Student housing in Bogotá: near which universities should you search?

For student housing in Bogotá, the first question is which university: the city has more than 7 million inhabitants and journeys can be long. Once you know the campus, three options open up: a room in a shared flat, from around 250 US dollars (USD) a month, a furnished studio or one-bedroom apartment, between 400 and 800 USD in the northern neighbourhoods, or a room with a host family.

The rental market is governed by law 820 of 2003, which limits rent increases, and renting is very widespread there: according to the DANE quality of life survey, the national statistics institute, 40.8% of Colombian households rent. Here is where to search depending on your university, what budget to plan for and how to avoid scams when searching remotely.

Universities and the neighbourhoods around them

Universidad de los Andes and Universidad del Rosario

The Universidad de los Andes, on carrera 1, and the Universidad del Rosario, on calle 12C, are located near the historic centre. The La Candelaria neighbourhood, right next door, has low rents and suits short stays or students, but safety there is variable: it is less recommended for a long stay. Chapinero, further north, is a central alternative better suited to a stay of a year or more.

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

The national public university has its Bogotá campus around carrera 45 and calle 26. Check the journey from the home you have in mind before signing, especially at rush hour.

The most sought-after neighbourhoods

• Chapinero and the Zona Rosa: central and lively, with restaurants and nightlife. A furnished one-bedroom apartment rents there for 400 to 700 USD a month.
• Cedritos: residential and more affordable, in the north, 350 to 600 USD for a furnished room.
• Usaquén: calm, residential, popular with families, 500 to 900 USD.
• Chicó: upmarket and secure, from 700 USD, above a typical student budget except in a shared flat.

Budget and steps to rent in Bogotá

What student housing costs

• Room in a shared flat or small studio: from around 250 USD a month.
• Furnished one-bedroom apartment in the northern neighbourhoods (Chapinero, Usaquén, Zona Rosa, Cedritos): 400 to 800 USD.
• Furnished two-bedroom apartment, to share between two: 600 to 1,000 USD.

Unfurnished homes are about 40% cheaper, but you then have to equip them. Utilities (water, electricity, gas, internet) are not included in the rent: plan for them on top. Rent is set and paid in Colombian pesos (COP), generally before the 5th of the month, even though some furnished offers aimed at foreigners are listed in dollars.

Rents capped by law 820

According to the DANE, rents actually paid rose 5.01% over a year in August 2026, against inflation of 6.24%. Law 820 of 2003 limits increases: rent can only rise once every twelve months, on the contract's anniversary date, and the increase cannot exceed the previous calendar year's inflation as certified by the DANE. For revisions made in 2026, the cap is 5.1%, Portafolio points out. Owner and tenant can agree on a lower increase, never a higher one.

The application and the lease

• Documents requested: copy of your passport (or of the cédula de extranjería if you have one), proof of resources or recent bank statements, and your admission letter.
• Guarantor: a Colombian guarantor (fiador), often a property owner, is frequently required. Without a guarantor, the owner may ask for several months' rent in advance.
• Security deposit: generally one to three months' rent.
• Duration: a residential lease lasts in principle at least one year. It must state the parties, the address, the rent in pesos, the duration and the termination conditions.
• Visa: Colombia issues a visitor visa for studies. If your country is exempt from a visa, you are also exempt for studies as long as your stay does not exceed 180 days; beyond that, check with the Cancillería.

The Metrocuadrado and Finca Raíz portals concentrate most rental listings in Bogotá.