Festival El Mundo brings 13 nations together through food in Bogotá

Bogotá is set to host the inaugural Festival Gastronómico y Cultural El Mundo en el Corazón de Bogotá, a two-day event celebrating food and culture from 13 nations and the UN Mission in Colombia. The festival, free for all attendees, will be held at Parque El Country on September 19 and 20. Sponsored by ACONDIP, the Association of Diplomatic Spouses Accredited in Colombia, the initiative aims to connect Bogotá's international diplomatic community with residents, visitors, local entrepreneurs, and cultural organizations.

Angela Garzón of the Instituto Distrital de Turismo (IDT) explains that the festival serves as a way of loving the city for Bogotá residents and provides an opportunity to showcase the city's unique food culture. Gastronomy plays a significant role in Bogotá's tourism economy, with more than 4.6 million visitors last year, including nearly two million international visitors.

Over 65% of international visitors cite Bogotá's food culture as a reason for their trip, while more than 40% of Colombian travelers to the capital come for the diverse gastronomic experiences offered.

The festival will feature dishes from Honduras, Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, Lebanon, Costa Rica, and Turkey, among others. Diplomatic communities participating in the event contribute to the cultural exchange, presenting their national cuisines in a public setting. Following the festival, Sabor Bogotá 2026 will continue with an awards gala on September 29, celebrating local culinary traditions.

The event will also include a solidarity component, with six businesses and initiatives from Valle del Cauca and Colombia's Pacific region participating in response to the recent earthquake disaster.