Bogota

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Bogota is the capital city of Colombia.

	bogota Travel Guide : 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By bus 3 Get around 3.1 By taxi 3.2 By bus 3.3 By 'colectivo' 3.4 By Bicycle 4 See 5 Do 6 Learn 7 Work 8 Buy 9 Drink 10 Sleep 11 Contact 12 Stay safe 13 Get out

Understand

With a population of about 8 million people, Bogota sits approximately 8,660 feet (2640 meters) above the 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 American influences, which ensures that anything from traditional dishes (Ajiaco) to sushi or fast food restaurants can be found.

Get in

By plane

The city is served by El Dorado International Airport (~20 minutes from downtown in a taxi), that receives several flights a day from most american and european airlines. National flights are served from the Puente Aereo, next to El Dorado, and features WiFi access to the Internet from almost every location. Taxis are regulated, reasonably priced and safe from the airport. A taxi ride from the airport to the center takes approximately 20 minutes.

By bus

Currently buses run in and out of Bogota's main station, El Terminal de Transporte de Bogota. The station is clean and has standard amenities. Located at Calle 33 B, No 69-59, Multiple bus companies have regular routes to destinations around the country.

Get around

The city of Bogota is built on a grid system. Carreras (streets) are abbreviated as Cr, K and Crs and run parallel to the mountains from South to North.

The calles (also streets) cross the Carreras and run from East to West. Calles are abbreviated as C, Cll and Cl.

Avenidas, abbreviated as Av, are usually larger and main streets. The numerical system for the Avenidas is used but some have names that are more commonly used such as Avenida Jimenez. Each address consists of a series of numbers, for example: Calle 16 # 2-43. This indicates that the building on Calle 16 is 43 meters from the corner of Carrera 2 towards Carrera 3.

By taxi

Taxi cabs are ubiquitous and affordable. They can be flagged down anywhere. Also they can be called by phone, at no extra charge.

By bus

Bogota's new Transmilenio rapid bus service is extremely affordable, clean and efficient and carries commuters to numerous corners of the city. While the Transmilenio is expansive, there are some main routes that are not yet reached.

By 'colectivo'

Colectivos cover practically every major route of the city, and can generally be flagged down at any point on a main road. Watch these small buses for lists of destinations displayed on their windshields, or ask the driver (in Spanish) if he passes the neighborhood or intersection you are going to. Not very confortable, but cheap and can take you almost anywhere.

By Bicycle

Renting a bike and having a ride on Bogota's modern Ciclo-Ruta is a very exiting and healthy way to get to know the city and get closer to the people. There are certain rules that must be followed: Helmet must be worn when riding, also a reflective vest must be worn. The bicycle must have reflective panels in the wheels and back.

See

• El Museo del Oro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Museum) 1 (http://www.banrep.gov.co/museo), Calle 16 #5-41, Tel:(571)2847450, Fax:(571)3432222. Impressive collection of gold en precolumbian artifacts. Don't miss this museum. Open: Tu to Sa 9am-7pm and Su/holidays 10am-5pm. Entrance is free on Sunday.
• Donación Botero, Calle 11 #4-41, Tel: 1-343-1331. Collection of paintings donated by Botero to Bogota. Besides work of Botero the collection contains work from Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Dali and others. Entrance free. Open: Mo & We-Fr 10am-8pm, Sa 10am-7pm and Su 10am-4pm.
• Casa de Moneda, next to Museo Botero. Has a collection of Colombian coins and the history of moneymaking.
• Hacienda Santa Bárbara, Carrera 7 No. 116 - 05. A 19th century house that belonged to Pepe Sierra, one of the wealthiest Colombians in that time, that became a mall in late 80's. Famous for its cafés (some of them nationally renowned), is not as crowded as other malls.
• Usaquén
• La Candelaria, the historical neighboorhood in Bogota.
• La Macarena

Do

• Monserrate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monserrate) has a panoramic view of Bogota on one side, and a view of the jungled mountains to the other. You can either take a funicular (COP$11 000 return ticket) or a cablecar up. If you're planning on walking, for your safety, only do so on Sundays.
• Salsa dancing, or any kind of dancing in Zona Rosa, where the younger, more affluent Bogotanos spend their evenings.
• Dance and listen to traditional Colombian music like Vallenato

Learn

Bogota has numerous educational institutes.

Some of the better known universities include: Javeriana, Los Andes University and National University, however there are many privately and publicly funded universities.

Work

Officially it is not legal to work in Colombia without a proper working visa. Visas can be obtained by employers on your behalf.

There is also a significant market for English and other language teachers. Employment doing translation or English ing is possible to find under the table.

Buy

• Inexpensive handicrafts and jewelry from vendors
• Leather crafts
• Coffee-based products

Drink

• Coffee-based drinks are excellent
• Bogotan hot chocolate (with local cheese) is preferred in breakfasts
• Escobar in La Candelaria is popular with students on Thursday night. Cheap, good quality cocktails (the best Martini in Bogotá).

Sleep

• Platypus Hostel, C 16 No. 2 - 43, La Candelaria, 2 (http://www.platypusbogota.com). Located in the old Candelaria district is owned and run by an extremely friendly and helpful Colombian named German. The hostel offers free coffee, internet facilities and hot showers. A dorm bed costs COP$13.000. Included in the Platypus portfolio are Platypus 2 and 3, where those wishing to stay for longer can take advantage of having their own room at discounted rates.
• Hotel Aragon, Carrera 3 No. 14-13, 571 342-52-39, 571 284-83-25, fax 571 342-63-87. If the platypus is full you can try this hotel a few blocks down. A room costs COP$15.000 per person.

Contact

Stay safe

Bogota is considered to be somewhat of an unsafe city, however if precautions are taken, it is unlikely that travellers (especially those who are not flashing rental cars or expensive electronic goods) will be affected.

Get out

• Catedral del Sal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Cathedral) is an impressive Cathedral hewn out of a saltmine in Zipaquira. A visit is by guided tour. The entrance fee is COP$10 000 or half that when you buy your ticket on Wednesdays. To get there take the Transmilenio to Portal del Norte, from there take a bus to Zipaquira and ask the busdriver for directions to the cathedral. The total journey takes about 3 hours.

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