Yash_V | Bogotá | Aug 2024
Great City, Better Guide
★★★★★
John was a great guide and accommodated our needs, a huge shout out to him for making our layover tour in Bogota very successful.
Liangyuan Na | Bogotá | Jul 2024
Top recommended: super kind guide Raúl and perfect tour
★★★★★
Our tour guide Raúl made the tour perfectly arranged and personalized at the same time. I am very impressed by how productive this tour is and how much can be done in a 6-hour layover. We visited many places in a well arranged walking tour of the historical area. Raúl showed us the highlights at the museums (including Gold Museum, Botero Museum, and more) and enriched the exhibitions with the history of Colombia. We also drove around and see different sections of the city, where Raúl had engaging conversations on the different street views we see.
Raúl also made the tour flexible and well prepared by having plan A and B and Cs in hand. When having extra time at the end, Raúl even accommodated our requests to see additional places. He absolutely knew the best places for food and drinks that we wanted to try: took us to juices of new fruits in a market, the best empanadas in a local flea market, and a trendy coffee shop in an artistic area.
I am also deeply touched by Raúl’s good heart. This is a rare find as a good tour guide can be a great representative of the city for visitors. It was heartfelt when he told us emotionally about past stories of bullfighting, and when he kindly helped people on the street. Thank you Raúl for taking such great care of us from end to end of the trip and for making my experience at Bogota amazing!
Erin Schaal | Bogota | Jul 2024
The best way to spend a long layover in bogota
★★★★★
This was the best possible way to spend a long layover in Bogota. The city is vibrant, and it turned out that I basically had a private tour with a very passionate and kind tour guide, John. I wish I could have spent more time in the city, but John and Jorge were super organized and made the most of the small time I did have.
Ruth_T | Bogotá | Apr 2024
Fabulous & very memorable
★★★★★
Gigio is an incredibly skilled, enthusiastic & knowledgeable guide - he tailored this tour to fit what I wanted (no cable car!), was flexible when I needed a bite to eat, and made sure I had everything I needed upon return to the airport. I am so glad I booked this tour. Thank you Gigio!
K9805BGds | Bogotá | Apr 2024
Bogota in 4 hours - just great!
★★★★★
We (family and a 13-year-old child) had a particularly nice experience in Bogota: Since we had a 10-hour stopover in Bogota, we decided at short notice (a day before) for the small 4-hour tour. When we arrived at Bogota airport (6 a.m.), I was able to connect to the free wifi there for 30 minutes so I could see the status. The tour has been confirmed. I also received a WhatsApp from our very friendly city guide Marta that she was waiting outside at Cafe Oma. We got through the migration in about 45 minutes. Then we walked through the hall to collect our suitcases. Our suitcases were in transit and fortunately we didn't have to worry about it. El Dorado airport is very well organized, clean and has many nice shops and cafes. It is also expensive by European standards. Euros and dollars were accepted. When we came out it was 7:15 in the morning and immediately to the left was Cafe Oma. Marta addressed us directly by name and we were happy that we had found everything so easily. We were able to stow our hand luggage safely in the car. The driver was in the car the whole time and was paying attention. After consulting with Marta, we decided not to go to Montserrat Mountain because we were pretty tired and not prepared enough for the altitude of 3000 m. It was also very cloudy and only a slight outline of the mountain could be seen later in the day. Nevertheless, the tour was a very nice experience. Marta was an extremely friendly city guide who had enough patience with us as we walked very slowly. She was able to pass on her extensive knowledge to us very well; her English was impeccable. We are very grateful that we were able to see so much in such a short time. The ride in the car was flawless and very comfortable. There was a lot of traffic in the morning, but Marta was able to tell us a lot about Colombia and Bogota and we were able to take great photos of the many beautiful graffiti. We first drove to the unique district of Candaleria with its many small streets. It was still early and Bogota was just waking up. So we were able to go for a little walk without encountering a lot of crowds. Marta told us something about every street or square. We were able to ask any questions that interested us. Later the car was waiting for us again and drove us to the next point. The main square was unique and impressive. Marta always told us to be careful and not to let the hawkers approach us. We felt very well looked after. Marta had exciting facts at hand and we could imagine everything, for example how Simon Bolivar jumped out of the window. We even had time for a small snack and café and Coca tea in between. Afterwards we went to the Casa de la Moneta and the Botero Museum. We were very impressed. We really enjoyed it. The journey back to the airport was comfortable and quick. Marta accompanied us to the security gate. We rested in the El Dorado lounge until the flight. We were able to leave Bogota with a wonderful feeling and will always remember this wonderful experience. Thanks Martha.
AuntBee13 | Bogotá | Mar 2024
Just perfect!
