FOUNDATION | 6 August 1538 |
SURFACE | 1538 km² (612.7 sq mi) |
ELEVATION | 2625 m (8,612 ft) above sea |
POPULATION | 7’434,453 |
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE | 17°C / 62°F |
I can describe the city full of contrast regarding its architectural characteristics that ranged from seventeenth century Spanish colonial origins to English, French and North American influences.
To understand the different zones of Bogota you should to know that the city is divided into 20 localities, each of these has its own Mayor and local government. Together all the localities make up over 1500 neighborhoods in the city.
Bogota counts with 4 main zones. The north and northeast area where are find the wealthier parts and where the most modern development has taken place in the city.
In THE NORTH ZONE is where most of the financial activity is concentrated, here one can find affluent shopping centers, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, night clubs, and living areas.
In THE CENTER ZONE is located the Downtown of Bogota, which hosts most of its traditional heritage places.
As well as several financial centers.
And it houses most governmental and administrative buildings.
THE WESTERN ZONE is the industrial sector, which houses the major sporting venues and outdoor parks, as well as residence areas for main middle and some upper class living. In this zone is also found Eldorado International Airport.
THE SOUTH is also an industrial sector of the city which is home of lower-income neighborhoods.
And You know why I love Bogota, because there’s always something to do, seriously, in this town is impossible to get bored. Here you can do more or less whatever thing that comes up to your mind. This is a multicultural city that is able to cover all kind of tastes, and the best part of it is that you don’t need to spend so much money to satisfy your cravings.
The range of entertainment starts here...
in THE PARKS; each neighborhood of the city has its own park. And in every park you can easily find sporting venues, which provide sports programs for kids and adults, such as volleyball, basketball, football (soccer), tennis, among others.
in THE PARKS; each neighborhood of the city has its own park. And in every park you can easily find sporting venues, which provide sports programs for kids and adults, such as volleyball, basketball, football (soccer), tennis, among others.
BIKE RIDE
Bogota has one of the most extensive bike paths network in the world (120km), this is an excellent way to explore the city. Beside that Every Sunday and holydays between 7am to 2pm over 70 miles of the city streets are closed to traffic where people go out to walk, bike, run, skate, get free aerobic and rumba lessons, and enjoy the delicious juices and snacks for sale along the way.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
There it exist 6 main public libraries locally.
THEATER
Every year are presented around 9000 plays in Bogota. More than 3 million of people fill up the capital theaters all year round. Bogota has 6500 seats available in 40 theaters.
Every two years during late March takes place the largest theater festival in the world. “The Iberoamerican Theater Festival of Bogota” with more than 800 plays from 100 international companies and 170 nationwide.
LIVE MUSIC
There are many bars which have regular live bands in town, and there are also many music festivals in the parks all year round.
MUSEUMS
Bogota has museums for all kind of tastes, around 50 you can find. On the last Sunday of every month you can visit for free over 30 museums throughout Bogota.
MONSERRATE
One of the best Bogota views are found up on the Monserrate Hill, the easiest way to get there is by cable car. On the top of the hill there is a church, as well as restaurants, cafes, and several souvenir stalls.
One of the best Bogota views are found up on the Monserrate Hill, the easiest way to get there is by cable car. On the top of the hill there is a church, as well as restaurants, cafes, and several souvenir stalls.
PLAZA DE BOLIVAR
Go to feed the doves on the square, and take a look to the Palace of Justice where the Supreme Court works; The National Capitol, home of the Parliament; and the City Hall.
CAFÉS, BARS, PUBS, RESTAURANTS, NIGHTCLUBS.
Bogota offers you a wide selection of places to eat, drink and dance that suit all kind of tastes and budgets.
In almost every neighborhood of Bogota is possible to find a place that sells cheap and delicious Fast Food.
The easy option for the locals to satisfied quick hunger is to jump to the closest Shopping Mall where one can find different options to eat at the Food Courts.
There are two eating spots in the Downtown. One is LA CANDELARIA and other is LA MACARENA. This two are well known as Bohemic Neighborhoods. The average backpackers that travel to Bogota use to stick in this area. There you can also find cool bars and cafés.
In CHAPINERO you will find the three major residential areas, Chapinero, El Lago and El Chico, this exclusive district is one of Bogota’s largest neighborhoods and here is found the nerve center of the nightlife in town. It homes to a wide variety of cafes, bars, restaurants and discotheques.
Zona T & Zona Rosa: Hotspot in Town
In a selected area in The North is located “PARQUE DE LA 93” (93 park). It is a national and international business development center which is surrounded by different offices and companies as well as exclusive restaurants, bars, shops, hotels and cafés.
In the northernmost part of town we find USAQUEN which used to be a village until it was absorbed by the city. Today it homes many sightseeing locations, modern business squares and traditional architecture examples. The main square is the meeting point of the area where you can find pretty nice restaurants and bars, some with live music. In adition of that, there’s a cool Flea Market on Sundays working here.
And just to finish, I recommend you the funniest plan of all, go to the South and play the Colombia’s explosive national sport TEJO. While you eating grill meat and drinking lots of beer, HELL YEAHHH…!
I will tell you more about this later.
WELCOME TO COLOMBIA!
Hope you all fall in love with this wonderful country.
