What to do in Bogotá, where to go?
To find out what to do in Bogotá and how to get around, you just have to read this post that I am writing from the depths of my experiences. I want to leave valuable information in this article for those who want to visit the beautiful lands of Colombia and are wondering what to do in Bogotá and specifically where to go and enjoy its tours and activities.
The first thing that comes to mind when we hear Colombia is anything about the danger of the city of Bogotá and of Colombia in general. After reading several forums, many articles in travel blogs, and after literally devouring the series ‘Narcos,’ the doubts will not disappear, on the contrary. You are going to have to pack your bags and set off on a journey to discover the amazing country that awaits us in Colombia.
Contrary to what is said, this trip will be a cause for joy. A trip that will allow you to discover wonderful people, a people with a desire to live and to let the whole world know that times have changed. It is worth getting off the tourist trail in Bogotá, Colombia is changing, and whatever the gossips may say about this country, it is no longer like that (at least to a large extent).
Urban Experience
Of course, you have to keep your eyes open as you would anywhere else in the world, avoid going to remote places unaccompanied by a local and therefore dangerous and not walk at night in certain areas.
Let’s take the Colombian saying literally: ‘no dar papaya’, that is, don’t give them the opportunity to hurt you. Don’t show off your smartphones, cameras, gold… Because they could draw attention to you. It is advisable to walk around with only what is strictly necessary, leaving money, credit cards, passport and valuables in the hotel, and to make a photocopy of your passport because they may ask for your documents.
Having said that, we assure you that you will never feel in danger, not even in Candelaria, a neighbourhood considered to be at risk, nor do you feel any sense of danger after sunset.
At night, however, it is better to go out in a taxi that is ordered by phone or with your tour guide and not to walk down the street alone.
Transport in Bogotá?
The taxis in Bogotá that are legally registered are yellow, have a taximeter and on the passenger side a card with the rates according to the metres travelled and you can easily stop them in the street (not advisable) or have the hotel call them.
Many people do not recommend stopping them in the street. You can also use Uber (the service is not legalised) or an authorised tourist transport service that can pick you up directly from the airport and works perfectly 24 hours a day.
In Bogotá there is no metro, the city is served by Transmilenio, a network of buses that travel through the capital’s streets is the public service and its quality is very poor.
What to do in Bogotá?
Below, I will leave you with a series of places that are worth going to and taking the time to enjoy. You can even purchase one of our Experiencias por Colombia (Experiences in Colombia), there is so much to see and share. In every corner we look, there is something to do in this beautiful Colombian city. And remember that you have a tool to find out what other travellers think about what to do in Bogotá, and that is TripAdvisor
Paloquemao Market
Like any local, a morning visit to the Paloquemao market is a must. The market is not a tourist stop and is located on Calle 19, about 20 minutes by car from Candelaria.
You can walk on your own, without fear. But if you prefer, you can join our tours of Bogotá in private transport with a guide who will show you the nooks and crannies of this cultural city.
The word ‘Paloquemao’ comes from ‘palo quemado’, a name born from a tree that supposedly 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 colourful flowers of all kinds, starting with roses. You may not know it, but Colombia is the world’s leading producer and exporter of roses.
Cultural Experience
Are you wondering what to do in Bogotá? As you can see, it’s an experience with an infinite variety of foods, from meat to fish, fruit, lots 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 fruit and vegetables sold directly by the producer, there are mini sections that focus on just 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, filled with shredded chicken and potatoes, corn arepa and corn polenta cooked in sycamore leaves. As you will have realised, corn flour is king.
Candelaria
Candelaria is the pulsating district of Bogotá. The starting point is the Plaza de Bolívar, and then continue through the narrow streets of the historic centre of the district. Many hostels and cafés 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 the Callejón del Embudo, a small alleyway full of graffiti where there are several cafés perfect for enjoying the local drink chicha. And a meeting point called the Chorro de Quevedo and a heritage site of the city because it is the site of the founding of Bogotá
Candelaria is under police surveillance all day long. This area is also home to the presidential palace and the main executive offices.
Monserrate Hill
One of the must-see places to visit in Bogotá is 3150 metres up, 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 get up there:
On foot: 1500 steps of steep ascent (not recommended because of the great effort, or because there have been cases of theft) by cable car or funicular.
Climbing Monserrate Hill immediately after sunset is wonderful. Having a romantic dinner in one of its restaurants with a night view of Bogotá is memorable
Here there is a restaurant and a café where we stopped to have the typical chocolate with cheese, the chocolate santafereño.
The museums of Bogotá
The Gold Museum
The Gold Museum is very interesting, housing more than 55,000 pieces of gold and other materials from most of the populations that succeeded one another in Colombia before the arrival of the Spanish.
After having been to the Guatavita lagoon, here we rediscovered the legend of El Dorado. On the third floor, gold and figurines that were thrown into the lagoon are on display.
The Botero Museum
The Botero Museum in the heart of Bogotá’s historic centre is located just behind the Plaza de Bolívar. It is free of charge and wonderful. The artist Fernando Botero has donated all the works on display in this museum to the Bank of the Republic.
Two floors of paintings and works not to be missed!
In addition to the paintings and works of Botero, there are many works by Picasso, Miró, Chagall and Renoir.
Where to stay and eat in Bogotá?
If you want to relax, the best areas to sleep in Bogotá are the Zona Rosa, the Zona T or the Parque 93 area. From here it’s about a 20-minute taxi ride to the centre.
In these 3 different areas there are restaurants where you can eat at night, shopping centres and shops where you can go shopping.
Colombia is an amazing destination, full of completely magical landscapes, its people and their energy is fresh. It seems that a big family is waiting for us in Colombia, their unparalleled warmth and closeness make this place a total joy.
May this little guidebook be useful to you, my dear traveller, and to many others who feel the urge to visit these distant lands and discover all the charm that a people and their traditions have maintained and promoted over the years. It’s time to dust off your suitcases and set off in search of adventures, memories and new ways of perceiving life.