Are you considering a trip to Colombia? You will most likely fly into Bogota, so make sure to spend some time there to enjoy some great seasonal dining, rainbow-colored neighborhoods, and bargaining at local markets, as recommended by Vishal Rana.
A visit to Candelaria
Going from bar to bar in the Candelaria area, with its colorful buildings and winding streets, is a great opportunity to meet locals. Keep an ear out for live music as you navigate the maze of alleys; Quiebra Canto is a local favorite that has performances every Wednesday. This city’s street vendors have peddling chicha, a fermented drink derived from corn, for generations. It’s an alcoholic drink that tastes like candy and comes in many different flavors.
Because of its location in the heartland of Colombia and its construction on a high plateau that is more than 8,000 feet above sea level, the city has a somewhat cool climate that is consistent throughout the year (temperatures reach an average of 15C even in the hot season, something to bear in mind when packing). Bogota steeped in history, and its culture is a melting pot as a result. Spanish, Mexican, and British influences can be seen in the city’s architecture, food, and even in the manner in which the residents carry themselves.
Northern neighborhoods Chapinero, La Candelaria, and Santa Fe are the city’s most popular tourist destinations. Chapinero is a popular starting point for newcomers to the city due to its nightlife, student population, commercial centers, and LGBT+ population.
The Paloquemao market offers authentic Colombian food and shopping
The Paloquemao market is the place to go to get a taste of genuine Colombian cuisine as well as to do some shopping. It is the ideal location for a speedy lunch while taking in the vast scope of what Colombia provides due to the hundreds of stalls that sell flowers, fruit, coffee, meat, and seafood. Find vendors tucked away among its winding alleys who sell everything from exotic native fruits like maracuya to hearty delicacies like arepas.
They can be seen selling anything from maracuya to arepas (cornflour tortillas filled with meat, vegetables, or even chocolate). It is important to remember that you should never accept the first price that a vendor offers you; Paloquemao is an excellent spot to practice your haggling skills. Begin by offering only half of what you are willing to spend and work your way up from there.
Pay a visit to the city’s most charming neighborhoods
There are tales to be heard around every corner in Bogota, which is a stunning city that is also rich in history. It is important to include space in your schedule for aimless wandering and exploratory activities. Explore the vibrant student and arts district of La Candelaria, which is covered in graffiti and has a reputation for being a bohemian hangout. Take a walk through the exclusive Chico neighborhood and admire the eucalyptus trees that cover the streets. And be sure to stop by Bolivar Square so you may educate yourself on the history of Bogota and Colombia in general. Rodrigo, who works with ToursByLocals and is a native of Bogota, is a very knowledgeable individual who can also recommend the top coffee shops in the area.
Consume some coffee
Coffee is one of Colombia’s most well-known exports, and because the city of Armenia, which is the epicenter of the country’s coffee-growing landscape, is not too distant from Bogota, the city is home to some of the world’s finest coffee. You can get some of the greatest coffee in the area at Café de la Fonda, which is located on the route to Paloquemao market. Not only is the coffee excellent, but the establishment, which appears to be a simple family-run cafe, is actually a fully operational “bean to cup” coffee plant. If you are polite and ask, they will let you “backstage” to observe how everything done.
Where can one sleep
The recently opened NH Collection Hotel is located in the center of Chapinero and is just a stone’s throw away from several fantastic bars and restaurants. The hotel strikes a wonderful mix of inexpensive and luxurious accommodations. Attractions for potential customers include a delicious breakfast, opulent king-size beds, cable television, a reception desk open around the clock, and safety measures. Beginning at £70 per night for double occupancy.
The attractive and opulent Casa Legado includes spacious double rooms, a bar, and a shared lounge, in addition to a beautifully constructed courtyard where guests can eat, drink, and rest. It is also ideally located within Chapinero, a neighborhood that is popular with first-time visitors. Make use of the free bike rental option, which offers another practical means of getting around the area. Room-only rates for doubles start at £140.
Where to find food
Before returning to his native country, Alvaro Clavijo, who is both the head chef and proprietor of El Chato, spent a number of years working and developing his craft in various countries throughout Europe. He has opened a restaurant that takes traditional Colombian fare and updates it to reflect the culinary norms of the twenty-first century. The chicken hearts with potatoes are the most well-liked dish in Bogota, but the meringue with lulo, a fruit that looks like a tomato but has a citrusy flavor, is considered one of the city’s top desserts.
