Air Quality and Environmental Health in Bogotá: Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You
okay, so like, I’m pretty sure I haven’t slept more than six hours straight in a month. it’s a Bogotá thing, you know? the altitude, the noise, the sheer volume of everything. but seriously, the air… it’s a whole thing. i’ve been spending way too much time staring at this map
and it’s starting to feel like a permanent, hazy backdrop to my life.
I’m a touring session drummer - yeah, I know, sounds ridiculous - and my lungs are starting to stage a full-blown revolt. It’s not just the altitude, it’s the particulate matter. Bogotá’s consistently ranked among the most polluted cities in the world. Like, seriously high levels of PM2.5. I checked the EPA data - it’s consistently above the WHO guidelines, especially during the dry season (which, let’s be honest, feels like it’s perpetually happening). I’m talking about levels that’ll make your sinuses weep.
My friend Leo, who’s a freelance photographer (he’s amazing, by the way - check out his stuff on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=freelance%20photographer&sort_by=relevance&location=Bogota%2C+Colombia) told me he’s been seeing a noticeable difference in his skin - dullness, breakouts. He said, and I quote, "It’s like the city is slowly leaching the color out of everything, man. Like, you’re capturing it, but it’s not real color." Deep, right?
Speaking of color, the weather’s been… interesting. It’s this weird, perpetually damp haze, like someone spilled a giant grey watercolor across the city. It’s not rain, exactly, more like a constant, clinging humidity. It’s like living inside a slightly sad, perpetually overcast aquarium. You know, a short flight south to Medellín and it’s practically sunshine and rainbows - a total contrast. And Guatape? Don’t even get me started. That’s where you go to pretend you’re not coughing up a lung.
Let’s talk numbers, because I’m a sucker for data, even if it’s depressing. Rent in Chapinero, which is where I’m currently squatting (don’t judge - it’s a musician’s life!), is averaging around $800-$1200 a month for a tiny studio. And the job market for musicians? Let’s just say it’s… competitive. I’ve been hustling gigs at bars and clubs, but it’s a grind. Here’s a quick breakdown of the cost of living (sourced from Numbeo - https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/):
| Category | Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (Studio) | $800-1200 | Chapinero is pricier. |
| Groceries | $300-400 | Depends on your habits. |
| Transportation | $100-200 | Metro is your friend. |
| Utilities | $50-100 | Can fluctuate. |
| Entertainment | $200-300 | Bogotá’s got cheap beer and street food. |
Okay, okay, enough with the spreadsheets. I overheard some locals at a cafe in Usaquén - they were practically spitting out the information - saying that the biggest polluters are the older buses and the industrial areas just outside the city. Apparently, there’s a huge debate about relocating some of those factories, but it’s moving slower than a sloth on espresso.
Here’s a slightly darker rumor, though: a local warned me about the ‘fog’ that rolls in from the Andes during the winter. They said it’s not just fog; it’s laden with pollutants and can seriously affect your respiratory system. Don’t ask me where they heard it, but it stuck with me.
Seriously, though, if you’re planning a trip, invest in a good mask. And maybe a humidifier. And a really, really good air purifier. I’m considering investing in a small, portable oxygen tank. Don’t laugh.
I’m also trying to find some good hiking trails - anything to get me out of the city and into some cleaner air. I found a Reddit thread with some suggestions: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bogota/comments/13q435k/best_hiking_trails_near_bogota/.
And finally, a little something to brighten the gloom:
Just… be careful out there. And maybe carry a handkerchief. Seriously.
---
*Bogotá is a city of contrasts, a beautiful, chaotic mess. The Andes loom in the distance, a constant reminder of the clean air you’re missing. Chapinero is a vibrant neighborhood, but the air quality is… well, you know. The Metro is a lifesaver, but it’s also packed with people and, you know, air. The government is trying, but it’s a slow process. The pollution* is a serious problem, and it’s getting worse. It’s a tough city to love, but it’s a city I’m stubbornly clinging to. For now.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/ankara-a-tired-cold-and-surprisingly-human-capital
- https://topiclo.com/post/rostovondon-surviving-siberian-winds-on-a-students-ramen-budget
- https://topiclo.com/post/dakar-unfiltered-safe-zones-secret-danger-zones
- https://topiclo.com/post/studying-in-tianjin-top-universities-and-student-life-dont-ask-me-how-i-got-here-2
- https://topiclo.com/post/remote-work-in-douala-is-it-a-digital-nomad-paradise