What's the deal with Bogota

The strain relationship between Colombians and Bogota

Since I have memory, I always heard about how everyone didn’t like people from Bogota (rolos). Always knew it was a generalized sentiment towards people from the capital.

Sometimes gringos when going to the Caribbean coast, especially Cartagena, feel robbed and overcharged when paying for anything. The thing is this, yes it is true but it has always happened with people from Bogota. When bogotanos go to Cartagena they KNOW they have to bargain everything, they also try to overcharge them and a lot.

Hence, when you go to Cartagena and feel they are overcharging you, respond “acaso me viste cara de cachaco?” (do I look from Bogota?).

It’s a weird sentiment across Colombia. Its nos a hatred that can escale to violence or discrimination, is just a feeling of disregard.

Could be a historical explanation, all the political and government class came from Bogota and being from inside the country, never felt a real connection and understanding of the far away regions. It is clear the abandonment disconnection people from the interior have with the rest, those conducts still happening until now. Remember Colombia is a really diverse country, traditions and way to live change in every region.

But here is the strange part, a lot of Colombians living outside Bogota know that in order to get the best education, best job opportunities and best business exposure, they need to go to Bogota to thrive.

Bogota is a really great city, chaotic and lots of traffic but people go there to maximize their opportunities. Thats why Bogota is full of people from everywhere, specially if you go to any university, people move to study there.

So it’s a weird dynamic, a hate and love for Bogota and the people from there.

Many of the behaviours and way to interact with the city explains a lot: I will always say its a city many of the people living there, they don’t feel attached to it, so they dont really care.

In christmas season, people living and staying in Bogota know how great everything is because everyone leaves the city, traffic is reduced considerably, not too many people outside and even contamination is lowered.

I will say is a big problem to not feel attachment to a city that is being a home for you, that could explain the ineptitude around building a metro, since the 1970’s they been talking about it and look, nothing. It feels like politician just squeeze Bogota for their personal and corrupt gains and leave a trail of abandonment.

This is how I feel is the relationship between Bogota and the rest of the country. If you are planning to visit please follow me on Twitter/X, and if you want a guidance around your vacation or business moves in Colombia, you can book a consultation with me here: