CityBuddy
Mercado de Paloquemao
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings between 7:00 and 10:00 AM, when vendors are restocking with the freshest arrivals and the market is at its most energetic without peak tourist crowds.
Budget tips
Entry is completely free. Bring 20,000-40,000 COP ($5-10 USD) in small bills to sample fruits, grab a freshly blended juice for 3,000 COP, and try market specialties like ajiaco soup or bandeja paisa for under 15,000 COP.
Recommended for
Food lovers, Photography enthusiasts, Budget travelers, Solo adventurers
Plan your visit
1.5-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Over 1,200 vendors pack this market daily, selling everything from Amazonian fruits to freshly cut roses by the dozen. The fruit section alone displays over 50 varieties of exotic produce, including curuba, lulo, and zapote that most visitors have never seen before.
Highlights: At the back of the market, three generations of the same family have been running a tiny stall that serves the best avena santafereña in Bogotá, a thick, cinnamon-spiced oat drink that regulars swear by for hangovers. Watch for the older señora who still peels and chops each fruit by hand with a knife that's been worn thin by decades of use, her fingers moving faster than any machine ever could.
Insider tips
- Skip the packaged souvenirs near the entrance and head straight to the fruit hall for the real experience.
- Ask vendors to let you taste before buying most fruits will get a friendly sample if you just point and smile.
- Bring a reusable bag vendors will haggle slightly on bulk fruit purchases and you'll need hands free for flower shopping.
- The flower section is cheapest between 11 AM and 1 PM when vendors discount bouquets to clear inventory before closing.
Where to Stay in Bogotá
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
Search all hotels in BogotáPowered by agoda
Have you heard of free walking tours?
After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.
Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.
Local guide, 2-3 hours
Major sights, hidden gems, local stories
100% tip-based
Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best
You tip what feels right
At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right
I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Bogotá, Colombia, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.
