Renting in Bogotá as a foreigner means navigating Finca Raíz, Facebook groups, codeudor requirements, and neighborhood pricing that swings 40% between Chapinero and Usaquén. We’ve placed Colombia residency clients in Chapinero and Rosales who needed furnished scouting stays before signing 12-month leases — this is the practical playbook.
This guide covers platforms, neighborhood rent bands, lease mechanics for non-residents, and the scams that catch newcomers who wire deposits before touring.
Table of Contents
The Easiest Way to Rent an Apartment in Bogota
1. Airbnb– If you’re a traveller, I’m going to assume you know how Airbnb works, so I’ll spare you a boring description. In Bogota, getting your apartment through Airbnb will invariably be more expensive than other options. The upside is that it is undoubtedly the easiest way to get your living situation sorted. If budget is not an issue for you, there are some very nice private rentals (short and long term) in good areas – Colombia is well-served by Airbnb. Just be aware that you’ll be paying 20%-30% more than if you were to search for local listings (don’t worry, we’ll talk about local listings soon)! The upside is that it is undeniably the easiest way to rent an apartment in Bogota.
2. Craigslist – Like Airbnb, you probably all know how Craigslist works. Unfortunately, it hasn’t really caught on in Colombia, so you won’t find many listings. And the ones you do find will normally be priced high because they will be targeting foreigners.
The upside at rental ads aimed at foreigners is that the process for renting is usually much more simple and more secure; the individual who owns the apartment is more likely to speak English or be a foreigner themselves, and therefore won’t require things like cosigners or references so long as you can prove that you have sufficient funds to pay to rent the place for the duration of your stay.
If you have a high budget and don’t speak much Spanish, Craigslist will be one of your easier options down here. Just don’t be surprised if you only find a handful of listings on the site.
3. VRBO – VRBO is similar to Airbnb, although it normally has less listings. The prices on the site are also similar; VRBO may be slightly cheaper. Like the two aforementioned options, the listings are normally in English, so it’s a good resource if you don’t feel comfortable conducting yourself in Spanish.
If you’re looking for easy options, I’d only check out VRBO if you strike out on Airbnb. VRBO isn’t much (if any) cheaper and they have fewer options.
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Facebook Groups
If the easiest options mentioned above strike you as too expensive, the next place I’d check out is Facebook. There are a couple groups that you can join where available apartments and rooms are updated regularly.
2.Expats, People Travelling To Bogota
3.Habitaciones, Chapinero Bogota(do some research on Chapinero first to decide if you’d like to apartment hunt there)
Colombian Options
If you don’t manage to find anything on Facebook, not to worry!
There are plenty of sites operating locally that have tons of listings.
Just make sure to have a currency converter and Google Translate ready, as these listings will typically be in Spanish and in Colombian Pesos.
Here are 10 of the better websites I’ve found.
1. Go Place It
2. ICasas
3. Encuentra24
4. Fincaraiz
6. Lamudi
7. Inmuebles24
8. Bogota OLX
10. Mercado Libre
It will be a bit of a slog going through the listings on these sites – most of them aren’t user friendly and the owners are not very responsive. If you’re lucky, 1 in every 5 phone numbers you call will be answered. It’s even worse with email. I swear it must be hardwired into Colombian DNA not to answer emails. You’ll be lucky if you get 1 response out of every 10 emails you send.
The Roommate Option
Renting a room in someone’s house or apartment is a great option for younger people on a budget. It’s an excellent way to meet people while saving a few pesos in the process. Also, it’s a way to rent an apartment in Bogota without having to go through the sometimes arduous process of finding a place yourself, putting your name on a contract etc.
Along with the Facebook groups I’ve mentioned above, there are 2 other websites that get the My Latin Life stamp of approval for finding a roommate in Bogota.
1. DADA Room
2. CompartoApto
The Old Fashioned Option
Want to find an apartment like a local? Another great option is to simply walk around a neighbourhood you’re interested in living and call the rental numbers you see listed on apartment buildings (don’t worry, you’ll see a lot!). Or, simply talk to the doorman of the building about the unit being rented. He’ll put you in touch with the owner, or sometimes even show you the apartment himself if the owner is not around.
This option is ideal for a few reasons. First of all, finding a listing this way will almost always be cheaper than finding one on Airbnb, where prices tend to be inflated. Second, it’s much more efficient than scrolling through endless listings on the Internet and waiting for someone to respond to you. Finally, the process is quick. If you do it this way, you can get in touch with the owner faster, and if you two agree on a price and a contract for the amount of time you’d like to stay, you can find yourself moving in that very same week…sometimes even the same day.
