What Sports To Practice in Bogotá

Bogotá boasts a wide array of sports and outdoor activities, with excellent facilities to support everything from urban cycling and community events to thrilling adventures in the nearby Andean mountains. Whether you seek an intense challenge or a relaxed weekend activity, Bogotá combines tradition, innovation, and picturesque scenery, making physical activity an integral part of daily life.

Strong Cycling Culture

Cycling isn’t just a pastime in Colombia. Since the 1960s, the country has produced world-class riders, and Bogotá remains one of the best training grounds thanks to its mountainous terrain and altitude. Champions like Nairo Quintana and Egan Bernal have brought global recognition by winning the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, respectively. Alongside cycling, roller skating also has a strong following, with Colombia dominating world titles in speed skating.

Ciclovía – Bogotá’s Open-Streets Program

Every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bogotá transforms. The city closes more than 120 km of main roads to cars and hands them over to cyclists, joggers, skaters, and families. Ciclovía is more than exercise—it’s a community ritual complete with aerobics stations, juice stalls, and live music that reflects Bogotá’s unique urban culture.

Ciclorrutas – Permanent Bike Lane Network
With over 600 km of bike paths woven throughout the city, Bogotá boasts one of the most extensive cycling infrastructures in Latin America. These ciclorrutas make biking a safe and practical way to navigate daily life. If you’re already familiar with Bogotá’s streets and want to go around on your bike on your own, plan your trip with this map and clic on “Calcular ruta”; aside from others like Google maps, this one includes the city’s lane network.

Aren’t sure what your best option is to move around the city? Here’s our guide: Bogotá in Motion

Cycling City Tours
Guided rides let visitors explore Bogotá’s neighborhoods in a healthy, eco-friendly way. Popular tours stop at fruit markets, historic squares, and coffee roasters, mixing culture with movement.

Want to have a bike tour? Check our picks: Bike Tours in Bogota

Cycling Ascent to Patios
For serious cyclists, the ascent to Alto de Patios is a must. This 26-km route climbs out of the city into the eastern hills, offering panoramic views and a challenging test of endurance. You can also take this route by walking or jogging.

Outdoor Adventure & Excursions

Bogotá’s location in the Eastern Andes means that world-class adventures are just an hour away.

Paragliding & Adrenaline Tours
Take off from La Calera or Guatavita for unforgettable paragliding flights over green valleys and lakes. Tours often include transportation from Bogotá and expert pilots.

Rock Climbing, Hiking & Waterfall Tours

• Suesca: Known as Colombia’s climbing mecca, Suesca offers hundreds of rock routes plus trails for hiking and mountain biking.
• La Chorrera Waterfall: Colombia’s tallest waterfall at 590 meters, reachable by a full-day hike through cloud forests and Andean scenery.

Sporting Venues & Infrastructure

Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park
Often called the “lungs of the city,” this massive green complex includes cycling paths, paddleboats, basketball and soccer courts, multipurpose fields, and an Olympic-standard aquatic center.

Compensar Sports Complex & El Cubo by Colsubsidio

Two of Bogotá’s most complete private recreational centers are Compensar and El Cubo by Colsubsidio. Both feature bowling lanes, swimming pools, tennis courts, gyms, free practice areas, and coworking spaces, as well as regular programming for fitness and group classes. They also host local tournaments and family-friendly events. While access usually requires membership, visitors who know someone affiliated can often go together and receive discounts, making these venues an excellent option for travelers staying with friends or colleagues.

Professional Arenas & Facilities
Bogotá is home to football clubs like Santa Fe, Millonarios, and La Equidad, who play at iconic stadiums such as El Campín. Additional facilities include:

• El Salitre Sports Unit with BMX tracks, velodrome, skate bowls, coliseums, and aquatic complexes. Visit IDRD Bogotá for more info.

Climbing Facilities

For those seeking indoor activities, Bogotá offers excellent climbing gyms such as Gran Pared, Zona Bloque, Beta and Weya, where travelers can practice bouldering and top-rope climbing regardless of weather conditions. Modern gyms like Bodytech and Smart Fit are widespread throughout the city, providing international visitors with easy access to fitness facilities, while boutique studios focus on yoga, spinning, and functional training. These options ensure that staying active in Bogotá is possible year-round, rain or shine.

 

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Bogotá International Half Marathon

Each July or early August, Bogotá hosts the Bogotá International Half Marathon, one of the most prestigious running events in the world. It attracts over 45,000 runners across the 21K and 10K distances and carries a World Athletics Platinum Label. The race starts and ends in Parque Simón Bolívar, turning the city into a festival of endurance and community pride.

Other Sports

Padel – The Fast-Rising Sport
A hybrid of tennis and squash, padel is exploding in popularity in Bogotá. In just two years, more than 25 new clubs have opened, attracting both casual players and competitive leagues. Its easy learning curve and social atmosphere make it one of the trendiest sports in the capital.

 

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Tejo – Traditional Colombian Sport 

With indigenous origins, played with a metal disc (tejo) thrown across a clay court, aiming to hit a target containing gunpowder that explodes upon impact, creating a loud bang (mecha). It’s a social and competitive activity, often enjoyed with beer among friends.

 

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Info Box

Planning Tips

• For a relaxed outing: Join Ciclovía on Sunday mornings to ride or walk with locals.
• For adrenaline seekers: Book paragliding or a waterfall hike through platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator.
• For cultural explorers: Take a bike tour of markets and street art districts.
• For athletes: Time your visit with the Half Marathon or head to Simón Bolívar Park to train at altitude.
• For the curious: Try a session of padel or even Colombia’s beloved traditional game tejo.

A Destination for Active Living

Bogotá thrives on movement, and its mix of world-class athletes, urban innovations, and natural backdrops make it a city where sports and leisure are seamlessly woven into daily life. Whether you’re pedaling up a mountain, running alongside 40,000 people, or playing a game of padel with friends, you’ll discover that Bogotá’s energy is best experienced in motion.