What to do in Bogota

Advice on what to do in Bogota, including culture, relaxation, nightlife, sport and food.

Cultural attractions in Bogota
Bogota is known as the Athens of South America due to the cultured nature of its inhabitants who feast on the city's inspirational treats. The Candelaria alone boasts close to 500 artistic and educational institutions. Calle 10 in the Candelaria is home to several museums, the opulent Cristobal Colon theatre, the Palacio San Carlos and then opens onto the grandeur of the Plaza de Bolivar, with the Presidential Palace, Cathedral and Courts of Justice.

A not to be missed attraction is the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum). Behind the solemn marble walls are hidden some of the finest treasures in all Colombia. Some 50,000 objects of gold, textiles and ceramics display the archaeological majesty of the past. Entry on Sunday is free.

The Museo Nacional is located several blocks north and resembles a fortress. A place that was feared and avoided for 70 years as the National Penitentiary, it now has 20,000 items that span a range of Colombian cultures.

If you need a slice of modernity you can always whet your appetite at MAMBO - Bogota's museum of Modern Art.

Music is a way of life here and live music abounds. On weekends when some avenues are given over to pedestrians, musicians take over street corners and fill the surrounding area with Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Vallenato or any other brand of the Colombian life blood.

Other museums in Bogota include Casa Museo Quinta de Bolivar , La Biblioteca Luis Ángel Arango , Museo Botero (Calle 11 No 4-41), Museo Iglesia Santa Clara( Cra 8 No 8-91), Museo de Bogota (Calle 26 No 6-07) and the Museo Mercedes Sierra de Perez El Chico( Cra 7 No 93-01).

Relaxation in Bogota
In order to get a proper view of Bogota, a city that appears poured onto the hillside, you could do no better than a trip up to the Santuario de Monserrate. This religious monument towers over the city at a height of 3,152 meters above sea level and is a pilgrimage site set amongst tranquil gardens and pine trees.

The more adventurous can choose to walk to the top, otherwise there are the options of a funicular and a cable car that run from 8:00 to 16:00. A return ticket costs COP12,600. Be warned, there is a saying in Bogota that if you go to Monserrate with your partner, he or she will not be the person you marry.

In order to escape the continual hustle and bustle usually associated with a capital city you could escape to the verdant expanses the Parque Central Simon Bolivar. Lounge on the spacious lawns or rent a rowing boat out on the lake. Calles 63 and 53.

For those who do not have the time to tour the country and see the wonders of the variety of flora and fauna that Colombia has to offer, the Jose Celesto Mutis Botanical Garden showcases specimens of all ecosystems across the country. Av 57 No 61-13.

Bogota is far from just museums, galleries and parks, there are some world class shopping centres. For western fashion and shops head to the Centro Andino, Cra 11 No 82-71 or to Atlantis Plaza, Calle 81 No 31-05. These two shopping centres are close to one another and the streets in between are crammed with designer shops as well.

Nightlife in Bogota
There is something for every taste here in Bogota. The Zona T is a stretch of pedestrianised streets lined with cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs. The Zona T is in the heart of the Zona Rosa where most night time attractions can be found. Fear not, this is not a place solely for tourists, Bogotanos frequent here in their droves.

For a drink before heading on to dinner try somewhere like the Bogota Beer Company or the Café del Mon Nunez. Both fill up fast as pre evening destinations and if you are in any doubt where to proceed later, follow the crowds or ask a local.

Colombians can dance and were born doing so. It would be criminal not to at least try to salsa with some of the sultry rolas, go to Salsa Camara (Cra 14 No 82-45) and ask them to be gentle!

Other salsa clubs include Salome Pagana (Cra14 No 82-16) and Taberna Bavara (Atlantis Plaza).

For those who prefer a different clubbing experience, Theatron on Calle 58 No 10-28, is your more conventional dance club with five or six different rooms with different themes and music. This place is not for the faint hearted since it regularly stays open until past six am.

Of course, entertainment is not limited to the Zona Rosa and the Zona T; you can also find good places in The Parque de la 93 and Usaquen two areas further north. If you have time head to the northern suburb of Chia to the restaurant/club Andres Carne de Res. For a set price you can gorge yourself on prime cuts of beef and then party into the early hours. An unforgettable and bacchanalian experience.

Sport in Bogota
In Bogota, you have your ubiquitous football teams and some other less conventional sports all of which possess their fervent supporters.

For football games you can choose to be a follower of Santa Fe de Bogota or Millionarios. Both teams are struggling presently and are the laughing stock of other cities like Medellin and Cali. Club Los Millonarios (Cra 9 No 70-09) and Club Santa Fe(Calle 64 A No 38 - 08).

Bullfighting is a big deal here, perhaps not on the same scale as in Spain, but at the Plaza de Toros La Santamaria during January and February you will find hordes of people attending the spectacle. Cra 6 No 26-50

Recommended restaurants in Bogota

As you would expect from a capital city you can sink your teeth into just about any type of cuisine from Peruvian to Mediterranean to Eastern.

At Tinaja y Tizon (Calle 119 No 6-06) they specialise in grilled meats and typical Colombian dishes of ajiaco (hearty corn and potato based chicken soup) and from 20:00 you can also listen to live music.

For a romantic dinner in a restaurant that doubles as an art gallery and café head to Galeria Arte Klan-Destino (Cra 17 No 39A-00) and gorge on pasta and seafood.

Should you miss home, the décor in Circa Cocina Fusion is decidedly British while the cooking is far from it. Here they mix Mediterranean and Oriental cuisines and you can enjoy innovative cocktails and cool lounge music. Calle 69A 5-09.

It is worth noting you can eat very cheaply in Bogota, just look outside for the offers of the day. These will normally be three course meals consisting of a soup, main course and pudding with a juice included and will certainly not leave you out of pocket as the price for such promotions ranges from COP4,000 to roughly 8,000.

Richard McColl