The downsides of this option is that you’ll need to know how to communicate in Spanish. If your language skills are only basic, it can be intimidating calling phone numbers and talking to doorman. Even worse, it leaves the possibility for miscommunication regarding prices, utilities, house rules etc.
If this seems like a daunting option, try to find a Spanish-speaking friend that can help you out to ensure that you understand what you’re signing up for.
Or, if you prefer to do things yourself and it’s a couple months before you’re set to leave, Learn some Spanish with SpanishPod. It’s effective enough to get you up to a conversational level in a very short period of time.
More often than not, simply walking around and calling numbers and talking to doormen will be the quickest and cheapest way to rent an apartment in Bogota.
Sometimes it’s best to go old school.
Conclusion
Alright, time to bring this to a close.
I hope that I’ve helped demystify the process of finding an apartment rental in Bogota.
Another great place to ask questions about this are travel forums. People who have spent time in the city may know of a trustworthy real estate agent or company who can take care of all this for you.
Happy house hunting.
Until next time,
Vance
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Best Neighborhoods in Bogotá for Expats: Rent Prices and What to Expect
The neighborhood you choose in Bogotá matters as much as the apartment itself. Here’s what to expect across the main expat areas:
| Neighborhood | 1BR (furnished) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Zona Rosa / Chicó | $700–1,100 | Upscale, restaurants, safe at night, international feel |
| Usaquén | $600–950 | Colonial charm, Sunday market, quieter |
| Chapinero Alto | $500–800 | Younger crowd, cafés, more affordable, hilly |
| La Candelaria | $300–500 | Historic center — NOT recommended for expats long-term |
| El Nogal / Rosales | $900–1,400 | Quietest, safest, highest-end residential |
Considering a long-term base? See Colombia digital nomad visa and pensionado paths before signing a year lease.
Lease Terms: What Foreigners Need to Know
Colombian residential leases have some nuances that catch foreigners off-guard:
- Estrato system: Colombian apartments are classified in 6 economic strata, which affects utility rates. Expats typically live in Estrato 4–6 neighborhoods. Higher estrato means slightly higher utility costs but also better building quality and neighborhood infrastructure.
- Administration fee (administración): Most apartment buildings charge a monthly administration fee covering building maintenance, security, and common areas. This fee ($50–200/month) is separate from rent and not always disclosed upfront in listings — always ask.
- Deposit: Standard Colombian leases require 1–2 months deposit. For foreigners without a cédula de extranjería, landlords in upscale buildings may ask for 3 months or a guarantor. Paying 2–3 months upfront in a direct negotiation often bypasses this requirement.
- Annual rent increases: Colombian law caps rent increases at the annual inflation rate. This is written into law — landlords cannot arbitrarily raise rent beyond inflation.
If you’re moving to Bogotá as part of obtaining Colombia residency, our team can connect you with vetted property managers who work specifically with foreign clients and navigate the cédula requirement. Book a consultation call to discuss your residency and housing setup simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners rent apartments in Bogota without a cedula?
Yes, but it requires more negotiation. Most landlords in upscale buildings prefer tenants with a cédula de extranjería (foreign ID card, issued after residency approval). Without one, the most reliable routes are: using Airbnb or furnished apartment platforms for the first 1–3 months, connecting with a property manager who specializes in foreign clients, or negotiating directly with landlords and offering 2–3 months deposit upfront.
What is the cheapest safe neighborhood in Bogota for expats?
Chapinero Alto offers the best combination of safety and affordability — furnished 1-bedroom apartments run $500–800/month. It’s more urban and hill-side than Zona Rosa or Usaquén, with a younger local crowd and good coffee shop concentration. Avoid La Candelaria (the historic center) as a long-term base despite its low prices — the safety profile is inconsistent and it lacks the infrastructure that makes long-term expat life comfortable.
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Bogota?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment in Bogotá’s expat neighborhoods runs $500–$1,100/month depending on the area and building quality. Zona Rosa and El Nogal are the most expensive ($700–1,400/month for 1BR). Chapinero and Usaquén offer good quality at lower prices ($500–950/month). Unfurnished apartments drop 20–30% below furnished rates for equivalent space.
Is it safe to live in Bogota as an expat?
In the right neighborhoods — Zona Rosa, Usaquén, Chapinero, El Nogal, Rosales — Bogotá is manageable for daily life. The rules: use Uber exclusively rather than street taxis, avoid southern Bogotá and La Candelaria at night, keep valuables low-profile in public, and be aware of phone snatching in busy areas. The expat neighborhoods are significantly safer than Bogotá’s overall crime statistics suggest.
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