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I will be in Bogota from 5/29 -6/4. Does anybody have any ideas for things to do there?? restaurants, nightclubs, museums, etc.....

I will be staying at a hotel called ZUETANA. Does anybody know anything about this hotel? It is in the north part of Bogota and was very reasonably priced.  The website is www.zuetana.com and no this is not a plug. Thanks in advance for any ideas!!!

Typher

... in response to Things to do in Bogota??, posted by typher on May 15, 2005

Re: Things to do in Bogota

I have made quite a few trips to Bogota. It is a vibrant and lively place with many things to do. Since I know Colombian friends and business people I am probably willing to go many places a newby would avoid. If you are with someone who is a native I would feel much more confident and secure.

Malls:
Santa Barbara (near agencies)
Andino
Unicentro
I prefer Andino and Unicentro. There is also another large mall (possibly several) located south of downtown. Don't recall name. Girlfriends sister used to work there. Many restaurants, bars, night clubs, shops etc. near Andino. Check out security at Andino. Parking garage below the mall. Security checks all cars, look under car and in trunks for bombs.
Some large warehouse stores like we have in US, I only saw in south of city. Like Sam's and Wal-Mart. Very large with great selections and low prices. Name Carefour (spelling?). Malls have bookstores where you can locate cookbooks, guides to history, etc.

North end of city is where most gringos hang out. Primarily where people with money live. I've stayed in several homes and several hotels, usually Hotel Andes Plaza, located at the major intersection just east of Zuetana. Zuetana looks like a nice place. I like this section of town because there are many good places to go at 5-10 minute walk. Internet Cafes, grocery stores, neighborhood parks, etc. Agency is a 10 minute walk. Taxi's are cheap but walking is sometimes my only source of exercise in the city. If you don't like the looks of the taxi driver, find another. Buses are an adventure and you can get robbed, usually the
entire bus gets robbed if it occurs, usually in the south of the city or in the country. Leave your nice jewelry, rings and watches in the US. Wear a "beater" or knock off. Pay for dates taxi ride home to insure she gets there safely and doesn't have to take a bus or walk home. After all, it was you who wanted the date and many of the women don't have much cash. A "great" job brings in 300 a month. After rent, food, clothes, there is not much left over.

Chapinero and Chico
Sections of town between the Unicentro in the north where agencies located and downtown. Contain many of the restaurants, bars, Park at 93, etc. mentioned below.

The Park at 93
Restaurants and bars around a block size park. Set up large Christmas tree in season, other activities other times. Even have a TGI Friday's. Personally, I stay away from anything from the US. I'm in another country and desire to experience what I don't have at home. Oh, concept of good service at restaurants is just not there in most places. Be patient and don't act like a pompous ass demanding faster service and constant attention like in the US. They will get around to you when they feel like doing so.

Candalaria
Beautiful area. Visit with a native. Colonial sector, site of original downtown. Actually, many homes here are deceptive. Appears to be poor area but on the inside many are plush, modern, richly appointed homes. Outside seems to be all painted in the colors popular 100 plus years ago to maintain the old flavor of the area. University of the Andes very close. Nice campus. Near Monserrate. There are at least seven colleges in Bogota.

Museums
Many in the city, including Museum of Gold, Arts, History, Archaeology, Religion, Natural History and Planetarium, Botanical Garden, etc. I've been to several but not all. Love to visit museums. Have seen hundreds in the US, Britain, France, Italy, South Africa, Mexico. I recall reading somewhere that Bogota has somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 or 50 museums.

Zoo
Parque de Zoologica. Have not yet visited. Small. Apparently a waterfall somewhere close. Small private nature park or reserve also available. Have not visited either.

Mundo Aventura (Adventure World)
Theme park south of downtown. Quite fun. Bumper cars, small roller coaster, "rubber band" contraption to secure you in harness, two or three people at a time, pull up to some 75-100 ft. height then swign down. A real screamer. Some things are just better outside the US. There was one hokey little place where they tell you a story and walk you out to some area that the floor is oddly tilted and half the people fall on their ass, some breaking skin. Very funny. Can't do this in US due to the litigation potential. Fun for a date. Approx. 45 minute taxi ride from Unicentro area in the north.

Presidents Palace and other governmental buildings. Also cool to take note of security at these places. Note security around private towers (condos?) and other places.

Downtown
Parks, hotels, flea markets on street (Sundays only?), restaurants. Recommend going to most of these places with a native, not on your own.

Haircuts, manicure, pedicure
Several locations of Antonio's. Indulge you girlfriend by giving her the works. I recall girlfriend had cut, color, pedicure and I had same for about 45 total.

