Tastings and Tejo in one afternoon. This Bogota food tour takes you through the city’s flavors and stories, from market snacks to a hands-on tejo game, plus a coffee workshop.

What I like most is the small group feel, capped at eight people, so you actually get time to talk and ask questions. I also like the way guides like Andrés (and sometimes Jenny Pena or Juliana) connect each bite to Colombian culture and everyday life.

The main drawback is simple: you’ll walk and you’ll eat a lot. If you’re not up for a solid afternoon on your feet, or if you’re expecting a light snack-style outing, this probably isn’t the right fit.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Right Away

• 12+ tastings that cover soup, fruit, street snacks, and dessert drinks
• A small group of eight for an easy pace and real conversation time
• Tejo included, with a local beverage after the game
• Coffee tasting workshop that explains what makes Colombian beans special
• Central Bogota walking route with Old Town stories along the way
• A stop at a place serving tamales and hot chocolate the old-school way

Why Bogota’s Food Tour Feels Like a City Story

Bogotá has a habit of turning food into identity. On this tour, you don’t just sample dishes; you get the context for why they show up in daily life, celebrations, and family routines. One minute you’re learning how ingredients travel, the next you’re holding a warm cup of something local.

I like that it’s not one-note. You bounce between savory and sweet, soup and snacks, and even drinks like avena (oat smoothie) and hot chocolate, so the experience feels like Bogota, not a food list.

Starting at La Perseverancia: Your Easy Anchor Point

Your meeting point is outside the La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, in the colorful building that’s hard to miss. You meet your guide at the parking lot on the corner of Carrera No. 5 and Calle 30a.

If you’re taking a taxi, download the Uber app if you want convenience and fare clarity. You will need internet data to use Uber abroad, so plan for phone coverage, a local SIM, or an international option like Airalo.

If the driver needs a Spanish instruction, use this: Déjalos por favor en la esquina de la plaza sobre la carrera quinta con calle 30a. It’s a small thing, but it saves you from that awkward back-and-forth while you’re hungry.

The 4-Hour Route: What You’ll Taste, and Why Each Stop Matters

This is a walking food tour built around stops that explain Colombian food in layers: ingredients, regional habits, and the small rituals that keep food meaningful.

The pace usually works well because there are enough breaks at each venue to actually enjoy what you’re eating. And yes, you should come hungry—this is not a two-bites-and-a-photo kind of tour.

Market Warm-Up: Ajiaco and Fruit That Might Be New to You

You start at a local market area, where your guide sets the tone and points you toward what’s coming next. Early on, you’ll tuck into ajiaco soup, a Colombian classic that feels like comfort food with backbone.

Then comes the fruit part. You’ll sample exotic fruits, including some you likely won’t find at home or even on typical menu photos. That fruit stop matters because it shows how Colombian cuisine isn’t just about grilled meats and carbs—it’s also about natural sweetness, acidity, and what’s in season.

Lechona Stop: Crunchy Pig Skin and a Proper Main Dish

Next, you head to a small hole-in-the-wall eatery that does lechona, roasted and stuffed suckling pig with crunchy golden skin. This isn’t a token bite either. The idea is to give you enough of the real thing that you understand the texture and flavor, not just guess at it.

For carnivores, this is the big moment. For everyone else, it still helps because it explains why festive foods in Colombia can be dramatic—food is part of the event, not just fuel.

Chicheria Break: Getting a Taste of a Local Drinking Culture

After the savory-heavy stop, you’ll visit a chicheria, a place tied to local drink traditions. It’s one of those experiences that’s harder to find on your own, because you’d need the local map and the right words to ask.

This part of the tour works best if you go with curiosity, not a checklist. Your guide can point out what to expect from the drink style and how it fits into Colombian food culture.

Golden Buñuelos and Avena: The Snack-and-Sip Pairing

In central Bogotá, you’ll try golden buñuelos, deep-fried doughnut-like pastries that are all about crunch and warm starch. Pair that with avena, a local oatmeal smoothie, and you get a classic sweet-sip rhythm.

I like this pairing because it shows how Colombian snacks often balance richness with something smooth and comforting. It’s also a smart stop because it’s easy to appreciate even if you don’t like experimental flavors.

Tamales and Hot Chocolate at an Old-School Counter

Later, you’ll eat at a restaurant that’s been serving hungry locals for almost two centuries. You’ll get steamy leaf-wrapped chicken tamales and frothy hot chocolate—a combo that feels like Bogotá weather even when it’s not.

This is where the tour shifts from “tasting” to “feeling place.” Tamales are a technique and a time-honored method, and the hot chocolate gives you that thick, comforting finish you’ll remember when you walk back out into the city.

