The City That Learned to Roll
Bogotá wasn't always a friend to small wheels. There was a time when skaters were chased from plaza to plaza, from park to park, as if their boards were weapons rather than extensions of their bodies. But something changed. Maybe it was the stubbornness of those who kept skating despite everything, or perhaps the city itself understood that it needed spaces to breathe, to move in a different way. Today, Bogotá has a skate scene that grows like moss on sidewalks after the rain: slow but steady, green and vibrant.
Top 5 Skateparks Where Concrete Speaks
1. Simón Bolívar Skatepark
In the heart of the city's largest park, this 2,500 square meter skatepark has everything a skater could dream of: deep bowls that defy gravity, ramps of different heights, and a concrete surface smooth as glass. "This is where those who already know come to test themselves," Juan tells me, a local skater who has been wearing down his wheels here for 15 years. Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM. Unwritten rule: respect the turn order, especially on weekends when it fills up like an anthill.
2. Skatepark de la 93
Located in Parque de la 93, this is the meeting point for Bogotá's most fashion-forward skate scene. With metal and concrete obstacles including rails, stairs, and benches, here the surface is rougher, more real. "It's like skating in the street, but without people yelling at you," comments María, who started skating here three years ago. It opens from 7 AM to 8 PM, but the real magic happens at dusk, when the park lights turn on and shadows stretch across the concrete.
3. El Tunal Skatepark
South of the city, this 1,800 square meter skatepark has the best bowl in Bogotá, according to purists. With smooth transition and high walls, it's the perfect place for those seeking flow over flash. Surface: polished concrete. Hours: 5 AM to 7 PM. "There are no pretensions here, just skateboarding," says Carlos, a 42-year-old skater who still comes every Saturday.
4. Suba Skatepark
In the northwest of the city, this park is a curious mix: it has sections for beginners with low ramps and wide spaces, and technical zones with gaps and rails that challenge even the most experienced. The surface varies between asphalt and concrete, making it interesting for practicing different types of tricks. It opens from 6 AM to 6 PM.
5. Bosa Skatepark
The newest on the list, inaugurated in 2024, this skatepark has a modern design with fluid lines and innovative obstacles. With 2,000 square meters of textured concrete surface for better grip, it's clear that skaters were involved in the design. "Finally we have something designed by us, for us," celebrates Laura, a member of the Skater Girls Bogotá collective.
Events That Make the City Vibrate
Bogotá doesn't just have places to skate, but also reasons to gather. The Bogotá Skate Fest happens every November, transforming Simón Bolívar Park into a celebration of wheels, music, and urban art. Amateur and professional competitions mix with graffiti exhibitions and open-air concerts.
The Skate Nights are more spontaneous: full moon nights where skaters gather at different points in the city, illuminated only by streetlights and cell phone lights. "It's like skating in a dream," describes Miguel, organizer of these gatherings.
For 2026, there are rumors about a new event: Bogotá Urban Games, which would integrate skateboarding with other urban disciplines like parkour and BMX.
Shops Where Culture is Bought (and Lived)
Not everything is skating outdoors. Bogotá has spaces where skate culture is cultivated indoors:
- Skate Shop Bogotá (Chapinero): More than a shop, it's a community center. Here you find boards from local brands like Andino Skate Co. and Sabana Boards, designed with motifs ranging from the Andean condor to Bogotá graffiti.
- Ruedas Locas (Usaquén): Specializing in wheels and trucks, this shop has the technical knowledge you need to customize your setup. "Every skater skates differently, that's why every board must be unique," explains its owner, a former professional competitor.
- La Bodega Skate (Teusaquillo): The place to find clothing and accessories from Colombian brands like Urbano Co. and Street Roots. They also organize skate video screenings on Friday nights.
Tips for Rolling Safe (and Being Part of It)
If it's your first time skating in Bogotá:
- Start early: Skateparks are emptier between 6 and 9 AM, perfect for practicing without pressure.
- Full gear always: Helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. Bogotá's altitude (2,640 meters) makes falls hurt differently.
- Respect the hierarchy: In the busier skateparks, there's an unwritten order. Observe, ask, and wait your turn.
- Join a class: Collectives like Skate Girls Bogotá and Skate for All offer free weekend classes for beginners.
- Be part of it, not just a spectator: The Bogotá skate community values attitude more than skill. Help pick up trash in the park, say hello, share your tricks (and your falls).
Bogotá on wheels is a different city. It's a city that leans into curves, that jumps over its obstacles, that finds balance in imbalance. Its skateparks aren't just places to skate, they're spaces where the city redefines itself, where concrete stops being just concrete and becomes possibility.
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