Things to See and Do in Bogota

[Alabamaboy!]

I will be in Bogota for a couple weeks doing the US spousal visa for my wife, Colombian spousal visa for myself, get my cedula, things like that. I have always avoided spending much time in Bogota because it always seems to be so depressing and cold there. But this time I will stay there so I can take care of these other issues so I will be kind of held prisoner there and want to make the best of it.

What are some "must see" sites there? Any colonial areas with the big plazas like in Cartagena? Any interesting, moderately priced restaurants near the embassy area?

Thanks.

[Traveler]

Well, Bogota is actually quite nice - aside from the climate of course, and frankly I would enjoy visiting it more than the coast.  The colonial center is quite large and in good shape.  It is called Candelaria, and is larger than the old city of Cartagena.  The minus is that they don't have those flowers hanging from the windows, but neither there are peddlers.  The Bolivar Square is there where you can take a photo with a lama.  Don't miss the wonderful gold museum.  From there you can go up to the finca of Bolivar - can be skipped IMHO and the Montserrate mountain.  There's a teleferico going up to it, and on top there's a small chapel and a view of the city.  If you go up there, be aware that it will be cold and windy.
 
Then there's the Zona Rosa with shopping, restaurants and discos, kinda like Bogota's Parque Lleras.
 
Outside of Bogota there's a salt cathedral in Zipaquira.  I have never been there, just know that it's there.  But a more interesting place is a nature park Chicaque where you can hike or ride horses.  There's also a waterfall in that area.  There is a national park near Bogota, called Sumapaz, which is in the paramo zone.  I haven't been there, but there should be day tours available to visit it I assume.  There is also some sort of a theme park near Bogota.

[benjio]

Traveler, what about Bogota do you think is nice? Not trying to give you a hard time, but in my opinion it's one of the least appealing places in Colombia. Even the women there aren't very attractive by Colombian standards. The weather is miserable, the traffic, the air quality, the construction everywhere, the people are generally cold and unfriendly. Maybe I'm missing something.....

[Alabamaboy!]

Thanks for the info Traveler!

[Traveler]

Well, the items I listed are worth visiting.  Traffic in Bogota is bad, and so is the climate, that's true.  But the old city is very nice, and I just like big cities.  I prefer Medellin over all, but its main minus for me is that it is not that big.  The only reason I have not moved to New York is that I like the Latin vibe in Miami, plus it's expensive.  Usually the bigger the city is, the more I like it  .
 
There are plenty of attractive girls in Bogota, especially since quite a few people have moved there from elsewhere in the country.  They definitely don't dress as nice as girls in Medellin or Cali though  .

[benjio]

I will agree that Candelaria is a nice area. Especially when they don't allow cars to drive through there (only happens during really big festivals or Colombian Holidays...almost everytime I've walked through the area there were people driving through it...regardless of all the pedestrians. Sort of like trying to drive through Time Square on New Years Eve). Traveler, I'm not sure when you were there last but they are rebuilding all the streets and sidewalks towards the center of Candelaria so it's really hard to get around now. It's actually like hiking in the wilderness because everything is torn up. Not sure how much progress they've made since my last trip to Bogota a couple of months ago but if I know Colombian Construction timetables that will be an ongoing project for the next couple of years.
 
You're right though, definitely worth the time to stroll through there. There are really good restaurants in that area as well. There is a popular juice called Lulada that a lot of street vendors and restaurants sell. It looks absolutely disgusting, but it's DELICIOUS!!!! You'll know it by it's lime green color and chunky texture, as they do not strain the fruit's pulp or seeds from the drink. The juice alone is worth a trip to Candelaria.
Traveler is also right about the women. Every hot girl I've ever met in Bogota was from Medellin, Cali, or Pereira.

[Traveler]

It's been a few years since I was in Bogota.  I enjoyed my trip.  I have met a number of hot girls from Bogota, but either they were born elsewhere, or at least their parents.  BTW, the vast majority of Colombians in Houston are from Bogota in my experience.  In Miami #1 place of origin appears to be Medellin, then Cali, only then Bogota.