Coffee Workshop: Why Colombian Beans Matter

Next up is an immersive coffee workshop and tasting session focused on why Colombia roasts some of the world’s finest beans. Even if you’re not a coffee nerd, this stop is worth it because it gives your tastings a framework.

Colombia grows coffee that’s often noted for its quality, and the workshop helps you understand how roasting affects flavor. You’ll walk away knowing what to look for next time you’re ordering a cup in a café.

And if you’re the type who likes learning without turning it into homework, you’ll probably like the pacing here. It’s hands-on enough to stick, but not so technical that it steals the fun.

Tejo Game: The National Pastime (With Real Energy)

Then you get to the headline activity: a game of explosive tejo. Tejo is one of those cultural things where watching and participating are totally different experiences, so I’m glad this tour includes you doing it, not just standing near it.

You’ll play a round, and you’ll have a local beverage included as part of the tejo moment. A few people also mention that some guides teach related local games like bolirana, but tejo is the part that’s clearly built in.

Practical note: this is the kind of activity that benefits from not over-planning your day. You’ll want to give it full attention and enjoy the moment, not worry about whether you’ll be able to find the next stop on foot.

Old Town Bogota Walking: Stories You Can Actually Use Later

As you walk, your guide recounts stories and history around Old Town Bogota. This part isn’t just for atmosphere. It’s useful because it helps you interpret what you see—markets, neighborhood rhythms, and the way food traditions show up in daily life.

I also like that the tour covers multiple areas of the city, not just one tight loop. It gives you a better sense of how Bogotá spreads, how neighborhoods connect, and where locals eat away from tourist menus.

One small tip: wear comfortable shoes. Even if you’re a casual walker, the route adds up, and you’ll feel it more if your footwear isn’t ready.

Coffee, Tejo, and a Full Belly: The Real Value of $56

At $56 per person, this tour isn’t cheap in the way a street-snack bundle might be. But it’s strong value when you look at what’s included: 12 tastings, bottled water, a coffee tasting workshop, and a tejo game with a local beverage.

Where the value really hits is the mix of experiences. You’re not paying for one meal; you’re paying for guided access to several food stops plus activities that are hard to DIY—especially the coffee workshop and the tejo game.

You’ll also likely appreciate that groups stay small (eight people), which tends to make the experience feel smoother. Many people note the guides are organized and keep things moving without rushing you through tastings.

What to Bring (So You Don’t Waste Half the Tour Stalling)

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Rain gear (an umbrella if rain looks likely)

The tour runs come rain or shine, so don’t assume you can wait out a drizzle. Also, the best strategy is to accept that you’ll be fed. Plan no big dinner after, because you may not need one.

Not allowed:

• Unaccompanied minors
• Pregnancy isn’t suitable for this tour

If you’re with someone who can’t do that kind of walking or participation, it’s worth choosing a different activity for them.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This is a great match if you:

• Want a guided intro to Bogotá food culture in a single afternoon
• Like learning through taste, not through lectures
• Enjoy hands-on activities like tejo and structured tastings like coffee

If you prefer quiet, sit-down dining with long menu choices, you might find the walking and stop-and-go style less comfortable. And if you’re sensitive to trying new foods, you’ll want to go in with flexibility—because the tour’s whole point is range.

Should You Book This Bogota Food Tour With Tejo?

I’d book it if you want a practical way to understand Bogota through what people actually eat and drink. The 12+ tastings plus coffee workshop plus tejo game is a rare combo for one price and one afternoon.

Skip it if you’re looking for a light walk-and-snack tour, or if pregnancy limits apply. Also, if you hate walking, plan on trading this for something less active.

For most people: this is one of the better “start your Bogota trip right” choices, because you’ll leave with both flavor memories and a city map in your head.

FAQ

How much does the Bogotá Food Tour with Tejo cost?

The price is $56 per person.

How long is the tour?

It lasts 4 hours.

What’s the group size?

It’s a small group limited to 8 participants.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide is English.

What’s included besides food tastings?

It includes 12 food tastings, bottled water, a foodie guide, a coffee tasting workshop, and a game of tejo.

Does the tour include tejo?

Yes. You’ll play explosive tejo, and it includes a local beverage.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet outside the La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, at the parking lot corner of Carrera No. 5 and Calle 30a.

Is the tour affected by rain?

No. The tour operates come rain or shine.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

If I use Uber, do I need internet on my phone?

Yes. You need internet data on your phone to access Uber abroad, via Wi‑Fi, your plan, a local SIM, or an international SIM like Airalo.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.