The Republic of Colombia is located in northwestern South America. This hospitable country is ready to receive tourists throughout the year; here every tourist will find entertainment to suit their taste.
For a leisurely family holiday, the beaches of the islands of Rosario, San Andres or Cartagena are perfect. Fans of active eco-tourism should definitely visit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Los Nevados parks, the Canbo Cristales River and the ancient Lost City.
Many different thematic museums in Colombia are ready to tell about the history and nature of this amazing country. Fans of noisy entertainment will certainly enjoy the Cali Fair, the Cartagena Film Festival, the Medellin Flower Fair or the El Joselito Carnival.
Most of the world's emerald production comes from Colombia, and gold and silver are relatively inexpensive here. So many tourists buy jewelry to commemorate their visit to this country. They also bring sombreros and colorful hammocks from here.
The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.
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What to see in Colombia?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photographs and brief descriptions.
The major port city of Cartagena is a popular tourist destination in Colombia. People come here to look at the medieval Old Town, where there are many attractions - the San Felipe Castle, Plaza de la Aduana, the Palace of the Inquisition, as well as one of the oldest churches in the city of Iglesia de Santo Domingo.
Founded in 1616, the city of Medellin is considered the second most important city in the country. The city has a botanical park, several museums and a zoo. The former estate of Pablo Escobar, a notorious local drug lord, is also popular with tourists. And in the summer, an annual Flower Fair is held in Medellin.
The capital of the state, Bogota, is the largest economic, political and cultural center of Colombia. Many buildings erected in the 17th-19th centuries have been preserved here - the Church of San Ignacio, the Palace of Justice, the National Capitol. At the Bogota Botanical Garden you can visit the greenhouse and admire the man-made waterfall.
One of the most popular sites in Colombia is Tayrona National Park. Here you can not only admire the amazing nature, but also stay for a few days in comfortable campsites, bungalows or eco-villages. To make it more convenient to move around Tayrona Park, you can rent bicycles right on the spot or rent peaceful excursion horses.
Among other attractions of Cartagena, the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas occupies a special place. Construction of the fort began in 1536, and it brilliantly fulfilled its defensive function until the fall of 1815 after the attack of the Spaniard Pablo Morillo. Despite its impressive age, today the fortress is used for various cultural and social events.
One of the most beautiful and visited temples in Colombia is the Church of Las Lajas, located on a bridge in the canyon of the Guaitara River. According to legend, in 1754 in these places there was a miracle of the appearance of the Virgin Mary, who healed a deaf-mute girl. At the end of the 18th century, the first chapel was built here, which in 1948 became a neo-Gothic style fortress. The miraculous altar image of the Mother of God, not made by hands, attracts believers from all over the world.
In the north-west of the country there is a rock called El Peñon de Guatape, which is estimated to be approximately 70 million years old. Since the 1940s, this landmark has been protected by the state. To get to the top of the 220-meter cliff, tourists will have to climb about 650 steps.
The amazing Colombian river Caño Cristales is famous for its unusual color. The crystal clear water accurately reflects the yellow, green, blue, black and scarlet shades of underwater moss and algae, for which locals call it the “river of five colors”. Swimming in Caño Cristales, according to many tourists, is one of the must-dos in Colombia.
To travel to Ciudad Perdida, tourists should be in good physical shape - the entrance to the famous Lost City of Colombia is preceded by a jungle-covered mountain staircase of more than 1,000 steps. This amazing place was discovered completely by accident in the 1970s and is still not fully explored.
In the mountain range in the north of the country there is the Colombian National Natural Park Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the territory of which is divided into several climatic zones. Here you can find jaguar, puma, tapir, sloth, otter, several species of monkeys and a wide variety of birds.
Since 1932, the National Bank began to buy back jewelry of the pre-Columbian period from treasure hunters who robbed ancient Indian settlements. In 1968, all the purchased exhibits were transferred to the Museo del Oro Gold Museum. One of the most famous exhibits of the Museum is the Golden Raft, made approximately in the 2nd millennium BC.
32 km from the capital on the Bogota River is the famous Tequendama Falls. In 1927, a villa in the style of French architecture was opened here, which was later rebuilt into an extremely popular 8-story hotel. But since the 1970s, the waters of the waterfall began to be polluted by industrial and sewage waste, and the hotel’s popularity gradually declined. Work is currently underway to clean up the river and simultaneously rebuild the hotel into the Museum of Biodiversity and Culture of Tekendama Falls.
