Bogotá for Tea Lovers: Routes of Tea Houses, Historic Tearooms and Japanese Ceremonies at Altitude

The tea ritual in the Andes: tearooms with a view of the eastern hills

Bogotá is not just coffee. While the whole city smells of black coffee on every corner, there is a silent and sophisticated circuit of tea lovers who gather in specialized houses, historic tearooms and Japanese ceremony spaces. The charm of drinking tea in Bogotá is the landscape: the eastern hills, with their eternal greenery and morning mist, create the perfect setting for an experience that would be unthinkable in other capitals. Here, at 2,600 meters above sea level, water boils at a lower temperature, which changes the extraction of the leaves and forces masters to adjust times and proportions. It is a technical detail that few know about and that turns every cup into an act of precision.

In August 2026, the tea scene in Bogotá is more alive than ever. It is not just about having an infusion; it is about slow rituals, Japanese iron teapots (tetsubin) and matcha bowls whisked with a bamboo chasen. The city offers everything from minimalist lounges in Chapinero to colonial houses in La Candelaria where time seems to stand still. If you are one of those who think tea is just a bag in hot water, this guide will completely change your perspective.

Bogotá's altitude is not a geographical whim: it is a factor that connoisseurs take advantage of. The boiling point of water in the city is approximately 92°C, instead of 100°C at sea level. This means that green and white teas, which require lower temperatures, can be prepared with water that is practically at the perfect point without needing to cool it down. Black and oxidized teas, on the other hand, require more careful handling. Local masters master these variables and offer tastings that explain the phenomenon. It is a scientific argument that makes the experience unique in the world.

Green tea and matcha in La Candelaria: the route of Japanese tea houses

La Candelaria, the historic center of Bogotá, keeps among its cobblestone streets and colonial facades some of the best-kept secrets of Japanese tea in Colombia. It is not an area that one immediately associates with Japanese minimalism, but that is the charm: the contrast between Spanish colonial architecture and zen aesthetics creates a fascinating tension. In recent years, spaces dedicated exclusively to Japanese teas of origin have opened, with direct imports from prefectures such as Uji, Shizuoka and Kagoshima.

One of the must-see stops is a tea house specializing in ceremonial matcha, located in a restored mansion near Chorro de Quevedo. There, ceremonial grade matcha (usucha) is served whisked in front of the customer, with the characteristic green foam and a fresh grass aroma that is unmatched. The place, small and with few tables, operates by prior reservation. The experience includes a brief explanation of the history of tea in Japan and the difference between culinary and ceremonial grade matcha. Reference prices in August 2026 are around $25,000 COP for a cup of freshly prepared matcha.

Another option in the same area is a tearoom that works exclusively with Japanese teas from small producers. They offer guided tastings of three teas: a shaded sencha, a genmaicha (green tea with roasted rice) and a hojicha (roasted green tea). The tasting costs around $45,000 COP and includes a small Japanese sweet (wagashi) that balances the bitterness of the tea. The place is run by a Colombian couple who lived in Kyoto for several years and returned with the idea of replicating tea culture in Bogotá. The service is so meticulous that each cup is served at the exact temperature required by each variety.

For those looking for something more than a cup of tea, there is a Japanese tea salon that offers basic etiquette classes: how to hold the bowl, how to turn it before drinking, and how to express gratitude to the host. The classes last two hours and cost around $80,000 COP per person. It is recommended to book at least three days in advance, as spots are limited to six people per session. It is not a superficial tourist experience; it is a real immersion in the philosophy of tea, with a focus on mindfulness that surprisingly connects well with the tranquility of the colonial streets of La Candelaria.

The origin of matcha in Colombia

Matcha arrived in Colombia relatively recently, but its popularity has grown exponentially. Until a decade ago, it was almost impossible to find quality matcha outside of stores specializing in imported products. Today, several Colombian brands grow green tea in the coffee region and process matcha locally. Although Colombian matcha does not have the same profile as Japanese, it has won awards in international tastings for its natural sweetness and low tannin content. In the tearooms of La Candelaria you can try both: the one imported from Japan and the local one, in a comparative tasting that costs $35,000 COP.

Colombian tea with history: La Casa del Té in Usaquén (since 1972)

If there is a place that deserves the title of historic tearoom in Bogotá, it is La Casa del Té in Usaquén. Founded in 1972, this house has survived decades of changes in the city and has become a point of reference for tea lovers throughout Colombia. Located in a two-story republican house, with an interior patio and wooden furniture that seems from another era, La Casa del Té is a trip to the past. There is no Japanese minimalism here; there is a classic and cozy atmosphere, with shelves full of English porcelain teapots and tea tins from around the world.

