Stay in Bogota in November
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November in Bogota means rain. The city receives 149mm of precipitation across roughly 22 days this month, second only to March. Afternoon skies darken fast, and the downpours that follow can last from 20 minutes to 2 hours, filling gutters and leaving the air heavy with the smell of wet concrete and eucalyptus. At 2,640 meters (8,661 feet) above sea level, daytime temperatures hover around 20°C (68°F) while mornings start near 9°C (48°F). Humidity holds at 83%, and the persistent dampness makes even mild afternoons feel cooler against the skin.
Bogota empties noticeably in November. Two puente festivos, the long weekends around November 1 and November 11, send bogotanos toward warmer tierra caliente destinations like Melgar and Girardot. Visitors willing to carry a rain jacket will find shorter lines at the major museums, available tables in La Candelaria, and accommodation rates well below the December-January peak. Teatro Colón, open since 1892, and the Colombian National Museum both keep full performance and exhibition schedules through the month.
To be fair, if your priority is long walking tours through La Candelaria's cobblestone streets or outdoor afternoons in Parque Simón Bolívar, November will test your patience. Travelers who can reshape their day around a 3pm cloudburst will find weekday foot traffic at the Botero Museum and Plaza de Bolívar well below the December average.
Why visit in November
- Accommodation rates across Chapinero and Usaquén sit well below the December-January peak, with wide availability at properties competing for guests before the holiday rush
- Two puente festivos thin the usual crowds at indoor attractions, letting you explore the Gold Museum or Botero Museum without tour-group congestion
- Months of rain leave the Cerros Orientales and city parks like the Bogotá Botanical Garden at their greenest, a sharp contrast to the dusty hillsides of January
- Full cultural programming continues at theaters and museums before the holiday-season slowdown, with the Bogotá Museum of Modern Art and Teatro Colón maintaining active November calendars
Worth knowing
- More than 7 out of every 10 days bring measurable rainfall, with heavy afternoon bursts that can last 1-2 hours and force last-minute changes to outdoor plans
- Persistent humidity and overcast skies limit views of Monserrate and the Eastern Hills, making outdoor photography frustrating from midday onward
- Both puente festivo long weekends trigger closures at smaller restaurants and shops, leaving neighborhoods like Teusaquillo quieter than usual for 3-4 days at a stretch
Best for
Think twice if
November sits at the tail end of Bogota's second rainy season. The October-November wet period is shorter than the March-May first wet season, though November still ranks as the second-wettest month overall. Rain tends to arrive in afternoon and evening bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Mornings frequently start with thin sunshine that clouds over by midday, giving a reliable 4-5 hour outdoor window before the weather turns. The daily temperature range stays narrow, and neither end of it feels harsh. You might notice the thin air at altitude more on humid days, when the combination of lower oxygen pressure and heavy moisture can feel tiring during uphill walks.
Seasonal caution
- UV radiation at Bogota's elevation stays strong through November cloud cover. The thin atmosphere filters less ultraviolet than at sea level, and mornings with partial sun carry meaningful burn risk even when temperatures feel cool.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21 | 7 | 57 |
| Feb | 21 | 9 | 110 |
| Mar | 20 | 9 | 185 |
| Apr | 20 | 9 | 159 |
| May | 19 | 9 | 131 |
| Jun | 19 | 9 | 106 |
| Jul | 19 | 8 | 62 |
| Aug | 20 | 8 | 46 |
| Sep | 20 | 8 | 52 |
| Oct | 20 | 8 | 110 |
| Nov | 20 | 9 | 149 |
| Dec | 21 | 8 | 64 |
Holidays and festivals in November
Public holidays
- All Saints’ Day(Dia de los Santos)2 November 2026
- Independence of Cartagena(Independencia de Cartagena)16 November 2026
When is Christmas season in 2026?
27 November to 26 December 2026
Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in Bogota. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.
Best things to do in November
Museum crawl through La Candelaria
cultureThe cluster of museums along La Candelaria's colonial streets makes for a full rainy-day itinerary. Walk between the Botero Museum, the Gold Museum (a 5-minute walk north), and the Casa de Nariño area in a single morning before the afternoon clouds roll in. The proximity keeps transit time short even without the Transmilenio.
