BOGOTÁ

The capital of Colombia and home to about 8 million people living in 20 distinct districts, Bogotá is situated in the center of Colombia more than 8,500 feet above sea level. Teeming with a rich colonial history, the city offers a plethora of museums covering pre-Hispanic and Colombian art, culture and history, plus more than 150 national monuments. The list of activities in this bustling Latin American city is endless: Wander its historic areas, dine in world-class restaurants serving local and international cuisines, and take in the whole city from the top of Cerro de Monserrate.

GETTING THERE

El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is located approximately eight miles from the city center. For taxi service, visit a stand at the airport and indicate your destination. You’ll receive a computer-printed slip listing the cab route and the price you’ll pay at arrival. Fares start from around $10, and travel time to the downtown area is about 35 minutes. Due to the crowded conditions of the city’s public transportation system, taking a bus from the airport is not recommended for tourists traveling with bags.

GETTING AROUND

The city’s extensive bus service, TransMilenio, is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to get around. Operating weekdays and Saturdays 5 a.m.–11 p.m. and Sundays 6 a.m.– 10 p.m, single tickets cost about 74 cents no matter where you’re going. Bogotá also offers a wide-reaching bike-route network. The best day to rent a bike is on Sunday, when the central streets are closed to traffic.

TOP ATTRACTIONS

Banco de la República Gold Museum
Discover the treasures of the pre-Hispanic world and Colombia’s anthropological heritage at the Banco de la República Gold Museum. Spend hours mesmerized by dazzling exhibitions, featuring 34,000 gold pieces and 20,000 bone, stone, ceramic and textile artifacts formerly belonging to 13 pre-Hispanic societies. Free on Sundays, admission costs $3.

La Candelaria
Abounding with history, La Candelaria is Bogotá’s oldest district and historical center, dating back to the city’s foundation in 1538. Wander its picturesque streets and admire the old churches; explore the several museums (almost all don’t charge admission); and pop into one of the quaint cafés to taste the Canderlaria’s signature beverage — a traditional Andean canelazo, created with sugarcane liquor, panela sugar and cinnamon.

Cerro de Monserrate
All visitors who aren’t afraid of heights must take the teleférico (cable car) or funicular railway to the top of Monserrate, a mountain sitting in the center of the city rising more than 10,000 feet above sea level. From the top, visitors can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Bogotá, explore the old church at the summit and have a bite to eat at one of the many cafés.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Festival Centro
In January, Festival Centro rocks Bogotá with its international and Colombian concerts. Lasting five days, the music and arts festival features musical acts, film screenings and literary events held in a variety of venues in the city’s downtown area and the historic colonial quarter, La Candelaria.

Ibero-American Theater Festival
Held biannually in March or April, the Ibero-American Theater Festival is one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world. For 17 days, the city comes alive with classical works, dance performances, concerts and colorful parades. More than 2 million flock to the city to enjoy about 450 performances and 150 street performances.

Summer Festival
Millions of Colombians and visitors gather in the city’s Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park to celebrate the birthday of Bogotá each August. Festivities include concerts, urban salsa bands, kite shows, street parades, comedy shows and motocross events.

RESOURCES

For more information, visit colombia.travel