Monserrate with Kids and Type 1 Diabetes: Our Adventure Above Bogotá

5 days ago

5 min read

A family adventure in Bogotá, Colombia—with breathtaking views, an unexpected low, and, of course… a llama!

Traveling with a child who has Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) means learning how to enjoy every adventure while carrying a little extra preparation in your backpack.

Because yes, we can travel.

We can explore.

We can climb mountains, visit new places, try new things, and make incredible family memories.

But we also know one very important thing:

With T1D, plans can change in an instant.

And that is exactly what happened during our visit to Monserrate in Bogotá, Colombia.

What Is Monserrate?

Monserrate is one of Bogotá’s most iconic landmarks. Rising more than 10,000 feet above sea level, the mountain is home to the famous Sanctuary of the Lord Fallen of Monserrate and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Colombia’s capital city.

For anyone visiting Bogotá, Monserrate is one of those places that is hard to skip.

And since we were in Colombia, there was no way we were going to miss it!

So, we put on our sneakers, grabbed our jackets, packed our backpack and, of course, brought along our very important T1D bag.

Because a family day trip can require:

Water
A jacket
Comfortable shoes
Snacks
Fast-acting carbs for a low
Diabetes supplies
And a T1D mom ready for absolutely anything

How Do You Get to the Top of Monserrate?

There are three main ways to reach Monserrate:

1. Hike: For those ready to take on the mountain trail on foot.

2. Funicular: A small mountain railway that climbs the mountain.

3. Cable car: A panoramic ride with incredible views along the way.

On the day we visited, our options were hiking or taking the funicular.

And considering we had a child with us—plus all the supplies that come with managing T1D

the funicular won.

The Slow Ride Up

The funicular ride was an adventure all by itself.

The train moves slowly up the mountain, giving you time to look through the windows and take in the forest surrounding you. Little by little, Bogotá appears below.

It’s one of those moments when you stop looking at your phone and simply think:

“Wow. This is beautiful.”

But the funicular doesn’t take you all the way to the highest point.

Once you get off, there are still plenty of stairs and walking paths to reach the top.

So we kept going.

One step.

Then another.

And another.

Until finally…

We made it!

And Then T1D Joined the Adventure

The view from the top was incredible.

But while we were enjoying the scenery, Pablo’s glucose numbers started dropping.

His blood sugar was going down.

At first, we thought a snack would do the trick.

So, we stopped.

He ate.

We waited.

But his glucose kept dropping.

Another snack.

More waiting.

And then came that moment every T1D parent knows all too well:

the arrow started pointing down quickly.

My attention went from the breathtaking view of Bogotá straight to the CGM.

The mountain was still there.

The city was still there.

Tourists were still enjoying their day.

But in that moment, there was only one thing that mattered:

Pablo.

When a Snack Isn’t Enough

We treated the low and continued watching his glucose levels.

But they kept dropping.

And this is one of the biggest lessons T1D has taught me:

You can’t control everything that happens, but you can be prepared to respond.

We had brought glucose and snacks specifically for situations like this.

But this time, we needed to change our plan.

So, we decided to head back down toward the funicular station.

Traveling With T1D Means Knowing When to Ask for Help

When we reached the station, there was a long line.

Under normal circumstances, we probably would have simply waited.

But Pablo’s glucose was still dropping, and he was beginning to feel the effects of the low.

He was:

Weak
Pale
Sweaty
And clearly not feeling like himself.

At that point, I knew it wasn’t time to wait.

It was time to ask for help.

There was medical staff at the station, so I approached them and explained what was happening.

They immediately understood the situation and helped us get priority access to the next funicular.

Instead of standing in what felt like an endless line, we were able to get Pablo safely back down.

And that made all the difference.

We asked for help.

And help was there.

Slowly, His Color Came Back

Once we got back down, Pablo gradually started recovering.

His energy began to return.

His glucose started moving in the right direction.

And, as we say in my family:

“His color started coming back.”

That moment was such a relief.

Because when you have a child with Type 1 Diabetes, a low isn’t just a number on a screen.

You can see it.

You can feel the change in your child.

And when you finally see them starting to feel better, you can breathe again.

Because After the Low… Came the Llama!

And this might be my favorite part of the story.

After all that stress…

we kept exploring!

Because T1D may change our plans.

It may force us to stop.

It may mean treating a low in the middle of an adventure.

But I don’t want diabetes to be the reason we stop living.

And when we discovered there was an opportunity to take a picture with a llama…

OF COURSE we had to do it!

Because that’s life with T1D.

You can go from watching a rapidly dropping CGM arrow to taking a picture with a llama within minutes.

And honestly?

That sounds about right.

What I Learned About Traveling with a Child with Type 1 Diabetes

Our adventure at Monserrate reminded me that traveling with a child with Type 1 Diabetes is absolutely possible—but it requires preparation, flexibility, and a willingness to change plans.

Here are a few things I keep in mind when we’re heading out on an adventure:

1. Pack More Than You Think You’ll Need

Extra snacks, fast-acting carbs, and diabetes supplies can make a huge difference when you’re away from home.

2. Know Your Destination

Before an excursion, I like to know where the exits, transportation, medical services, and places to get help are located.

3. Watch the Child, Not Just the Number

A CGM gives us incredibly valuable information, but we also need to pay attention to how our child is actually feeling.

4. Have a Plan—But Be Ready to Change It

Our plan was to enjoy Monserrate.

And we did.

But when the situation changed, our plan changed too.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

This may be the biggest lesson of all.

Asking for help doesn’t mean you failed.

It means you recognized that you needed help and took action.

Would I Recommend Monserrate for Families?

Absolutely!

Monserrate is an incredible experience for families visiting Bogotá.

The mountain, the forest, the funicular, the history, and the incredible views make it a truly memorable adventure.

If you’re traveling with kids—and especially if you’re traveling with a child who has Type 1 Diabetes—just remember to prepare for the environment, pack what you need, and be ready for the unexpected.

Because adventures don’t always go exactly as planned.

And that’s okay.

Sometimes a perfect adventure isn’t one where everything goes perfectly.

It’s one where you know how to adapt, stay calm, ask for help when you need it, and keep making memories.