November's lower visitor density and frequent rain make indoor circuits more practical and comfortable than any dry-season monthTeatro Colón evening performance
cultureOpera, ballet, and chamber music in Bogota's premier theater. The La Candelaria hall offers intimate acoustics that larger venues cannot match, and November's programming typically includes both Colombian and international companies before the December holiday schedule reshuffles the calendar.
November sits in the theater's active performance season. Programming runs at full capacity before the holiday shift reduces regular schedulingBooking tipBook at least 1 week ahead through the theater's website for the best seat selection in the smaller Salón Mallarino
Holiday Ciclovía on the puente festivo Mondays
outdoorBogota's car-free cycling route runs on both November public holidays in addition to every Sunday. The main route follows Carrera Séptima from Usaquén south through the city center, and the holiday editions feel quieter and more relaxed than the packed Sunday sessions.
The two November puente festivos create weekday Ciclovía sessions, a rare chance to ride the route without Sunday-level densityBooking tipRental bikes are available at stands near the Parque Nacional entrance on Carrera Séptima
Chocolate and specialty coffee crawl through Chapinero
food_and_drinkChapinero Alto's concentration of specialty coffee roasters and chocolate houses makes for an ideal rainy-afternoon circuit. Walk between several shops within a few walkable blocks, sampling single-origin Colombian beans and artisanal chocolate caliente between downpours.
Cold, damp November afternoons at altitude make hot drinks feel essential rather than indulgent, and the shops see less foot traffic than the drier monthsBogotá Botanical Garden in peak greenery
natureThe Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis shows its best face after months of rain. The orchid pavilion, tropical greenhouse, and highland meadow sections all benefit from November's saturated soils. Bird activity tends to pick up in the wet season, with hummingbirds particularly visible around the native plant beds.
Consecutive months of rain push the orchid collection and highland flora into their lushest state, with November capping the wet season before December's drier air begins to slow growthEarly morning Monserrate ascent
outdoorBogota's most prominent peak offers panoramic views over the Sabana de Bogota when the skies cooperate. November mornings that start clear give you a 3-4 hour window before clouds typically close in. The cable car (teleférico) and funicular both operate on a weather-dependent schedule.
November's pattern of clear mornings followed by afternoon cloud buildup creates a narrow but dramatic window for summit views. The rain-washed air on clear mornings produces sharper visibility than the hazy dry monthsBooking tipArrive before 7am for the clearest conditions. The teleférico typically opens at 6:30am on weekdays and may close without notice during fog or heavy rain.
Ajiaco tasting across La Candelaria and La Macarena
food_and_drinkFollow Bogota's signature soup across different restaurants and fondas in the neighborhoods where it's made best. La Macarena's restaurant row and the traditional establishments around Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo in La Candelaria offer distinct preparations worth comparing.
November's cold, damp weather is when bogotanos themselves eat the most ajiaco. Restaurants stock the freshest guascas herb and multiple papa varieties, and the soup appears on lunch specials across the cityBooking tipNo booking needed for most traditional restaurants. Arrive before 12:30pm for the fullest lunch menus.
What to eat in November
In season: fruit
Feijoa
The tart Andean guava reaches peak sweetness between October and November in the Colombian highlands. Street vendors across Teusaquillo sell bags of them by weight, and feijoa juice appears on most restaurant menus this month. The aromatic flesh also turns up in postres at bakeries throughout La Candelaria.
Uchuva (Cape gooseberry)
Colombia is the world's largest producer of uchuvas, and the highland harvest around Bogota peaks through October and November. The tart, citrusy berry appears in fresh jugos at street-level juice bars across Chapinero and La Macarena, still wrapped in its papery husk at market stalls.
On menus now
Ajiaco bogotano
Bogota's signature chicken and potato soup becomes essential comfort food in November's cold, damp weather. Three varieties of papa (criolla, sabanera, pastusa) thicken the broth alongside shredded chicken and corn on the cob, with the guascas herb giving it the distinctive earthy, slightly bitter finish that bogotanos argue about across neighborhoods.