There is no better place to go for a speedy pick-me-up that will also help you refuel than Renata Tacos. If you’re looking for a winning combination, try ordering some chorizo and cheese tacos from this chain of taquerias and washing them down with a Corona beer. These taquerias are known for their low prices and friendly service.
Around an hour’s drive outside of Bogota is where you’ll find the restaurant and nightclub known as Andres Carne, but the trek is well worth it. You enter an environment that uses ambiance, vibrant decor, and music to bring Colombian culture to life as soon as you step through the doors. As you eat, musicians, magicians, and dancers perform at your tables and move from group to group. It has garish artwork, loud neon signage, and quirky designs that would not look out of place in the coolest of districts.
Choose the smoky sausage or the pig ribs with characteristic cheese and bread from Colombia. Although though the restaurant’s name contains the word “Carne,” there aren’t many vegetarian options.
Where can one get a drink?
Huerta Cocteleria, located in the center of Chapinero, is the place to go if you’re looking for upscale cocktails with a touch of Colombian flavor that sets them apart. It mixes a low-key, rustic aesthetic with a level of richness that makes any day of the week feel like a special occasion. It does this by making use of local produce and putting an emphasis on sustainable practices. Also, the cuisine is of very high quality.
Going from bar to bar in the Candelaria area, with its colorful buildings and winding streets, is a great opportunity to meet locals. Keep an ear out for live music as you navigate the maze of alleys; Quiebra Canto is a local favorite that has performances every Wednesday. This city’s street vendors have peddling chicha, a fermented drink derived from corn, for generations. It’s an alcoholic drink that tastes like candy and comes in many different flavors.
Zona Rosa is the primary district for nightlife and bars, and the locals refer to it as “Zona T” because of the shape formed by the main streets connecting it. There are a lot of bars and clubs in this area that stay open into the early hours of the morning and play music ranging from pop to salsa. Both the BBC (Bogota Beer Company) and Presea, the sole Reggaeton club in the neighborhood, are fantastic places for a dance, but Presea is the only one that serves locally brewed craft beers.
Feature prominently in the architecture
Bogota is home to more than 1,500 churches, some of which are hundreds of years old, making it simple to see the impact that Christianity has had on the city. The Santuario de Nuestra Senora del Carmen, one of the city’s most respected religious institutions, is only a short trek from Bolivar Square.
Although it is not the largest place of worship in town — that distinction goes to the Primatial Cathedral of Bogota – it is without a doubt the most beautiful, with an exquisite candy-striped facade and lavishly patterned flooring. See the enormous altar that can be found within, as well as the stained-glass windows that are exquisitely detailed and the hundreds of figures that protrude from the walls and fissures.
Questions Answered About An Ultimate Guide to Bogota
Which form of currency do I require?
Colombian Pesos.
What language do they speak?
Spanish, although English is also a very common language.
Should I Leave a Tippee?
The going rate appears to be somewhere between ten and twenty percent.
What is the difference between the times?
A delay of five hours compared to GMT.
What is the best way for me to get around?
You can get very far on foot; however, when traveling throughout the city, taking a private taxi is recommended both from a safety and convenience point of view. You can get rather far on foot.
Where can one get the finest view?
The ascent of Monserrate Hill either by footpath or cable car will reward visitors with breathtaking vistas of the city below. (If you are going hiking, you should travel in groups during the day.)
Insider tip?
Get your fill of the street cuisine that’s available; there are gastronomic marvels around every corner, and there’s something for everyone. Arepas are a required food item.
Is it wise to go adventuring here?
Since Bogota is still a sprawling mass of people and buildings, affluence, and urban degradation, it is necessary to exercise some degree of caution when navigating the city, as is the case with any other major metropolis. It is best to explore on foot during the day, take registered taxis at night, and avoid areas such as Ciudad Bolivar and San Cristobal towards the south. These areas have high crime rates, including muggings, car thefts, and pickpocketing. Although it is much safer than it used to be, it is still best to explore on foot during the day.
Are you attempting to fly less?
Cargo ships from European ports including Le Havre, Antwerp, and Rotterdam occasionally service Cartagena, Colombia. From here, you’ll need twenty hours on the bus to reach Bogota.