Bogota, Colombia
Bogota is on the move
With a population of about 8 million people, Bogota sits approximately 8,660 feet ( 2640 meters ) above sea level in the Andean Highlands . Orientation is relatively easy, as the mountains to the east are generally visible from most parts of the city.
 Bogota is a city with many layers. From internationally recognized universities to regional offices for multinational companies, Bogota is Colombia 's capital for official business dealings. It is a city that caters to a population that has been exposed to European and North American influences, which ensures that anything from traditional dishes (Ajiaco) to sushi or fast food restaurants can be found. It's one of the most modern and metropolitan cities of South, Central America and the world. Bogota is divided by 4 sections: The south which is mainly the poorer section of the city , El Centro , which translates "Center" in english is where the old town and the main financial headquarters are established, it's pretty similar with downtown found in North American cities. El Occidente which is where Bogota's main middle and some upper class lives, and The North which is where most of the affluent live and where you will find many upscale boutiques, cafes, nightclubs, and many new multinational headquarters.
 Graceful churches, excellent museums, cultural events and a thriving nightlife will keep you busy for several days. Bogotá is also the political, financial and service center for the country, and its geographic heart, making it a useful base from which to explore the country. Despite its massive sprawl, Bogotá is a dotted with parks and leisure spots. Cool air and almost daily rain sweep away residual pollution, and there are several high peaks to the east of town that help you to keep your perspective on the ground.
 Most travelers spend their time in or around historic La Candelaria, a pleasant quarter of cafés, churches and museums. Northern Bogotá stands in great contrast to the south, turning up its nose to history and moving forward as a modern district of brash capitalist values.
 Most of the sights of the city are in the historic central neighborhood of La Candelaria. The Plaza de Bolivar is the principal square in the city and it is where the seat of both Federal and Local governments are housed. The buildings in the surrounding areas are built in the colonial style with wide-eaved balconies. Sitting on the main square, you may also see and visit the First Cathedral, built back in the late 1500's. Bogotá's most breathtaking museum is the Museo del Oro ( Gold Museum ), -- more information on this museum and others can be found in the museums section.
 Downtown Bogotá is filled with shops, business offices, cafés, and the banking district -- also an interesting area to stroll around. Most of the best hotels , restaurants, cafés, and boutiques are located in the Northern end of the city.
Possible day trips from Bogotá include a trip to the salt mines of Zipaquirá, where you will find a whole cathedral built inside the salt mines. Another incredible place to visit is Monserrate, where you will find a modest and uninspiring church, but a marvelous panoramic view of the city. Take the tram up, and walk down.
Top Sights and Attractions
 1) Camarín del Carmen
One block south of Palacio de San Carlos is another fine colonial building, Camarín del Carmen, which was originally a Carmelite convent. It's now a cultural center with its own 500-seat auditorium, which features theater, cinema and other performances.
2) Capilla del Sagrario
 The Sagrario Chapel, on the same side of the plaza as the Catedral Primada, was built in the second half of the 17th century and has preserved its mannerist-baroque facade, which is considered to be one of the best examples of arquitectura santafereña . The chapel boasts a Mudejar vault and six large paintings by Gregorio Vásquez.
 3) Capitolio Nacional
On the southern side of the Plaza de Bolívar stands a monumental stone building in neoclassical style, the Capitolio Nacional, which is the seat of Congress. It was begun in 1847, but due to numerous political uprisings was not completed until 1926. The facade facing the square was designed by English architect Thomas Reed
4) Casa de la Moneda
 Next door to Donación Botero, another historic building which served as the Mint gives room to several permanent exhibitions.
5) Casa de Nariño
 Beyond the Capitolio Nacional is the Casa de Nariño, a neoclassical palacelike building erected at the beginning of the 20th century. It was the official home of presidents from 1908, but in 1948 it was attacked and damaged after the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán and only restored in 1979.
6) Catedral Primada
 The Catedral Primada is a monumental building standing on the site where the first mass was celebrated after Bogotá's foundation in 1538. The original church was just a small thatched chapel - a more substantial building was erected in 1556-65, but collapsed soon after due to poor foundations. In 1572, the third church went up, but the earthquake of 1785 turned it into ruins. Only in 1807 was the massive building - that stands to this day - initiated and it was successfully completed by 1823.
7) Cerro de Monserrate
 To get a view of Bogotá from dizzying heights take the teleférico (cable car) or funicular to the top of Cerro de Monserrate (3160m/10,400ft), the mountain overlooking the city center. On Sunday it's a popular local pilgrimage to the church on the summit, which displays a statue of the Señor Caído (Fallen Christ), to which many miracles have been attributed. It's also busy from dawn til about 09:00 every morning, crowded with local joggers and dog-walkers.
8) Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis
 The Jardin Botanico Jose Celestino Mutis botanical gardens have a variety of national flora from different climatic zones, some in gardens and others in greenhouses. To get there take a bus running along the Autopista El Dorado (the bus to the airport will let you off near the gardens).
