Bogota is definitely a city of contrast. For example check out the colonial architecture and modern buildings. There is a vast divide between rich and poor. And this cosmopolitan city seems stuck in the past. 99% of the population speaks Spanish yet it is a rich tourist destination. Bogota also has a diverse mix of hometown foodie stalls and modern day malls.

Many roads are closed to cars on Sundays from 7am to 2pm and are reserved for bicycles. And it seems everyone here takes advantage of this traffic-free day.

And don’t expect to find people to speak anything but Spanish on the streets of this dichotomous city. The culture in Bogota is prominent everywhere you go. Tell-tale signs of the Spanish colonization and architecture abound.

Now that I’ve given you an introduction to this fabulous city, let me tell you my personal 10 favorite things about Bogota ::

10. THE FOOD + DRINKS

One of the things I loved about Bogota is the food and drinks. Although I loved the food in Armenia and Medellin I would have to rate Bogota above the others if not for anything else but the overwhelming choices you have in this big city.

A. Catacion Publica Let me start with the coffee. This is one place I have to recommend. My experience here was so good. Our barista, Andres, was the best. He was thoughtful, considerate, prompt and not overbearing. He went above and beyond to make sure we were happy and he knew everything there was to know about the coffee. Very conscientious young man and eager to please. Oh, and the coffee is pretty terrific as well!

I am not a coffee drinker so I didn’t expect to be partaking with Roydio and our friend Catalina who brought us here. When Roydio asked for sugar, Andres explained that they do not serve sugar with their coffee in Colombia. Or cream, for that matter. With over 560,000 coffee farms in this country you would think they serve coffee every way a customer would want it. Well, Colombians are very proud about the quality of coffee they serve and I guess to add anything to it would be an insult to its quality.

And another thing I found interesting is that the more popular time to drink coffee here isn’t in the morning. Try more like 3pm and 7pm. There is no emphasis on caffeine when it comes to coffee in Colombia.

Location :: Cl. 120a ##3A-47
Hours :: weekdays from 11am to 6pm and weekends to 7pm
Social Media :: Catacion Publica Facebook page

I also have to mention the juices. You can get any juice at any time and it is always freshly squeezed. My very favorite (and you may remember me mentioning it a few times before) is the limonada de cocos. Coconut lemonade. It is to die for! And I tried lots of other fruit juices as well. Whether in a restaurant or on the street OMG the fresh juice in Colombia is the BEST!

B. Crepes & Waffles I usually don’t go for chain restaurants especially when I’m in another country, but this one is so special and so good with an amazing concept and extensive menu that I just have to recommend it.

The idea for this Colombian chain restaurant was born in 1980 by a couple of CESA university students who had the vision to open a business in which they believed :: hiring only women who are “head of household.”

Trust me, it’s not just the concept that makes this restaurant so popular with lines out the door from open to close. The menu is absolutely amazing. Their original offerings included crepes, waffles and ice cream but has expanded to include many delicious and healthy dishes. But certainly their philosophy behind the food they serve is another big reason it’s grown in popularity.

Locations :: Colombia, Chili, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Spain
Website :: Crepes & Waffles
Social Media :: Crepes & Waffles Facebook page

C. OBLEAS I’ve mentioned eating on the streets of Colombia but there is one thing I wish I would have enjoyed more than just the one time. Everywhere and in every city you will find a colorful cart selling obleas. And Bogota is no different. The cart will contain a stack of super thin waffles and several jars of colorful sauces that they place between two waffles. You have your choice. I chose the milk caramel sauce. OMG it was so delicious! The waffles are so thin that it really doesn’t take much room in your tummy.

I had every intention of grabbing another before we left Colombia but that never happened. 🙁 Be sure to try one when you see one of those colorful carts on the street. And don’t miss out on having at least another during your time in Colombia! You’ll thank me, I promise!

D. Coctel del Mar We lifted our glasses in celebration of our friendship. And enjoyed the food here very much!

Just a walk around the corner and down the block from our friends Juan and Catalina’s home is this beautiful restaurant. Such a wonderful menu. But most of all we enjoyed the company of Catalina and her mama. What an awesome way to spend our last day in Bogota.