One of the best places for eco-tourism in Colombia is the southernmost point of the country, the city of Leticia. From here there are many hiking routes to the Amazon River and Lake Tarapoto, home to unique pink freshwater dolphins. Also not far from Leticia are the reservations of several Indian tribes.
One of the most famous archaeological sites in Colombia is the San Agustin Stone Sculpture Park. There is no consensus among archaeologists about who exactly created these unique sculptures called Chinas from volcanic rocks. The sizes of the sculptures range from a couple of tens of centimeters to seven meters in height.
The extraordinarily beautiful islands of San Andres and Providencia are located in the southwestern part of the Caribbean Sea. This area was once a refuge for sea pirates, but today tourists from all over the world come here to leisurely relax on the beaches or go diving, windsurfing and yachting.
Not far from Cartagena is the Rosario archipelago, consisting mainly of coral islands. This is a popular tourist attraction where you can snorkel, sail, fish or simply swim in the unusually clear waters. On one of the islands of the archipelago there is a natural aquarium in which sharks and dolphins perform shows for visitors.
Los Nevados National Natural Park, popular among tourists, was created in 1973. It is home to many birds, animals and about 20 species of bats. In Los Nevados you can take an excursion to the volcanoes of the Andes, visit the glacial lake of Santa Isabel, ride along the mountain peaks of the park in jeeps or spend the night in equipped guest houses.
One of the peaks located near the capital of Colombia is Mount Montserrat. A cathedral and monastery were founded in these places in the 17th century. Today, the Basilica of the Crucified Christ is a popular tourist attraction on Montserrat. You can get here on foot along a specially paved path, by cable car or by using the funicular.
In the 1820s and 1830s, the famous Colombian figure Simon Bolivar lived in Bogota, where he founded his residence in a house from the late 17th century. In 1919, using funds raised, the house of the former residence was purchased and turned into a museum. Nowadays diplomatic and cultural events are held here, and the museum’s exhibition includes things and objects of the famous liberator of Colombia.
The salt mine near the city of Zipaquira is very popular among tourists. And all thanks to the fact that at a depth of about 200 meters in the tunnels of this mine there is an amazing Catholic church, which is considered one of the most famous achievements of Colombian architecture. The Zipaquira Salt Cathedral is part of the famous Salt Park complex.
To the northeast of the capital, in the Cudinamarca mountains, there is a sacred lake of one of the ancient civilizations of South America. The first conquistadors were very impressed by the stories of local residents about the tradition of throwing gold items into the middle of the lake during the coronation of a new ruler. Attempts to recover these treasures from the bottom of Guatavita were made until 1912. Today the lake is a popular tourist attraction.
In the central square of the capital is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which was first built in the 16th century. After the earthquake of the 18th century, which destroyed the building, the cathedral began to be rebuilt only almost 100 years later. The opening of the modern version of the Bogotá Cathedral took place in 1823.
The National Capitol building is located in Plaza Bolivar in the capital. It houses the Colombian Congress. The inside of the room is decorated with beautiful frescoes by Santiago Martinez, which depict famous political figures of the country.
24. Garden Botanico Jose Celestino
In 1781, a botanical garden was opened in Bogota, which was named after the famous Spanish botanist, naturalist and doctor José Celestino Mutis. On the territory of the garden there is a man-made waterfall, as well as a lush greenhouse. The José Celestino Botanical Garden houses a scientific library where some of the scientist's notes and sketches are kept.
The city of Popayan, which attracts many tourists from all over the world, is home to the famous Tierradentro National Archaeological Park. People come here to see the unique underground crypts of the pre-Columbian era, decorated with drawings using black, white and red paints.
To visit Malpelo Island, located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, you must obtain permission from the Colombian Ministry of Environment. However, all the difficulties with visiting are compensated by the beauty of the underwater rocks and caves. Sandwich sharks, groupers and hammerhead sharks are found here, making Malpelo one of the most popular diving spots.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Convento de la Popa convent was founded on a hill above Cartagena. Two centuries later, the small wooden chapel was rebuilt into a beautiful building, which many tourists come to admire. The pedestrian road to the monastery is quite difficult, so it is easier to use a taxi.
