City Guide Bogota, Colombia

Too crowded

Bogota is way too crowded and chaotic for what it has to offer....a few nice buildings here and there but overall a disappointment.....

Insider Tip:Don't miss a day trip to the Salt Cathedral.....amazing place and lovely city....was definitely the highlight of Bogota....

Great Weekend

Amazing city! I saw Monseratte, Zipaquira, Meseo Nacional, and Botero Museo. Ate great food, and had delicious beer!

Insider Tip:Bogota beer company. Don't spend more than 30,000 leaving the airport, and make sure you get a good taxi. Change money before you get there. (the airport was cheaper than the change place i found in the city)

Rugged, Raw, and full of Culture!

Bogota is a worker/hustler city. Dirty air & dirty streets in the center and south. North is clean suburbans sprawl. Tons of parks! Some of the best street art/wall murals I have ever seen. Birth place of Ciclovia, a weekly pedestrian/bicycle/roller skating/skateboarding bonanza! Miles of streets closed down all over the city on Sundays. Has great electronic music scene although a little outdated stylistically if you are from Europe, Australia, USA. Great museums.

Insider Tip:From USA? Don't bother tipping unless you really really appreciated the service. Is considered unnecessary and makes you stick out. Cheaper food is on side streets and alleys in center, not main boulevards. Taxi's are cheap. Don't rely on Transmelinio to get you to and from airport or bus terminal with all your stuff. Wear backbacks in front of you when riding as well. Bring old cell phone with Sim card or buy one downtown for $30 and pay for some minutes if you need to communicate with others in the city.

Bogota, Old Town

A nice capital city and we have seen a few, very bussling and busy but you can find cheap things to do and eat.

Cold, but worth visiting

Bogota is a bit of a shock after other towns in colombia... feels very westernized in most parts! Lots of great shopping malls with character, the Candelaria is cute, monserrate is a must-see, and the museums are excellent! never thought I'd see a picasso in Colombia! As far as walking around and exploring, it's harder to do because things are so far apart, and the bus systems aren't especially intuitive, but if you go to the center, there's lots to see, and people are helpful in pointing you around.

Insider Tip:Make sure you have some ajiaco :) it's delicious!