Location :: Cl. 69 #17-60
Phone :: +57 1 2173109
Hours :: Monday to Saturday 11am to 6pm, Saturday 12 noon to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 9pm
Website :: Coctel del Mar
Social Media :: Coctel del Mar Facebook page

E. Carulla One of the things I love doing when I travel the world is to visit a local grocery store. In Colombia this is one I really enjoyed.

I believe Carulla is a little more high end than the typical supermarket but it was walking distance to where we stayed in Bogota and we ended up having breakfast there a couple of mornings. The bakery is pretty extensive and always fresh. For the first time ever I tried the pan de yucca (yucca bread) and it was so delicious! Thank you, Catalina, for introducing us to it!

A little fun fact :: Carulla was the first retailer in Colombia to introduce a loyalty card and it currently has 250,000 members.

Location :: 206 locations throughout Colombia
Hours :: 7am to 10pm
Website :: Carulla
Social Media :: Carulla Facebook page

F. La Puerta Falsa I can’t be remiss in recommending an iconic restaurant with a one-page menu which is famous for their tamales. In fact, they have been serving them for 200 years. Best tamale I’ve every had. Anywhere.

Expect to stand in line and wait for at least half an hour (if you’re lucky) or longer. This two-story cafe is tiny and always packed. We had thought about going elsewhere but I’m so glad we waited. Trust me, patience is your friend at La Puerta Falsa as you will ultimately experience a piece of Bogota culinary history.

Location :: Cl. 11 #6-50, Bogota
Hours :: 6am to 9pm every day
Phone :: +57 1 2865091

9. IGLESIA SANTA BIBIANA

Our sweet friend Catalina took us to an adorable church in Bogota that is definitely worth a mention here. I know there are lots of iglesias (churches) in Bogota but this one is truly special. I hope you get a chance to visit.

Location :: Cl. 109, Bogotá, Colombia
Hours :: Tuesday to Saturday 7am to 6:30pm, Sunday 7:15am to 8pm, closed Monday
Entrance Fee :: FREE (donations are always welcome)
Phone :: +57 1 2134683
Social Media :: Iglesia Santa Bibiana Facebook page

8. VILLA DE LEYVA

Although this town is not in Bogota itself you would be remiss in not taking the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a couple of days to relax. Villa de Leyva is home to some of Colombia’s best-preserved architecture with cobblestoned streets, white-washed buildings and terra cotta tile roofs.

In this little town you will just park your car and walk around. Immediately upon entering you will see why. In the center, Plaza Major spans 150,700 square feet and is one of the largest cobblestone squares in South America. What a gorgeous place. Not much to do here but relax and enjoy this sweet 16th-century environment.

Campanario de la Villa de Leyva is the place you want to stay. It is a beautiful colonial property including breakfast (8-10am daily) a shared lounge, fireplace, swimming pool (open 11am to 7pm) and a spa and wellness center.

Our room came with a wrap-around balcony with wonderful views of the city. I highly recommend this property.

Location :: Villa de Leyva is located about 100 miles northeast of Bogotá.
Phone :: +57 310 5500216
Website :: Villa de Leyva (translated to English)

7. CASA TERRACOTA

Within the city limits of Villa de Leyva you will find an amazing piece of clay architecture (artwork, really) that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Location :: Casa Terracota is located about 1.2 miles west of Villa de Leyva, about a 10-minute drive or a 30-minute walk – Vereda Monquira, Villa de Leyva
Hours :: Daily 9am to 6pm
Entrance Fee :: $5 (in COP only)
Website :: Casa Terracota
Social Media :: Casa Terracota Facebook page

6. RAQUIRA

Located in Boyaca Department of Colombia, Raquira “village of the pans” is a cute little colorful town and sits at an altitude of 7000 ft above sea level directly on the Raquira River.

This truly adorable town is known for its terra cotta clay pottery and the artisans who make them. In fact it is known as the pottery capital of Colombia. When driving around the area you will find clay everywhere and it seems that the mountains here are all made of terra cotta.