Most of the coffee produced in Colombia is grown in the coffee cultural landscape, which includes the departments of Caldas, Quindio and Risaralda. It is home to the Colombian Coffee National Park, the Coffee Culture Museum and the National Agricultural Cultural Park.
An unusually colorful, fun and fiery carnival takes place in Barranquilla every year before Lent. The carnival lasts 4 days, during which mass celebrations take place in the city. Carnival in Barranquilla is popular with tourists all over the world, so hotels and hotels should be booked in advance.
Every year in the summer the city of Medellin hosts the famous Flower Fair. This event was first held on May 1, 1957. Since then, the main event of the Fair has been the parade of porters “siyeteros”, on whose backs there are large platforms with figures of fresh flowers.
And the administrative center of the department of Cundinamarca (Spanish: Cundinamarca). The city is located in the Andean region, in the intermontane depression of the Eastern Cordillera at an altitude of more than 2640 m above sea level. Bogota's population is more than 10.7 million people, its area is about 1,775 km², it is the largest city in Colombia, one of the largest metropolises in the country, it is an independent administrative unit - a metropolitan district, divided into 20 districts.
Bogota is the largest economic, financial, cultural and industrial center of the state, the most important South American economic center. Most Colombian companies have their headquarters in the capital.
The city has a developed transport system, in which the bus has absolute priority.
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Population, religion
Most of the residents of the metropolis are indigenous Colombians, among whom there is a clear predominance of mestizos - descendants of mixed marriages between Europeans and Indians. A small part of the population is represented by purebred Indians, descendants of Europeans, mulattoes, blacks and Sambos (Afro-Indians). In fact, about ¾ of the population of the capital of Colombia is “mixed blood”.
The vast majority of religious residents of the capital belong to the Roman Catholic Church. There are several Protestant churches in the city.
Natural conditions
Bogota is located in the intermontane depression of the East (western slope), at an altitude of about 2610 m above sea level. m., on the banks of the small river Rio San Francisco (Spanish: Riu San Francisco), which today cannot be seen, because it flows through pipes. Although the city is practically located on the equator, there is no heat there. The average temperature of the warmest month of the year (December) is +25°C, and the coldest month (May) is about +14°C. The average annual daytime air temperature is about 19-22°C, nighttime 7-11°C. Sometimes frosts are possible in the capital, and snowfalls are very rare. In general, Bogota can be called a city of constant rain; to be honest, the weather here is rarely good.
Due to its geographical location, the metropolis is prone to earthquakes.
The cold zone, in which the capital of Colombia is located, is characterized by the transition of mountain forests to "" - high-mountain meadows. The banks of the river are overgrown with low semi-deciduous forest, thorny bushes and turf grasses. In the vicinity of Bogota there are jaguars, pumas, tapirs, armadillos, monkeys, porcupines, peccaries, sloths, opossums, and various species of reptiles. Crocodiles and turtles live in the rivers.
A little history
The city was founded in 1538 by a Spanish conquistador, historian, poet and prose writer Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada(Spanish: Jimenez de Quesada, 1500 - 1579), calling it Santa Fe de Bogotá (Spanish: Santafé de Bogotá), where "Santafé" literally means "holy faith" and "Bogotá" is a corruption of "Bacata" "("fertile land"). The Archbishop of Bogota, Luis Zapata de Cárdenas, declared Saint Isabella the patroness of the city in 1573. Before the introduction of Europeans, the culture of the Indians flourished here, one of their fortresses - “Bacata” (Spanish: Bacata) - became the basis of the future capital of Colombia.
As elsewhere in the possessions captured by the Spaniards, the Indians were evicted from their inhabited places, and in 1598 the city of Santa Fe de Bogota became the capital (Spanish: Nueva Granada), the Spanish viceroyalty in South America, which included the territory of the present Colombia. After the declaration of independence from Spain (1824), the city was renamed Bogota, by the end of the 19th century. it became the most important center of the revolutionary movement of fighters in Latin American countries.
Despite the favorable geographical location and political leadership, the development of the city was hampered for a long time by weak transport connections with other parts of the country, so by 1940 the local population had decreased to 300 thousand inhabitants. A series of civil wars 1942-1958. led to a massive relocation of residents from rural areas to the capital. By the end of the 20th century, Bogota became one of the largest cities in Latin America.
