BOGOTÁ TOURIST GUIDE
The Colombian capital is a city with a lot to offer, whether you have half a day, a day or the entire weekend available, there are plans in Bogotá for all tastes.
These are some recommendations for visiting Bogotá:
Recommended route
Some of the most popular cultural centers and museums in Bogotá are located in the La Candelaria sector, in the city center. These are five of the most important:
Gold Museum: It is home to one of the largest collections of pre-Hispanic gold in the world. After a decade of renovations, the museum reopened its doors in 2008. More than 55,000 pieces of gold and other materials from all pre-Hispanic cultures in Colombia are exhibited there.
Botero Museum: Fernando Botero is the most famous Colombian artist in the world thanks to his voluminous figures. In this museum, located in a colonial-era house, you can see more than 100 paintings in watercolors, oils, pastels and sculptures; as well as works by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí and Matisse. Next to the Botero Museum is the Casa de la Moneda, which explores the history of Colombian currency.
Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center: Named in honor of Gabo, this cultural center is an icon of contemporary Colombian architecture. Here you will find a library with more than 80,000 books, as well as an art gallery, a record store and a book store. After your visit, don't forget to stop by Juan Valdez, located on the ground floor of the center, and enjoy a cup of the best coffee in the world.
Luis Ángel Arango Library: Visit this masterpiece of Colombian architecture, home to the largest book collection in Latin America. In addition to a library, it is a cultural and artistic center for the capital's residents.
Banco de la República Art Museum: Founded in 1957 to protect and disseminate the history of Colombian art, the museum houses more than 5,000 works by Colombian, Latin American and European artists.
Plaza de Bolívar: After your visit to the capital's museums you can take a walk through Plaza de Bolívar, in the heart of the city. Full of pigeons, it is the perfect place for people watching. Around it are the buildings of the National Capitol, the Palace of Justice, the Primate Cathedral of Bogotá and the Mayor's Office.
La Puerta Falsa: One of the most typical plans to do in Bogotá is to visit this traditional restaurant, where you can enjoy the traditional Santafereño ajiaco; a thick soup made with potato, shredded chicken and served with corn on the cob, rice and avocado. Other famous dishes of the place are tamales and complete chocolate, a hot chocolate with cheese and bread with butter.
Cerro de Monserrate: With an altitude of 3,152 meters, Cerro de Monserrate offers an incredible view of the capital. At its summit is the Sanctuary of Monserrate, a church with a 17th century figure of Christ that attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the world throughout the year. There you will also find several souvenir and snack shops.
Teatro Colón: It is the oldest opera house in South America and the current headquarters of the Bogotá symphony orchestra. The Colón opened its doors in 1982, and after six years of renovation, it reopened in July 2014.
National Museum: This site offers an extensive display of thousands of historical and archaeological artifacts in what were once prison cells. There you can also enjoy temporary exhibitions and a cafeteria.
Bogotá Beer Company: Enjoy a cold craft beer in one of the many “BBC” bars in the city. Known as “Colombia's largest small brewery,” Bogotá Beer Company has more than 20 bars throughout the city and serves a dozen different types of beer, from German whites to British blacks.
Restaurants:
To close your tour of Bogotá, visit one of the many restaurants offered by the city's gastronomic scene.
v Harry Sasson: Located in a 1914 mansion declared National Heritage, this restaurant offers a menu that mixes Colombian and international ingredients.
v Tábula: It is a rustic space with a modern touch that offers a refined version of traditional Colombian food.
v Club Colombia: Enjoy the best local cuisine “just like grandma prepares it” on a journey of flavors from Cartagena to the Amazon.
v La Mar: It is one of the most popular places to try the best of Peruvian cuisine such as ceviche and fish in a space with contemporary design in the north of Bogotá.
v Salvo Patria: Located in Chapinero Alto, this is a small place with a bohemian style where you can taste a creative menu and a cup of the best coffee in the world.
v Minimal: Also in Chapinero Alto is this restaurant focused on local flavors and products, as well as fruits and other ingredients from the Amazon.
Electric tram: On the Bogotá tram you can travel through time. Although this means of transportation has not been widely used in the capital for 50 years, this special service is a good way to tour the historic center and learn about Bogotá's past.
José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden: Enjoy a 50-acre oasis of palm trees and lush tropical gardens in the middle of the city. The Botanical Garden has a sundial, orchid gallery, a waterfall and a lake, among others.
Ciclovía: Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. More than 120 kilometers of city roads become a space for citizens to run, walk, tour the capital by bicycle, practice aerobics or learn to dance. Along the Ciclovía you will find kiosks selling snacks and fruit juices. This program is more than 40 years old and is considered the first of its kind in the world.
Flea Market: Another plan in Bogotá for Sundays is to visit the traditional flea market in the Usaquén sector, north of the city. There you can buy crafts and appreciate the architectural beauty of the town, which became part of Bogotá in the 1950s. If you're hungry, try brunch at Abasto, a rustic-style restaurant and gourmet store.
Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral: Located approximately 50 kilometers north of Bogotá, this underground church is built in the Zipaquirá salt mine and attracts thousands of visitors each month. The Salt Cathedral is considered one of the architectural jewels of Colombia and one of the most important tourist sites near Bogotá.
Night life
Bogotá offers many options for partying or partying. Although there are bars and clubs throughout the city, the Zona Rosa is the largest area to enjoy nightlife. It is full of bars and restaurants. These are some suggestions to experience the capital's rumba:
Andrés Carne de Res: Located just outside the city, in the municipality of Chía, this is the ideal place to enjoy a good snack, giant margaritas and a night of partying. If you can't go to Chía, Andrés D.C. It is a good option within the city. It is a very popular place among the capital's residents, so don't forget to reserve your table.
Armando Records: Located on the fourth floor and rooftop of a building, Armando Récords is an unmissable place to party in Bogotá. Enjoy a good drink on the outdoor terrace and dance the night away to the rhythm of the capital's musical avant-garde.
Gaira Café Cumbia House: This bar, owned by the famous Colombian singer Carlos Vives and his family, is one of the best places to dance in Bogotá. There you will also find a large number of instruments and objects from prominent Colombian musicians.