This week, we’re going to keep covering South America! After reading “Discover Buenos Aires,” hopefully, I’d like to offer you “Discover Bogota, Colombia,” another little travel guide from Two Scots Abroad.
Opening Remarks From Two Scottish Expats:
In all honesty, Bogota is hardly the most beautiful city on earth. Expect neither Santa Marta’s beaches and boats nor Cartagena’s brilliant structures and fort. or the sun! Contrary to what most people think about Colombia, Bogota doesn’t have a lot of that. Most days are rainy. But in Bogota, you can anticipate art, music, and a well-connected city with a wide range of neighborhoods and food options.
Where to Stay:
Travelers particularly like Bogota’s La Candelaria and Chapinero neighborhoods. La Candelaria has a scattering of pubs and restaurants and is located near Bogota’s major shopping center. La Candelaria offers a wide selection of hostels.
The once-up-and-coming Chapinero region is now really up. Manchester, England, may easily be confused for Chapinero’s red-bricked mansions (and the weather!). Compared to La Candelaria, Chapinero has fewer hostels overall, although they are of higher quality.
Activities:
When visiting Bogota, there is one experience you just must have: the tour of the city’s street art and graffiti. This twice-daily trip shows you the very creative street art of Colombian artists while guiding you through the mean streets of La Candelaria. Some of the greatest art I’ve ever seen from all across the globe is in there. Forget about labeling; much of this art conveys a narrative, some political, some gender-related, and others with no clear significance. The guides, who are artists themselves and are American/Colombian, are quite informed. It’s also a terrific opportunity to learn the layout of the La Canderlaria neighborhood and receive insider advice on the best places to dine and party!
Perhaps some retail therapy is in order to get out of the rain. If that’s your scene, go to La Candelaria’s 7th Street. Even those who don’t buy will find 7th to be enjoyable since it is dotted with street performers and food sellers. If you ever get lost, it’s easy to find your way to this street. High street brands and market retailers may be found in Zona Rosa, which is close to Chapinero.
There is an abundance of green space in Bogota when the rain finally stops. With 279 acres, Simon Bolivar is the largest park. Salitre Magico is the name of another theme park that is next to the park. Numerous smaller parks, including Parque 93 in Zona Rosa, can be found all across Bogota.
Where to Dine:
La Candelaria and Chapinero are two restaurants with plenty of seating. While residing in La Canderlaria, we had dinner twice at Dos Gatos y Simon, a Mexican fusion restaurant. There are several neighborhood eateries around Parque de Los Periodistas; be sure to taste the Caldo de Costilla, a traditional breakfast of beef and potatoes soup!
The Zona Rosa jumping location is located close to Chapinero, about ten blocks down the road. Here, you can anticipate spending the evening dining and drinking with Bogotá’s youth population. At La Hamburgueseria, we had burgers while listening to live music. I mean, how could you not indulge in one of these ice creams?
We appreciate Two Scots Abroad letting us see Bogota, Colombia, via their eyes! Did you visit Bogota? If yes, please tell us about it in the comments below!
Emma and Craig, two Scots living overseas, are taking an 18-month professional sabbatical to visit the Americas after giving up their jobs as teachers and craftsmen. After spending four months around North and South America as well as Cuba, they are presently living it up on Canada’s Sunshine Coast. Read about their adventures diving in Cuba, climbing to Machu Picchu, and learning that Colombia is a nice, safe country that isn’t home to as many drug lords as the Western media would have you think at Two Scots Abroad. Never miss an Instagram photo or a tweet on Twitter.
