Parque de los Hippies: An Oasis in Teusaquillo

On a corner of Bogotá, time seems to stand still. Between Carrera 7 and Calle 39, in the heart of Teusaquillo, lies Parque de los Hippies, a space with no fences, no ticket booth, and no billboards. What it does have are old trees, a brick pergola, a small pond, and a mix of people ranging from university students to families with baby strollers and gentlemen who have been playing chess on the same bench for years. Here at Malokal, we bring you verified information about the cafés and restaurants in the area; use the interactive cards on malokal.com to check the safe neighborhood map (Locals vs. Foreigners), live holiday hours, and book directly via WhatsApp. The prices you see here are reference prices from October 2026 and may change without prior notice.

The park is free and open every day. Around it, within a five-block radius, there are specialty cafés where a good tinto starts at $4,000 COP, bakeries offering pandebono at $2,500 COP, and restaurants with a menu of the day between $15,000 and $22,000 COP. In short, it is one of those few places in the city where you can spend six hours without spending more than $30,000 COP and leave feeling like you did something different.

History and context: from open field to urban refuge

Teusaquillo is one of those neighborhoods that began to take shape in Bogotá during the first decades of the 20th century, when the city started expanding westward and republican and art deco-style houses were built along Carrera 7 and its surroundings. The park area was born as an open space within that residential layout, eventually becoming a natural meeting point for the neighborhood's residents.

The nickname "Parque de los Hippies" took hold in the 1960s and 1970s, when young people from Bogotá's countercultural scene began gathering there to talk, play guitar, and share. There was no official act that named the park that way; it was the people who gave it the name, and it stuck. Today, the park retains that open spirit, although its audience is much more diverse: students from Javeriana and Nacional, lifelong neighbors, young families who moved to Teusaquillo for the tranquility, and foreigners who have arrived attracted by its proximity to Zona G and Centro Internacional.

The park has no grand monuments or monumental infrastructure. Its appeal is precisely that: it is a simple, tree-lined space with cobblestone paths, ample green areas, and a pergola that serves as shelter when the afternoon downpour hits. In October 2026, with the city in a season of intermittent rains, it remains one of the best places in Teusaquillo to read, work on your laptop, or simply sit and watch the day go by.

What to do at Parque de los Hippies and its surroundings

Parque de los Hippies

The main plan here is to let time pass without rushing. The park has several distinct areas: the central part, with the pergola and brick benches, where people are usually chatting and occasional musicians play; the side paths, quieter, ideal for walking or jogging; and the open green areas, where you see groups doing yoga, functional training, or simply a picnic on a blanket. On weekends, vendors of handicrafts, used books, and casual food set up, and it is common to find local entrepreneurship fairs. Although there is no formal closing time, it is recommended to visit during daylight and avoid very late hours of the night, as in any urban park.

A detail few visitors notice: the park is a spot for observing urban birds. Copetones, hummingbirds, common thrushes, and even an occasional owl appear among the mature trees. If you come with binoculars or a camera, the 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. window is the best.

Cine Tonalá

A few blocks from the park, on Carrera 7, is Cine Tonalá, one of Bogotá's most beloved independent cinemas. Its programming includes auteur cinema, documentaries, themed cycles, and premieres that don't make it to the big chains. The space has a café-bar where you can eat something before or after the screening, and the terrace is a good place to chat. It is a perfect plan to combine with an afternoon at the park: you walk, have a drink, watch a movie, and walk back. It is recommended to check the schedule and showtimes directly with the cinema, as they change every week.

Teatro La Candelaria

Teatro La Candelaria is one of Colombia's most important theater companies, with more than five decades of history and its own venue in downtown Bogotá, in the La Candelaria neighborhood. Although it is not within Teusaquillo, it is worth mentioning because it often presents seasons and performances that attract audiences from all over the city, and many attendees combine the outing with a walk through the historic center. If your plan is a full cultural day, you can start at Parque de los Hippies in the morning and end at a Teatro La Candelaria performance at night. Check the current programming before going, as seasons rotate.

Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar

If Parque de los Hippies is not enough for you, Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar is about 15-20 minutes by car or TransMilenio from Teusaquillo. It is Bogotá's largest urban park, with lakes, bike paths, picnic areas, sports courts, and the Jardín Botánico de Bogotá on its western side. It is a full-day plan, especially for families with children who want more space and activities. Admission is free and access is open; it is recommended to go early on weekends because it gets crowded.