Location :: 3.5 hrs drive north of Bogota
Social Media :: Raquira Facebook page

5. USAQUEN FLEA MARKET

I have to say that this is seriously the BEST flea market I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to many all over the world. The variety of products and quality craftsmanship and unique designs and absolutely delicious homemade food of all kinds all play into my five-star rating of this great market. When you visit Bogota make sure you spend your Sunday here.

While walking around this flea market you will be entertained with a background of vibrant music. This adorable couple were so happy to receive a few pesos from passersby. And I just had to include a video of this amazing violinist.

My opinion is that he belongs in a concert hall (don’t you agree?) but his love is to play for the locals on the street.

Location :: Usaquen Park, Calle 119 Con Carrera 6a
Hours :: Open Only on Sundays from 8am to 6pm
Entrance Fee :: FREE

4. MUSEO DE ORO

Museo de Oro (Museum of Gold) in Bogota is a truly impressive collection of 55,000 pieces through history, the life and thought of the different societies which lived in present-day Colombia before the Spanish conquest of the Americas.

Museo de Oro also happens to be one of the most visited attractions in Colombia with over 500,000 tourists every year. 

Location :: Cra. 6 ##15-88, Bogota
Hours :: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm
Phone :: +57 1 3432222
Entrance Fee :: $4000 COP ($1.35 US) and FREE to Senior Citizens
Website :: Museo de Oro
Social Media :: Museo de Oro Facebook page

3. LA CANDELARIA WALKING TOUR

Your English-speaking tour guide will walk you through all the nooks and crannies that make La Candelaria so special. The colors and the graffiti make this area stand out. Begin the tour with a fruit and juice tasting at a local stand, walk through the town and learn all about it and end with a demonstration and tasting of the famous Colombian coffee.

This 2-hour tour is free but make sure you make a reservation ahead of time to reserve your spot. You do not want to miss this beautiful part of Bogota. After the tour you will want to check out some of the cute shops and restaurants (there are many) and get your camera ready to get some amazing footage!

Location :: La Candelaria, Bogota
Hours :: 10am to 5pm
Cost :: FREE (pay what you think your guide is worth) – in English
Website :: Freetour Bogota

2. TELEFERICO UP TO MONSERRATE

Rather than take the funicular up the mountain we decided on the teleferico instead. It was a much quicker ride up. Steep as all get out, though, so be prepared! But oh the amazing views!

Taking this ride up the mountain was pretty amazing. But when we finally got to the top the views were magnificent!

Plan to spend time up there, there is so much to see. Two restaurants, the church, shopping, snacks, lots of paths and arches and flowers and statues… it is pretty incredible.

We were even blessed to witness a church service up there. Wow. What a beautiful place. And don’t forget your camera because you will take photos that you’ll talk about for years to come.

Location :: Carrera 2 Este No. 21-48 Paseo Bolívar
Hours :: 7:30am to 8pm
Entrance Fee :: $27,500 COP ($8.25 US), Senior Citizens $22,000 COP ($6.75 US)
Website :: Cerro de Monserrate
Social Media :: Cerro de Monserrat Facebook page

1. ZIPAQUIRA SALT CATHEDRAL

Zipaquira is the salt mining capital of Colombia. The story of the Salt Cathedral begins in the 1930s. Miners carved out a makeshift chapel in the mine tunnel. There, they prayed for their safety each day before starting work.

One of the most spectacular sites I’ve seen in my lifetime is the Catedral de la Sal Zipaquira. What an amazing structure. To take the walking tour you’ll need at least two hours and you will walk about a mile while inside, if not more, if you’re anything like me and want to go back and capture some beautiful images at your leisure.

There were so many amazing facets to this place. Just take a look at some of the photos I took and I’ll let you decide for yourself.

While I was video taping one of the exhibits someone started singing in one of the chambers and you could hear it clearly throughout the entire cathedral. It was definitely a moment that gave me chills.

Not only did we take the tour inside the cathedral but we also took the mining tour (extra fee). It was so interesting to put on hardhats and walk into and through this giant shaft.

