The Ultimate Guide to Dentists in Bogotá

Last fact-checked: 17 February 2021

Check into Bogota, Colombia’s engaging capital, to nab an excellent deal on dental care. The dentists in Bogota listed on Dental Departures are reliable, affordable and rate highly with international patients—so put this exciting destination on your shortlist if you’re looking for a more cost-effective way of achieving that new and improved smile.

Bogota–In Brief

Before the Spanish arrived, Sabana de Bogota was inhabited by the Muisca, a pre-Colombian Indian group. The Spanish era began in 1538, and it was renamed Santa Fe de Bogota, but typically referred to as just Santa Fe. In 1717 it became the capital of the viceroyalty comprising of present-day Colombia, Panama, Venezuela and Ecuador and was declared as the capital of Colombia after independence.

Despite its well-documented problems throughout the 20th century, Bogota has continued to expand, becoming a now-thriving city that buzzes with energy and creativity. Talented entrepreneurs and collectives are brimming with new ideas, transforming once-no-go neighborhoods into welcoming, eclectic hubs where you can get a craft beer, take a leisurely lunch and shop for exquisite, hand-made shoes. Art galleries, fine dining, panoramic views or hip bars—whatever takes your mood, there is a neighborhood in Bogota where you’ll find it.

La Candelaria is the oldest neighborhood and situated in the heart of Bogota; its cobbled streets and brightly-painted colonial buildings provide plenty of Instagramable material for tourists, while it’s also quite a hot spot for art and museum buffs. Chapinero-Zona G is where to head for fine-dining, cosmopolitan bars and LGBT-friendly clubs and Zona Rosa is another great party spot. Parque 93, one of the prettiest neighborhoods in Bogota, boasts a wonderful central park—perfect for picnics amidst the backdrop of glass-clad skyscrapers and the smoky Andes mountains in the distance.

Like any major city, Bogota is busy and full of traffic, but its plus points far outweigh its minuses. If you’re visiting for dental care, it’s worth making the most of your downtime by exploring this great metropolis.

Why Visit a Dentist in Bogota?

In the last two decades, Colombia has transformed from a failed state into one of Latin America’s powerhouses. It is now regularly dubbed one of the top ‘must-see’ countries by the travel industry.

Colombia’s industries have quickly responded to the positive changes, and from coffee shops to dental clinics, small, fledgling businesses have created thriving new enterprises. Dental tourism is one of them, following hot on the heels of the tourist boom.

As many people living in established economies are finding it more difficult to pay for dental care with prices going through the roof, emerging economies are filling the gap by offering the same services for half price or less. This is the story with Colombia; now that it is a safe country to visit, there has never been a better time to go, especially for those looking to combine dental treatment with a vacation.

Bogota is Colombia’s capital city, and as such is one of the highlights of the country. It is also a great transport hub for visiting other destinations in Colombia, with affordable flights (and, for those with a little more time on their hands, buses) departing several times a day for destinations like Cartagena, Medellin and Cali.

How Does the Cost of Dental Care in Bogota Compare with the United States and Canada?

Check out the prices for dental care in Bogota, compared to at home. Plus, booking with Dental Departures’ gives you our best price guarantee, so you’ll always pay the best rates, with savings of up to 75%.

	US Price ($)	Colombia Price ($)	Canada Price (CAD $)	Colombia Price (CAD $)
All-on-4® treatment concept	20,000	6,400	26,000	10,600
Crowns	1,200	500	1,600	580
Fillings	170	64	225	84
Implants	3,900	1,280	5,100	1,691
Veneers	1,461	380	1,937	500
Dentures	1,700	380	2,254	500
Root Canal	1,700	600	1,254	800
Whitening	387	200	513	264

[Note: These figures are estimates at the time of writing; please check our clinic listings for up-to-date prices.]

Where to Stay in Bogota?

