Top things to do in Bogota you probably didn't know about
Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is one of the most charming cities in South America. It may not be as large as Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, but it has its own unique charm that keeps you wanting to go back there again and again to explore all of its corners and sights! If you’re planning on going to Colombia any time soon and you want to visit Bogota, make sure to check out these top things you should do in Bogota that you probably didn’t know about before reading this article!
Visit the Gold Museum
The Museo del Oro is a stunning museum devoted to gold. The entire building itself was built from recycled materials and demonstrates how artists can use simple, everyday objects as pieces of art. Many of the exhibits are interactive, so if your group wants a close-up look at some of Colombia’s most valuable treasures then a visit here is highly recommended. It's free too! Be sure to check out the room where famous writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez once spent time; he donated his Nobel Prize money to help pay for it! After visiting, grab a bite nearby at one of Miraflores' trendy cafes before heading off into downtown Bogota. If you want to take home a little piece of history with you, the Gold Museum also has an onsite store that sells precious stones and other authentic relics straight from ancient ruins all over Latin America. Also worth seeing in Bogota: Tequendama Falls, Monserrate Hill and much more. Spirit Airlines pet policy allows only six pet carriers per trip, with a maximum of two pets per container and one container per passenger.
The Museo del Oro is a museum located on Bolivar Avenue in Bogotá, Colombia. It houses an extensive collection of pre-Columbian gold work from throughout South America. It's worth visiting just for that reason alone but be sure to plan time and set aside money for all other activities as well. A tour will provide a better experience for travelers and help them get more out of their trip. Guided tours are also useful because they give visitors a chance to learn more about Colombia's culture through its artifacts. The most popular one is called Rituales Magicos de Colombia (Magical Rituals of Colombia). Visitors learn a lot more than they would if they simply walked around on their own, and it's fun too!
Buda Castle
Located at 7,200 feet above sea level, Buda Castle is home to many mysterious events and people. One of those ghosts is known as El Fantasma del Conde Rojas , The Ghost of Count Rojas. Legend has it that after spending one night at Buda Castle, El Fantasma del Conde Rojas began haunting anyone who decided to spend a night there; however, no one knows why he haunts or what his intentions are. The only thing that is certain is that any man or woman who stays at Buda Castle will be possessed by him. This has been said for many years now, so if you are ever in Bogota make sure you visit Buda Castle.
Santos Luzardo Park
Whether you’re catching a late lunch or enjoying a picnic, Santos Luzardo Park is one of the best places to spend your time outdoors. This 26-acre park in downtown Bogotá has plenty of green space and is a favorite among locals who visit for daily walks and runs. Nearby attractions include Plaza de Bolívar, Parque Berrío and Museo Botero. If you’re looking for outdoor activities but aren’t quite sure where to start, Santos Luzardo Park will be your new go-to place!Pablo Escobar TourVisiting Pablo Escobar's Hacienda Nápoles is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Colombia. This beautiful 500 hectare estate sits on a huge natural lake where you can take horse-back rides and even swim. It is located about 20 minutes from central Medellín, where tours depart daily, including transportation to and from your hotel. Visiting as an independent traveler can be difficult as it requires special permissions; these are much easier to obtain if you have booked a guided tour through your hostel or hotel. Most of these tours visit both Palacio de la División del Norte (an incredible pre-Columbian historical museum) and then go directly out to Hacienda Nápoles after—which allows time for swimming! Find the best Spirit Airlines Ticket Reservations and book a low-cost flight ticket.
Book an Urban Adventure
Bogotá’s history and crime make it a non-starter for most tour companies, but go off-the-beaten path and book an urban adventure through local operators. Explore via bike, ATV or mule as you learn more about Colombia’s turbulent past, diverse wildlife and indigenous people. Don't worry—if your Spanish isn’t up to snuff yet, there are plenty of bilingual guides at hand who can assist. And since many of these trips involve trekking through some of Colombia's roughest neighborhoods, rest assured that your experience will be hands-on—and safe (provided you stick with reputable operators).
San Diego Park
Located on Calle 22, between Carrera 3 and Avenida NQS, San Diego Park is a pretty and peaceful place. People are encouraged to picnic there with their families and to get away from traffic for a while. The park itself is well-maintained and attracts many visitors throughout the year. It has an amphitheater that hosts concerts, art fairs, sporting events, etc., as well as playgrounds for children and walking paths for those seeking exercise outdoors.
Botero Square
This square is located right in front of one of Colombia’s most famous museums, Casa de la Moneda. The museum contains works by renowned artist Fernando Botero, who is also known for his work on sculptures and figurines. One thing that makes Botero Square unique is that it hosts an artist from a different country every year, who has their artwork displayed until December 31st. And when each artist leaves at midnight on New Year’s Eve, their art will be auctioned off with proceeds going towards a different charity every year. So far it has benefited victims of war and natural disasters in Iraq and Japan.
Go Hiking In Monserrate National Park
Monserrate National Park is located in Bogotá, Colombia. The park is filled with beautiful trees and flowers making it an ideal place for a leisurely hike. Additionally, if you are up for an adventure there are multiple hiking trails that will take you to a variety of amazing lookout points. Plus, not only can you see an amazing view but there’s also plenty of great food nearby that allows you to picnic while on your hike. However, note that although several trails exist make sure to check which trail takes tourists because some offer better views than others. If hiking isn’t your thing don’t worry because Monserrate National Park has plenty of other activities including horseback riding and birdwatching!A landmark that dominates your view of La Candelaria, Monserrate is Colombia’s most important shrine dedicated to Mary. It's also known as Cerro de la Monserrate (Mountain of Our Lady) or Cerro de San Bernardo, and was once part of a huge Benedictine monastery. At 3,152 meters above sea level, it's a steep but not difficult walk up. The actual chapel offers spectacular views of Bogotá down below and Mount Tunjuelo up close. You'll often see vendors along the way selling warm chicharrón (pork rinds) straight from a deep fryer—or steaming pots of hot chocolate. A perfect snack on an early afternoon climb to beat those biting Bogotá winds!
