What to do in Bogota?
I write this post from the depths of my experiences, I want to leave in this article valuable information for those who want to visit the beautiful lands of Colombia and think what to do in Bogotá? and where to go specifically, enjoy their tours and activities.
The first thing that occurs to us when listening to Colombia is anything about the danger of the city of Bogotá and Colombia in general. After reading several forums, many articles on travel blogs, and after literally devouring the “Narcos” series the doubts will not disappear, on the contrary. You will have to take your bags and go on a trip to discover the amazing country that awaits us in Colombia.
Contrary to what is stigmatized, this trip will be a joyous one. A trip that will make you discover a wonderful town, a town with the desire to live and let the whole world know that times have changed. It is worth going on tours in Bogotá. Colombia is changing, and everything that the bad languages of this country can say has already stopped being that way (at least to a great extent).
Urban Experience
Of course, you have to keep your eyes open like in any other part of the world, avoid neighborhoods that are still very poor and therefore dangerous and not walk at night in certain areas.
Let’s take the Colombian saying literally: “don’t give papaya”, that is, don’t give the opportunity to be hurt. Don’t brag about smartphones, cameras, gold… Because they could attract attention. It is advisable to walk with what is strictly necessary leaving money, credit cards, passport and valuables at the hotel, make a photocopy of your passport because they can ask for your documents.
That said, we assure you that you will never feel in danger, not even in Candelaria, a neighborhood considered risky, nor will you feel any feeling of danger after sunset.
At night, however, it is better to go out in a taxi or with your tour guide and not walk down the street alone.
How to get around Bogota?
Taxis in Bogotá that are legally registered are yellow, have a meter on the passenger side and you can easily stop them on the street, or have the hotel call them.
Many people do not recommend stopping them on the street. You can also use UBER, or an authorized tourist transport service that can pick you up directly from the airport and works perfectly in the town.
In Bogotá there is no metro, the city is served by Transmilenio, a network of buses that travels through the capital’s streets.
What to do in Bogota in 1 day?
Next, I will leave you a series of places that are worth going to and taking the time to enjoy them, you can even buy one of our tours through Colombia, there is much to see and share. Towards every corner we look there is something to do in this beautiful Colombian city. And remember that you have a tool to know what opinion other travelers have about what to do in Bogota and it is tripadvisor
Paloquemao Market
Like any local, a morning visit to the Paloquemao market is mandatory. The market is not a tourist parador and is located on Calle 19, about 20 minutes by car from Candelaria.
You can walk on your own, without being afraid. Although if you prefer, you can accompany you on our excursions through Bogotá in private transport and a Guide who will show you the corners of this Cultural city.
The word “Paloquemao” comes from “burnt stick,” a name born from a tree that allegedly burned down around Calle 19 some 60 years ago. Today in this market you can find flowers, meat, vegetables, fruits, packaged products and seafood from all over the country. Outside the market there are many colorful flowers of all kinds, starting with the roses. You may not know it, but Colombia is the first exporting producer of roses in the world.
Culture Experience
Inside, in the covered part, an infinity of foods, from meat to fish, fruit, a lot of exotic fruit to taste, fruit juices and milk and then aromatic herbs, marijuana and coca creams widely used by Colombians and street food.
In addition to the variety of fruits and vegetables sold directly by the producer, there are mini sections that focus only on one product such as potatoes, herbs and aromatic herbs, corn, avocado, eggs and chickens, which until a few months ago were slaughtered before the eyes of the buyer.
This is a good place to try empanadas, typical Colombian street food made with corn flour, stuffed with shredded chicken meat and potatoes, corn arepa and corn polenta cooked in sycamore leaves, as you understood the flour of corn is the teacher.
Candelaria
Candelaria is the pulsating district of Bogotá. The starting point is the Plaza de Bolívar, and then continues through the narrow streets of the historic center of the district. Many hostels and cafes have opened here in recent years, but at night it is not recommended for foreign tourists.
One of the most beautiful streets in La Candelaria is Callejón del Embudo, a small alley full of graffiti where there are several cafes perfect to drink the local drink, chicha.
Candelaria is watched all day by the police.
Monserrate Hill
One of the obligatory places to do in Bogota is 3150 meters high, at the top of Monserrate, there is a white church, a pilgrimage destination for the statue of the Fallen Christ.
There are three ways to go up there:
On foot: 1500 steps of steep ascent (not recommended due to the great effort, or because there have been cases of theft) by cable car or funicular.
Climbing the Cerro de Monserrate immediately after sunset is wonderful. having a romantic dinner in one of its restaurants with the night view of Bogota is memorable
Here is a restaurant and a cafe where we stopped to have the typical chocolate with cheese, Santa Fe chocolate.
The museums of Bogota
The gold Museum
The Gold Museum is very interesting, it houses more than 55,000 pieces of gold and other materials from the populations that followed one another in Colombia before the arrival of the Spanish.
After having been in the Guatavita lagoon we have rediscovered the legend of El Dorado here. Gold and figurines that were thrown into the Lagoon are exhibited on the third floor.
The Botero Museum
The Botero Museum is located just behind the Plaza de Bolívar, it is free and it is wonderful. The artist Fernando Botero has donated all the works exhibited in this museum to the Banco de la República.
2 floors of paintings and works not to be missed!
Besides the paintings and works of Botero, many works by Picasso, Miró, Chagall, Renoir.
Where to stay and eat in Bogotà?
If you want to relax, the best areas to sleep in Bogotá are the pink zone, the T zone or the 93 Park zone. From here by taxi it is about 20 minutes to the center.
In these 3 different areas there are restaurants where you can eat at night, shopping centers and shops where you can go shopping.
Colombia is an amazing destination, full of completely magical landscapes, its people and its energy are fresh. It seems that a great family awaits us in Colombia, their unparalleled treatment and proximity make this place a total enjoyment.
May this little guide be useful to you, my dear traveler, and to many others who feel the impetus to visit these distant lands and discover all the charm that a town and its tradition have maintained and promoted over the years. It’s time to dust off your suitcases and go in search of adventures, memories and new ways of perceiving life.