Bogota Attractions
Today's Bogota represents the quintessence of Colombia. It is a city with a vibrant and rich cultural life, stunning colonial architecture, cutting-edge buildings and magnificent museums. At the same time, it is a city of eternal traffic jams, outlying slums, vagrants and drug dealers.
An amazing kaleidoscope of pomp and poverty, super cars and pack mules, modern office districts and poor favelas makes Bogota one of the most contrasting and chaotic, indescribably charming and dangerous capitals of the planet.
This is a city with a complex and confusing network of narrow streets winding along the mountain slopes. In the old quarters there are many ancient churches and other architectural monuments of the 17th-19th centuries, and the new areas sparkle with the glass and metal of bank and office skyscrapers.
In the main square of Plaza Bolivar (Plaza de Bolivar, 1807-1823), there is a famous statue of the first president of the Republic of Colombia. The city center is also located here Cathedral(Catedral Primada, 1572-1610), with a statue of the Mother of God. The main Cathedral of Bogotá, rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century and restored in 1998, contains the burial place of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, the founder of the city, Antonio Nariño, hero of the liberation war, and the tomb of Gregorio Vazquez de Arce and Ceballos(Spanish: Gregorio Vsquez de Arce y Ceballos, 1638 - 1711), the most famous artist of the colonial era. To the south of the square is the Presidential Palace, in front of which every day at 17.00 a spectacular ceremony takes place - the changing of the guard of honor. The northern side of the square is framed by the grandiose building of the Palace of Justice, which, after the rebel storm in 1985, was restored and restored in 1999.
In the city center and in the adjacent oldest district of La Candelaria (Spanish: La Candelaria) there are ancient church buildings: San Francisco (Spanish: San Francisco, 1567), Santa Clara (17th-18th centuries). , now a museum), La Concepción (Spanish: La Concepción, XVIII century, today there is a repository of works of art), San Ignacio (Spanish: San Ignacio, XVII-XVIII centuries, the most richly decorated church in the country), La -Tersera (Spanish La Tercera, XVIII-XIX centuries), Nuestra Señora del Carmen(Spanish: Nuestra Senora del Carmen), La Candelaria (Spanish: La Candelaria) and San Diego (Spanish: San Diego).
Very colorful building Casa de Poesia Silva(Spanish: Casa de Poesia Silva), where today the Museum of Poetry is located, as well as Fundación Alzate Avendano(Spanish: Fundación Alzate Avendaño), Palacio de San Carlos(Spanish: Palacio de San Carlos), Casa del Marques de San Jorge(Spanish: Casa del Marques de SanJorge), library Luis Angel Arango(Spanish Biblioteca Luis Ángel Arango), Catedral-Primada(Spanish Catedral Primada), Capilla del Sagrario(Spanish: Capilla delSagrario), Archbishop's Palace(Palacio Arzobispal built in the 12th-13th centuries), Palacio Echeverri (Spanish: Palacio Echeverri) and Palacio de Nariño(Spanish: Palacio de Narino) is the residence of the president of the state. The Nueva Santa Fe district (Spanish: Nueve de Santa Fe), located south of La Candelaria, is a striking example of late 20th century architecture. To the north of La Candelaria, near the intersection of Jimenez de Quesada and Carrera 7, are the Plaza de Santander and the University of Rosario. Rosario), one of the famous historical monuments of the city.
Opposite the Plaza de Santander, in the northeastern part of the Parque de Santander, is the Museum of Gold (Spanish: Museo del Oro), which enjoys well-deserved popularity: it is the only museum in the world entirely dedicated to works of art, with the richest collection of gold jewelry ( about 35 thousand exhibits) of pre-Columbian South American cultures, made by Indian craftsmen.
In general, in Bogota there are almost all the Museums of Colombia: National (with a rich exhibition introducing the history of the country), Archaeological, Arts and Folk Traditions, Traditional Art, Urban Development, Art of the Colonial Period, Anthropology, Religious Art, Maritime, Numismatics, Science and Technology, Museo de la Ciudad, House Museum, Museo del Sillo XIX with an impressive collection of jewelry and paintings. On the “hill of miracles” Cerro de Monserrate (Spanish: El cerro de Monserrate) rises the famous monastery of San Vincente (Spanish: El Monasterio de San Vicente, 17th century), which can be reached by serpentine stairs and by cable car.