You fill discover a wide range of accommodations options in Bogota to suit all tastes, styles and budgets. Plus, Bogota’s neighborhoods also offer something different. Chapinero is an upmarket neighborhood with a good selection of restaurants and shopping, or there’s Santa Fe, the Downtown area which is a favorite with all sorts of travelers, including those who want to soak up the sights and sounds of the city.

Explore museums galore in the area, or take the cable car to Monserrate Mountain with its fantastic views from the top.

Will I Be Safe in Bogota?

Generally, yes. It is a welcoming, friendly city, but don’t leave your common-sense at home. Don’t take risks, flaunt your wealth or walk around deserted streets at night. Most of the tourist areas are safe, with the biggest threat, just like most major cities, coming from bag snatchers and pickpockets.

Is the Quality of Dental Care in Bogota Comparable to Back Home?

Skilled dental training and treatment can now be found in the best clinics around the world, so there’s no need to worry too much that the dentists will be inferior to the dentists at home. Likewise, dental clinics that cater to international patients are modern and use the same brands and materials as your dentist at home.

That said, research beforehand is always advisable. You’d want to know who is looking inside your mouth at home, and the same applies abroad. Obviously, at home you can ask around for recommendations, but it’s not likely to be so easy to do that when finding a dentist in Bogota.

Dental Departures can help you with this as all the dentists listed on our website have been verified by our background checks. This means that we’ve confirmed dentist qualifications and professional memberships. We’ve also collected and published real patient reviews, as well as clinic photos, maps and prices. Plus, we’ve carried out onsite visits and checked legal/criminal records. If we’re not happy about any aspect of what we find, the clinic doesn’t make the cut.

To get started on finding dentists in Bogota, take a look at some of our popular clinics:

• Dentica by Cristina Suaza
• Natural Design
• Estetica Dental Avanzada Bogota

What Happens if Something Goes Wrong? Is My Dental Care Guaranteed?

While it’s true that no medical or dental treatment can ever be completely guaranteed, things are less likely to go wrong if you choose a reliable facility. That’s where Dental Departures comes in: all our clinics offer guarantees on the work they carry out, as well as any laboratory work. This can be useful, for example, if you’re planning to have dentures, crowns or veneers, all of which rely on high-quality materials and precise production. With these guarantees, any complications arising before you fly back can be fixed free-of-charge.

For major treatment, it is probably worth considering taking out medical complications insurance, which will cover accommodation and travel expenses should you have to return to your dentist in Bogota.

Do the Dentists in Bogota Speak English?

All the clinics listed on Dental Departures have English-speaking dentists, as well as experience treating international patients.

What Payment Methods Are Accepted?

The usual payment methods are accepted at most clinics, including Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards and bank transfers (and of course cash). However, you can clarify the payment methods on each clinic listing on our site.

When Is the Best Time to Visit a Dentist in Bogota?

The average temperature in Bogota is reasonably stable over the course of the year. Temperatures tend not to be hot and have been described as ‘cloudy with sunny spells’. However, the subtropical highland climate means that temperatures can fluctuate considerably during the course of a single day.

The driest time of the year in Bogota is normally December through to March, which also coincides with two of the busiest times of the year: Christmas and Easter.

You can visit our dentists at any time of the year. However, do remember to check for national holidays and book your accommodation a little further in advance if your visit coincides with a festival or religious holiday.

What Else Is There To See in Bogota?

Culture vultures will have a lot to get through in Bogota as there are A LOT of museums and art galleries. The San Felipe neighborhood is home to at least a dozen newer art galleries from established Colombian and Latin American artists. La Candelaria, Bogota’s cobbled, old town, is where you’ll find the Museo Botero, dedicated chiefly to the works of Colombian artist Fernando Botero, but there are also other works from international artists, including Claude Monet. Meanwhile, Downtown is where the National Museum of Colombia is located, as well as the International Emerald Museum, the Gold Museum and countless others.

The Gold Museum is a good place to visit on a Sunday when most of the city is shut (plus, it's free on Sundays). The museum is within walking distance of Carrera 7, one of the main streets in the city that gets closed off to traffic on Sunday to make way for live music, street performances and food stalls, among other things. On Sunday mornings, joggers, cyclists and dog-walkers are all out in force and if you fancy a free fitness class, check out the parks and join in.