Siete de Augusto (7th of August)
Street where all the leather shops are located. Great prices and you can do even better if comparison shop, although it won't save a lot. Had custom leather jackets made for myself and girlfriend, picked up later in week, for 150 total as I recall. May have been less.

South end of city.
Stayed here several times. Much more earthy and rough. Don't recommend unless you are staying with family and only go out with them. Even so, we walked to bar, pool hall, park, etc in small groups. Never very far.

Restaurants
Many great places to eat all over town. One place near downtown, bad neighborhood, walk thru tiny hallway, thought I was in trouble. Fantastic food, odd stuff I have never seen. These are all over. North end of town has many good places. I recall where but don't recall the names. Be adventuresome. Colombians are carnivores. Steak much better than in US. Grown naturally, fed grass not grain. Meat has flavor. Tiny local dives are great places for breakfast and cheap. Steak places sometimes have live music, romantic atmosphere. Name was something "al Carbon."

Monserrate
About 9000 ft elevation on edge of Andes mountains. Statue of fallen Christ, Church, great view of the city. Good place to take a date and pictures. If you want exercise, don't take the trolly, walk up the mountain or down, but don't ask your date to do this.

Salt Mines
North of Bogota. Agencies take groups. Take a date.

Chia
Small city north of Bogota. If you have a car, girlfriend has car, whatever, drive to the area on weekend and shop around for place to eat outside. Someone standing on edge of road to let you taste sample of their food. Try several before you make a choice of where to stop and eat.

Horseback Riding
Several places north of Bogota where you can rent a horse and go for a ride. Don't recall names. I like this for a date also.

Train
Take a date for a train ride. Runs right by the agencies and north of town.

Plaza de Toros
Bullring. January and February is season.

Estadio el Campin
Soccer stadium. National sport. The fans are really loyal and fun to watch.

Gallera San Miguel
Cock fight ring.

Anyway, that's what I've seen and done in Bogota. Absolutely love visiting the city and hope that you have a good experience. Be safe and cautious but get out and enjoy. Most of this was cut and paste from previous notes. Keep many saved files on computer for reference. Just a habit of travel to keep notes to share with my friends.
Somewhere I have an archive CD of more specific notes including restaurant names, business cards, etc.

... in response to Re: Things to do in Bogota??, posted by CelticUrge on May 16, 2005


Great post Celtic. That's definitely a “print post for future reference”.

Here's some more information where to take some of those lovely ladies for dinner in Bogotá. This might be outdated information but I imagine most, if not all these restaurants are still open for business.

...............

I have tried all these places except the pizza joint but it came highly recommended by a Rolita friend.

All are good choices.

If you want impeccable service and great food the La Fragata in the "World Trade Center" is a good choice.  An added nice feature at this restaurant is that the seating area slowly rotates 360 degrees giving a nice panoramic view of the city.  (Only about 5 stories high, but still a great romantic view.) Garlic shrimp is delicious.

Another 5 star restaurant is the El Bunguer at Calle 101 18-18.  No view like La Fragata, but very romantic, delicious food, great wine, and superb service. Same killer garlic shrimp and seafood.  Both these places are very nice and will impress any special lady.

A notch down in class is the popular Carbon de Palo located at Ave 19 No. 106-12.  Lots of barbecued carne y pollo and the trout is nice.  I am not talking about the express cafe that bears the same name across the street, rather the larger sit down.  Nice live music during dinner.    

Restaurante Shamua is very good at Av 19 No 114 70.  Great steaks and a nice enclosed patio seating area.

A sleeper is the Chez Jack at Calle 123 No 8-23.  Just a whole in the wall, but very inexpensive and nice main courses.  The live solo musician that played both times I visited was too Lawrence Welk, but fortunately, his sets were short.

A hip and fun place to go is just outside north Bogotá (safe ride there) to Chia at the Andres Carne de res.  Eclectic atmosphere, almost zany, so-so food, but the locals like it and is packed on weekends.  Even the restrooms were a gas, no pun intended.

Infatti Ristorante Cafe at Calle 119 No 5 84 is a good choice although a bit pricey for what you get.  Nice food and great live jazz.  Indoor and outdoor seating.  Side note: great outdoor craft market up the street from here at the top of hill in a secured parking lot every Sunday.  Good place for gift buying.

Across the street on the other corner from the Infatti, is another good choice for a dinner date called the Cafe Restaurante Tinaja Tizon at Calle 119 6-06  Good food, with big portions.  Two young street kids always begging for money working this block.  I saw this brother/sister duo every time I went to this neighborhood.  Don't confuse them with the guys who will watch your date's car for 2,000 pesos.

