September 12, 2025
Bogotá takes reading seriously, it was UNESCO’s World Book Capital in 200, while also being an UNESCO City of Music since 2012. Let’s not forget its growing musical scene with several local and international festivals. That mix of pages and playlists makes the city perfect for a curated crawl: browse excellent indie shelves, flip through vinyl, sip something good, and catch an evening launch or club.
Teusaquillo & Park Way: the cultural corridor
Librería Woolf (Park Way). A dedicated space to champion women authors—novels, essays, poetry—right off the Park Way promenade. Woolf is perfect for browsing with time to spare; check their social feeds for writing workshops and small gatherings. Keep an eye on their social media for information on writing workshops and intimate gatherings. Below Woolf, on the first floor, you’ll find Statua Rota, a pub offering a selection of beers and cocktails.
Location: Cl. 39b #21-54
Garabato & Matorral (Teusaquillo). Garabato (Ak 19 #34-61) keeps the spirit of a neighborhood bookstore with two city locations, active author afternoons, and a catalog that moves comfortably between indie presses and essentials. Matorral (Ak. 19 #36-55) blends generous windows, plants, and shelves that reward slow discovery—think small-press fiction, diaries, and illustrated books. Together, they’re a great mid-crawl pairing.
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Casa Tomada (Palermo). A time-tested hybrid—“libros y café”—with that calm-but-humming atmosphere in the middle of the city bustle. Spot the corner house hidden between trees and bushes, order something sweet, slide into an armchair, and treat the backlist like an old friend. Their events, book discussions and shelves are consistently strong.
Location: Tv. 19 Bis #45d-23.
La Valija de Fuego (Near Javeriana University). An indie edgy and small-press concept define this crucial node of the editorial industry of the city—follow their socials to catch launches and off-beat cultural programming; it’s where you’ll find the unexpected.
Location: Ak 7 #45-52.
Chapinero: Quinta Camacho & Zona G
Wilborada 1047 (Quinta Camacho). In a preserved English-style home from 1943, Wilborada is the kind of place where you come for one title and leave with a curated stack. Children’s programming, book clubs, and a monthly events calendar make it a community anchor. Arrive
early, grab a recommendation from the staff, and leaf through poetry or Bogotá nonfiction by the windows.
Location: Cl. 71 #10-47.
Tornamesa (Cl. 70 # 5 – 23 & Avenida Chile Mall). Books meet records here: literary backlist, new releases, comics—and a wall of LPs that rewards slow digging. the Zona G shop at Calle 70 #5-23 and the Avenida Chile location both carry deep selections (and giftable extras).
RPM Records & La Roma Records. If you’re chasing pressings beyond the bookshop racks, head to RPM Records (Carrera 12A #78-58): boutique vinyl, a friendly crew, and frequent drops across rock, Latin, and reissues—plus a casual beer-garden vibe that pairs well with a new LP. La Roma Records (Tv. 17a Bis #36-21) runs Colombia outposts that stock new/used vinyl and advise on turntables and accessories. Hit one or both before lunch; your tote will thank you.
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Centro & 93: the classic indie with a citywide footprint
Librería Lerner (Av Jiménez #4-35 & Calle 93). Historic, independent, and rigorous about selection, Lerner is ideal for backlist treasure hunts and author events. We like the Centro store for its atmosphere and the 93 shop for an uptown check-in; both run talks, courses, and seasonal series.
Nightfall with a bookmark: bars & speakeasies for readers
Santo & Seña – A clandestine-feeling, key-word-whispered sanctuary where books, records, and design meet. Expect specialty coffee by day and a sensorial, intimate mood that makes time slow down. If they’re in “soft reopen” mode, sign up for updates—this house has a cult following for good reason.
Location: Cra. 4 #54A -10.
Ficciones – A first-of-its-kind “book bar” in Colombia: read, sip, nibble, converse. Their programming skews literary-curious (think talks, salons), and the house itself—on a quiet, closed street—sets the tone for lingering. We love it as a golden-hour stop before a late dinner nearby.
Location: Cra. 8 #67 – 77.
La Dacha – A literary bar with a Slavic accent and an “epoch” cocktail list—perfect for a nightcap that matches your new hardcover. It shares space with Montenegro Bakehouse, so you can pair pages with something savory (or sweet) earlier in the evening.
Location: Cra. 4a #66-19.
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How we like to do the crawl (and what to pick up)
Late morning: Ease in at Wilborada 1047—ask for recent poetry from independent Colombian presses, a Bogotá essay collection, and a children’s picture book by a Latin American illustrator. Walk or rideshare to Tornamesa and split time between literature and LPs.
Afternoon: Head to Park Way for Woolf (a novel or essay by a woman author you haven’t read yet), then traverse Teusaquillo to browse Garabato and Matorral—two stops that consistently surface small-press gems. Pause for coffee at Casa Tomada and catch a micro-event if timing aligns.
Evening: Make it social. Reserve a slot or simply slide into Ficciones for a glass and a chapter, or step into Santo & Seña for that “hidden salon” feeling. Cap the night at La Dacha with a literary cocktail—then open the first chapter of something bold.
Literary events and FILBo
Indie stores here are wonderfully active: expect evening launches, reading groups, weekend clubs, and workshops—follow each shop’s Instagram or events page to time your crawl with something live.
And if you’re planning ahead, the city’s big moment is FILBo. Bogotá’s literary scene truly comes alive during the International Book Fair. This highly anticipated event typically takes place in late April and early May, transforming the city into a vibrant hub for literature and ideas. The 2025 edition, for instance, ran from April 25 to May 11. Visitors can immerse themselves in a sprawling convention center filled with countless types of publications and experiences setting books and the written word as their center but always pushing its offer beyond it. Engage in captivating discussions with renowned authors, discover new voices in literature, and explore a vast array of topics spanning fiction, non-fiction, design, architecture, poetry, and more. Fostering a unique environment for intellectual exchange and creative inspiration.
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Why this crawl works
This city reads and it listens,fostering a rich, intimate, and deeply human-scaled cultural scene. As you explore its vibrant neighborhoods, you’ll uncover meticulously curated bookshelves, showcasing both established authors and exciting emerging presses. Beyond the written word, discover record stores brimming with vinyl that will undoubtedly become the soundtrack to your journey. To fully embrace this immersive experience, keep a close eye on each venue’s ever-evolving calendar of events, and most importantly, leave ample room for the delightful serendipity that Bogotá so generously offers.
Meet the Team
We’re creators, marketers, and explorers — united by our love for Colombia and passion for storytelling. From content creators and strategists to social media experts and tour managers, we bring your journey — or your brand — to life.