Tips :: 1. They do not give this tour in English, only in Spanish. 2. Also, there is a part of this tour that you will be walking in the pitch black, holding on to the person in front of you. Only after that section can you turn on your headlamp and actually see the inside.

Your entrance ticket to the cathedral includes a shuttle to the town.

It is also nice to walk the town of Zipaquira if you have some time.

Location :: Parque De La Sal, Zipaquirá
Hours :: 9am to 6pm, free tours are given in Spanish and English, every hour on the hour
Entrance Fee :: $58,000 COP ($18 US), with mine tour $89,000 ($28 US)
Website :: Catedral de Sal Zipaquira
Social Media :: Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira Facebook page

Read More ::

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To sum up my time in Bogota and its surrounding areas I have to say that it held a lot of inspiration for me. Besides the difficulty breathing due to the high altitude nothing stopped us as we experienced as many of Bogota attractions as possible. From the simple things to the absolutely unbelievable Bogota proved to be amazing. Many thanks to our friends Juan and Catalina for hosting us in the the city! We love you guys!

The post 10 of My Very Favorite Things In Bogota appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

On our journey through Colombia we flew from Armenia to Medellin. 

We were assured that in recent years Medellin has been transformed to a safe place to travel. Of course we are always aware of the dangers of walking the streets at night so that is something we generally avoid no matter where we go. This city was no different. But honestly we never felt unsafe anywhere we went throughout Colombia.

DO … visit La Comuna 13

On our first full day in Medellin, a city once heartbreakingly lost to violence with a most tumultuous history, notorious for the drug and gang wars that once dominated the area, we really wanted to visit La Comuna Trese (13) an over-populated and low socio-economic zone that crawls up along the west hills of the city with thousands of brick and cement homes stacked close to one another which I had read had made an amazing transformation since the days of Pablo Escobar.

I am so thrilled to have taken the time to visit because this is a city with a story of meaningful change, credited to its residents and their resiliency to reinvent itself, transforming the neighborhood which was once a pivotal center for paramilitary, guerrilla and gang activity and a location ideal for crime into a place of optimism that’s livable, vibrant and growing. La Comuna 13 is an amazing place and one I fell in love with.

Since its transformation residents are no longer afraid to leave their homes and quality of life has changed for the good. As we walked through the narrow roadways, kids were playing soccer in the streets, vendors were selling fruit and empanadas and we laughed with friendly shopkeepers who let us sample their signature green mango ice cream topped with lime and salt. It felt safe, comfortable, friendly.

The one thing that is very evident as we walk along the streets is the graffiti. This is what La Comuna 13 is known for :: artistic scenes on its walls. As I came to find out it was art that saved the city, used as a vehicle for creative and political expression. The walls became a canvas to tell its history, beautifying the area and bringing optimism and peace. And there is a story to every artist’s work. I recommend taking a tour so that you can hear the stories for yourself and experience what makes this place so special.

Enjoy the photos I took of some the amazing walls in La Comuna 13. Hopefully it will compel you pay it a visit one day.

DON’T … believe all the hype

Nowhere in our travels to Colombia did we ever feel unsafe. Everywhere we walked we found friendly people and safe atmospheres. Please don’t believe all the hype about dangerous Colombia. Be mindful wherever you go but don’t let it stop you from enjoying your travels!

DO … go see Botero Plaza

A well-known artist born in Medellin is Fernando Botero Angulo. (As a side note, the culture of Latin Americans is to use first the father’s last name and second the mother’s last name) His signature style called Boterismo (no need to describe what it is, just take a look at my photos) makes him the most recognized artist from Latin America and self-titled “the most Colombian of Colombian artists.” In 1958 he won 1st prize at the Salon de Artistas Colombianos and has attained international recognition for his paintings, drawings and sculptures (some of his pieces have sold in the millions of dollars) with exhibitions all over the world. And in 2012 he received the International Sculpture Center’s Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award.

His donation of 23 bronze sculptures for the front of the Museum of Antioquia in Medellin became known as the Botero Plaza which is where all of my photos were taken.