★★★★★
Because we were flying to Armenia (Coffee region) in the afternoon, we booked a half-day Bogota tour with Impulse Travel, and were fortunate to be assigned to Gigio as our guide. At 8:30 am, he was waiting for us with a driver in a very comfortable van outside the Marriott. Upon pick up, we hit the ground running and have nothing but great things to say about Gigio and this tour. His English was wonderful and he was so informative! He was strategic about the order of our visits to ensure we got the most out of every minute, especially given the Easter holiday. He introduced us to Bogota and walked us through the Calendaria area. He treated us to different fruits and chocolate at the market. We enjoyed coffee in the middle of the tour while we listened to a street performer. Gigio’s energy and love for his country was contagious, and we wish we could have taken him with us throughout the rest of our trip!! He gets our highest recommendation!
H. Matthew Horlacher | Bogotá | Mar 2024
Martha was excellent.
★★★★★
Martha was excellent. She helped us get to Monserrate on the busiest day of the year without waiting in line. She has deep knowledge of Bogota and added interesting commentary the entire trip. Highly recommended
tobias_lm | Bogotá | Mar 2024
6-hour transit tour
★★★★★
Exellent experience. Pick-up and drop-of worked very smooth. Fantastic guide who was very flexible to all our requests.
Pedro Augusto | Bogotá | Feb 2024
Exceeded expectations with Gigio
★★★★★
The tour was excellent. We had little time to get to know the city, but it exceeded our expectations.Gigio showed us very nice spots in Bogotá and selected a route that fit our schedule.
We highly recommend the tour and now we would like to return to continue the tour.
Gordon_W | Bogotá | Dec 2023
Great introductory tour to Bogota but a pity we missed the Botero Museum
★★★★★
Our guide, Gigio, was fantastic. He provided us a good overview of the history of Bogota/Colombia and was very informative throughout, answering all our questions.
+ Pick up at airport was smoothly coordinated via Whatsapp
+ Car was comfortable with great driving by the driver
+ Visited Monserrate and city center
+ Was brought to Juan Valdez for great coffee
- One thing that could be improved was to check the closing time of Botero Museum. It was a public holiday and the museum closed earlier than expected, so we missed it, which was a pity as we really wanted to go
Nadia_B | Bogotá | Dec 2023
Raul is the absolute best...
★★★★★
Raul is the absolute best guide I have ever had the pleasure to be taken around. So knowledgeable and amazing. We had a 4 hour layover tour and saw everything in Bogota.
Everything was perfectly arranged and amazing communication. Highly recommend
Nadia B | Bogotá | Dec 2023
Best tour guide in Bogota
★★★★★
Where do I start of how amazing Raul was. The most knowledgeable and amazing guide we have ever had. What a great experience. 10 stars!!!
Curiosity446592 | Bogotá | Dec 2023
Best way to spend a long layover in Bogota!
★★★★★
I am so glad I booked this tour! I had a long layover in Bogota and did not want to stay at the airport all day. First, the folks at Impulse Travel are super nice and really on top of communication. Once I landed, my guide Gildardo (goes by Gigio) texted me letting me know he was there. The meet-up was easy, we went outside, met our driver and off we went! Gigio is amazing and has such deep knowledge of the area. We started at Monserrate and took the cable car to the top. Gigio made sure I had a great spot to see the views as we went up. The views from the top are breathtaking! From there we headed over to the Gold Museum. Gigio was such an excellent guide and I got so much more out of it than if I had been walking around reading the placards. From there, we headed over to explore the bright murals and art of La Candelaria. He took me to a food market that has been there since he was a child and I got to try/buy some amazing small-batch chocolate. We finished by walking around the cultural center and I got to try Pandebono, a Colombian cheese bread. It was delicious! Then it was time to head back to the airport. Gigio walked me inside and pointed out where I needed to go. Overall - It was a fantastic day and Gigio, with his knowledge and friendly personality, made it a day I will not forget! (Also, our driver was great!)
Tricia Berta | bogota | Nov 2023
Fantastic Layover!
★★★★★
Martha L and Ruben were fantastic! Wonderful host to give a tour of Bogotá!! Very grateful for meeting you both and thank you for everything!
Carlf48 | Bogotá | Oct 2023
In-Transit Tour in Bogota
★★★★★
Having a long stop-over in Bogota, we chose the In Transit Tour 4-hours to have the possibility to see at least a part of Bogota. Jaime from Impulse Travel met us at the airport with a car, and brought us through Bogota and up to Monserrat. Fantastic views! Afterwards we were take to the historic old town, and wandered around there very well taken care of by Jaime. We also visited a cafe where we had a very good coffee and something to eat. Had the opportunity to visit the Botero Museum. Then back to the airport in due time. A lot of thanks to our great guide Jaime!
melissa93063 | Bogotá | Oct 2023
Excellent Layover Tour for Seniors
★★★★★
My husband and I had a 9 hour layover in Bogota and booked a 4 hour tour to see a bit of the city. I booked the tour based on reviews of others on Trip Advisor. Our guide was Felipe and he met us at the Oma coffee kiosk outside of the baggage claim/customs exit at El Dorado airport. He was precisely on time. A very friendly young man (young to us - as we are old), he walked us out to the drive in front of the airport where we met our driver (whose name I have sadly forgotten). So - first nice surprise: the tour includes a guide AND a separate driver. This was so helpful as our driver was able to drop us off exactly where we needed to be and then, when we were done at that location, pick us up very easily. We would not have been able to park anywhere and walk. So this was much appreciated logistics!