Just next door to them is a great typical Colombian food place named Tienda del Cafe.  Great sopa, coffee, and to die for warm chocolate brownie for dessert. Pollo and carne are good.  (Couldn't find any lamb dishes anywhere.)

A great little bakery is the Castellana 104 at Ave 19 No 104 49.  There is a small cafe located in the rear of the building that is not as good as the dessert and bakery at the front.  You can order the great pastries from the front and use the tables in rear cafe but the breakfast/lunch I had was just fair to good.

Excellent buffet style breakfast (made to order omelets) with great service is the restaurant located at the Hotel La Fontana, called the Los Arcos.  Beautiful hotel, and you might see someone getting married in the small chapel just outside in the enclosed courtyard.  If not driving, use the hotel's own taxis when you depart.  They aren't yellow and very professional drivers.

Cafe Oma is a trendy place for a cup of joe along with some people watching.  Multiple locations but the Calle 93 No 12 55 is a good choice.

Santa Barbara Mall has an excellent gelato/sorbetto accompanied with tinto or espresso.  Food in the adjacent food court/ice rink sucks.

The Cafe Jengibre at Cra 11 107 42 (one block behind the LAI agency) is only open for lunch but is great.  Try the fresh salmon if available.  They also serve good French pressed coffee.  Great staff.

Finally the pizza place called Archie's Pizza at Car. 13 near 82nd or 83rd Street.  They also have a second location.

Bon Appetite!
~chef Pablo

... in response to Re: Re: Things to do in Bogota??, posted by pablo on May 16, 2005

[This message has been edited by jediknight]

i second carbon de palo, great service, food and live entertainment.
JK

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Things to do in Bogota??, posted by jediknight on May 16, 2005

Third that. Carbon de Palo was the name of the restaurant I could not quite recall. Have been there several times. Food and atmosphere are outstanding. Romantic place, great food and not expensive. Close to where agencies located and the hotels most of us would stay at during visit. No down side at all.

... in response to Things to do in Bogota??, posted by typher on May 15, 2005

North Bogota is nice,seems kind of like the US in places.I like the Zona Rosa,lots of bars and restaurants.Even a Hard Rock Cafe.Good for people watching from the sidewalk cafes.

Pete

... in response to Things to do in Bogota??, posted by typher on May 15, 2005

There are 3 places I remember in Bogota:

1. Bogota Beer Company. They have hand crafted beer and located in a hopping area with lots of eye candy

2. There is a little romantic restaurant walking distance from Nelson's agency that serves crepes. Small, charming place

3. Santa Barbara mall – one of the more attractive malls I have seen in Colombia and a nice place to take a date and kill some time. Again, walking distance from Nelson's agency

Papi
www.tropic-romance.com

... in response to Things to do in Bogota??, posted by typher on May 15, 2005

Be sure to take the cable car ride to the top of Montserrate. Great restaurant and views at the top. They may have the trains running by now.

... in response to Things to do in Bogota??, posted by typher on May 15, 2005

We had friends from Florida stay here when they came to Bogotá to adopt their daughter Maria last year.  Small guest-type place I would guess maybe 10/12 rooms.  The three times we came buy to take Bill and sandy out there were nothing but couples there who were adobpting kids.  Place was nice and clean but I thought it was more of a guesthouse type operation.  Location is good, in a very good neighborhood called San Patricio and about the middle of the Zona Rosa.  It did NOT have a party look.

Bogotá is a great city and you will have fun with lots to do.

... in response to Zuetana  Re: Things to do in Bogota??, posted by Gator on May 15, 2005

Gold Museum down in the Centro.
Be careful down there.

... in response to Re: Zuetana  Re: Things to do in Bogota?..., posted by Avispa on May 15, 2005

Wow, great posts, thanks for all of the great ideas. I am going for my fiancee interview at the embassy and will be there for a week. I am definitely going to check out many of the ideas. I will stay clear of the  south and stay in the zona rosa area near 93. I like the idea of walking around without looking over my shoulders. Thanks celticurge!! papi always a pleasure to hear from you. We met last summer in baq. I was with wendy. Good luck with the biz.

Any interesting websites for bogota??

typher

... in response to Re:Things to do in Bogota??, posted by typher on May 16, 2005

Hey Typher - did not realize that was you. here is a site yu might check out. good luck with Wendy - bet you are excited. i miss BAQ - have not been back there is awhile always running off these days to CA. tomorrow i leave for CR then back to Panama to shoot some more chicas - tough job but someone has to do it

http://www.bogota-dc.com