Montebello: pet-friendly glamping outside of Bogotá

Due to various COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve been trying to stay home as much as possible. And, if we do travel, we try to head out to places where we can social distance safely. That’s how the idea of finding a pet-friendly glamping spot came to be.

A few weekends ago, we decided to venture out to San Francisco/La Vega. This would be the last hurrah before going our separate ways this Christmas. After a little research given the short notice, John settled on Montebello Glamping for a relaxing weekend away in nature.

Our review of Montebello Glamping

The staff

Although the weather was anything but welcoming, we felt right at home from the start. We arrived late in the afternoon on Thursday and were welcomed by the couple who lives on-site. They showed John and me to our room and helped us bring our belongings inside. They also answered basic questions about where we could go shop for some extra bits.

Later that night we met Esteban, the manager, who was absolutely incredible. Very attentive to our needs and always there to help out, he keeps the place spotless and running.

The rooms

For those who don’t know, “glamping” is a mix of the words “glamorous” and “camping”. This means that, although tents are involved (sometimes), it’s not your classic zip-up-and-sleep accommodation.

Glamping is a lot more luxurious and usually includes a bed, tables, electricity, and other amenities. This makes the experience a little less “rough” and a lot more inviting to different crowds.

The rooms at Montebello Glamping were great. Comfortable, organized, and warm at night, we don’t really have any complaints. Each room also has a small deck with a table and two chairs to enjoy evenings outside. Although it rained both nights we were there, we loved sitting outside with a bottle of wine and some snacks.

Given that Montebello is a pet-friendly glamping spot, keep in mind you’ll have to pay an additional fee of 30,000 COP (just under 10 USD) if you decide to bring your furry friend along. This is a one-time fee and you can pay in cash once you meet Esteban at the hotel.

If I’m being extra picky, I think the only downside was that there were no hangers around the room. This meant we had to try and hook our damp coats and jackets on the actual frame of the tent. It worked perfectly, but it would have been nice to have a dedicated space for this.

The food

Breakfast is included in the price and, although quite simple – a fresh bowl of homegrown fruit, eggs, and juice. It’s a great way to kickstart your morning! They didn’t have any other food at the time of our stay, but since they’re currently expanding, it might be available in the future.

Other thoughts on our pet-friendly glamping experience

We were very pleased to see that everyone at Montebello was welcoming of Mamba! Although we were the only guests there (we traveled mid-week to avoid the crowds), the staff didn’t mind her getting a little bit noisy. She wandered around, got mouthy with the ducks, and watched over the grounds before coming back to us for naps and cuddles.

Plus, with three other dogs on the property, she felt like she’d come home to some big mixed-mutt family reunion. All of the dogs at Montebello were very friendly, and they made her feel like she was part of the pack instantly. From teaching her how to jump over the stream to rolling around in the cow pats, our little city dog – with her sherpa coats and sweaters – went back to basics as a country dog for the first time in months.

How to get to Montebello Glamping

The hotel is located just 40 minutes (or an hour, depending on the time of day) outside of Bogotá, a few kilometers before reaching San Francisco and La Vega. You can leave the city through Calle 80 and follow the signs all the way down. We drove past one toll booth (12,400 COP or just under 4 USD), so make sure you have cash available to pay when you get to the front.

If you’re on the road around lunchtime, I recommend a stop at San Chorizo for a little mid-road trip fuel. You’ll find everything from chicharron to a full-sized bandeja paisa, grilled beef, chicken, and mojarra frita, which means there’s bound to be something for every type of picky eater (except maybe vegetarians – sorry, guys!). To top things off, diners are given a complimentary shot of guaro with their bill. Just shoot it down and get back on the road!

The road is an easy drive, and there are plenty of signs to guide the way, so don’t worry about getting lost. Mamba also enjoyed the ride and managed to sit in the back seat for most of the way (at least after we left the city with its endless stop-and-go traffic.)

Once you’ve booked, Esteban will send you the coordinates to Montebello. They point to a place called “Cerro Verde” (it was under construction when we traveled). If you see this point, you’ll find yourself directly across the entrance to Montebello. Travel down a few kilometers until you find the U-turn and keep your eyes peeled for an unpaved road that veers off to the right. There are two neon arrows that mark the spot. That’s when your pet-friendly glamping adventure can begin!

Day trip: Walking from Montebello Glamping to San Francisco

On our first morning there, John decided to explore the surrounding area and found a few back roads that would take us all the way down to San Francisco.

We left the hotel around 10am and made our way across the main road to a little unpaved side entrance. From there, it’s a quiet road through the countryside great for off-leash exploring and reconnecting with nature.

Pro tip: Keep in mind you’ll be walking past some fincas and you’ll run into other dogs along the way. If your pet is aggressive or scares easily, make sure to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. The last thing you want is an unexpected accident.

Needless to say, the views along the way are stunning. You’ll go through different types of landscape, too. This means you’ll get a real taste of the different climates in Cundinamarca all in one short (ha….ha…) walk.

A great chunk of the trail is downhill and can be pretty straining on the knees. Make sure to take enough breaks to enjoy the view and rest our legs. The climate also starts to get really humid when you’re about halfway there, so pack enough water for yourself and your pet. There aren’t any shops along the way for you to stop and stock up.

How far is the walk from Montebello to San Francisco?

The walk is about 10km and it took us just over 3 hours with all the uphills and downhills, stops for photos, and water breaks for Mamba.

What to do in San Francisco

San Francisco is a pretty small town, and there isn’t really much to do except walking around the main square and enjoying lunch.

John is partial to a good, small-town chicken shop, so that’s exactly what we did when we felt hungry. Just across the street from the bottom end of the park, you’ll find a shop with rotisserie chickens casually spinning around on an outdoor grill.

Once inside, we ordered 1/4 roasted chicken, 1/4 fried chicken, 2 coca-colas, and some arepas and spent about 17,000 COP (less than 5 USD). Believe me when I say these guys had some of the best arepas I’ve tried. They’re little and fried with the chicken (I didn’t say they were healthy) for the perfect combination of crispy and flavorsome. We got one with the meal and I more on the side. Follow your gut: always get the extra arepas. Also, make sure they give you a bowl of their homemade ají for some spice.

After lunch, we hopped over to a little ice cream shop near the square and ordered two milkshakes (10,000 COP or about 3 USD).

Legs sore, stomachs full, and buzzing for an afternoon nap, we wandered around town until we found transportation back to the main road. The parking space next to the town market usually has drivers waiting around for people who need them. This trip shouldn’t cost more than 12,000COP (3 USD) for two people. You can get the driver to drop you off just outside the road that leads to Montebello.

Final thoughts on pet-friendly glamping at Montebello

We had a great experience at Montebello, and we’re already hoping to go back when the weather is a little more forgiving. We’d love to have a chance to sit by the fire with a glass of wine and not be chased away by a classic Cundinamarca downpour just minutes after stepping foot outside.

It was also great to see how quickly Mamba can adapt to something that feels so different. But I guess that’s what dogs do, right? They don’t care where they are…as long as they’re with you.

Testing our luck with this pet-friendly glamping experience was also a good way to slowly get her used to a more rough and tumble experience: real camping. But that’s a story for a different post.

Have you ever been to a pet-friendly glamping spot with your furry friend? How was your experience? Tell us below!