Colombia|Colombia’s capital, also called the ‘Athens of Latin America’, is set on a lofty plateau some 8,661 feet above sea level, smack in the middle of the country. Having cleaned up its reputation as a gun-slinging metropolis brimming with drug dealers, Bogota now attracts high-end shoppers looking for emeralds and fine leather wares.
Visitors will find futuristic architecture, a lively intellectual life, impressive colonial churches and fantastic museums in addition to diverse cultural offerings. Beggars, shanty towns, drug dealers and traffic jams make up the underbelly of this bustling Andean metropolis. However, chic neighborhoods are increasingly replacing crime-ridden slums, particularly in the northern sector.
Dripping with classic Hispanic architecture, Bogota also offers plenty of art galleries and culture centers. La Macarena is not just a popular dance but also the city’s bohemian district, brimming with artsy cafés, art galleries and great restaurants. Parque de la 93 is a trendy part of Bogota with nightclubs and cafés which are often visited by Bogota’s rich and famous.
Highlights
Bolivar square: is the city’s main square and home to some major historical landmarks including the Capitol (congress building) and the Capilla del Sangrario cathedral.
The National Museum: was built in 1823 and features a fortress made of stone and brick with a modern art section housing paintings by some of Colombia’s finest artists.
Cerro de Monserrate: can be reached by cable car or on foot and offers stunning vistas of the city center below.
Primada Cathedral: is a colossal building constructed in neo-classical style and houses the tomb of Jiménez de Quesada, the founder of Bogota.
José Celestino Mutis Botanical Gardens: boast a full variety of Colombian flora, including orchids and roses from different climatic zones in open-air gardens and greenhouses.
Sal Cathedral: is just an hour away by bus in nearby Zipaquira and well worth the trip to see this amazing church which is carved into the mountain.