What to drink
Chocolate caliente con queso
Hot chocolate in Bogota arrives with a chunk of fresh, mild cheese that you drop into the cup. The cheese softens in the heat, creating a salty-sweet combination that locals drink throughout the cooler months. In November, nearly every cafe and bakery in La Candelaria serves it alongside almojábanas or pan de bono.
Festival food
Tamal bogotano
Christmas tamal preparation begins in November across bogotano families and neighborhood bakeries. The city's version wraps rice, chicken, pork, carrots, and peas in steamed plantain leaves. By late November, panaderías in Usaquén and Teusaquillo begin selling them weeks ahead of the December holiday season.
Regular events in November
Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day)Free
Colombia's first November public holiday. Observed on the nearest Monday per the Ley de Emiliani, creating a puente festivo long weekend. Religious processions take place at churches across Bogota, and the Primary Cathedral holds special services on Plaza de Bolívar.
Observed Monday nearest November 1Independencia de CartagenaFree
Colombia's second November public holiday, commemorating Cartagena's 1811 independence declaration. Creates another puente festivo that empties Bogota as residents travel to the Caribbean coast and warmer regions. Reduced service at many businesses through the long weekend.
Observed Monday nearest November 11Ciclovía festivaFree
Both November holidays trigger a weekday Ciclovía, adding to the regular Sunday editions. Over 120km of roads close to motor vehicles, and the full Carrera Séptima corridor fills with cyclists, runners, and families on the holiday Mondays.
Both puente festivo Mondays in NovemberMercado de las Pulgas de UsaquénFree
The Sunday flea market fills the colonial-era streets around Parque de Usaquén with antiques, handcrafts, and street food. November's thinner tourist presence makes browsing more relaxed than the December-February peak.
Every Sunday, approximately 9am to 5pmBest places this November
Museo del Oro (Gold Museum)
museumPre-Columbian archaeology museum founded in 1968, housing gold and metalwork from across Colombia's indigenous cultures. November's lower foot traffic lets you study individual display cases without the school-group and tour-bus congestion that fills the galleries during dry-season months.
La CandelariaMuseo Nacional de Colombia (Colombian National Museum)
museumColombia's oldest museum, established in 1823 and housed in a former panopticon prison. The architecture alone warrants a rainy November afternoon. The permanent collection spans pre-Columbian artifacts through modern Colombian art, and the building's distinctive floor plan creates natural exhibition circuits.
San DiegoCatedral Primada de Colombia (Primary Cathedral of Bogotá)
landmarkCompleted in 1807 on the eastern flank of Plaza de Bolívar. The neoclassical interior provides a quiet retreat during afternoon storms, with the stone walls keeping temperatures cool and the acoustics carrying the muffled sound of Carrera Séptima traffic outside.
La CandelariaMuseo Botero
museumOpened in 2000 to house Fernando Botero's donation of 208 of his own works and 85 pieces from his private collection, including Picasso, Renoir, and Dalí. The colonial-era building sits steps from the Gold Museum, and November foot traffic drops enough that you can stand alone with individual paintings.
La CandelariaJardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis (Bogotá Botanical Garden)
parkFounded in 1955, the garden covers 19.5 hectares in western Bogota. The orchid pavilion holds one of Colombia's largest collections, and November's saturated soils push everything into peak green. Bird activity rises in the wet season, with hummingbirds particularly visible around the native plant sections.
Cerro de Monserrate
viewpointThe 3,152-meter (10,341-foot) peak above eastern Bogota, accessible by teleférico and funicular. On clear November mornings, the view extends across the entire Sabana de Bogota to the western mountains. The white basilica at the summit has been a pilgrimage site since the 17th century, and the rain-refreshed cityscape below looks dramatically sharper than in the hazy dry months.
CentroParque de la 93
parkA neighborhood park in Chicó surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and bars with covered terraces. The canopy trees stay fully green through November, and the covered perimeter seating offers comfortable rain-watching over a coffee. The evening atmosphere picks up on Thursday and Friday nights even in the low season.
Chicó
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Insider tips
The Gold Museum waives its entrance fee on Sundays, but November's lower weekday foot traffic means paying for a weekday visit is often a better experience. You'll have full room to study the pre-Columbian metalwork without the Sunday school-group backup at the entrance.
