Out and about in Bogotá

• By: Stephanie Rocio Miles
• On: 07/30/2010 06:28:40
• In: SALALM Speaks

• Monserrate – Church located at 3,152 meters above sea level and which overlooks the entire city, plus there is a very nice restaurant at the top. Take the teleférico up, or join the locals doing penitence by walking up the mountain on your knees.

• Casa Museo Quinta de Bolívar – Simón Bolívar lived here between 1821-1826, and returned in 1827 with Manuelita Saenz. The house was often used for political gatherings during Bolivar's residence.

• La Candelaria - Historic neighborhood in the heart of the city. Includes the lablaa, several major universties, a number of old churhes, and lots of good graffiti on the walls.

• Usaquén - Neighborhood in the north of the city which includes a great outdoor crafts market, a fancy shopping mall, and lots of good restaurants.

• La Calera - Located on the outskirts of the city, La Calera offers great views of the city, local artesanias, and typical food.

• Planerario de Bogotá - Take a look at the moon, star, and sun.

• Zona T - Located between 82th Street with Cra. 13, this is an area of the city closed off to cars, and full of restaurants, bars, cafes, nightclubs and fashionable boutiques.

• Plaza de Bolívar – The heart of Bogotá's historic downtown, and the location for several important events in Colombia's (bloody) history, including La Toma del Palacio de Justicia, and El Bogotazo.

Libraries & Museums

• Biblioteca Luis Angel Árango (LABLAA) – One of the best libraries all of South America. The library includes a mayor theater. (I visited in February 2010 and blogged about it.)

• BiblioRed - Bogota's public library system. (My blog entry from a February 2010 visit to El Tunal and the Virgilio Barco libraries)

• Museo del Oro - The collection includes thousands of items in gold, emeralds and other precious gems representing the culture of many of Colombia's indigenous groups.

• Museo Botero - The collection includes many of Fernando Botero's pieces.

• Museo Nacional - Colombia's history, art and culture all under one roof.

 
Food

• Andrés Carne de Res – The original restaurant is the one in Chía; both locations offer excellent food y rumba pa' toda la noche!

• Cevicheria Central - Amazing ceviche. (Cra 13 con Calle 85, Bogota, Colombia)

• Zona G - Short for Zona Gourmet, and located in the north of the city between Carreras 5 and 7 and 71 to 79 Streets. Here's a list of the many restaurants in the area. 

Day Trips

• Laguna de Guatavita - Lake that inspired the ledged of El Dorado.

• Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá - A large church built inside a salt mine. There is a train that goes to the catheral, but tickets sell out days in advance. The town itself is also quite beautiful and worth the trip, in it of itself.