Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is nestled high in the Andes mountains. The city dates back to the Muisca people and attracts visitors from around the world. In this article, we’ll share safe places to visit so you can make the most of your trip to this incredible city. Grab your passport, pack your bags, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Bogotá!
LGBTQ+ Safety
Colombia is one of the safest countries for LGBT rights in Latin America, coming in 4th place according to a Statistica survey. It is also one of the cheapest countries on that list, which can make it accessible for visitors on a budget.
Getting There
Airport security will not stop you from bringing your testosterone, syringes, or needles on the plane. Just make sure that the needles remain sterile and bring your prescription form in case, though we haven’t had any issues.
Hostels
Hostal Casa Colibri is located in the center of the historical district of Bogotá. It features a café/bar downstairs, a kitchen to cook in, and private or dorm rooms. There is a lot of smoking at night, so be aware of that. Be careful leaving the hostel after dark; robberies can happen.
If you are looking for a hostel that is relaxed and run more like a house, go to North House Hostel. Several LGBT people stay there long term, and the rest are respectful. One person who was outwardly homophobic was kicked out of the hostel, and after that we didn’t see any other issues. The hostel is a 10 or 15 minute walk from several clubs. It’s a 3 minute walk to the central bus station that connects to the rest of the city. There is a great taco stand next door frequented by queer people well into the night.
Parks
We love the Salitre area parks: the Botanical Garden, Simon Bolivar Park and Parque de los Novios. You can walk around free and queer holding hands there. The Botanical Garden has a lovely central pond and changes exhibits every couple months. It costs roughly $1 to enter, more if you want to go inside the greenhouses. The garden is big enough that the greenhouses aren’t necessary, in our opinion.
Simon Bolivar has a large lake and a small, man-made beach. You can find koi fish in at least two areas of the park. Some vendors try to sell fish food, but it isn’t a good idea to feed them. They get sick and overfed.
Parque de los Novios is full of ducks, geese and the occasional egret. You can rent a boat to go around the small lake. In order to take photos with a camera, you must pay a ¨duck tax¨. Basically, you buy 6,000 pesos worth of duck food and give it to the security guard. It is well worth it.
Cruising
For those of you who enjoy cruising (visiting clubs and looking for a companion), you can easily find a friend for the night at Parque Nacional. Do be cautious and only bring what you need, as thieves come down from the hills in the late afternoon. There are condoms available in the public restrooms should you find yourself lacking. If someone grazes the palm of your hand with their finger, it’s a sign that they want a one night stand.
Gay Clubs
The most popular and widely renowned is Theatrón. It has six floors and several different themed rooms. The cover charge varies by night and the club is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Theatrón is located in a district known for several different clubs, in Chapinero.
Asociación Coyote Crazy is located around the block from Theatrón and is almost as highly rated. It is also open Thursday through Saturday, so if you’re looking to bar hop, this would be the easiest way. Coyote is notably smaller than Theatrón.
Brokeback Mountain ties up the bar trio, and is perfect for people who get overwhelmed by larger clubs. It offers karaoke if you feel like singing your heart out. The location is open Tuesday through Sunday. Please note that shorts are not allowed at this club. Chapinero is the LGBT district, so there are several other bars nearby. Sober or Looking for a Daytime Cafe
We recommend Estación Café in Chapinero. It has a couple cocktails without liquor such as the Aurora Boreal or the Sol-Naranja. The café has a wide variety of food for munching. The La Fabrica branch has fewer options and carries more towards alcohol. It opens on the weekdays at 12 PM, and on weekends at 4 PM.
Restaurants
One of our favorite restaurants is Aizu Ramen Izakaya. It is not vegan friendly or gluten free, but it does have vegetarian options. The restaurant has traditional Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price, and specializes in ramen. It does not have sushi at this time.
Doctors
It happens. You get sick and you’re nervous. Bogotá has well-trained, gender-affirming doctors. Vitalea is a stellar doctor’s office. Everyone there had no issue with gendering correctly. They also offer gynecological services, regardless of the gender on your documentation. We went to Vitalea Sede 93. The doctor there speaks English.
If you are looking for a dermatologist, Dr. Duarte is safe. One of us cowboys had to undress in front of her and there were no issues whatsoever.
If you need a gastroenterologist, see anyone in GastroAdvanced, Clinica Palermo.
You’ll be safe here. We have not had a single bad experience with doctors in Bogotá.
Getting Testosterone
If you are in Colombia and you run out of testosterone, you will have to look for an endocrinologist. They will give you a prescription easily.
Monthly Care
For guys who have periods, the pharmacies won’t blink an eye at you buying pads or tampons. Just go for it.
Therapists
We recommend the therapists at Vitalea. They are generally trans-friendly. You may need to know Spanish in order to speak with them.
Make sure you have a list of friends available to speak with when things get lonely or hard. You´re never alone.
Other Queer Cities in Colombia
The other big cities of Colombia all have their gay districts. Medellin is the other major player when it comes to supporting queer culture. If you’re looking for a gay scene near water, go to Barranquilla, especially in February or March.
Whether you’re there for the food, the museums, or the people, Bogota is a safe and welcoming city for trans folk. We hope you have fun out there!