Where to eat and drink near Parque de los Hippies

The dining options around the park are varied and, in general, cheaper than in Zona G or Zona T. Along Carrera 7 and Calle 39 there are several bakeries and cafés where tinto, pandebono, and calentado are the stars. Reference prices from October 2026: a specialty coffee between $5,000 and $9,000 COP, a full breakfast between $12,000 and $18,000 COP, a menu of the day between $15,000 and $22,000 COP, and a craft beer between $10,000 and $16,000 COP.

For lunch, the area has several home-style food and author cuisine restaurants at reasonable prices. It is common to find vegetarian and vegan options, something that has grown considerably in Teusaquillo in recent years. For the afternoon, the cafés in the area are good for working with wifi and outlets, although they fill up during peak hours. For the evening, there are small, quiet bars, more for conversation than partying, which fits the residential character of the neighborhood.

A local tip: many of these establishments close relatively early on weekdays (around 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.), so if you're looking for something later, it's best to head toward Zona G or Chapinero. It is recommended to check hours before visiting, especially on holidays.

How to get there and transportation

Parque de los Hippies is located in Teusaquillo, between Carrera 7 and Calle 39, very close to Universidad Javeriana and Centro Internacional. There are several options for getting there:

• TransMilenio: the nearest station is Calle 39 or Calle 45, on the Caracas and Séptima trunk lines. From there it is a 5 to 10-minute walk.
• SITP (city buses): several routes pass along Carrera 7 and Calle 39. It is an economical option, although travel time can vary depending on traffic.
• Taxi or ride-hailing apps: they work well, especially outside peak hours. Keep in mind that the platforms active in Colombia are Rappi and Didi Food for deliveries, and for mobility apps like Uber, Cabify, and DiDi. The Beat app ceased operations in Colombia in November 2022, so you won't find it available.
• Bicycle: Teusaquillo has several bike lanes and the park is a frequent stop for cyclists. There are informal bike parking spots in the surroundings, but it is recommended to use a good-quality lock.
• Walking: if you are staying in Chapinero, Zona G, or Centro Internacional, walking to the park is totally viable and pleasant during the day.

The area is safe during the day, but as in all of Bogotá, it is better to take basic precautions: don't display valuables, avoid lonely streets at night, and use common sense. The area is residential and quiet, with good lighting on the main roads.

Local tips for enjoying Parque de los Hippies

• Go early on weekends. After 10:00 a.m. it gets crowded, especially if there is a fair or event.
• Bring a raincoat. In October 2026 the rainy season is still active; afternoon downpours are frequent and the park doesn't have many covered shelters.
• The best time for photos is between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m., when the light comes through the trees and there are few people.
• If you're going to work, the cafés at Carrera 7 and Calle 39 have wifi and outlets, but arrive before 9:00 a.m. to get a table.
• Don't expect grand monuments. The park's appeal is its atmosphere, its trees, and its people. If you're looking for tourist infrastructure, this is not the place.
• Combine it with the neighborhood. Teusaquillo has republican and art deco houses worth walking past, especially along Carrera 7 and Calle 39 heading south.
• Watch out for myths. There are stories circulating about tunnels or underground spaces in the area, but there is no evidence of visitable public spaces beneath the park. What you see on the surface —pergola, pond, paths, trees— is all there is, and it's enough.
• Budget: you can spend a full day at the park and its surroundings for less than $40,000 COP if you eat the menu of the day and drink local coffee.

Frequently asked questions

Does Parque de los Hippies have an entrance fee?

# It is a public park, free and open to all. There is no ticket booth or formal closing time, although it is recommended to visit during daylight.

Is it safe to visit the park and its surroundings?

During the day it is a quiet and busy area, with the presence of neighbors, students, and families. As in any urban area of Bogotá, it is advisable to take basic precautions: don't display valuables, avoid lonely streets at night, and stay on the main roads.

What can I do near the park if it rains?

If the rain catches you by surprise, you can take shelter in one of the nearby cafés or take the opportunity to visit Cine Tonalá or Teatro La Candelaria. There is always something to do in this part of the city.