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Bogota City Guide

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:27:16 +0000

Founded in 1538 by Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada it was originally named Santa Fe De Bogotá. It was shortened to Bogotá after Colombia gained independence from Spain in 1819. With the Constitution of 1991, Bogotá was confirmed as the Capital of Colombia acquiring the name “Santa Fe de Bogotá”, this was short lived with the name being officially changed back to Bogotá before long.

Bogotá and its metropolitan area, which includes municipalities such as Chía, Cota, Soacha, Cajicá and La Calera, had an estimated population of 7,881,156 according to the 2005 census. Bogotá has experienced much of its growth as a city since the expansion of industrialization in the 1940s which encouraged agricultural peasants to Bogotá in search of work.

I found Bogotá to be lacking a definitive atmosphere, consistent of a city lost in translation between that of the developed world and one that is still hanging on to times past and plights of poorer urban centers. It has everything that a western city has to offer but in true Latin America in half heartedly done fashion.

If you like cities and the urban sprawl than you will find things to keep you occupied for a few days in Bogotá, otherwise you maybe struggling for a reason to stay. The old city centre is small and lacks the appeal of cities elsewhere in South America that have retained their colonial centers.

The main square, Plaza de Bolivar, is worth a visit as are the governmental buildings along Carrera 7. There is the Museo del Oro to visit which displays one of the most arguably important collections of gold-pieces in the world with some 34,000 pieces from the major pre-Hispanic cultures of Colombia. It literally is a shining point in the city and is rich in artifacts. The other museums house your typical museum paintings and collections of historical artifacts, if you are interested.

If you are in Bogotá over the weekend and you want to hang out with the locals you will find a lot of going on in the plaza west along Av. Jimenez, with the locals buying up bargains, enjoying the street performers and eating in the cheap restaurants surrounding the plaza.

Casa San Isidro

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:16:41 +0000

Specializing in masterfully prepared seafood and white-glove service, Casa San Isidro would be worth the trip for the location alone. Perched 2,000 feet over Bogotá on top of the Cerro de Monserrate, you’ll dine fireside as a pianist provides the sound track. Sample the San Isidro lobster with squid and shrimp, and then wash it down with your choice of wine from a dozen different countries. But be sure to leave by midnight, Cinderella, before the last cable car returns to the streets below.

Café y Crêpes

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:15:28 +0000

The alpine style of this place celebrates hiking and climbing in the great outdoors, but the mood inside is surprisingly intimate. You can sit on pillows in front of a fire and sip mulled wine. Both sweet and savory crepes are served.

Artesian Mall

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:13:21 +0000

The best place to shop for typical Colombian crafts is in a mini mall across the street from the Gold Museum. Very good quality stuff at rather low prices. Typical items include replicas of ‘chivas’ - bright-painted Colombian rural buses, Indian pottery, models of patios of typical Colombian houses, figurines of donkeys with coffee bags (with or without Juan Valdes), shirts and sweaters, gourmet coffee, reproductions of gold artifacts, etc. In many places they give you as a gift a Colombian flag bracelet.

All of the above. Prices are really good - almost everything is under US$5.

really cheap considering the work that went into them. and they are actually Colombian, not made in China.

Theme: Local Craft

Address: Plaza Santander

Directions: across the street from the Gold Museum

Pasaje Rivas

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:10:40 +0000

Pasaje Rivas is not a modern shopping centre but consist of many small shops along narrow passageways. At this market you can find a lot of different things like souvenirs (for example hammocks for a good price) and a lot of handicraft, handmade furniture and things for the home. It is a nice place to walk around in for a while watching all the different things for sale and the people.

Theme: Local Craft

Directions: Pasaje Rivas is situated in the corner of Carrera 10 and Calle 10.

Hacienda Sta. Barbara

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:09:15 +0000

This is one of the hippiest, more nicest mall’s in bogota, it has an special colonial air, mixed with a modern, one floor could be filled with little cafe’s, fountains and bookstores, and other floor could have the most modern gadgets, you could find from clothing to home supplies to nice restaurants

clothes, jewelry, artifacts, books, art and much more

everything rates from 10.000 pesos which is about 5 dollars to 500.000 pesos wich is 250 dollars

Theme: Other

Address: carrera 7

Andino Mall

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:07:40 +0000

The Andino Mall is a very nice, modern shopping mall in Zona Rosa toward the northern end of Bogota. I went here to visit a travel agency where we booked an airline ticket to Ecuador, but there are also plenty of stores here selling most things you might need. Some of the stores are international brands and some are national. There is also a movie theater here.

Theme: Other

Address: Carrera 11 No. 82-71

Directions: Zona Rosa

Unicentro

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:06:53 +0000

You can shop at Unicentro just like any other department store. More up market is another mall in Santa Barbara. Staff will follow you around the store, which l found strange at first. However you do get used to it and they are not looking for tips just being helpful. The security will also check your bag before you enter and put a tag on it so you can’t steal.

Leather goods. Anything from clothes to suitcases and beautiful jewellery. Emeralds very cheap but make sure you go to a reputable store.

You can bargain, not in the centres but the smaller shops.

House of Narino

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:04:58 +0000

President of the Republic residence and offices. The original building, named Palace of Nariño or Palace of the Carrera, was inaugurated in 1908 and built on Antonio Nariño home premises.

Architects Gaston Lelarge and Julián Lombana were responsible for designing the house. Inaugurated in 1980 and inaugurated again after attaching two new buildings.

The palace houses art and furniture from different Colombian history times. The Astronomic Observatory is located in the garden.

Plaza de Bolivar

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:03:11 +0000

Plaza de Bolivar is the heart of Bogota and certainly it is the center of the Historic District. I visited here a couple times, but on a Sunday afternoon it makes for a perfect place to people watch or to meet friends. Some of the most important buildings, not only in the city, but in all of Colombia, are found here, including the seat of the National Congress, the mayor’s office and the Palace of Justice. Most impressively, you’ll find the city’s main cathedral, although it was closed and I was unable to see the interior. Toward the center of the plaza on a raised platform is a statue of Simón Bolívar by the Italian sculptor Tenerari, which dates to 1846 making it the city’s oldest public monument.

Address: Calle 10, between carreras 7 and 8

Directions: La Candelaria