Bogotá and around Travel Guide

The capital city of Colombia, Bogotá, is a city where there is a split in opinions. Some critics blame it on gridlock, poverty and criminality and depressingly frequent rain. And with 7.6 million inhabitants and a few drab neighborhoods, Bogotá rarely elicits love upon first glance. After a couple of days, however, the majority of visitors are drawn to this vibrant city with its colonial-style architecture, numerous eateries and lively nightlife. Apart from that, whether you like it or not, chances are that you’ll need to visit it at least once during your travels around Colombia.

There are several places to discover and learn more about this place. So, if you’re visiting and taking flights from Abuja to Bogota, then take a stroll of the entire city and find out what’s hidden in those tiny bustling streets. Also, book your tickets with Lowest Flight Fare to avail impressive deals.

It is located on the Sabana of Bogotá, the highest point in Colombia at 2600 m The city was founded on the 6th of August 1538 by Gonzalo J. Quesada in the old citadel of the Muisca King Bacata which is where Bogotá’s name comes from. The city’s population didn’t grow in line with its influence on the political scene and, in the 1940s, the city was home to only 300,000 people. This all changed during later in the 20th century, due to civil war and industrialization which led to a massive displacement of the rural areas, who lived in a squalid living situation in the slums along the southern edge of Bogotá, in stark contrast to the more affluent neighborhoods located in the northern parts of the city. Nowadays, Bogotá is South America’s fourth-largest city, and is it is home to one of the continent’s largest culture scenes.

The historic center of the city, La Candelaria, is packed with colourful colonial houses. It starts from Plaza de Bolivar and stretches northwards towards Avenida Jimenez de Quesada, and is separated from Cra 10 towards the west, and by the Mountains to the East. The downtown area of Bogotá is the city’s commercial hub, which includes office buildings and numerous museums. North Bogotá, a catch-all name for the more affluent neighborhoods located to the North of the center and offers trendy shopping areas and plenty of food options to satisfy all preferences and budgets.

Accommodation in Bogotá

The majority of the budget-friendly accommodation is located within La Candelaria; all accommodation that was reviewed, except for one hostel, is located in La Candelaria. Each has free internet and/or wi-fi. The majority of rooms have bathrooms that are either private or shared The prices listed here are for doubles that have a shared bathroom during high-season (single rooms usually cost about two-thirds of the cost of the double).

Bogotá festivals

The capital city of Colombia is full of celebrations. The year starts with Bogotá Feria Taurina (bullfighting event between January and February) and matadors who hail from Spain and Mexico brought in for the occasion. Semana Santa (Holy Week; March or April) includes re-enactments, processions and religious fervor. Every other year during Holy Week the city also hosts the Ibero-American Theater Festival, one of the largest festivals on the continent of theatre, which is a period of international performance art and street procession. Perhaps the highlight of the annual calendar is Rock al Parque (Rock in the Park; June/July; rockalparque.com.co), South America’s biggest rock music festival, which lasts three days, before the Festival de Verano (summer festival; Aug) to commemorate Bogotá’s founding and Salsa al Parque (Salsa in the Park; Aug) heats things up. September brings an event called the Festival de Jazz at the Teatro Libre, followed by the Festival de Cine (film festival in October) with open-air screenings. Then the city is prepping to celebrate an authentic South American Christmas.

Casa de Nariño

Just a few blocks to the south to Plaza de Bolivar, between Cra 7 and 8 is the massively fortified Presidential compound and palace, Casa de Narino, built to the design of Versailles. It is the place where the President Santos is currently residing and working. For an organized tour, you must book on the internet — search at “Visitas Casa de Narino” on the site. It is also possible to view the ceremony of changing the guards three times per week. The best view is from the east of the castle.

Casa de Moneda

The stone-built Casa de Moneda, or mint, houses the Coleccion Numismatica. Its exhibits tracing the development of currency in Colombia starting from barter systems of indigenous communities, to the creation and production of modern coins and banknotes. The ramps lead into The Coleccion de Arte, which is an ongoing exhibition of artworks that belong to the Banco de la Republica. The main focus are modern Colombian artists, however the works on display vary from 17th-century religious art, to modern paintings by 20th-century artists. The collection that is on display lies in an art museum called the Museo de Arte, a contemporary, airy building which hosts free, temporary exhibits of provocative artwork, photography, and challenging installations.

Bogotá’s Catedral

The imposing structure is situated over dominating the Plaza de Bolivar, Bogotá’s Neoclassical Catedral is believed to be on the spot on which its first Mass was held in 1538. Rebuilt throughout the years after several collapses, the church has been completed by 1823 and even though the interior is gold-laced, it’s still quite plain in comparison to other capital churches. The tombstone of Jimenez de Quesada, Bogotá’s founder, in the biggest chapel.

Bogotá drinking and nightlife

Rumbear is literally the word for dance the rumba is what people in the city refer to a night of dancing, which usually includes a lot of dancing. Discos and bars located in La Candelaria attract a somewhat Bohemian, usually student-oriented crowd, while their brightly lit equivalents at Bogotá’s Zona Rosa in North Bogotá (around C 83 and Cra 13) appeal to the city’s gorgeous people. The majority of places close at 3 am. Taxis can be taken to and from your location.

Take some time to explore the splendid attractions of this place, and make your trip worthwhile. While booking your flights from Guatemala City to Cartagena, don’t just fool around restaurants and tall buildings. Instead, take a good note of what’s under the table.