Bogota housing guide for exchange students.

Vibe: Colorful colonial streets, steep hills, museums, street art, student crowds, a bit chaotic. Who loves it: Students who want culture, walkable streets, and to be close to universities like Rosario, Los Andes, Externado. Who hesitates: Students very stressed by safety, or who want quiet, polished residential areas.

Many of the famous exchange residences are here: CentralX 18 & 21 (ex-LivinnX), R10, and other hostels / casas. CentralX 18 sits in the “Downtown and Cultural Centre” area, a short walk from classic Candelaria sites.

Students describe Candelaria like this:

Takeaways for you

• In the daytime, Candelaria and its surroundings are lively and full of students. At night, nearly everyone takes Uber and avoids walking alone.
• You’ll likely be closest to campus here, especially for Rosario, Externado and Los Andes; many students walk to class.
• Socially, it’s super intense: lots of exchange students, immediate access to bars like Coco Loco, and big house-style residences (see below).

Technically separate from Candelaria but right next to it, this is where CentralX 18 & 21 are located, as well as other student residences. It’s a highly urban, central district with mixed reputations: good in terms of location and services, rougher in terms of street life at night.

Students are very honest:

If you choose Santa Fe / CentralX, you’re accepting:

• Pros * Walkable or short Uber to most central universities. * Huge concentration of exchange students in the building. * Modern, all-in-one lifestyle (gym, rooftop, study rooms, food truck).
• Cons * Streets outside feel rough at night; nearly everyone goes out in groups or by Uber. * Less “local” integration; many French/European students end up in the same tower.

We’ll detail CentralX later, because it’s one of the main options.

Head further north and you hit Chapinero, one of Bogotá’s trendiest areas: mix of students, young professionals, LGBTQ+ community, cafes, coworking spaces, and nightlife. Inside Chapinero you find Zona T / Zona Rosa, one of the city’s classic going-out districts, and areas like Chapinero Alto, popular among students for housing.

Travel and expat guides consistently describe Chapinero / Zona T / Parque 93 / Usaquén as among the safer and more comfortable choices, with higher real-estate prices and lots of restaurants and bars.

Students back this up:

If you live here:

• You’re further from the historic center, but closer to nightlife and many safe residential options.
• Commutes to Rosario / Externado / Los Andes are usually 20–40 minutes by Uber, depending on traffic.
• Studios, Airbnbs, and residences like Estu Casa or Esstudia tend to be more expensive but also more polished.

Usaquén is a charming, slightly more “village” area in the far north: cobbled streets, Sunday market, restaurants, and a very residential, family–expat vibe. It’s seen as one of the safer, more upscale zones and is often recommended in expat guides.

Your trade-off: you’re far from central universities, but closer to some language schools, companies, and quiet living. Most exchange students don’t base themselves here unless they have a specific reason (internship, local family, etc.).

If you’re going to Universidad de La Sabana, your campus isn’t in Bogotá itself but near Chía, a smaller town north of the city.

Chía can be a good base if your life is 90% campus + trips and you’re okay coming into Bogotá mainly on weekends.

These are modern, multi-story residences designed for students: individual rooms, shared kitchens and living rooms, often with gym, rooftop, study rooms and 24/7 security.

CentralX 18 & 21 (ex-LivinnX) Website: centralx.com.co ([Central X][8])

Students have a lot to say:

Pros

• Very social: many IESEG, French and other internationals in one place. Great for first friends, before-parties, movie nights.
• Safe inside: 24/7 security, cameras, reception, controlled access.
• Comfortable: gym, rooftop, study spaces, often a food truck downstairs with complete cheap meals.
• Short commute to Rosario, Externado, Javeriana, Los Andes (usually 10–20 minutes by foot or Uber).

Cons

• Neighborhood: Santa Fe / central area is busy and can feel rough; nearly everyone relies on Uber at night.
• Price vs local market: often around €350–€450/month, which is high compared to local rents.
• Bubble risk: lots of Europeans; several students said they barely met Colombians in their building.

If you like the idea of a “student village in the sky” and you’re okay with being smart about safety outside, CentralX is one of the easiest landings.

Esstudia & other residences

Residences like Esstudia place students in Chapinero, often literally across the street from universities like Javeriana, with private rooms, common areas, and strong security.

These are less present in our student feedback but worth checking if your uni is nearby and you want a quieter, more “local + international mix”.

In Bogotá, colivings are big houses divided into private rooms with shared kitchens and social spaces. They’re especially popular among exchange students who want a family-style atmosphere.

Website: r10colombia.com

R10 is a legendary coliving in La Candelaria created for exchange students. It hosts 30+ people, mostly internationals, in a historic building with big shared spaces.

Students say:

Pros

• Super social, easy to make friends from day one.
• Located in the historic center, walking distance from Rosario / Los Andes.
• Feels more like a big house than a tower.

Cons

• Many Europeans; you’ll need to make a conscious effort to meet Colombians elsewhere.
• Several students felt the price (around €300–€350) was high for Bogotá standards.
• House can be cold and a bit basic.

If you want the “I live with 20 people and there’s always someone to do something with” feeling, R10 delivers.

Instagram: @estucasabogota ([Instagram][7])

Estu Casa runs several houses in Chapinero Alto, marketed as safe, social student housing. Think medium-sized casas (10–20 students), international mix, and a chill-but-social vibe.

