Bogotá
Basic information
Bogota is a bustling and cosmopolitan city, always open and kind to visitors. It offers a great variety of tourist sites that cater to many different interests from historic and cultural museums, churches, and monuments, to the arts with its theaters, concert halls, and galleries, to a wide variety of excellent restaurants and shopping malls.
General Information
- Bogotá: Capital of Colombia
- Founded: Bogotá was founded on the 6th of August 1538 by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Colombian peso
- Altitude: 2,640 m.a.s.l. (8,692 feet)
- Temperature: 10º C - (50º F) to 18º C - (64º F)
- Population: 7,929,539
Climate
There are no seasons in Bogotá; its climate is fall-like all year-round, with temperatures between 10 °C – (50º F) to 18º C – (64º F). The city only has a rainy and a dry season.
Electricity
AC power sockets in Colombia are the same as in North America, for plugs with two flat parallel blades. Voltage is 110.
Visas
Find out with your travel agent whether you will need a visa to enter Colombia. Visit the attached website for more information. www.cancilleria.gov.co
Communications
It is easy to access domestic and international phone lines and the Internet. Most hotels offer wireless access.
Transportation
You can use the apps Uber or Cabify, it is advisable to have the service ordered by your phone or by your hotel, rather than to flag cabs down in the street.
History
Bogotá was founded on the 6th of August 1538 by Spanish conqueror Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. With a rich history and deep traditions, Bogotá has been referred to as the Athens of South America. The city is the microcosm of the Colombia and hosts an impressive number of international companies.
Bars and restaurants
Bogotá has several entertainment areas and offers a wide range of international bars and restaurants. The main sites to visit are the so-called Zona T, located in the northern part of the city, near the Andino, El Retiro and Atlantis shopping malls. It is one of the most exclusive areas, with several notable bars and restaurants.
The Parque de la 93 also has some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, offering seafood and international cuisine. Lovers of Japanese food will find wonderful restaurants in the area. Finally, the Parque de Usaquén and the Zona G also offer elite restaurants and bars.
Things to do
- To appreciate the origins and history of the capital of Colombia, you must start in La Candelaria, Bogota’s historical center. La Candelaria offers a place to relax and stroll peacefully amid the hustle and bustle of our cosmopolitan city.
- The Gold Museum, the most important of its kind in the world, containing more than 33,000 gold objects. The artifacts on display reflect the genius and artistry of the pre-Colombian societies that created them many centuries ago, before the arrival of the Spaniards.
- The Monserrate Sanctuary is located on one of the hills that surround the city. It has spectacular views and may be reached by cable car or funicular.
- Visit important museums, such as the National Museum of Colombia, the Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá (MAMBO) and the Maloka Interactive Center.