The Transmilenio gets significantly more packed on rainy afternoons when commuters abandon walking and cycling. Build an extra 20-30 minutes into any afternoon transit in November, or walk shorter distances under the covered arcades along the Carrera Séptima corridor.
Chapinero Alto's specialty coffee scene runs on a different rhythm than the tourist-facing cafes in La Candelaria. Many roasters open at 7am and wind down by 6pm, with the strongest single-origin pourover selection available between 8am and 11am before the afternoon crowd arrives.
If you plan to take the Monserrate cable car, check the operator's status channels the morning of your visit. The teleférico occasionally pauses without formal announcement during fog or heavy rain, and the walk-up line at the base station offers no indication of whether the summit is clear.
Avoid these mistakes
- Planning all-outdoor itineraries without rain contingencies. Build 2-3 indoor alternatives into each day and front-load outdoor plans for morning, when skies across Bogota tend to be clearest.
- Packing for tropical weather because Colombia sits near the equator. At altitude, nighttime temperatures drop into single digits Celsius. Pack as you would for a cool European spring, not a Caribbean beach.
- Assuming the puente festivo long weekends mean more options. Many neighborhood restaurants and small shops in Teusaquillo and La Macarena close from Friday through Monday during the November holidays. Confirm opening hours before making a trip to a specific restaurant.
Practical tips for November
Book accommodations in Chapinero or Usaquén for walkable access to restaurants and covered shopping during rain days. Confirm operating hours for both puente festivo weekends, as smaller businesses often close for 3-4 days each. The Transmilenio system runs on a holiday schedule during both long weekends, with reduced frequency on some feeder routes. If you plan day trips to Zipaquirá's Catedral de Sal or the Laguna de Guatavita, book with operators who offer rain-date flexibility, as both sites lose much of their appeal in heavy downpour conditions. Currency exchange offices at El Dorado International Airport offer less favorable rates than the casas de cambio in the city center along Carrera Séptima.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Bogota?
November is a fair month for Bogota, not ideal but far from the worst. Frequent rainfall and overcast skies push it into the lower third of the year for visiting. The tradeoff is real, though. Lower crowds, shoulder-season accommodation rates, and full cultural programming make it worthwhile for travelers who prioritize indoor experiences over sunny walking tours. January, August, and December are stronger picks if dry weather matters to you.
What is the weather like in Bogota in November?
Bogota in November delivers mild temperatures and frequent rain. Mornings tend to start cool and partially clear, with clouds building through midday and heavy showers arriving between 2pm and 6pm. The rain rarely continues all day, but you'll encounter it on most days of your trip. Layers for the daily temperature swing and a waterproof shell are non-negotiable.
Is Bogota crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months. The two puente festivo long weekends send many bogotanos out of the city to warmer regions, and the rainy weather discourages some international visitors. You'll find shorter lines at the major museums, easier restaurant reservations in La Candelaria and Chapinero, and generally more room than in the December-February peak. The Sunday Ciclovía and Usaquén market still draw locals, but at a more relaxed density.
Is Bogota safe for solo travelers in November?
Solo-traveler safety in Bogota sits at 4.2/10 (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index), reflecting persistent street-crime risks that apply year-round. November's rainy afternoons empty sidewalks faster than usual, which can leave solo walkers more exposed in transitional neighborhoods. Stick to established areas like Chapinero, Usaquén, and the tourist core of La Candelaria during the day. Use app-based ride services rather than hailing cabs on the street, particularly after dark or during heavy rain when foot traffic thins out.
Are there any festivals or events in Bogota in November?
November has two national public holidays but no single trip-defining event on the scale of Barranquilla's Carnival or Medellín's Feria de las Flores. The Día de Todos los Santos and Independencia de Cartagena create puente festivo long weekends on the Mondays nearest November 1 and 11. The Ciclovía runs on both holiday Mondays as a bonus weekday edition. The Usaquén flea market continues every Sunday. Bogota's cultural venues stay active, with theater and concert programming running at full capacity before the December holiday shift.
Things to Do in Bogota in November
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