferias: Located west of the city center, this large exhibition complex is the most important in Colombia. The area around Corferias (Bogota Tradefair) is packed with business-style hotels and budget accommodation. See accommodation around Corferias.
- Zona T & North Chapinero: Zona T or Zona Rosa is the premier shopping and entertainment district in Bogota. This exclusive area also holds a wealth of business towers. Zona Rosa & North Chapinero are also the best places to stay in Bogota if you want to mix your business trip with a little fun. See accommodation around Zona T.
- Usaquén: Usaquén is the northernmost area of Bogota. It is a very wealthy district that in recent years has seen many tall building offices mushroom around its wide avenues. Usaquén also holds many of the luxury international chain hotels in town. See accommodation in Usaquén.
