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Mark Ford
It’s great to have you here searching for Bogota travel tips. Bogotá is the beating heart of Colombia, it’s an engaging and vibrant capital nestled high in the Andes mountains at 2,620 meters. Cradled by chilly Andean peaks and steeped in sophisticated urban cool the city’s cultural epicenter is called La Candelaria. Along the cobbled historic downtown is where most travelers first gravitate to when visiting. A mix of carefully preserved colonial buildings that is home to museums, restaurants, hotels and bars, bookstores, street vendors peddling emeralds peppered amid 300 year old houses, churches and convents.
Nearly all of Bogotá‘s traditional attractions are located here, radiating from Plaza de Bolívar, and the gorgeous Cerro de Monserrate just east of the city center. The city has high-rise buildings standing next to colonial churches, universities, theaters, and shantytowns. Bogota is also a mixture of influences – Spanish, English, and Indian. It’s a city of great wealth, material well-being – but also abject poverty. Experience futuristic architecture, graffiti and congestion in Bogota.
Bogota is served by Bogota Airport (BOG) located 14 kilometers northeast of the city center. The airport is locally known as El Dorado and when searching for Bogota travel tips and how to get from the airport to Bogota there are a couple of options that will get you there as smoothly as possible. Let’s have a closer look at those options so you can plan out your Bogota travel experience.
Bus
The cheapest way of getting from the airport is by bus. Take the free shuttle service bus 16-14 to the bus terminal located a couple of minutes from the airport. Then jump on bus 1 or K86 to the city center. The bus runs every 10 minutes and the ride from the airport to Bogota takes around 60 minutes and cost just $0.45 (1700COP)
Taxi
Taking a taxi is the most convenient way of getting from the airport to Bogota. To book an official taxi, which is recommended, simply book and pay at the counters available before exiting the gates. Collect the confirmation slip and head out to the taxi ranks. A taxi ride to the city center costs around $16 (60.000COP) and the ride takes about 35 minutes.
Bogota is a large city with over 10 million people living in the metropolitan area. When searching for Bogota travel tips and how to get around Bogota it’s not always easy to know how to navigate such a large city for the first time. That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide on the transportation options, what to think about, what they are and how much they cost. Let’s dive in.
Public Transport in Bogota
Bus
There are no metros in Bogota, but the bus system operated by TransMilenio is absolutely massive. With over 1500 buses, 146 stations, 12 lines covering 112 kilometers and serving over 2 million passengers every day. Jumping on one of the buses is the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to get around. A tip is to avoid during rush hour and be aware of pickpockets at all times. To use the buses simply buy a TransMilenio Card at a TransMilenio station. A card cost $0.60 and you can top it up with as much as $26, which is enough for 50 rides.
Taxi
Taxis are affordable, safe and convenient in Bogota. The fare starts at just $0.50 and the drivers are friendly and helpful. No habla espanol? No problem. Simply write down your destination on a piece of paper or show it on your phone to the driver so he knows where to go.
Bogota is one of the coolest cities in South America, it’s sprawling with art, history, culture and great nightlife. Sure there’s still some trouble in the city, but it has improved over the years and the city is letting go of its violent past. When searching for Bogota travel tips and the best places to stay in Bogota it’s good to know that there are still some areas that you should avoid. That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide on the top three best places to stay in Bogota. Let’s dig in.
Teusaquillo is located near the downtown area and it’s a great place if you like the outdoors. The neighborhood is located near the biggest park in Bogota called Simon Bolivar, where there’s also a botanical garden. It’s also near the soccer stadium and it’s easy to access the downtown area. This is the perfect place to stay if you want to live central, yet have close access to nature.
La Candelaria
Recommended Hotel: Bog Urban Hotel
La Candelaria is the oldest neighborhood in Bogota. Here’s where the city was founded in 1538. You’ll find colonial architecture, cobbled streets and plenty of cool street art around here. The area is home to many university students and here’s where many backpackers choose to stay due to the many budget accommodations available around here. Note that it’s best to stay near the main streets and don’t walk alone at night for safety reasons. This is the best place to stay for history, culture and if you’re on a budget.
Recommended Hotel: Hotel Casa Deco
Zona Rosa is the area to stay if you’re looking for nightlife action. The neighborhood is home to bars, clubs, restaurants and two of the most exclusive shopping malls: Andino and Atlantis. Check out the Zona T street for the bustling nightlife and head over to La Villa on thursday for their Salsa Exchange night. This area is the place to stay for nightlife.
Recommended Hotel: GHL Hotel Hamilton
Street Art in Bogota
Accreditation: Steve Yalo
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Mark Ford – Founder of Plus1Travel.com – For More Travel Tips > Go Here
