Want to get to know new people? Practicing Spanish in Bogotá? Get creative while traveling? Get to know the Colombian culture? Look beyond the standard activities and experience the creative side of Colombia. A country with a huge handicraft culture. Especially in recent years, there are more and more creative workshops and small entrepreneurs making the most beautiful things. I go to at least two creative workshops every week in Bogotá. I do crochet (wool stores and workshops below), ceramics (I make more and more myself), watercolor (painting and language exchange at the same time) and I paint totebags. In this article you will read 5 creative workshops you can join in Bogotá. Also in combination with practicing Spanish.
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Handicrafts in Colombia
Colombia breathes handicrafts, or artesanías in Spanish. From the famous colored Wayuu bags to typical sombreros and so much more. In Colombia, you can find everything. More and more people are doing handicrafts. Making everything themselves in a sustainable way. With materials from Colombia. Look for example at this really beautiful jewelry from Coco Lush. Made in Colombia.
And are you in Colombia in December and love local handicrafts? Then be sure to visit the famous Expo Artesanias in Corferias in Bogotá, where Colombia’s finest handicrafts come together. I have been there and it is truly spectacular.
No wonder that in Bogotá, or really anywhere in Colombia, you have more and more entrepreneurs selling homemade products. And you can also do fun creative workshops everywhere. Even in the smallest villages.
Why should you join a creative workshop while traveling?
No time for workshops while travelling? Go off the beaten path and look beyond what is ‘normal’.
Being creative is not only very relaxing, it also gives your life more depth (it is also SO much fun to use your homemade stuff). Furthermore, you get to know Colombian culture through it. It is a very good way to meet people, learn something new and practice Spanish. Are you an introvert traveling in Colombia? Then this is a nice, casual way to get to know the culture and have a social moment.
Also nice: in Colombia, these workshops cost a fraction of what you (probably) pay for it at home.
And if this is not enough: you also support local small business owners. Instead of buying a souvenir that was actually imported, make it yourself or buy it from someone who made it in a small workshop in Colombia.
So: Leave the tourist stream aside for once and venture into the undiscovered Bogotan path. And who knows, maybe I’ll see you soon at one of the workshops below!
Want to know all the creative things I do in Bogotá? Search on my Instagram account for the pinned story “Creative Life.
5 Creative workshops in Bogotá to do during your stay
1. Dame tu Lengua: combine practicing Spanish with painting or other activities
Dame tu Lengua (literally translated: give me your tongue) is a cultural center where intercultural exchange is combined with all kinds of workshops. You can practice Spanish, take salsa lessons, cooking classes and there are all kinds of creative workshops.
Painting and language exchange
I myself go to Colorverso (almost) every Wednesday. This is a cross-cultural watercolor painting workshop. You don’t need to sign up and admission is free. You just have to order something from the menu (menu 1 vegetarian empanadas is highly recommended). All kinds of different people come together, many eager to meet new people and learn new things. About 80% are Colombian, and they often like to practice English. And foreigners who come like to practice Spanish. For me, it’s a nice way to get to know people and learn to watercolor better.
So you have a very cozy hodgepodge of people to chat with. Meanwhile, you are painting. Every week there is a different theme, organized by Lina. Lina also gives watercolor courses in case you really want to go for it.
You can also go on Friday nights, when there is watercolor with wine.
Perfect for when you are traveling in Colombia and want to do fun activities in Bogotá combined with getting to know people and learning Spanish. Or if you live (temporarily) in Bogotá this is also a great place to spend your free time.
Dame tu Lengua practical
Location: Calle 55 # 9-23, Chapinero, Bogotá, Colombia (here on the map)
Website Dame tu Lenga
Cost: free and paid, depending on what you want to do
How do you pay? On site cash, credit or debit card
Language: Spanish and English are spoken. There are also language exchanges French and German
Do you need to bring your own painting supplies? No! Lina has everything for you. It’s not of the best quality, but you can paint with it. I myself always bring my own watercolor stuff.
On Instagram you will find much more information and stay up to date on activities:
VigoSketchbook: painting and socializing on Thursday nights
You can find something similar further north in Bogotá, so it’s ideal if you’re staying in El Chicó, for example. VigoSketchbook organizes a watercolor night every Thursday from 6 PM that you can attend for free. You just need to order something from the menu there as well. Chatting and painting at the same time—it’s ideal for practicing your Spanish, getting to know the culture, doing something different, or helping Colombians with their English.
Keep an eye on his Instagram stories: this is where he posts about the Thursday nights. About the location, the time, and that day’s theme. Click here for the VigoSketchbook Instagram account.
2. Ceramics workshops: make your own ceramics
Ceramics is a great way to be creative as well as make your own stuff. I have been going to ceramics every week since January 2025. And make things myself that I would otherwise have had to buy. I do ceramics workshops at Hydra Cerámica in Chapinero Alto in Bogotá. Teacher Maria is very talented and she explains well. All materials are provided, so you only need to bring yourself.
Note: Ceramics is something you don’t do in an afternoon. It takes time and patience. Your ceramics have to be baked twice as well as painted. And baking only happens when the oven is full enough. So if you are only in Bogotá for a few days, this workshop is not convenient to do. You need to be in Bogotá for at least 3 to 4 weeks.