We left El Dorado airport at about 7:05, just in time to hit rush hour traffic, so it did take us about 30 minutes to get from the airport to our first stop - Montserrat. That was ok, though, because it was still early enough (and a weekday) that there was no one in line for the funicular. (On our way down, the line was starting to get long!).
A couple of things to note about Montserrat that I hadn't thought about: if you are old and out of shape, even though the funicular (or cable car) takes you to the top of the mountain, there is still a fair way that you have to continue walking up hill to reach the church and the air is pretty thin at roughly 11,000 ft. We felt it.
Felipe told us that he was "one of those guys" who we saw running up the mountain. He very kindly walked extremely slowly for us on our tour. (I told him that I imagined him going home that day and telling all of his friends about the out of shape old folks he escorted.)
Another thing - very much of the "pavement" on top of the mountain is “slippery-when-wet stone” and there is a dearth of handrails. Don't wear slippery-soled shoes! The bathroom at the top of the mountain costs 1,000 pesos (about 25 cents). Good facility, but remember to grab the TP before you get into a stall – it’s on the wall across from the sinks (in the ladies’, anyway)!
The view from the top of Montserrate is phenomenal. It was worth the exercise to make it up there! Gives you a good perspective of the city and the geographical area.
Felipe showed us various details we would have missed otherwise and knew well the history of the place. He also bought us some coca tea and gave us some history of the coca plant (other than that which we already knew).
Back down the mountain, our driver picked us up and took us to La Candeleria area where we walked around for another 30 minutes or so. Felipe took us to an old market place (which wasn’t quite open yet at the hour we were there – still interesting), showed us the oldest street in Bogota, heading for Plaza de Bolivar. This walk was pretty flat with lots of interesting things to see.
We went into a museum briefly (Botero Museum). Felipe seemed to know the security folks at the door. Had we been young and spry and had more time to spend on this tour, we would have seen more of this museum. But we aren’t young and spry and the time it took us to limp around Montserrate cut into the rest of our trip. That’s ok. We skipped a couple more planned stops because we were beat up by the altitude and our age (we are 62 and 72, generally healthy, but don’t exercise and we live at sea level).
We ended at the Plaza de Bolivar where my husband wanted to try a beverage that a vendor was selling. I would probably never have tried this if my husband hadn’t because I shy away from street vendors in foreign countries (and know I am missing a lot). Anyway, the man was making and selling a hot fruit juice steeped with lemon grass. After declining my own cup, but tasting a sip of my husband’s, I bought one for myself (also bought a cup for Felipe). It was really good! Very different. And I think it cost about 50 cents. Had we spent more time in Bogota, I would go and buy it again.
We told Felipe that we had walked as much as we could and had to pass on touring the Presidential Palace and anything else he had. He kindly had our driver pick us up very close by and they took us back to the airport. When we got to the airport, Felipe also left the car (and the driver went on to where ever), escorted us into the airport and walked us to exactly the place where we needed to go so we didn’t have to read any signs and guess. THAT was really appreciated!
If Felipe showed up in our home town and wanted to visit, we would love to host him, he was that nice of a person. Professionally, he was excellent. He knows his city, knows lots of facts that tourists like us like to ask about and could not have been more friendly accommodating of our slow pace.
This tour was worth every penny charged and then some. We would never have seen these sites in Bogota on our own in such a short layover, not in a million years. When planning this tour, I was very worried that, somehow, we would miss our connection – worried because I am a worrier. If we had tried to do this on our own, I would have made a cab driver turn around and go back to the airport after 15 minutes in traffic. Again – this tour was worth every penny – and worth the tips given to both Felipe and driver. Thank you!
Shawn Sherman | Bogotá | Oct 2023
A great afternoon on Bogota
★★★★★
What a great tour!! I had several hours to do nothing while connecting through Bogota and decided to book this tour. What a great decision. Our guide, Gildardo, was great!! Very informative and used both Spanish and English to ensure we understood everything. Showed us some great sites and gave us a lot of history of Bogota!! All in all a great afternoon spent exploring such an incredible city. Gildardo did a great job selling the city so I will be back for an official stay in the city to explore