9) Mirador Torre Colpatria
 For another impressive bird's-eye view of the city, although quite a different one, go to the top of the Colpatria Tower . The 360-degree lookout atop this 48-story, 162m-high skyscraper (completed in 1979) provides excellent views in all directions.
10) Museo De Arte Moderno
 Opened in the mid-1980s in a modern, spacious building, the Museum of Modern Art focuses on various forms of visual arts (painting, sculpture, photography) from the beginning of the 20th century until the present. There are no permanent collections on display; all rooms are given to frequently changing exhibitions by national and sometimes foreign artists.
Restaurants
Innumerable places have set meals for little money. Bogota has a thriving restaurant scene. A few suggestions:
Aguapanela's
Aguapanelas has a long tradition of rumba in Bogota and has played host to some of the greatest musicians the city has seen over the years. The life-affirming beats of La Tienda Aguapanela's dance and music have been entertaining Bogotanos for years: salsa, merengue and mariachi groups from Colombia and abroad all play here. The venue has had such success that it has had to open a second, larger site in the city at Autopista Norte, one kilometer before the first toll road.
Andante Ma Non Troppo
This restaurant specializes in Italian food and is situated in downtown Candelaria. Its big hall and central patio are exceptional examples of colonial architecture. The soft background music creates an ambience for a leisurely Italian lunch.
Andres Carne de Res
This restaurant has been open since 1984, in Chia, an area on the outskirts of Bogota . Its rural location lends to its authentic flair. Decorated with Colombian ornaments and handicrafts, knick knacks, from old photos to newspaper clippings, religious figurines, mattresses, bells and candles adorn the walls and tables. The waitstaff tends to be made up of students, which obviously helps in giving the restaurant its relaxed, easygoing feel. Andres specializes in grilled meats: T-bone steak, rump steak, steak tartar and Argentinian beef, all served with tortillas and filled tomatoes. The salad bar offers a wonderful range of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Arcanos Mayores
This restaurant's eccentricity is reflected in its menu, which is written on packs of tarot cards. Also, there is an in-house tarot-card reader.
Armadillo
The name of this restaurant has been inspired from the book 'Gatos, patos, armadillos y otros seres humanos' (Cats, ducks, armadillos and other humans) by the Colombian author German Arciniegas. In this book, Arciniegas compares the armadillo to a fortress. The decor and menu of this restaurant reflect a Californian ambience.
Bogota Visitor's Guide
Weather
Colombia 's proximity to the equator means its temperature varies little throughout the year. The temperature does change with altitude, creating various climatic zones from hot lowlands to freezing Andean peaks, so you can experience completely different climates within a couple of hours of travel.
As a general rule, the temperature falls about 6°C with every 1000m increase in altitude. If the average temperature at sea level is 30°C , it will be around 24°C at 1000m, 18°C at 2000m and 12°C at 3000m.
The altitude also affects the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. The higher the altitude, the greater the difference. Consequently, in the highlands there can be warm days but freezing nights, while in the lowlands days and nights are almost equally hot.
Colombia has two seasons: dry or verano (literally 'summer') and wet or invierno (winter). The pattern of seasons varies in different parts of the country, and has been greatly affected over recent years by El Niño and La Niña.
As a rough guideline only, in the Andean region there are two dry and two rainy seasons per year. The main dry season falls between December and March, with a shorter and less dry period between July and August. This general pattern has wide variations throughout the Andean zone.
The weather in Los Llanos has a more definite pattern: there is one dry season, between December and March, while the rest of the year is wet. The Amazon doesn't have a uniform climate but, in general, is quite wet year-round.
When to go
The most pleasant time to visit Colombia is in the dry season, between December and March or in July and August. This is particularly true if you plan on hiking. The dry season also gives visitors a better chance to savor local cultural events because many festivals and fiestas take place during these periods.
Apart from the weather, you may also consider Colombian holiday periods. There are basically three high seasons when Colombians rush to travel: from late December to mid-January, during Semana Santa (Holy Week; March or April), and from mid-June to mid-July. Also take note of three-day weekends, which send a rush of urban dwellers to rural getaways (eg Villa de Leyva), and regional celebrations (eg Baranquilla de Carnaval). During these periods transport gets more crowded, hotels tend to fill up faster and prices in holiday destinations may rise. If you travel at this time, you will have to plan your trip a little ahead and do more legwork to find a place to stay, but you'll also enjoy more contact with traveling Colombians, who will be in a relaxed, holiday spirit.
And of course remember that many visitors take advantage of the fact that plastic surgery in Colombia is world renowned.
My Colombia plastic surgery offers all inclusive packages including a tummy tuck in Colombia and a liposuction in Colombia. You will benefit with affordable plastic surgery and affordable cosmetic surgery.
The plastic surgery cost of your Colombia surgery is up to 75% less than USA rates and you will have access to leading board certified Colombia plastic surgeons.
In addition to plastic surgery in Colombia packages, we also offer gastric bypass, lap band, gastric banding and cosmetic dentistry.
Terms And Conditions | Sitemap
|