The capital and economic center of Colombia is Bogota
At the Plaza de Santander you can listen to original street musicians, it is interesting to wander through the noisy Sunday flea market in Mercado de Las Pulgas (Spanish: Mercado de Las Pulgas), or through the emerald market (the intersection of Carrera 7 and Avenida Jimenez), although It’s better not to buy anything here, due to the large number of scammers. The city square Plaza de Toros de la Santamaria (Spanish: Plaza de Toros de la Santamaria) is a national monument of Colombia and is used for various musical events or traditional bullfights. By the way, the most important annual sporting spectacle in Bogota is bullfights, which attract from 150 to 200 thousand spectators.
In the El Salitre area there are many parks - the best places for recreation in the capital: Unidad Deportiva El Salitre Park, water park, Palacio de Los Deportes los Deportes), "Children's Museum" Los Niños (Spanish: Los Niños) and Central Park. Simon Bolivar is the largest park complex in the capital.
The Jardin Botanico Jose Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden is home to more than 800 species of Colombian flora, including a variety of exotic plant species.
To the north of Calle-60 is the Usaquen district (Spanish: Usaquen), which is a small colorful village with cobblestone streets miraculously preserved among the modern quarters of the city.
Until recently, tourists bypassed the tenth road. Nowadays, the tourist infrastructure is actively developing here, and the police are carefully vigilant about maintaining public order. Nowadays, Bogota is known not only as the center of Colombia, but also as a city where there are many interesting and entertaining places connected both with the country’s colonial past and with modern times.
general characteristics
Until recently, tourists bypassed the capital by taking the tenth road. Nowadays, the tourist infrastructure is actively developing here, and the police are carefully vigilant about maintaining public order. Nowadays, Bogota is known not only as the center of Colombia, but also as a city where there are many interesting and entertaining places connected both with the country’s colonial past and with modern times.
general characteristics
On the world map, Santa de Fe Bogota (this was the name of the capital of Colombia until 2000) is located in the central part of the country, where the main concentration of economic and financial flows is noted. By the way, the capital’s GDP occupies a quarter of the total for the entire country.
Conventionally, the city is divided into 4 parts: south, north, center and El Occidente district. For a tourist, this information is extremely important, since the question directly depends on it. The authorities of the capital strongly recommend limiting visits to the southern part of Bogota, also known as the Bronx, as there are slums where chaos and lawlessness reign.
Bogota has a population of nearly 7 million people. A huge number of nationalities and races mixed together here. Most often you can find mestizos - descendants of mixed marriages between Indians and Europeans. If you are wondering what language the residents of Bogota speak, then the answer should at least make you wary. In the capital of Colombia, it is very rare to hear English spoken, and even rarer to find it understood. Spanish is recognized as the official language.
Is there a Russian quarter in Bogota? No, Russian culture here is limited to only a few restaurants with traditional cuisine. In addition, there is a Russian Embassy in Bogota, located at the address: st. Carrera, 4 No. 75-02.
Geographical features and climate
Bogota is located in the basin of the Eastern Cordillera, which significantly affects both its climate and the general landscape photos of the city. The capital is located at an altitude of 2600 m above sea level. Thanks to this geographical location, it never gets hot here. The average temperature all year round is +14…+15 °C, and the amount of precipitation does not exceed 900 mm per year.
Attractions
The description of Bogota as a tourist destination sounds promising, as there is definitely a lot to see among Colombia's capital. Almost all of them are concentrated in the tourist area of La Candelaria, in close proximity to the historical part of the city. So, what should a tourist spend his time on first:
- in Bogota. All tourist routes begin from here, since the square is surrounded by a number of buildings that correlate with the architectural monuments of Colombia: the National Capitol, the Palace of Justice, the Archbishop's Palace, etc. In addition, there is a monument to the first president, Simon Bolivar.
- . It is located very close to Plaza Bolivar and there is a changing of the guard of honor every day at 17:00.
- Cathedral of Bogota. It is made in the style of classicism, and its construction was carried out in the period from 1572 to 1610.
- in Bogota. You can climb to its top (2800 m) in just a few minutes thanks to the monorail and cable car. At the destination, tourists can expect not only stunning views of the city, but also a number of sculptures on religious themes, telling the story of the last hours of the earthly life of Jesus Christ.
