Experience Your Future Life in Bogotá
Five nights in the capital, seen the way people who live here see it. Small group, private transportation, and Matt beside you the whole way.
You Don't Have to Figure Bogotá Out Alone
Most people who dream about living abroad never go. Not because they can't, but because doing it alone feels overwhelming. Which neighborhood? What does it really cost? Who do you trust?
This trip takes that weight off. For five nights you have Matt beside you, translating Bogotá into terms that make sense. You test-drive the city with a safety net under you the entire time.
What You'll Actually Do
Bogotá is big, cold in the mornings, and a lot more livable than its reputation. Over five nights we go beyond the tourist version: the colonial center, the markets, the museums, and the neighborhoods people actually live in, at different budgets. You eat very well. By the end, you won't be guessing anymore.
The shape of the trip
- Day 1
Arrival and welcome
We pick you up at the airport and get you settled at the hotel. That evening the group sits down together for a welcome dinner. By dessert, nobody is a stranger.
- Days 2 to 5
The city, up close
Four full days with Matt, 10 to 12 hours a day, in private transportation. Along the way:
- Monserrate, for the view that explains the size of this city in one look
- La Candelaria, the colonial heart of Bogotá, on foot
- The Botero Museum or the Gold Museum
- Paloquemao market, with fruit you've never heard of and a tasting
- Neighborhoods from estrato 3 to estrato 6. Colombia rates every address on a scale from estrato 1 to 6, and it shapes rent, utilities and the feel of a street. We walk several, so you see what each budget actually buys.
- The Usaquén market
- Great lunches and dinners, from neighborhood favorites to the places locals save for a celebration
- Day 6
Departure
Breakfast, goodbyes, and you head to the airport on your own schedule. A taxi or Uber is easy to arrange.
A sample shape. Exact stops and order are finalized closer to the dates.
- Hand-picked hotels with breakfast every night of the trip
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Private ground transportation every day except departure day
- A welcome dinner on arrival night
- Matt as your guide, 10 to 12 hours a day, every day except departure day
- A pre-trip group video call about one week before departure
- Entry fees: the cultural visits on the itinerary
Choose how you'll travel
Prices are in US dollars and exclude airfare. Pay in full at booking, through secure Stripe checkout, or hold your spot with a deposit.
One traveler, your own private room.
Two people sharing one room, booked together in one payment.
$500 per person ($1,000 for a couple) holds your spot, exactly like paying in full. The balance is charged automatically to the same card on November 21, 2026, 60 days before departure. We email you 7 days and 1 day before, and you can pay early anytime. The deposit option is open until November 6, 2026.
What a past guest said
“I attended the scouting trip in October and it was awesome. We visited neighborhoods in various estratos to cover all budgets. … Dined at several restaurants ranging from delicious local Colombian food at neighborhood restaurants to high-end restaurants. We went to local food markets, including a cool one with an abundance of gorgeous flowers and a wide variety of fresh meats, fruits and vegetables. And of course we had a tour of historical areas… You simply will not get this type of experience without having a local escort, and Matt did an excellent job.”
Before you book
What exactly is this?
A small-group, hosted trip for people seriously considering living, retiring, or spending real time in Colombia. Over 5 nights we take you beyond the tourist version of Bogotá: the neighborhoods people actually live in, at different budgets, the markets, the food, and the day-to-day, with Matt as your guide.
Is this a guided tour or a real-estate pitch?
Neither. There is plenty of sightseeing, but the point is scouting: seeing what daily life actually looks and feels like. Nobody is selling you property, and we deliberately show you the honest tradeoffs.
How big is the group?
Small: 6 to 12 guests. A couple counts as two. Each van holds six guests, so a full trip uses two vans. Big enough to meet interesting people, small enough that nobody gets herded around like a tour bus.
What if not enough people book?
Each trip needs at least 6 guests. We'll confirm whether it's running by December 6, 2026. If we cancel for any reason, including not reaching the minimum, you get a full refund of everything you paid us. Not a credit.
What's the accommodation like?
Hand-picked hotels with breakfast every night. Book Solo for your own private room, or Couple for two people sharing one room.
I'm traveling solo. Is that fine?
Completely. A lot of people come solo. Book the Solo option and you get your own private room.
How fit do I need to be?
You should be comfortable walking two to three hours a day at a normal pace, but there is no expectation to do everything. You are always free to rest or skip an activity. If mobility is a concern, tell us when you book and we will plan around it where we can.
How do payments work?
Two ways, both through secure Stripe checkout. Pay in full when you book, or hold your spot with a $500 per person deposit ($1000 for a couple). With a deposit, the balance is charged automatically to the same card on November 21, 2026, 60 days before departure. We email you 7 days and 1 day before, and you can pay early anytime. The deposit option is open until November 6, 2026. Either way, your spot is confirmed once your payment is received and you have our written confirmation by email.
When should I book flights?
After your booking is confirmed in writing, not before. Flights: BOG (Bogotá). Please do not buy non-refundable airfare until you are confirmed.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance with trip-cancellation and medical coverage is required. It is how you protect yourself if an emergency means you have to cancel, and it covers you medically while you are here.
What if I need to cancel?
If you cancel 60 or more days before the trip, your payment converts to a credit toward a future trip. Closer to the trip, cancellation fees apply because our costs are committed. You can also transfer your spot to someone else at no charge. Full details are in the Booking Terms.
What about the altitude?
Bogotá sits at about 2,600 meters (8,600 feet). Most people adjust within a day. We keep the first day light on purpose and talk you through hydration and pacing on arrival. If you have heart, lung, or altitude-sensitive conditions, check with your doctor before booking.
Is it safe?
You are with someone who lives here and knows the country, moving as a group in private transportation. We give you a practical safety briefing on arrival. Part of the whole point of coming with us is that you are not figuring it out alone.
Do I have to be on camera?
No. We film some of the trip for content, but appearing on camera is entirely optional and separate from attending. Just tell us and we will keep you out of the footage.
Full details are in the Booking Terms, Payment & Cancellation Policy. Looking for a different trip? See all scouting trips.
Small group: 6 to 12 guests. A couple counts as two. No countdown clocks and no "only 2 left" games: when you book, you pay securely through Stripe, and your spot is confirmed by email once payment completes.
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