Top Bogotá History Free Tour: La Candelaria Experience
Overview
As we walk through Candelaria, La Concordia, and Las Aguas, we’ll talk about the origins of Bogotá, the Indigenous tribe that lived here, the legend of El Dorado, Colombia’s independence, the Bogotazo, and the period of violence in the country.
Along the way, we’ll also see important plazas and landmarks from the outside—such as the Congress, the Mayor’s Office, the Supreme Court, the Presidential Palace, Bolívar’s House, the Botero Museum, La Candelaria Church, Chorro de Quevedo, a traditional market, Journalists’ Park, and much more.
We’ll discuss cultural icons like Fernando Botero and Gabriel García Márquez, and share insights into daily life, art, gastronomy, and practical tips for your stay. The tour lasts about three hours.
In the free tours, there is no established price. Participants can evaluate the guide's performance and, at the end of the tour, contribute with the amount they consider convenient according to their experience and level of satisfaction.
This activity includes:
- Plaza de Bolívar
- Teatro Colón Bogotá
- Casa de Nariño
- Plazoleta Chorro de Quevedo
- District Market Square La Concordia
- Palacio de San Carlos
- Palacio de Justicia Alfonso Reyes Echandia
- Congreso de la República
- College of St. Bartholomew
- Botero Museum
- Gold Museum
- Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center
- Journalists' Park Gabriel García Márquez
- Bolivar Square
- Congress of Colombia
- Bogota Mayor's Office
- Legend of El Dorado
- Palace of Justice: The siege of the palace by M19
- President's house
- The oldest school in Bogota
- Bolivar's house
- Colon Theater
- Botero Museum
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez Cultural Center
- Candelaria Church
- Chorro de Quevedo
- Heroine of Independence (La Pola)
- Concordia market
- Park of the journalists
- Bogotazo: Gaitan monument.
- Plazoleta del Rosario
On arrival
Please send us a message to confirm your attendance before the tour. If for any reason you are unable to join, kindly cancel your booking using the link at the end of your confirmation email. Thank you for your cooperation.
Our meeting point is **Bolívar Square**, right in front of the church. You will easily recognize our guides — they will be holding a **green umbrella with the Oaca Colombia name**.
*For us it would be a pleasure to have you on our tour, this makes us grow as a company and generate better positioning. Some tours have alliances with lodges, they give them a commission and the lodges recommend the tours to the clients, we invite you not to cancel if suddenly the one they recommend you is not ours, we assure you that it is totally worth it and that our guides are professional and studied. We are waiting for you!
If on your trip you are going to visit more places, we invite you to ask.
Things to note
1. This is a panoramic tour, so we won’t be entering any buildings.
2. At the end of the tour, you’re welcome to book more experiences with us—just let our guide know what you’re interested in, and they’ll share all the details.
3. If for any reason you cannot attend, we kindly recommend canceling your booking.
4. Children under 17 do not need a reservation. Please don’t book a spot for them. They can join without any problem, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
5. The tour runs rain or shine, so we recommend bringing an umbrella.
6. Wear comfortable walking shoes to fully enjoy the experience.
7. Please leave with enough time to reach the meeting point. In Bogotá, travel times can range from 40 minutes to 1 hour from areas like Chapinero or Parque 93. Check your route in advance.
8. In the square, there are often people pretending to be guides. If for any reason you don’t see us, please send us a message.
How can the tour be free?
Our concept is simple — there is no set price. Instead, you tip your guide at the end of the tour whatever amount feels right to you. Typically, guests give between $10 to €50, depending on their satisfaction and budget.
Most guides accept cash or card payments, or you can do it via our app.
Free Cancellation
You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.