[benjio]

It's been a few years since I was in Bogota.  I enjoyed my trip.  I have met a number of hot girls from Bogota, but either they were born elsewhere, or at least their parents.  BTW, the vast majority of Colombians in Houston are from Bogota in my experience.  In Miami #1 place of origin appears to be Medellin, then Cali, only then Bogota.

I'd have to agree. As a matter of fact I believe this is whey Continental has daily flights from Houston to Bogota and vice versa now. Each flight I've taken has been completely full.

[Gato4Astrid]

 
Outside of Bogota there's a salt cathedral in Zipaquira.

Too boring to look at

[JimD]

If you´re going to be in Bogotá for a couple of weeks you´d certainly have time to take the bus up to Villa de Leyva for a couple of days. Elvis Presely´s drummer Bill Lynn owned a bar and restaurant there for many years. You can see Tunja on the way.

[no comment]

AB, I haven't done it but I saw on Youtube something called 'cyclovia' which is a day when a city such as Bogota shuts down streets to car traffic and opens them up to cyclists, skaters, runners or skateboarders.  Put in "Cyclovia Bogota" if you're interested.  Looks like they do it on Sundays, obviously you'd need to rent a bike.

[Alabamaboy!]

AB, I haven't done it but I saw on Youtube something called 'cyclovia' which is a day when a city such as Bogota shuts down streets to car traffic and opens them up to cyclists, skaters, runners or skateboarders.  Put in "Cyclovia Bogota" if you're interested.  Looks like they do it on Sundays, obviously you'd need to rent a bike.

Yeah, I heard about that before. That would be a great thing to do if the weather cooperates. I would love to get some real exercise there. My most strenuous exercise in Barranquilla is getting on and off of the hammock without breaking my neck. That weather there turns me to putty. Actually I do quite a bit of walking there, but it is horrible...you have to change your clothes and shower after walking even 1/2 hour. And if you like to walk a few hours a day like I do, you are completely drenched.

Bogota seems like it would be really good for biking. Thanks.

[Researcher]

     Hey AB, yes they do close the streets for bicycles on Sundays but remember the air is thinner "up" there.Any outdoor activity will probably leave you winded if you are not an athlete.

     Zipaquira and the Salt Cathedral is an OK place to visit.If you are Catholic I'd say it is a must see.There is a train that goes there in the north part of Bogota but it leaves early in the morning.My wife and I took a taxi for the day to take us there.

    Checkout the "Mirador" in the afternoon to get a good view of the city.It's nothing special, just a spot by the side of the road to view the city with a couple of vendors there.

    Maloka is kind of a museum.If you get bored it is OK for something to do.It has several interactive displays but I'd say is mostly for school kids.It does have an I-Max theater.

   There is a restaurant I used to go to that has a romantic atmosphere.The view is great and the food was good.I don't remember the name exactly but it is something like Tremonte.

   The north part of Bogota is a good place to visit.Alot of restaurants and shopping although it is more pricey.

  Of course, the other places mentioned are good also.Just thought I would offer my 2 cents.


     Researcher

   

[whitey]

You might want to check out Bogota Bike Tours: http://www.bogotabiketours.com/

They offer guided tours of the city and seem to enjoy a good reputation from things I've read on other sites.  Never used them myself - don't have much interest in going to Bogota!

[mudd]

if you get a chance, go check out the salt mine outside bogota, its really cool. goes wayyyyy down inside the earth.

[notgoingtofindithere]

There are lots of museos in the candelaria area. I was there about 3 weeks ago and enjoyed the gold museum, emerald museum, butero museum and a money museum. I heard south bogota is not so nice. Also, I have the name of a good taxi driver if you need one. Actually, I met a very nice girl that I may go back to see in one of the museums. If I was to choose my favorite city, I would prefer to go back to medellin.