Tejo, tamales, and coffee all in one walk. This Bogotá experience strings together classic street bites and local drinks with hands-on stops, so you’re not just eating—you’re learning how the city tastes. You’ll finish with a game of tejo, a real Colombian pastime, plus a coca tea from the Andes to round things out.

What I like most is the sheer amount of food and drink: you’re set up for 12+ tastings across multiple neighborhoods, not a couple of token samples. I also like the pacing in a small group of eight, which makes it easier to ask questions and actually talk with your guide between stops.

One thing to think about: you’ll do a fair amount of walking in about 4 hours, and it runs in rain or shine. Wear comfortable shoes and bring rain gear, because this is an afternoon you’ll feel in your legs if you go in unprepared.

Key highlights I’d circle on your plan

• 12+ tastings across classic Bogota comfort foods, sweets, and drinks
• Small group (max 8) for more time at each stop and better conversation
• Tejo with a local beverage, a high-energy cultural activity
• Coffee tasting workshop that explains how roasting affects flavor
• Old Town Bogotá stories on the move, tied directly to what you’re eating

Tejo and street snacks in Bogotá: why this tour feels like a shortcut to the city

Bogotá can overwhelm you if you try to plan food on your own. This tour solves that by doing the heavy lifting—planning stops, keeping the flow tight, and pairing each bite with real context. You get the why behind the what, without turning it into a lecture.

The tejo part is what makes the day memorable. It’s loud, fun, and very local, so you’re not just tasting food—you’re also playing a Colombian game. And because it’s built into an actual food route, it doesn’t feel like a random add-on.

Most of all, you’ll leave with a map in your head. Not a paper one—an edible one. You’ll know what Bogota locals reach for, where to look for the classics, and what drinks and sweets deserve your attention next.

Getting to La Perseverancia: your starting point and how to arrive

You meet outside the La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace, at the colorful building that’s hard to miss. Your guide meets you at the parking lot corner of Carrera no. 5 and Calle 30a.

If you’re using a taxi, download Uber and let it show you the fixed price. Before the ride ends, you’ll want to tell the driver exactly where to drop you. Use this Spanish instruction:

Déjalos por favor en la esquina de la plaza sobre la carrera quinta con calle 30a

One practical note: because this is a walking-and-tasting route, don’t plan anything right before or after that depends on perfect timing. You’ll want to arrive early enough to settle in and start hungry.

Ajiaco, fruit finds, and lechona: the first big payoff

The tour starts at a local market area and quickly shifts into the tasting rhythm. The goal is simple: you’ll go from familiar comfort food to the stuff you may never have heard of.

Ajiaco soup is one of the first comfort-food hits on your list. It’s warm, filling, and made for people who want real satisfaction—not tiny bites. You’ll also sample exotic fruits, including options some first-timers don’t recognize, which is exactly the point. This is one of the best ways to taste Colombian agriculture without needing a spreadsheet of what’s in season.

Then comes lechona—roasted and stuffed suckling pig with crunchy, golden skin. If you eat meat, this stop is likely to be a highlight. It’s also a good reality check for your appetite: you’ll taste it, you’ll understand why it’s worth traveling for, and you’ll be glad this tour is structured for hungry people.

Chicheria stop and the sweet-savoury combo of buñuelos and avena

After the heavier dishes, you get a change of pace with something you’ll actually hear about in local culture: a chicheria. Here, the emphasis is on trying the house drinks and seeing how local food culture connects with everyday routines.

Next up is a classic street pairing: golden buñuelos—deep-fried doughnut-like pastries—plus avena, a local oatmeal smoothie. This combo works because it balances textures and flavors. The buñuelos bring that hot, crisp-fried bite, and the avena cools and smooths the experience down.

This section is also where you’ll start noticing how the guide ties everything together. It’s not just here’s food; it’s here’s what it signals about ingredients, traditions, and how people snack between meals.

Tamales and hot chocolate at a near-2-century-old spot

Later, you’ll move into a restaurant that’s been serving hungry locals for almost two centuries. That detail matters, because food traditions survive through repetition—people return, families return, and habits stick.

What you’ll likely try here: steamy leaf-wrapped chicken tamales and frothy hot chocolate. Leaf-wrapping gives tamales their identity, and the steam is part of the experience. Pair that with hot chocolate, and you’ve got the kind of cozy contrast that helps justify a long afternoon of walking and tasting.

This stop also tends to be a turning point in the tour flow. By then, your tastebuds are awake, your questions are easier to ask, and you’re not just collecting flavors—you’re building a sense of how Bogota eats through the day.

Old Town Bogotá: why the walking stories make the food stick

Between tastings, you’ll walk through central Bogotá and around Old Town areas with your local guide telling city stories. The best part is that the stories don’t float above the food; they explain why certain dishes show up where they do.