- . This place is also known as the salt cave in Bogota. Once upon a time, salt mining was actively carried out here, and today there is a Catholic Cathedral of unique beauty.
- in Bogota. It is famous for its unique exhibits, the origin of which dates back to the pre-Columbian era. Most of the exhibition is made of gold.
- in Bogota. This is the tallest skyscraper in all of Colombia. On weekends there is an observation deck on the roof of the building.
Hotels
Bogota has a huge number of hotels that are suitable for both budget tourists and those who are accustomed to luxury and comfort. Most of them are concentrated in the La Candelaria area, which is considered safe for guests of the capital. The following hotels have good reviews: NH Collection Bogotá Royal Teleport, Hampton by Hilton Bogota Usaquen, Best Western Plus 93 Park Hotel, NH Royal Pavillon, NH Royal La Boheme. If you are interested in inexpensive accommodation options, then pay attention to Botanico Hostel, Republica Hostel Bogota, The Cranky Croc Hostel.
Restaurants
Since Bogota is a city where representatives of many nationalities live, there will be no problems with food here: a tourist can easily find an establishment with a menu that is familiar to them and affordable prices. Among the gourmet restaurants, it is worth noting Tamarine Asian Cuisine, Restaurante Rafael, Casa San Isidro. You can try it at Harry Sasson, Andres Carne de Res, Club Colombia. You can have a cheap and tasty meal in such establishments as La Puerta Falsa, Bukowski Bar, Quinua y Amaranto.
Shopping
All major shopping centers, boutiques and brand stores are located in the northern part of Bogota. However, it is worth noting that shopping in the capital of Colombia is not a cheap activity. You can purchase some souvenirs both at specialized points and at markets, where you can bargain and reduce the price for the product. Most often, tourists bring from Bogota silver and gold items, leather, jewelry made of precious stones, cigars and various types of coffee.
A trip to Bogota will not turn into trouble for you if you follow some rules of stay. In particular, limit your walks to tourist areas and designate slums as a no-go zone. In addition, do not keep large sums of money on you, and it is better to leave valuables in the hotel safe. Drinking raw tap water in Bogota can, at best, lead to an upset stomach. It is worth giving preference to bottled water, or, in extreme cases, boiled water.
In Bogota it is developed at the highest level, although it is represented only by buses. However, on the central streets of the city you can see tram rails. Only in 1952, during student unrest, all the trams were burned.
In Bogota, passenger transportation is provided by Bus Rapid Transit, a unique high-speed bus system. They move in a continuous stream along a dedicated lane and have priority at intersections. Most routes operate multi-section buses with a capacity of up to 270 passengers.
How to get to Bogota?
In the vicinity of the capital of Colombia there is, from where it is 20 minutes to Bogota. By the way, you can get there either by taxi or using free shuttles – green buses. True, they will only take you to the outskirts of the city, but there you can already purchase a contactless ticket card for buses of the Bus Rapid Transit system without any problems.
The best way to start your acquaintance with Bogota is with a leisurely walk through its central area. It is here that the oldest square in the city is located - Plaza Bolivar, founded at the beginning of the distant nineteenth century. In the very center of this square you will see a monument erected to the very first president of this country. To this day, it is on this square that all the main holidays and the most important social events take place.
Nearby you will see the ancient Cathedral Church, which is much older than the square itself, since it was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century. At the end of the twentieth century, this cathedral underwent a complete reconstruction and today shines in all its glory before parishioners and numerous tourists. There are several graves near the church, which are regularly visited by excursions, since several famous political figures and several very popular artists are buried here.
Just walk away from the square for just a few minutes and you will see the beautiful building of the Presidential Palace, usually by 5 p.m. - by the time the changing of the guard occurs, a large number of spectators gather here. If you go north from the square, you can reach the Palace of Justice. Of course, during the hostilities the building suffered quite a lot, but nevertheless the efforts of modern architects bore fruit and it was successfully restored.