Theme workshops
Sometimes Maria gives certain themed workshops. For example, ceramics with wine and cheese, ceramics with music or Sunday brunch ceramic painting. And everything is fun to do!
Also watercolor classes in Bogotá
Maria is also an artist and she makes the most beautiful watercolor paintings. Some of which also hung in a museum. If you like to do some watercolor lessons, that is also possible with Maria. I took 4 private lessons with her myself.
Hydra Cerámica practical
Location: Calle 55 # 4A – 09 in Bogotá (here on the map)
Follow on Instagram for all information: @hydra.ceramica
Cost: you can start with 2 2-hour classes for 190,000 COP. Or 4 lessons for 380,000 COP. I pay by bank transfer, but you can also pay in cash. You should discuss this with Maria.
How to book. You can book the ceramics classes via this link.
Language: classes are in Spanish, but Maria also speaks English well. And although I always speak Spanish there, I know that almost all the students who join the workshops also speak English.
3. Creative workshops in Bogotá at Mundo Polifacético
Mundo Polifacético was founded by a very nice couple who wanted more creativity in their lives. And who now pass this on to anyone who wants it. You can do all kinds of workshops: painting totebags, painting ceramics, drawing on mirrors and painting your own phone stand. Recently they also started offering jewelry workshops. Here you can find more information about their workshops (Spanish).
Painting totebags
I have done a totebag painting workshop 3 times now. I use those linen bags for all kinds of things, for groceries for example and my watercolor stuff goes everywhere with me in my self-painted linen bag.
Also very handy and fun for traveling: bring your own painted bag.
How and where?
Mundo Polifacético’s workshops are always held in a cozy cafe somewhere in Chapinero Alto. Where exactly often changes a bit. On their Instagram account they have an agenda per month and you sign up through a form.
Mundo Polifacético practical
Where: varies, you will receive information about the location a few days in advance after registering.
Cost: 60,000 COP per person. That includes 15,000 COP that you can spend on food and drinks. It also includes all materials.
How do you register? Via this form. Are you going with more persons? You have to fill it out per person.
How do you pay? You pay via Colombian payment methods (Nequi or Daviplata). As a traveler you can’t use that, in that case I would contact Laura (phone number in the form above) and ask if you can pay in cash.
Duration: 2 hours, but experience shows that it always slips a bit to 2.5 hours approximately.
Language: Spanish. I’m not sure if they speak English. But that’s a great way to practice your Spanish.
4. Crochet and wool stores in Bogotá
By now my motto is: a day without crocheting is a day not lived. Crocheting is so much fun. So relaxing. Fortunately, Colombians think so too. And (after a long search) there are all kinds of nice wool shops. The best one is Entrelanas. Entrelanas is a store where you will never leave if you are not careful. And I live very close by…
Crochet workshops
At Entrelanas, you can also do workshops. Or workshops… it’s more like crocheting together under the guidance of someone who will help you further if needed. Find all days, times and locations here. The crochet workshop costs only 33,000 COP (about 7 dollars).
Buying wool in Bogotá
Personally, I almost always buy my wool online. Usually at Entrelanas, but there are other fine wool stores in Bogotá:
- Entrelanas
- Crocheteando (online or in their store outside Bogotá in Funza)
- Cherry Wooly (online only)
- Manabi (store on the same street as Entrelanas. They also offer workshops knitting, crocheting, stuffed animal making and embroidery. Also online store).
- Mi Laneria (All the way in the south of Bogotá. I only buy online here, but there is also a store)
- Multilanas (in Chapinero Central, they also offer courses)
- Mi Trapillo and Benacho Tejedor (Here they sell Trapillo, no idea what the English word is. This is what you crochet bags or baskets with)
And there is much more, just search for ‘crochet’ on Google Maps.
Crocheting and knitting practical
Locations: you can find these by website. The location of my favorite store Entrelanas is Calle 53 # 17-24, Local 108 y 203, Centro Comercial El Monasterio Bogotá (here on the map).
Language: I think that no to very little English is spoken in all of the above stores. But you can always try, of course.
Tip: follow Entrelanas on Instagram. They make really fun videos and you’ll stay up to date on workshops.
I am currently making a sweater with the most beautiful wool ever. As soon as it is finished you will see it below and on Instagram.
5. Emerald ring making workshop in Bogotá
More than half of all emeralds in the world come from Colombia. These emeralds have been known for centuries as the emeralds with the most intense, purest shades of green. The special color occurs because the rocks in the Andes are rich in chromium and poor in iron, which creates that famous color. Not surprisingly, you can get your own hands on emeralds in Bogotá.
In this workshop you will make your own ring with an emerald in it. In the heart of La Candelaria. A popular workshop in English or Spanish. You book this emerald ring making workshop easily here.
Not in the mood for a ring-making workshop, but you do want to learn all about emeralds from Colombia? Know where to buy them and how to tell they’re real? Then book this tour of the emeralds of Bogotá and get answers to these and more questions.
I have done many workshops, but not yet this one. It is very high on my list and as soon as I have my own emerald ring in my hands you will read here my experience!
Do you ever join creative workshops while traveling? Find out what else there is to do in Bogotá.
The links to the emerald ring workshop are affiliate links. Click here for more information.