From the way the route is paced, it feels designed to help you remember. One stop connects to the next through culture: ingredients, street habits, and local rituals. You’ll also cover enough ground that you get a sense of the city’s texture, not just the inside of restaurants.

A helpful reality check: this tour isn’t a slow stroll. People mention it as a decent walk even if they’re not athletes. If you’re okay with that, you’ll probably enjoy how the city comes into focus while you eat.

Coffee tasting workshop: what roasting does to the cup

One of the most practical parts of the tour is the coffee tasting workshop. You’ll get a chance to understand why Colombia roasts some of the finest beans in the world—at least in the way this guide explains it.

Even if you think you already know coffee, tasting with a structure helps. You notice differences faster, and you learn what to pay attention to beyond just strong or weak. It’s also a smart stop because it’s interactive; you’re not just hearing facts while holding a paper cup.

If you like coffee, this is the kind of workshop that improves your next order in any café. You’ll have language for what you’re tasting, not just a vague sense that it’s good.

Tejo time: the explosive Colombian pastime with a local drink

Then you hit tejo, the national pastime people love because it’s part game, part local atmosphere. You’ll play a round, and it comes with a local beverage included.

This is also the most playful part of the tour, the one where your group’s energy changes. People tend to remember it because it’s physical and noisy and silly—in a good way. It breaks the food rhythm and gives you a strong closing memory.

A few groups also mention being taught other local games alongside tejo (one example: bolirana). If that happens during your session, treat it as a bonus lesson in how Colombians play, not just how they cook.

What you’re really paying for: $56 worth of food, structure, and value

At $56 per person for about 4 hours, you’re paying for more than food. Yes, you’ll get 12 food tastings plus bottled water, but you’re also paying for coordination: the guide’s route planning, the time at each venue, the coffee workshop, and the tejo game.

This is good value because the tastings don’t feel like tiny samples. Several people note full portions and the sense that you’ll actually leave satisfied. If you eat normally (not just picking at things), you’ll likely skip dinner afterward.

The small group size matters for value too. With a limit of eight participants, the guide can manage the pace without turning the day into a conveyor belt. That often turns into better conversation and quicker answers to questions about what you’re tasting.

One practical tip: come hungry. This tour feeds you. If you show up after a big meal, you’ll feel rushed in the later stops because your stomach will start negotiating instead of enjoying.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is best if you want an organized introduction to Bogota food culture without guessing which places are worth your time. It’s great for couples, solo travelers who like conversation, and groups of friends who want a shared activity.

It’s also a smart choice if you love food history in a practical way—links between ingredients, street culture, and why certain dishes matter. You’ll also enjoy it more if you’re open to trying fruits and drinks you don’t recognize yet.

It’s not suitable for pregnant women, and it’s a walking-based experience, so comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. If you’re traveling with kids, note that unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed.

The guide factor: what to expect from the people leading the route

The tour is led in English, and people consistently mention guide quality by name. You might be guided by Andrés, Jenny Pena, or Juliana, and the common thread is strong storytelling plus smooth pacing.

A useful way to think about it: a good guide keeps you moving, but they also slow down when the group needs it. Several experiences mention the guide arranging the tastings so everyone can share easily, and adjusting based on preferences like whether someone drinks coffee or beer.

If you have food limitations, ask questions early. The tour is built around tastings, so communication helps the guide plan substitutions within the tour flow.

Should you book the Bogotá Food Tour with Tejo?

If you want a food day that feels local, structured, and fun, I think this tour is a strong yes. The combination of 12+ tastings, coffee workshop, and tejo gives you variety that a regular restaurant crawl can’t match.

Book it if you:

• want to taste a wide range of Colombian dishes and drinks in one afternoon
• like small groups and conversation with a local guide
• don’t mind walking and eating enough to feel happily overfed

Skip it (or choose carefully) if:

• you can’t do moderate walking
• you want a quiet, low-energy sightseeing day
• you’re not interested in trying unfamiliar fruits, drinks, or fried pastries

If you’re coming to Bogotá and you want to hit the city through your stomach—this is one of the more efficient ways to do it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 4 hours.

How many tastings are included?

You’ll get 12 food tastings (12+ tastings are part of the experience plan).

What is included besides food?

In addition to tastings, the tour includes bottled water, a coffee tasting workshop, and a game of tejo.

Where do I meet the guide?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What should I bring and wear?

Bring comfortable shoes and rain gear. The tour runs come rain or shine, so an umbrella can help.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or unaccompanied minors?

It is not suitable for pregnant women. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

What’s the cancellation situation if plans change?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.