Beyond Colombia

Beyond Colombia is a tour company that has operated since 2012 and now runs tours in six Colombian cities with a team of more than 50 local guides. Its Bogotá office is on Calle 17 in the city centre, and its range covers everything from free introductory walks to full-day excursions outside the city, which makes it a convenient single operator for a short stay.

Two of its Bogotá products are free: a walking tour of downtown Bogotá and a local food tour, both of which work on a tip basis and are a good way to get oriented on your first day. Among the paid tours, the Paloquemao Market Exotic Fruit Tour runs from Monday to Friday at 10:00 and 13:00, taking you to the market, which the company says is ten minutes from the historic centre, to taste fruit you are unlikely to find at home.

For day trips, the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lake tour leaves at 8:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, combining two of the best-known sights in the countryside north of the capital in a single day. A local coffee farm experience, two hours from Bogotá, leaves daily at 7:30, and there are hikes to La Chorrera waterfall and in Chicaque Natural Park. The Ciudad Bolívar Transmicable Social and Art Tour leaves daily at 8:00.

Bookings are made through the website, by email at [email protected] or by phone and WhatsApp on +57 322 898 8557. The company is registered as Beyond Colombia BC SAS on Colombia's national tourism register, under number 49047, and its website shows top ratings on Google for its Bogotá tours. Free tours are popular, so reserve a place in advance, and check the website for current departure times and any seasonal promotions.

Beyond Colombia suits first-time visitors, budget travellers who want to start with a free tour, and anyone planning a day trip without arranging their own transport. Families and solo travellers are both well served by the mix of short city walks and longer excursions. For the day trips, wear layers and bring sun cream for time outdoors at altitude.