Visit Casa de Salinas (the salt mansion)
This is a hidden gem located right by La Candelaria, an area well known for it's amazing cultural and culinary offerings. The mansion itself was built between 1883 and 1888. It was constructed by Carlos Ardila Lülle, a businessman from Antioquia with a specialty in salt production. Salt had become one of Colombia's most important exports (along with coffee and tobacco) throughout the 19th century, mostly due to Antioquia's geographical position near several large salt lakes that were discovered after colonialism ended. Today Casa de Salinas is known as one of best preserved examples of Neoclassical architecture in Latin America. On top of its stunning looks, it also offers a great view over Bogotá.
Visit Centro Internacional de Convenciones
Centro Internacional de Convenciones (or CIC, as it's commonly known) is a huge convention center that hosts events all year round. But beyond hosting massive events, CIC is also home to nearly every major head-of-state who visits Colombia. It's truly one of Bogotá's most interesting buildings and well worth visiting on its own. When attending an event at CIC, be sure to spend some time exploring its grounds outside - there are plenty of places where important political discussions have taken place!
The Cable Car
One of Bogotá’s most famous landmarks is a large aerial tramway that takes visitors up and down Mount Corone (also known as El Chicote). The tram covers 3.2 kilometers of track, taking between 12 and 15 minutes, depending on how fast it goes. It starts on a parking lot near Calle 100 with Diagonal Norte. There are two stations: La Sierra at 9,400 feet above sea level and El Chico at 8,160 feet above sea level. Prices are affordable for a one-time experience (about $4 USD per person), but if you plan on using it more than once I recommend buying an unlimited time pass from any kiosk or stall around town that sells tickets for public transportation.
Watch a Colombia soccer game at El Campin Stadium
This stadium is one of many reasons why it's a good idea to have a friend with local connections when you visit Colombia. Situated on a large hill in El Barrio Santa Fe, overlooking downtown Bogota, El Campin is one of South America's most picturesque stadiums. The atmosphere at each game is electric, and with affordable ticket prices, cheaper than any European league match I've attended. The crowd sings long into the night after every win for their beloved Independents—Colombia's local team that competes as a member of CONMEBOL and CONCACAF against other teams from around South America and North America.
Bike Across La Puente de Upar
If, like many foreign travelers, your path through Colombia leads through Bogotá, I recommend renting a bike and taking a trip across La Puente de Upar. This pathway is an impressive piece of infrastructure: it is made entirely of recycled plastic bottles filled with sand and cement. The views are great, too! You can also walk or skate on La Puente de Upar. The pathway was inaugurated in 2013 by Bike-Cola, a government program that encourages citizens to utilize their bicycles as part of daily life—and it works!
Grab A Coffee At Juan Valdez Café
For almost 50 years, Colombia’s Juan Valdez has been promoting its coffee on television—often with a mule, sometimes without. The character has made Colombian coffee (and beans) recognizable around the world, and helped solidify Colombia as one of the largest producers of coffee beans. Stop into one of their cafeś, located throughout cities like Bogotá and Calí; be sure to try some queso ahumado (smoked cheese), made from hot-smoked cow's milk. It's an acquired taste but will stick with you after your first bite! Skip out on a cup of coffee if you want though: At these prices ($3), it'd be silly not to order yourself an ice cream.
Take An Uber To Zipaquirá And See The Salt Cathedral
Colombia's first official tourist attraction is also one of its most popular. Built in a former salt mine, the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral is a testament to Colombian ingenuity and engineering. The church was formed from more than 1,000 tons of salt extracted from its location in Zipaquirá and has become an iconic destination for tourists visiting Colombia. Head there on foot, by car or via Uber for a truly memorable experience. It's just 45 minutes outside of Bogota and won't cost much—but it will be worth every penny.
Explore Parque Explora
Parque Explora is a huge theme park located on an island in Laguna del Cocuy that offers fun activities for children and adults alike. Check out roller coasters, a haunted house, and multiple water slides at their amusement park. There are also plenty of animals at Parque Explora that visitors can get up close with. An attraction like no other, Parque Explora is a great family day trip Spirit Airlines to Atlantá!
La Candelaria (Bogota's Historical Center)
This is a lovely area of town, with well-preserved Spanish architecture. Walking through it feels like being transported back to colonial times. It's also home to some top museums (the Gold Museum, for example), and dozens of restaurants. Check out La Salitre market for some typical Colombian souvenirs.
Going up at night to enjoy the city lights and people watching.
Going up at night has been voted one of the top 5 things to do in Colombia. You can choose from a variety of activities at night, such as sightseeing, dining, dancing and shopping; all of which are widely available Spirit Airlines Cheap Flights at affordable prices. Take a walk down La Candelaria for a window into colonial history and some great people watching or visit Monserrate on top of El Cerro de Monserrate for fantastic views over Bogotá. There is also an enormous flea market along Calle 23 with great deals on art, antiques and handicrafts. You'll even find vendors selling gold jewelry by weight - bargain hard! If you're looking for more evening entertainment, take a salsa lesson - it's always fun to tango!