In the central area of Bogota, it is also worth spending your time and attention visiting the beautiful ancient churches - Santa Clara, San Francisco, La Concepción, La Tercera, San Ignacio, Nuestra Señora del Carmen and La Candelaria. Also, don’t forget to admire the city’s many beautiful old buildings, among which the colorful Casa de Poesia Silva stands out. It is not only built in national traditions and made in elegant architectural forms, but inside all the rooms are decorated in the most luxurious way. Now this building houses the Museum of Poetry. 
l-Arango, which today houses the oldest library in the city. The Nueva Santa Fe quarter is rightfully considered the second most popular excursion site in Bogota. Here you should definitely visit the Plaza de Satander, where you can not only buy cute souvenirs as a souvenir, but also watch the daily performances of street musicians.
The square looks very nice surrounded by beautiful old mansions, the most famous of which is the most famous architectural monument of the area - the University of Rosario. If you are an art lover at heart, then you should visit the Museo de Arte Moderno with its beautiful collection of art objects, the richest in the country. Literally every exhibit in this museum, be it a figurine or an elegant sculpture, a painting or a tapestry of marvelous beauty, an antique vase or decoration - all these items are unique historical artifacts. 
Don’t forget also about the most interesting natural sites of Bogota, the El Salitre area is especially famous for them. It is there that the largest number of reserves and natural parks in the city are located. It is also worth visiting the most famous and popular botanical garden in the city, Hardin Botanico. There is an extensive collection of exotic flowers and plants, and you can also admire the masterful design of the landscape, where literally every flower bed is a real work of art.
For shopping, it is best to go to the pedestrian area of Carrera 15, there are a whole lot of colorful shopping centers, small souvenir shops and boutiques, and there are many famous restaurants and cafes in the city. On Carrera Street 7, it is worth visiting the emerald market, but you should not shop here unless you are very well versed in these precious stones, so as not to run into a fake.
The capital of the large South American state of Colombia is the city of Bogota(in Spanish: Bogotá; at the founding, and also in 1991-2000 - Santa Fe de Bogota, in Spanish: Santafé de Bogotá).
It is also the administrative center of the department of Cundinamarca and forms an independent administrative unit - the metropolitan area, which is divided into 20 districts.
The population in 2011 was 7.4 million people(the second most populous city in South America). Bogota is located in the intermountain basin of the Eastern Cardillera at an altitude of more than 2600 m, so the climate in the city is cool. The capital of Colombia is prone to earthquakes.
Bogota is the economic, political and cultural center of the country.
History of Bogota
Bogota was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1538 in the center of the Chibcha Indian civilization. Since 1598 it has become the capital of the Spanish Captaincy General, and since 1739 - the viceroyalty of New Granada.
You may be interested in getting acquainted with the geography, history and culture of another former colony of the Spaniards -.
By the way, did you know that Bolivia is La Paz and Sucre, peacefully coexisting with each other?
And in 1819, after the liberation of Bolivar’s army from the Spaniards, Bogota became the capital of the independent Gran Colombia. At the end of the 19th century, Bogota became the center of the revolutionary movement in the country.
In 1948, during a serious armed uprising called "Bogotazo", the central part of the city was destroyed and burned; therefore, there is little historical development here.
It took many years to restore the city to its former appearance. In the second half of the last century, Bogota was the center of a number of internal political conflicts
How to get to Bogota
The capital of Colombia can only be reached by plane. You can buy air tickets to Bogota in a number of cities around the world, but the geography of flights is not very wide.
This is due to the fact that today Colombia is just beginning to seriously develop tourism, so few people are still eager to visit this city, which deserves it.
The average flight duration to Bogota from Moscow is one day.
Flights fly only with transfers. Even large domestic travel companies are not yet ready to organize charter flights, since it turns out to be very expensive.
Most planes fly to Bogota via New York. The fastest plane takes tourists from Moscow to Bogota with a transfer in Paris for 72 thousand rubles. The duration of such a trip is 17 hours.
The cheapest ticket will cost you 37 thousand rubles. All flights arrive at Bogota Eldorado International Airport, which is located fifteen kilometers west of the central part of the city.
How to get around
The main form of public transport in the capital of Colombia is the metrobus. TransMilenio network, for which special separate lanes are allocated on the roads.
The fare will be approximately $0.85 (1,700 Colombian pesos).
Taxis are also very popular. However, tourists are advised to use official taxi services for safety reasons.
Car delivery on weekdays during the day costs about 600 pesos and approximately 1000 pesos will need to be paid for each kilometer of the journey.