Students who lived there say:

Pros

• Good balance: social but not a 30-person mega-casa.
• Located in a safer, more comfortable neighborhood (Chapinero) with good cafes, restaurants and nightlife.
• Easy to reach Zona T and the north for going out.

Cons

• Commute to central campuses is longer (often 25–40 minutes by Uber).
• Still mostly exchange students; for full local immersion, you’ll need to go beyond the casa.

Several students found housing through:

• University housing teams (Los Andes, Rosario)
• Airbnb (often shared with friends)
• Smaller casas recommended by universities or previous cohorts

If your group of friends is already formed, renting an entire apartment or house via Airbnb or a local agency can be a great option, just double check the safety of the area with locals and previous students.

• Uber, Uber, Uber > “Always take Uber, never yellow taxis.” (Adam, CESA) > “Uber is cheap, we used it for everything.” (Charlotte, Externado) Many local and travel sources suggest ride-hailing or official taxis ordered by app rather than hailing cabs in the street, especially at night.
• No phone in hand in the street > “Don’t walk with your phone in your hand. We saw lots of thefts.” (multiple students)
• Don’t walk alone late at night > “Center is ok in the day, but at night we never walked even to the shop 1 minute away; always in groups.” (Marine, Externado)
• North > Center > South Guides and locals generally consider the north safer than the south, with central areas mixed and some neighborhoods (esp. south of Candelaria) strongly discouraged. Students’ short version: > “North: ok. Center: ok but be careful at night. South: no.” (Marine, Externado)

• Heavy traffic means 30–60 minutes for many Ubers, even over modest distances.
• From CentralX / Candelaria to Chapinero or Zona T, count 20–40min depending on the time.
• From Chía / La Sabana into Bogotá, 1–1.5 hours is normal.
• There is public transport (TransMilenio buses, local buses) and some students use it a few times “for the experience”, but most eventually default to Uber for safety & convenience.

Because it’s cool and can be damp:

• Many older houses are cold inside. Students at R10 or colivings often talk about sleeping in hoodies.
• Having good blankets and a small heater can be life-changing.
• Rooftops are amazing on clear evenings, but don’t expect Mediterranean terraces, bring a jacket.

• Go to the Feedback tab on Studcasa for Bogotá + your university.
• Read reviews from students at your exact uni and semester if possible.
• Spot patterns: * Is everyone at CentralX? * Are there multiple people in Estu Casa or R10? * Who seems to have a lifestyle you’d like (lots of trips? lots of locals? quieter life?)

Then DM 2–3 of them.

You can literally write:

Hearing a two-minute rant about noise, staff, or neighbors will tell you more than any website.

In your Studcasa group, drop a message:

Every time someone posts a message like that, ten private DMs happen afterwards. That’s how so many flatshares start.

Ask:

• Who wants to live walking distance from campus?
• Who prefers Chapinero & nightlife?
• Who’s trying to live with locals or Spanish speakers?

Once you see clusters, you can join one.

You’ll love:

• CentralX 18 or 21
• R10
• Big casas recommended by your uni

You’ll be surrounded by internationals, never short of plans, and most logistics (security, bills, Wi-Fi) are handled for you.

Trade-offs: less contact with Colombians in daily life, higher rent, more noise.

You’ll probably prefer:

• Estu Casa or similar colivings in Chapinero
• Esstudia / other residences near Javeriana
• A shared apartment in Chapinero or around Calle 60–90

You’ll commute to central campuses but have great access to restaurants, nightlife and slightly safer, nicer streets.

Try to:

• Find a shared apartment with Colombians (through local listings or Studcasa connections).
• Choose neighborhoods where locals live too: areas of Chapinero, Teusaquillo, Usaquén.

You can still party in Zona T or go to Gringo Tuesday, but your daily life will force you to speak Spanish and understand the culture.

• Rosario / Los Andes / Externado: Candelaria / Central (CentralX, R10, LivinnX-style places, or apartments nearby).
• Javeriana: Chapinero residences.
• La Sabana: Chía houses or residences next to campus.

• Very cheap rent in southern neighborhoods or vaguely described “near Candelaria” without exact address.
• Landlords refusing any form of contract or receipt, or pressuring you to send a big transfer immediately.
• Places with no clear security (broken lock, no guard, no building access control) in central areas.

• Living too far from your own social circle A dreamy apartment in Usaquén can feel lonely if all your friends are in CentralX or Candelaria.
• Underestimating traffic “It’s only 7km” is meaningless. Forty minutes in a car is normal.
• Ignoring safety for a slightly cheaper room Nearly every student who had issues did so when walking alone at night, showing their phone, or taking random taxis.
• Booking without talking to actual students first Two DMs on Studcasa would have avoided a lot of “staff is horrible / neighborhood is sketchy / house is freezing” moments.

• Knock on doors, introduce yourself, suggest a first group dinner.
• Ask where people are going out that week: Gringo Tuesday is often a classic starter for exchange students, even if everyone later moves on to more local spots.
• Collect practical tips: where to buy sheets cheaply, which supermarkets are best nearby (Oxxo, Éxito, Olímpica, etc.), how to use the laundry system.

• Share where you ended up living: > “Hey, I’m in CentralX 18 in a 4-person flat, if anyone’s here too, let’s grab a coffee.”
• Suggest a housewarming or rooftop meet-up if your residence allows it.

When you make one or two “allies” in the first days, everything becomes easier: finding good areas, splitting Ubers, learning where not to go.