South America Living

Parque Los Periodistas (Journalists Park in English) in Bogotá

If Santa Fé de Bogotá (or simply Bogotá) was painted in one color it would be green. Green for the parks and urban spaces; green for the wealth of things to do and see and green for the millions of dollars worth of domestically produced emeralds that are bought and sold daily.

The capital of Colombia, Bogotá contains all you would imagine: street peddlers, 5-star hotels, colonial churches, university campuses, bookstores, sidewalk cafes, drug addicts, stock exchange, theaters, a dose of Bohemia plus quite a bit more. Bogotanos – folks who live in Bogotá – are known to be sophisticated yet friendly and welcoming to foreigners.

               Best Time to Visit      Where To Eat      Where To Stay      City Map

Lying at approximately 2,620 meters (8,646 feet) above sea level and resting in the north-western plain area of the Andes Mountains, Bogotá is the second highest capital city in the world, following Quito, Ecuador (2,800 meters / 9,186 feet). Due to its high elevation, you will want to understand the risks of altitude sickness when traveling to Bogotá:   Travel Health – Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment of Altitude Sickness

Spirited Soccer Fans During a Match at El Campin Stadium - officially called Estadio Nemesio Camacho

The city is laid out in a grid pattern with avenues spreading north to south and streets crossing from east to west and divided into seven separate ‘zones’ – but that may be all that is structured in this massive urban conglomerate.

Spend a week or more making yourself dizzy visiting city highlights such as:

• A trip to one of the largest urban parks in the world – Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park and wander through nearby botanical garden José Celestino Mutis with greenhouse and flora specimens commonly seen in Colombia.
• Look up at the stars from the national observatory – “Bogotá Observatory” – and teleport to the skies via telescope.
• Attend a sporting event at Estadio Nemesio Camacho (commonly referred to as “El Campín“) and dose yourself with a bit of raucous fun Colombian-style.


A view to the East of Bogota's International Business District with Monserrate Mountain as a Backdrop.

• If visiting January through February and so inclined, watch a bullfighting match (now outlawed in most areas throughout the world as is considered inhumane) at Plaza de Toros la Santamaria.
• If traveling with children – the ‘can´t be missed’ experience is a trip to one of the amusement parks such as Salitre Magico or Mundo Aventura. A third option is Jaime Duque park that has rides and exhibits as well as a zoo.
• Spend an afternoon shopping at the largest shopping mall in Colombia – Centro Mayor – or the second largest - Centro Commercial Santafé.

A sight-seeing extravaganza would not be complete without a visit to La Candelaria – Bogotá’s historical district. Save the best for last and after visiting one of the many museums (Botero Museum, Gold Museum, Military Museum), the Colón Theater, Monserrate Mountain (has a church and restaurant) or the Luis Angel Arango Library that houses over 1.1 million books and is the ‘most visited library’ in South America, treat yourself to a dinner at one of the most popular restaurants in the area – Sants Estació (see ‘Where To Eat‘ below for details).

Colonial Architexture in Downtown Bogotá

The Lights of Bogotá - Nightime Arial View of the City

Best Time to Visit

If you don´t like to get wet, avoid Spring and Fall in Bogotá. The months with the most rainfall in the city are March through May and September through November. April and October have the highest levels of parcipitation with approximately 4.5 inches.   Hailstorms commonly occur during these months as well covering the city with what looks like a blanket of snow.

The driest months (with the most hours of sunshine as would be expected) – and most popular time for a visit – are the summer months December through February. During this time temperatures hover around 70°F in the afternoon and evenings are pleasantly cool.
 

Where to Stay

Expensive

1. Name: Bogotá Plaza Hotel
   Area: Upscale residential area near Barraquer Eye Clinic
   Address: Calle 100 No. 18A-30
   Website: http://www.summithotels.com
2. Name: Casa Dann Carlton Bogotá Hotel & Apartments
   Area: Downtown Buisness District
   Address: Calle 94 Nº 19-71
   Website: http://www.casadann.com.co/

Midrange

1. Name: Posada del Sol
   Area: La Candelaria
   Address: Calle 9, No. 3-71
   Website: http://www.hosteltrail.com/posadadelsol/
2. Name: Hotel Lourdes
   Area: Near the Transmilenio
   Address: Calle 63 No. 15-61
   Website: http://www.hotellourdes.com/

Cheap

1. Name: Anandamayi Hostel
   Area: La Candelaria
   Address: Calle 9 No. 2-81
   Website: http://www.anandamayihostel.com/
2. Name: Bogota B&B hostel
   Area: Teusaquillo near bus station profamilia
   Address: Av. Calle 32 No. 15-63
   Website: None. Read a review.

Where to Eat

Expensive

1. Name: El Son de los Grillos
   Area: La Candelaria
   Address: CLL 10 NO. 3 – 60
   Website: http://www.elsondelosgrillos.com/
2. Name: Casa Medina (French cuisine)
   Area: Located in Hotel Charleston Casa Medina
   Address: Cra. 7 Nº 69 A- 22
   Website http://www.hotelcharlestoncasamedina.com/

Midrange

1. Name:Sants Estació (Mediterranean)
   Area: La Candelaria
   Address: Calle 9 # 2 – 18
   Website: None. Read a review.
2. Name: Donostia (Seafood)
   Area: Macarena
   Address: Calle 29 BIS No 5-84
   Website: None. Read a review.

Cheap

1. Name: Henry Comida Rapida (Fast-food)
   Area: El Centro near University
   Address: Carrera 1 and Calle 19
   Website: None. Read a review.
2. Name: PitaWok (Middle East & Thai Food)
   Area: La Candelaria
   Address: Carrera 4 #14-88
   Website: None. Read a review (has many restaurants listed)

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