Ride the TransMiCable above the rooftops of southern Bogotá and discover Ciudad Bolívar through the stories of the people who shaped it. Explore its street art, visit community spaces, and learn how generations of residents have turned these hillsides into a place of creativity, memory, and collective action.
A different perspective on Bogotá, told by the people who built it.
What to Expect
With a local guide leading the route, you can focus on the stories and the people along the way.
See Bogotá from above
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Take a ride on the TransMiCable, crossing the hillsides of southern Bogotá and taking in the city from a different perspective.
Walk through stories told in color
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Explore the neighborhood’s murals and street art, learning about the memories, struggles, and hopes expressed across its walls.
Visit the Mirador Public Library
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Discover a community space that brings together learning, culture, and everyday life in the neighborhood.
Understand the history of self-built Bogotá
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Visit the Museum of the Self-Built City to learn how residents built their homes and shaped the territory over generations.
Meet local initiatives
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Step into a small café-museum where recovered objects and everyday materials tell stories of resourcefulness, memory, and local creativity.
Come ready for the terrain
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Moderate physical demand: expect steep streets, slopes, stairs, and uneven surfaces at about 2,600 m (8,530 ft) above sea level.
What to Bring & Wear
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip, light layers for changing weather, sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket or windbreaker, and a refillable water bottle. Bogotá’s mountain weather can shift quickly, with rain, wind, and temperature changes in the same day.
Accessibility & Good to Know
- The TransMiCable system is accessible, but some walking sections involve steep gradients and stairs, so the full route may not be suitable for travelers with limited mobility.
- Some community spaces and museums have specific closing days, so availability should be checked in advance, particularly around public holidays.
Duration
This experience lasts approximately 4.5 hours
Ciudad Bolívar Urban Canvas in Bogotá: A Closer Look
Ciudad Bolívar is often seen from a distance, as a vast collection of homes climbing the hills in the south of Bogotá. But behind that landscape is a story of people who arrived from different parts of Colombia, built their homes brick by brick, and gradually shaped a territory through collective effort.
This experience begins with a different perspective: a ride on the TransMiCable. As the cable car moves above the rooftops, the scale of the neighborhood and its relationship with the surrounding mountains come into view, along with how public transportation connects its communities with the rest of the city.
On the ground, the story continues through the streets. Large murals transform walls into expressions of identity, memory, and hope, and a local guide explains the people and stories behind them. The visit also brings you into community spaces, including the Mirador Public Library and the Museum of the Self-Built City, which show how residents organized, built their homes, and developed a sense of belonging in a city still learning how to accommodate them.
At a small café-museum, objects recovered from discarded materials are given a new life, revealing a culture of resourcefulness and a different way of looking at what a city leaves behind. More than a tour of murals or a ride above the city, this is a chance to encounter Bogotá through the people who have helped shape it.
A Glimpse of the tour
See Bogotá through the stories of the people who built it.
Explore Ciudad Bolívar with the people who know it best, and discover a side of the capital that rarely makes it onto the usual itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ciudad Bolívar Urban Canvas
Where is Ciudad Bolívar?
Ciudad Bolívar is a large locality in the southern part of Bogotá, extending across the hillsides on the edge of the city. It is home to communities shaped by decades of migration, urban growth, and self-built development.
What is the Ciudad Bolívar Urban Canvas experience about?
It is a guided exploration of Ciudad Bolívar through its history, street art, community spaces, and local initiatives. The experience combines a ride on the TransMiCable with walking visits to places such as the Mirador Public Library, the Museum of the Self-Built City, and a café-museum.
What is the TransMiCable?
The TransMiCable is Bogotá’s cable car public transportation system, connecting parts of Ciudad Bolívar with the wider city. During the experience, you’ll ride above the neighborhood, seeing its hillsides and rooftops from a different perspective while learning about the role public transportation plays in local life.
Is Ciudad Bolívar safe to visit?
As in any large urban area, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and follow local guidance. This experience is accompanied by a local guide who knows the neighborhood and helps you navigate the route. We recommend staying with the group and following your guide’s advice throughout the visit.
How physically demanding is the tour?
The experience has a moderate physical demand. Although the TransMiCable reduces the need to climb long distances, the walking route includes steep streets, slopes, stairs, and uneven surfaces. The altitude is approximately 2,600 meters (8,530 feet), so we recommend walking at a comfortable pace and staying hydrated.
Is the experience accessible for travelers with reduced mobility?
Accessibility is limited along some parts of the walking route because of steep gradients, stairs, and uneven surfaces. The TransMiCable system is accessible, but this does not mean the entire experience is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us before booking so we can review the route and discuss any specific mobility requirements.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip and casual clothing suitable for changing mountain weather. We recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket or windbreaker, and a refillable water bottle. Bogotá can be sunny, windy, or rainy within the same day.
What is the best time of year to visit Ciudad Bolívar?
The experience can be enjoyed throughout the year, but Bogotá’s weather is changeable. Rain and wind are possible at any time, so it is best to come prepared with light layers and a rain jacket.
What languages is the tour available in?
The language of the experience should be confirmed when booking. Please let us know whether you prefer English or Spanish so we can check guide availability for your selected date.
How long does the Ciudad Bolívar tour last?
The experience lasts approximately 4.5 hours, including the TransMiCable ride and walking visits around the neighborhood. The exact timing may vary depending on the route and the opening hours of the community spaces.
Will I meet people from the local community?
The experience includes visits to community spaces and opportunities to learn about local initiatives through the people and stories connected to them. The specific people available to meet may vary depending on the day and the activities taking place.
