Available options
Renting a room in a family home in Bogotá is a different experience from booking a full apartment. Here you share the kitchen, the laundry, and often even the couch where the lady of the house watches her soap operas. The difference is felt in your pocket and in your Spanish: in one month living with a family in Teusaquillo or Chapinero Alto, you speak more than in six months of classes. This Malokal guide offers updated prices; use the interactive cards on malokal.com to check the safe map by neighborhood (Locals vs. Foreigners), live holiday schedules, and book directly via WhatsApp.
The options available in the city are three: rooms in family homes (pure home-stay), coliving-style residences with services included, and individual rooms listed by direct owners. Prices as of October 2026 range from $450,000 COP per month for a simple room in well-connected peripheral neighborhoods, up to $1,800,000 COP or more for a furnished room with a private bathroom in Chapinero Alto or the Zona Rosa. It all depends on whether it includes utilities, furniture, and proximity to TransMilenio.
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Dormitorios Loft Chapinero
This coliving model offers furnished rooms in Chapinero. Room sizes range between 20 and 30 m², and include a bed with mattress, full bedding set, study desk, ergonomic chair, lamp, and closet. It is an intermediate option: you don't live with a traditional family, but you're not alone in an empty apartment either. Ideal for nomads looking for their private space, but with common areas and people around. The atmosphere is quiet and very walkable; you're close to Zona G, Zona T, and carrera Séptima. Check availability and conditions directly, since room turnover in Chapinero is high.
CuartoFácil Chapinero
This platform specializes in renting furnished rooms by neighborhood, and Chapinero has one of the largest offerings. The advantage is that many listings are from direct owners, with no intermediaries or commissions. You'll find everything from budget rooms near universities and TransMilenio, to larger rooms in the upper part of the neighborhood. A local tip: filter by "no intermediaries" and always ask if the price includes building fees and utilities. In Chapinero, the difference between a room with or without utilities can be several hundred thousand pesos a month.
Spanish Land School Bogotá
More than accommodation, this immersion program combines a Spanish course with a stay in a family home. The idea is to live Bogotá from the inside: practice the language in real situations (the market, the bus, the corner store) and connect with the routine of a Colombian household. It is the most structured option for those who arrive without Spanish and want to learn quickly. If your priority is linguistic and cultural immersion over the lowest price, this type of program is usually the starting point. It is recommended to check schedules, levels, and availability before enrolling.
Updated costs
The reference prices as of October 2026 in Bogotá are as follows:
- Simple room in a family home, neighborhoods like Teusaquillo or La Soledad: from $450,000 to $800,000 COP per month, often with utilities included.
- Furnished room with shared bathroom in Chapinero: between $700,000 and $1,200,000 COP.
- Room with private bathroom in Chapinero Alto, Zona T, or Parque de la 93: from $1,200,000 to $1,800,000 COP or more.
- Coliving like Dormitorios Loft: intermediate rates that vary by season and contract length.
- Family immersion programs (Spanish Land School): the price depends on the class and night package; inquire directly.
Keep in mind what they call "utilities included": in Bogotá that normally covers water, electricity, and gas, but internet is sometimes charged separately. Always ask about the neighborhood's estrato, since in estratos 4, 5, and 6 electricity can be expensive and some landlords charge it proportionally. Prices are for reference and subject to change, so confirm the final amount before transferring any money.
Estimated timelines
The entire process, from when you start your search until you sleep in your room, can take between one and three weeks if you do it calmly:
- Search and filtering (2 to 5 days): review platforms, groups, and contact owners.
- Visits or video calls (2 to 4 days): never close without seeing the room, not even by video if you can avoid it.
- Negotiation and agreement (1 to 2 days): define price, utilities, deposit, and rules.
- Moving and adapting (first 3 to 7 days): get to know the neighborhood, transportation, and household routines.
If you arrive in high season (January, July, or December), calculate double the time: good deals fill up fast and prices go up. For one-month stays, many owners ask for full payment in advance; for contracts of three months or more, there is usually more flexibility.
Practical tips
Before paying: ask to see the contract in writing, even if it's simple. It should state the rent amount, what utilities it includes, the deposit amount, and the conditions for returning it. In Colombia, the security deposit is usually one month, and ideally it should be in writing when and how it is returned.
House rules: ask from the start about arrival times, kitchen use, visitors, and laundry. In a Colombian family home, the rules aren't always written, but they exist. Asking directly avoids misunderstandings later.
Safety by neighborhood: Chapinero Alto and Teusaquillo are quiet and very walkable during the day; at night, it's better to move along well-lit streets and use ride-hailing apps. La Candelaria is beautiful, but busier and with more reports of theft on foot. Use Malokal's safe map by neighborhood to compare areas before deciding.
Transportation: check how close TransMilenio or a TransMiCable station is. In Teusaquillo and Chapinero you're well connected; in peripheral neighborhoods, the trip downtown can exceed an hour during rush hour.
Really learning Spanish: the advantage of home-stay is that the language is practiced in the kitchen, not in the classroom. Ask to be corrected, ask about local words, and make the most of shared meals. That is one of the most valuable connections you'll make in Bogotá.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to rent a room in a family home in Bogotá?
Yes, and for many travelers it's safer than an apartment alone, because there's always someone in the house. The key is to visit the place before paying, meet the family, check the neighborhood by day and night, and not transfer money without a written agreement. Ask the owners if they have references from previous guests.
What is the difference between a home-stay and a coliving like Dormitorios Loft?
In a home-stay you live with a Colombian family: you share meals, routines, and practice Spanish all day. In a coliving like Dormitorios Loft, you have your private furnished room and common areas with other residents, generally foreigners or students. Home-stay is cheaper and more immersive; coliving offers more independence and privacy.
Do I need a visa or cédula to rent a room?
For short stays, most owners ask for a passport and proof of payment. For long contracts, some request a cédula de extranjería or a co-signer. Conditions vary greatly between landlords, so clarify this point from the first contact and check the current immigration requirements according to your nationality.
How much should I pay as a deposit and how do I get it back?
The usual is one month's rent as a security deposit. The amount, return conditions, and deadline should be in writing. When you leave, it is normally returned if there is no damage or pending bills. Keep the payment receipt and, if possible, take photos of the room when you enter and when you leave.
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