The most valuable thing about La Casa del Té is its catalog of Colombian teas. In a country where coffee dominates the imagination, this house has worked for decades with small tea producers from Santander, Huila and the coffee region to offer black and green teas of Colombian origin. Santander black tea, in particular, has a robust profile with notes of cocoa and panela that surprises purists. The house offers Colombian tea tastings on Saturday mornings, with a selection of three teas and an explanation of the cultivation and harvesting process. The tasting costs $28,000 COP and includes a side of regional biscuits.

The service at La Casa del Té is an experience in itself. The waiters, many of them with decades at the establishment, know every tea on the menu and can recommend based on the time of day and mood. Tea is served in cast iron teapots that maintain the temperature throughout the session. The menu includes breakfast options with tea (eggs with scallions and tomatoes, arepas and a house black tea) and a selection of fine pastries that includes carrot cake and passion fruit cheesecake. Reference prices in August 2026 range from $12,000 COP for a cup of tea to $55,000 COP for a complete tasting experience with pastries.

In addition to the gastronomic experience, La Casa del Té has a store where you can buy loose teas by weight. Prices vary according to origin and quality: a Colombian black tea costs around $8,000 COP per 100 grams, while an imported Japanese tea can reach $45,000 COP for the same amount. The store also sells accessories: cast iron teapots, cloth filters, artisanal ceramic bowls and bamboo measuring spoons. It is the perfect place to take home a useful and elegant souvenir from Bogotá.

The Usaquén neighborhood and its Sunday atmosphere

Usaquén, one of the most traditional neighborhoods in Bogotá, is known for its Sunday flea market in the Plaza Principal. After browsing the craft and antique stalls, sitting down at La Casa del Té is the perfect plan to end the morning. The neighborhood retains a village atmosphere, with cobblestone streets and clay tile houses that contrast with the modern buildings in the north of the city. The combination of the market, tea and the Sunday atmosphere makes Usaquén a must-see stop for any lover of local culture.

Private ceremonies: spaces to learn the art of tea (with a master)

For those seeking a deeper experience, Bogotá offers spaces where you can learn the art of the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) with certified masters. It is not an improvised tourist activity; it is a serious practice that requires time, patience and respect for tradition. In recent years, several Japanese and Colombian masters trained in Japan have established small tea dojos in the city, where they offer private sessions and regular courses.

One of these spaces is in Chapinero Alto, in a house with an interior garden that is transformed into a tea room (chashitsu) for ceremonies. The typical session lasts between two and three hours and includes the preparation of thick tea (koicha) and light tea (usucha), as well as an explanation of the gestures and their meaning. The master, trained at the Urasenke school in Kyoto, guides participants through every movement: how to enter the space, how to greet, how to receive the bowl and how to drink. The attention to detail is overwhelming and fascinating at the same time.

The price of a private Japanese tea ceremony session in Bogotá, with a certified master, is around $150,000 COP per person. Spots are limited (maximum four people per session) to guarantee a personalized experience. It is recommended to book at least two weeks in advance, especially during high season. Sessions are held in Spanish, although the master also speaks English and Japanese. No previous experience is required; only curiosity and willingness to learn.

In addition to private sessions, the space offers four-week courses covering the history of tea, the types of Japanese tea, the use of utensils and the practice of a simplified ceremony. The course costs $450,000 COP and includes all materials. At the end, participants receive a certificate of participation and a small set of utensils to practice at home. It is a considerable investment, but for true tea lovers, it is a unique opportunity in Colombia.

Silence as the main ingredient

What surprises beginners in the Japanese ceremony is the amount of silence. There is no background music, no superfluous conversation. The sound of boiling water, the whisking of the chasen and the whisper of fabrics are the soundtrack of the experience. In a city as noisy as Bogotá, that silence becomes a luxury that is deeply appreciated. Participants leave the session with a sense of calm that few activities can offer, and with a deeper understanding of why tea is more than a drink.

Nomadic tearooms: tea pop-ups in markets like San Alejo

The tea scene in Bogotá is not limited to established venues. There is a network of nomadic tearooms that appear at flea markets, food fairs and cultural events, bringing tea to unexpected places. The most notable example is the San Alejo Flea Market, wh