Just outside Bogota, you can experience different scenery at the Chorrera Waterfall; at 590 meters high, it’s the largest in Colombia and the sixth largest in Latin America. In the middle of a cloud forest, you’ll be able to see plenty of wildlife with camping and even abseiling opportunities nearby.

Another attraction nearby is the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira. This subterranean church is built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters underground. As a functioning Catholic church, it is part of the larger Salt Park complex that comprises a museum and other attractions.

Overall, Bogota is a lively city that provides all the trappings of a Big City—a good nightlife, amazing restaurants and lots of cultural things to see, but it’s not too far to get out into the countryside and experience the Great Outdoors (and those great views!) Your dental care should leave you enough time to get out there and see it all.

Traveling to Bogota

International flights from around the world land at Bogota’s international airport.

Visa Information

For tourists staying less than 90 days, a visa is not usually required for Americans, Canadians, Europeans, Aussies and Kiwis.

Getting Around Bogota

There is no metro in Bogota, but they do have the TransMilenio—a bus network that essentially is masquerading as a subway. The buses are reasonably efficient, but in rush hour can get very crowded. Otherwise, it’s taxis or Ubers.

Distance from Bogota to Other Major Tourist Locations

• Zipaquira, 27 miles (43 km)
• Chorrera, 33 miles (54 km)
• Medellin, 260 miles (421 km)
• Cali, 287 miles (463 km)
• Cartagena 660 miles (1,063 km)
• Barranquilla, 623 miles (1,004 km)

How Do I Get Started Arranging a Dental Tourism Trip to Bogota?

You can find a dentist in Bogota by searching our listings for the best clinics in town. If you have any questions or would like a free quote, then don’t hesitate to speak to our Customer Care Team who are always on hand to assist you.

Or if you are ready to schedule your appointment you can do so online right here, any time of the day or night, at no charge to you. Start saving up to 70% on your next dental treatment!

Sources:

Bogota. Colombia Info Org. Website Accessed: 17 February 2021. http://www.colombiainfo.org/en-us/cities/bogota.asp

“Bogota: Where Cosmopolitan meets Colonial.” Lonely Planet. Website Accessed: 17 February 2021. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia/bogota

Chan, Szu Ping. “Colombia: From Failed State to Latin American Powerhouse.” The Telegraph. 28 February 2015. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/globalbusiness/11441732/Colombia-from-failed-state-to-Latin-American-powerhouse.html

Balsinger Olivia. “I Saved Thousands of Dollars by Having Surgery Abroad.” New York Post. 31 July 2018. https://nypost.com/2018/07/31/i-saved-thousands-of-dollars-by-having-surgery-abroad/

Roja, Keilma. 5 Places to Visit Near Bogota. Day Tours 4 U. 4 May 2017. https://www.daytours4u.com/en/travel-guide/1/5-places-to-visit-near-bogota/

Zaino, Lori. 9 Reasons Bogota Should be on Your Bucket List. The Points Guy. 14 October 2018. https://thepointsguy.com/2017/10/reasons-to-visit-bogota-colombia/

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Bogota. Uncover Colombia. 25 October 2018.

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Gwendolyn. Top 15 Things to Do in Bogota. Medellin Guru. 22 March 2018. https://medellinguru.com/things-to-do-in-bogota/

Kelly, Guy. Why you should go to Colombia now – before it's too late. The Telegraph. 11 February 2017. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/south-america/colombia/articles/colombia-go-now-before-mass-tourism-arrives/

What are dentures, bridges, veneers and dental implants made of? NHS. Website Accessed: 17 February 2021. https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/what-are-dentures-bridges-veneers-and-dental-implants-made-of/

Smile makeover and facial aesthetics. Bupa. Website Accessed: 17 February 2021. https://www.bupa.co.uk/dental/treatment-services/cosmetic/makeover-aesthetics