Introduction

So you've got a few days in Bogota and trying to figure out what to do? Here are a few tips on what not to miss based our short visit.

Must do:

Ciclovia. Bogota’s weekly cycling bonanza entails shutting down 100+ miles of roads throughout the city. Folks from every walk of like (okay, maybe “cycle of life” in this case) take to the streets that on every other day are chock full of cars and buses. Tailpipes spewing fumes are replaced by a cacophony of bicycle bells, radios, and laughter. Rent a bike from Bogota Bicycle Tours in La Candelaria (note: hours are from 7a to 2p, so good to start your day early).
Usaquen. This district in the north of Bogota has a fantastic colonial quarter and is home to some great restaurants. We would recommend an Italian place named Café Amarti, located right on the main square. You can ideally time your visit on Sunday – taking advantage of Ciclovia to get there by bicycle and also allowing you to experience the weekly Usaquen flea market.
Museo de Oro. If you go to only one museum, check out this spot dedicated to Colombian ancient fascination with gold. There are countless incredible pieces, and no collection in the world can rival what you see here. Don't go on Sundays. It is a free admission each Sunday, so swamped with locals. There are free guides in English, but you might be bored after 15 minutes. It's equally impressive to wander about on your own.
Botero museum. Fernando Botero is one of the national prides of Colombia. Even if you aren't much of an art fan, you will probably enjoy checking out his whimsical works in this free museum.
La Candelaria. This neighborhood is walking distance from the city center and home to many college students and others with an affinity for counter-culture. Plazoleta del Chorro de Quevedo is a great place to experience Bogota's educated, trendy youth hanging out in evening. The chill vibe harkens back to California's Berkeley of yesteryear. La Pequena Santa Fe café is a cool, tiny place to have a drink and try some local fare.
Eat empanadas and/or arepa off the street. For ~60 cents, this is a great way to try to local food and maybe even strike up a conversation with some Bogotanos.

Honorable mentions:

Monserrate. Towering above the urban expanse, this spots affords fantastic views and is a massively popular spots with locals on Sunday. There are several options for getting there and back: walking, donkey, funicular (train running up ridiculously steep tracks), and cable car. When we went, the walking path was only open on Sundays and the funicular only ran until noon each day.
Ride the Transmilenio. With more than 1.6 million daily riders, Bogota's wildly successful public transportation system is comprised of a complicated set of bus routes segregated off from normal traffic. I would highly recommend getting a smartphone app to help you navigate. We used "Bogota Bus" – go for the paid version, totally worth it.
Andres Carnes de Res (DC or Chia). Recommended by everyone we talked to in advance of our trip, these gargantuan establishments are a destination for both locals and tourists. The meals are pricey for what you get, but you are paying for the atmosphere. Enjoy the Latin-circus-meets-Las-Vegas environment. Make a reservation well in advance or get there early.
Parque 93. This place feels as posh as any Manhattan upper eastside green space. It is the place for upscale parents to bring their kids for a quick play date on Sunday mornings, and there are plenty of nice shopping and dining spots close to the park.
The Zona T Area around Sofitel (83rd and 13th) has lots of outdoor dining, drinks, cafes, shopping. Higher-end nightlife spot, but good for a broad range of ages. If you are looking for something authentically Colombian, this is not the place to go. Most of the stores are international brands that you can find in any city (Diesel, Levi’s, Bulgari, Burger King, blah, blah, blah), but there are still a few good finds for coffee or a meal.
Central Cevicheria. This upscale, hip restaurant in Zona T has a wide selection of ceviche and other seafood. The ceviche sauces were a bit heavy compared to the Peruvian style that we are used to, but we still enjoyed it.
Crepes and Waffles. This popular chain of restaurants serves a huge array of crepes for all times of the day. The numerous locations have hip interiors are popular with locals (who can afford it) and tourists alike.
Cathedral de Sal. This underground salt mine turned tourist attraction is located in a surrounding town name Zipaquira. You can get there by taxi, but public transportation works pretty well, too. The basic ticket package is just fine, so don't feel too pressured to pay for add-on options. Tours in English are available, but they don't start that frequently. It is definitely worth waiting for the English tour if your Spanish isn't up to snuff. Expect some cheesiness – this is a bit of a tourist trap. We would only recommend it if you are in the Bogota area for more than 3 days (or particularly fond of churches).
Drink chicha in La Candelaria. One small but popular alleyway, Callejon del Embudo, is home to a number of tiny bars/cafes where chicha is the drink of choice. Step outside of your comfort zone and into any of these cool little spots. Chicha is a mildly-alcoholic drink made with corn. Describing in great detail here probably would turn you off from it, so I'm just going to say "go for it!" It's easier to drink if you don't smell it.

Avoid:

Walking around after dark (except for busy and/or safe areas). You will see the entire spectrum of rich to poor and sane to crazy on the streets of Bogota, so travel smart. Don't flash clothes, bags, cash, jewelry, etc. that bring attention to you and your potential worth. Avoid looking totally lost and vulnerable on the street. Step into a restaurant and get your bearings if you are unsure of things. Walking after dark should be totally fine in the most touristed areas like Zona T, but for longer walks and in less popular areas opt for a taxi instead.
Forgetting to apply sunscreen. Bogota is at a surprisingly high elevation – 8,600ft! That means the sun can give you a nasty burn quicker than usual.
Over-exerting yourself upon arrival. Another impact of Bogota's extreme elevation is that you will become winded more easily breathing the thin air. So go easy the first few days and drink lots of water. Those with a history of altitude sickness may even want to consult with their doctor on whether medication like Diamox might be appropriate.
Getting your hopes up over Colombian coffee. Most of what we had wasn't very good. The good stuff is exported.

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