DON’T … miss going to the museum

One thing I wish we would have done is to go into the Museo de Antioquia which is rated as one of the best museums in Medellin and housed in the previous Municipal Palace. It was right there under my nose and I just had a lapse in judgment. It is recommended that you start on the third floor and work your way down.

Louise didn’t go to the Museo de Antioquia. Don’t be like Louise.

DO … eat at Mercado Del Rio

As we travel around the world one of my favorite things to do is visit a mercado. Basically the word mercado means “market” but that definition has been expanded to include fine eateries, like a food court but much more elegant and trendy, and with many amazing food restaurants to choose from. Some do include the sales of produce and seafood and meat as well. While in Medellin we went to Mercado Del Rio and it was beautiful!

Here they serve everything from alcoholic beverages to appetizers to main courses and desserts… and the atmosphere is awesome! They even have large screen TV’s throughout playing the ever popular futbol (soccer). Fabulous! This mercado did not disappoint, for sure.

I would definitely recommend this mercado. But don’t let that stop you from finding others! This was our final night with family and friends – it was a great way to end our time together.

DON’T … forget to bring all your friends!

Mercado del Rio is a great place to hang out with your friends! The atmosphere really lends itself to fun in every sense of the word. Food, friends and fun all go together so have yourselves a great time!

DO … visit Marinilla

We had a wonderful tour guide to drive us out to a famous landmark in Guatape but on our way we had to stop in this yet another adorable Colombian town with yet another cute plaza.

In the municipality of Marinilla we visited the Museo del Cristo y las Cruces where you will find more than 2700 crosses of different styles, sizes, materials and countries of origin on display. The collection was donated in 2005 by Roberto Hoyos Castaño who collected the pieces for more than 35 years from his travels around the world.

DON’T … miss stopping for a cup of cafe

Marinella is a great little town to stop for … what else? COFFEE! Every city in Colombia is actually a great place because after all you are in Coffee Country! Try a cup at 9Bares Tienda de Cafe. It’s highly rated on TA!

DO … climb La Piedra del Penol

Our plans in Medellin included several adventures that we were very excited to participate in…. one of them being to climb La Piedra del Penol. This is a famous landmark also called The Rock of Guatape. At its highest point it is 7005 feet above sea level and is composed of quartz, feldspar and mica. 

At the base you will find food and market stalls. As you climb there are several “resting” points (at least that’s what I used them for HA!) and halfway up is a shrine to the Virgin Mary.

It was an extremely hot and humid day but we did it! We climbed a whopping 745 steep steps to the very top! WHEW!

When we got there there we found a three-story viewpoint tower, a souvenir shop (I bought a “rock” for my collection – how original, right?), a bar and there are lots of chairs and tables where you can enjoy a little refreshment before making your way down.

If you ever find yourself in this area of Colombia this is an absolute must do!

DON’T … miss out on the cerveza michelada con mango

It is tradition to celebrate your climb by having a cerveza michelada con mango, the local beer, which they serve with salt and lime on the rim of the glass. Although I’m not a beer drinker I did have a sip of Roydio’s to celebrate making the trek and then I ordered my fave drink in Colombia :: limonada de cocos (coconut lemonade). OMG it is FABulous! We were both pretty proud of ourselves having made it on this hot and very humid day and these cold drinks were just the ticket!

DO … visit Guatape 

We made our way to Guatape where we stopped again to enjoy another beautifully colorful town.

When you get to the city of Guatape you will find a square. Of course. Like every other town in Colombia. And oh the beautiful Colombian colors were everywhere! I loved it!

And you’ll find great views of La Piedra del Penol on the way as well!

DON’T … miss taking a boat tour!

The building of the dam (see more info below) created a truly picturesque place. We were smart and took a boat tour on the reservoir. And I must say it was a perfect day to be on the water! Don’t miss your chance to take this wonderful tour!

DO … enjoy Viejo El Penol

Since we were in the town of El Penol, or what we thought was El Penol, we had to look around and check it out…

We found out that this is just a replica of the original town which was founded on June 20, 1714 but had to be relocated in 1978 because of a flood and they had to construct a hydroelectric dam which created the Guatape reservoir as we know it today.

