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Bogotá


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Tourism and Sightseeing


In the heart of the country, Bogota has a vast array of visitor attractions, both inside and in the immediate outskirts of the city. And when you've seen them all, you can easily take a transport to the farther regions of Colombia.

Tourist Offices in Bogota

The city has two main Tourist Information Offices: one in the El Dorado Airport, and the other one in the Bolivar Square (Cra 8 #11). They are open daily from 10.00 to 17.00. They will provide you with maps, information about tours, museums, sights to see, and practical information about hotels and places to eat.
The country's official tourism site is colombia.travel, containing information about Colombia's popular and lesser-known destinations. 

Sightseeing in Bogota

Most of the Bogota traditional sightseeing takes place in the historical La Candelaria neighborhood, however, it is well worth exploring the rest of the city, as it may offer some unusual surprises.

Montserrate Mountain
Rising at some 500 meters above the Bogota plains, this is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in the city. A sacred mountain for the indigenous Muisca people that used to inhabit the region in pre-Colombian times, it nowadays is a pilgrimage site for the member of the Catholic faith, due to its church, built in the 17th century. However, Catholics and non-Catholics alike will enjoy the views it offers over the city, the spectacular sunsets, as well as the mountains on the other side of the ridge.

On Sundays, it becomes crowded with tourists and pilgrims who flock to climb the steep trail on foot.
It can be reached either on foot, through a funicular or through a cable-car, but all of the three options may not be available at the same time.
Opening hours of the sanctuary:

Working hours of the funicular and cable car:

Admission is free for the site.
Funicular and cable car fares:

The Primate Cathedral
Cra 7#10-80
The most important cathedral of the country and home to the Archdiocese of Bogota, it was built in the early 19th century in neoclassical style and holds the remains of the founder of the city, Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. It is located in the Bolivar Square, on Cra 7.
Admission is free, however the cathedral is usually closed and only opens on service hours.

El Carmen Church
Cra 5 #8-36
Probably one of the most visually striking churches in the historical center, this neo-gothical church colored in white and red stripes was built in 1927. Inside, the visitors can admire the paintings dating back to the colonial times, as well as the stained glass windows with floral motifs made by local artisans.
Admission is free.

San Francisco, Veracruz and La Tercera Churches
Cra 7, between Calle 13 and Calle 15
The three churches located on the Carrera 7 are among the oldest ones on the continent. While unassuming from the outside, on the inside they preserved their early colonial and baroque elements with Moorish influences, and have richly decorated altars.
Admission is free.

Chorro de Quevedo
Calle 13 with Carrera 2
The Chorro de Quevedo square is said to be the place where Santa Fe de Bogota was founded by Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada in 1538. Nowadays it is a charming place in the heart of the old historical center, with a lively atmosphere due to its artisans, street performers and numerous student population from the nearby universities.
Admission is free.

Guadalupe Mountain
The lesser-visited 'sibling' of Montserrate, Guadalupe is the other hill that watches over the Colombian capital. Another a sacred mountain for the indigenous Muisca people, it is another Catholic pilgrimage site, offering comparable, if not better views of the city from the height of its 3317 meters above the sea level (almost 200 meters more than Montserrate).
It can be reached by car or public transport that leaves regularly from the Tercer Milenio Park. 
Admission is free.

Simon Bolivar Park
Calle 63 #57-71
Simon Bolivar is the biggest park in Bogota, hosting free concerts, paddle boat renting facilities and a sports complex. Together with the Los Novios Park, the Salitre Park, the Salitre Sports Park and the Simon Bolivar Aquatic Complex, it is part of a system of parks that add up to the largest green area inside the Colombian capital. In its current form, it was constructed over two decades in the second half of the 20th century and it is a popular recreational space for the city dwellers.
Admission is free.

Usaquen Square Artisan Market
Cra 5 #120A-7
The main square of Usaquen, an old residential neighborhood in the North of the city, is one of the few places outside the historical center that still maintains some of the colonial charm. The adjacent streets offer a wide array of options for eating out, and every Sunday they host one of the best artisan and flea markets in Bogota. 
Admission is free.

Botanical Garden
Av. Calle 63 #68-95
The Jose Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden is a beautifully designed green space that brings a small portion of the extraordinary biodiversity of Colombia's landscapes within the city limits. Educational events and temporary exhibitions are often organized, and it is a recommended pastime for families.
Admission: 2.700 COP

Virgilio Barco Library
Av. Carrera 60 #57-60
Designed by Colombian star architect Rogelio Salmona, the library is one of the most beautiful and unsual buildings that can be found in the Colombian capital. It is located near the Simon Bolivar Park.
Admission is free.

Salitre Mágico Amusement Park
Calle 63 #60-80
An excellent destination for families with children, the park has 39 attractions among which a number of roller coasters, carousels, bumping cars and a giant wheel.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday between 10.00 – 17.00
Admission: fares depend on the types of visits and group size. For details, see the Salitre Mágico website.

Mundo Aventura Amusement Park
Cr 71D #1-14 Sur
The other popular option for families with children and teenagers, Mundo Aventura is newer and larger than its competitor, with attractions grouped in themed areas.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday between 10.00 – 19.00
Admission: fares depend on the types of visits and group size. For details, see the Mundo Aventura website. 

Bogota Tours

There are many companies that offer tours of Bogota. You can opt for either individual or group tours, for general or specialized ones. It is mandatory for tour guides to be licensed in order to provide the best service.

In order to find a tour, you should simply browse through the countless offers now available and see which one may be of interest. Make sure you check your guide is truly bilingual, as foreign tourism is rather new in the country and many guides do not speak very good English.

Festivals in Bogota

A bustling city, Bogota has a myriad of festivals and events to fill up nearly any day of the year. Whether you are a food lover, a bookworm, a theater fan or a music addict, you are guaranteed to find something that suits your tastes and preferences year-round. Most events are held indoors, as the notorious Bogota weather might ruin even the most carefully organized activity. Nevertheless, some of the best events are still open-air concerts, and they go on as planned – whether it rains or not.

Some of the most important festivals include:

Music

Theater

Cinema

Other



20/08/2018

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