In the north of Bogotá, where the modern city meets its colonial roots, Usaquén awaits with its cobblestone streets and white houses with red tiles. This neighborhood, once an independent town, is now a haven for backpackers looking for something more authentic than the traditional tourist circuit. Here, among tree-lined squares and weekend markets, a limited budget is not a limitation, but an invitation to discover Bogotá from another perspective.
Cheap sleeps in Usaquén: hostels with soul
The offer of affordable accommodation in Usaquén is varied and full of personality. On Calle 119 with Carrera 6, Hostal Usaquén Inn offers beds in shared dorms from 25,000 COP (about 6 USD) per night, with breakfast included and a terrace overlooking the eastern hills. Solo travelers easily find company here on cultural exchange nights organized by the staff.
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A few blocks away, Selina Usaquén (although part of a chain) maintains affordable prices for backpackers, with beds from 30,000 COP in dorms designed to maximize space and privacy. Its free coworking attracts digital nomads who mix work and adventure.
For those who prefer something more intimate, Casa de Huéspedes La Casona on Carrera 5 offers private rooms sharing a bathroom from 40,000 COP. The owner, Doña Marta, prepares Colombian coffee every morning and tells stories of Usaquén in the 70s.
Eat like a local without spending a lot
The real economy is found in street food. On weekends, around Parque de Usaquén, dozens of stalls offer arepas de choclo for 2,000 COP, meat empanadas for 1,500 COP and natural juices for 3,000 COP. The best kept secret is the Mercado de Pulgas de Usaquén, where food stalls are hidden among antiques and handicrafts, serving complete trays (rice, beans, meat, salad and plantain) for only 8,000 COP.
For breakfast, Panadería Santa Bárbara on Calle 120 sells freshly baked bread and buñuelos from 6 AM. An affordable lunch can be found in the comedores comunitarios near the TransMilenio Usaquén Station, where daily menus cost between 10,000 and 12,000 COP.
Low-cost plans that are worthwhile
Usaquén gives away experiences. On Sundays, the Mercado de las Pulgas (from 9 AM to 5 PM) is a free living museum where you can spend hours observing handicrafts, listening to live music and chatting with artisans. The Iglesia de Santa Bárbara, built in 1665, offers free visits and from its atrium you can see the entire neighborhood.
For a different walk, walk along the Ciclovía de la Carrera 7 on Sundays when it is closed to traffic. From Usaquén to the historic center, there are 12 kilometers of city that can be traveled for free, observing how Bogotá transforms neighborhood by neighborhood.
On Wednesday nights, Bar El Goce Pagano organizes poetry nights with free admission. They only ask you to consume a beer (from 5,000 COP) while listening to young Bogotá poets.
Safety and savings tips for backpackers
Usaquén is relatively safe, but as in any large city, it is advisable to take basic precautions: avoid showing expensive phones on the street, walk on illuminated streets after dark, and keep a copy of your passport in the accommodation.
To get around economically, the TransMilenio from Usaquén station takes you anywhere in Bogotá for 2,950 COP. Buy the TuLlave card at any station and recharge it as needed. Feeder buses (blue) within the neighborhood cost only 2,300 COP.
Tap water in Bogotá is drinkable, so bring your reusable bottle and refill it for free. Many hostels have water filters for their guests.
Usaquén beyond the budget
This neighborhood teaches you that economic does not mean less authentic. Here, between colonial houses and modern graffiti, you discover that Bogotá can be kind to your pocket without sacrificing memorable experiences. Usaquén is not just a place to sleep cheap; it is a lesson on how to travel with your eyes open and a tight budget.
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