If you want to get a taste of how the old town of El Peñol might have been, you can stop at Viejo Peñol, featuring a reconstructed plaza and church. There are souvenir shops and a couple places to grab coffee, ice cream, or something to eat.

DON’T … forget to bring your good camera

Make sure you find your way to the outside behind the shops and you will find THE BEST views of the city! OMG you will not believe how photographic this town is! If you’re looking to take some Instagram-worthy pics, this is definitely the place to go!

DO … take Cable car up to Parque Arvi

It seems that everywhere we went in Colombia we ended up on top of a mountain. I had many opportunities to overcome my fear of heights HA! But I must say that the views are tremendous and it was worth every trek UP!

It was getting late in the day and even though it was closing soon we decided to take the cable car up to Parque Arvi which is both an ecological nature preserve and pre-Hispanic archeological site on the eastern slopes of Aburrá Valley in the northeast area of Medellín.

The cost to take the cable car from the metro to Santo Domingo was included in the metro ticket but there we paid 4600 COP ($1.50US) per person for a 10-minute ride up to the park which is a very large, 4352 acres in fact, ecological park deep in the woods on top of the eastern mountains of Medellin where you can hike all around. It was a pretty amazing ride over the tall pine and eucalyptus trees in this forest.

When we got to the park entrance we had a relaxing time exploring the beautiful surroundings. There are some displays with information about Parque Arvi there and some shops and a restaurant as well as some comfortable seating scattered all around.

We ordered some refreshments at the cafe and just enjoyed our surroundings and relaxed for a while before heading down to Santo Domingo.

I highly recommend a trip up in the cable car in Medellin to Parque Arvi. Whether or not you hike the trails in the park or not – trust me you will be rewarded with some of the best views of the city! And if you’re able, time it so that you get the sunset on your way down!

DON’T … expect for anyone to speak English

As a matter of fact, everywhere you travel in Colombia you will be hard-pressed to find English-speaking people. You will be able to find some tour guides that will speak English but not here in Parque Arvi. And as a general rule the local people do not speak English at all.

DO … stop in Santo Domingo

Since it’s on the way down from Parque Arvi Santo Domingo is a great place to stop, especially if you’re looking for some local interaction and community engagement in your travels. Once known to be one of the most violent neighborhoods in Comuna Popular it has turned over a new leaf in its progressing atmosphere and urban improvement initiatives. 

We enjoyed walking the streets of Santo Domingo. Again, we felt completely safe here. And it was really nice to see how the locals live.

DON’T … be afraid to eat on the streets

We had absolutely no worries about eating on the streets anywhere in Colombia. The food is yummy and safe to eat! Here in Santo Domingo you can eat on the streets for much cheaper than in the city. We ordered a local plato (plate) of pollo (chicken) with all the trimmings for a mere 5000 COP ($1.75 US). It was yummy and more than enough for the two of us :: we even had some leftovers to feed a local street dog.

DO … splurge at San Carbon Restaurant

Before leaving Medellin we chose on our final night to enjoy dinner at a nice restaurant located right up the street and walking distance from our hotel. Known for their steaks, the food was delicious, the atmosphere indeed was “fancy” and there was live jazz music which we also really enjoyed. It was a great way for us to end our amazing time in Medellin.

DON’T … expect to pay local prices

Prices at San Carbon are higher than the average restaurant in Medellin, or for Colombia in general, but if you’re looking to have a nice dinner this is the place to go. Excellent food and atmosphere!

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Medellin was one of the biggest surprises on my travels to Colombia. Not only was I intimidated by all the hype about it not being a safe place to travel but this amazing city blew me away and made me a believer in all things good about in the world.

If there is one thing that I hope you gleaned from this post is that you can safely and happily travel to this city and have the most amazing time of your life here. I do hope you will follow my lead and come support all the wonderful things Medellin has been doing and continues doing to transform a bad story into a good one. Because that is exactly what is happening in this place. How blessed I feel for having had the opportunity to experience it.

The post Medellin :: 10 Do’s and Don’ts You Must Know appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.