On weekends and at night, passengers are charged an additional fee of 1,600 pesos.
What to see in Bogota
The city is divided into four areas:
- The south is the poorest part of Bogota.
- The center (El Centro) is the historical area of the city with a number of attractions and a business district.
- The area of El Occidente, where the upper echelons of Bogotá society live, has many sports facilities and parks.
- The north is the most modern part of the Colombian capital with shopping centers, cafes, boutiques and nightclubs.
In addition to this division, Bogota is officially divided into 20 districts:
- The most touristy is La Candelaria-here you can look at the colonial buildings, churches and stroll through picturesque streets.
- Chapinero, located to the north of La Candelaria, represents a more modern part of Bogota with hundreds of shops, office buildings and restaurants.
- Teusaquillo will appeal to sports fans because the Olympic aquatic complex is located here, as well as the famous Bogota stadium and Simon Bolivar park, where all outdoor concerts are held.
- And the botanical garden and many museums should appeal to the “other halves” of sports fans.
- Parque de la 93 is visited only for its very trendy cafes and “unhinged” nightlife spots.
- The bohemian Macarena district is home to art galleries and the capital's best restaurants.
- San Victorino is located in the heart of Bogota, opposite the TransMilenio’s station. There are inexpensive shops here that sell everything.
- Usaquén is the northernmost area and is home to all the main attractions and traditional architecture of the Colombian capital.
But tourists should avoid visiting the following areas: Ciudad Bolívar, Antonio Nariño, Suba, Bosa, Fontibón, Sumapaz, Kennedy, Los Mártires, Engativá, Puente Aranda, Rafael Uribe Uribe, Barrios Unidos and Tunjuelito.
Sights of Bogota
One of the main attractions of the capital of Colombia is Its central square is Plaza Bolivar. It was named in honor of the 1st president of the state - Simon Bolivar, who at one time led the people's struggle for independence.
The square has a huge statue of Bolivar, around which couples often gather at night for romantic walks.
The square also houses one of the oldest and most beautiful Cathedrals of the Roman Catholic Church. Construction of the Cathedral began in 1572, and was completed only in 1610.
Since then, it has suffered more than once from earthquakes and civil war. And yet, after a major restoration in 1998, the Cathedral became a symbol of faith for the entire Colombian people.
Under current conditions next to the church there is a tomb - a pantheon, where the heroes of Colombia are buried, including, for example, the head of the rebel troops Jimenez, as well as artists, poets and politicians.
On the northern side of the square there are other architectural monuments, among them the Presidential Palace. Every day, at exactly 5 o’clock in the evening, a huge number of tourists gather here who love to watch the solemn procession of changing the guard of honor.
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The entire parade lasts about 30 minutes, but it should be noted that it is a very beautiful and vibrant spectacle, which is certainly worth a visit.
To the side of the Presidential There is another palace - the Palace of Justice of Colombia. The building was built in a baroque monumental style.
But most of all, it is famous for the fact that it was previously the headquarters of the rebels, who during the civil war tried to prevent the landowners from establishing a dictatorship in the country.
Bogotá's La Candelaria district is often called the ecclesiastical district. There are actually many churches and cathedrals from the medieval period that have been preserved here.
One of them was built in 1507 - this is the Church of San Francisco. Little has changed here since those times. Icons and frescoes, decoration and statues are fully consistent with the Spanish chic that was demonstrated in the mid-16th century.
Other notable churches in the area are Santa Clara and La Conse, which were built in the 16th century. Their size is not so majestic, but their appearance is amazing in its beauty.
You should definitely visit Santa Clara, as it now houses a museum where you will be told in detail about the amazing history of Colombia, a country that got its name in honor of Christopher Columbus.
Useful information for tourists
Safety: you should not leave the city at night; avoid crowded places; avoid “gifts” from strangers in the form of cigarettes or drinks (they may contain drugs for intoxication for the purpose of robbery); store valuables in the hotel safe; Check your banknotes carefully (counterfeit bills are common in Colombia).
- Telephone code: +57 (1)
- You should also use sunscreen.
- Shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 09.00 to 20.00.
- Banks are open on weekdays from 09:00 to 15:00. On the last working day of the month, banks are open until 12:00.
Emergency numbers:
- Police: 156
- Ambulance: 132
- Rescue service: 112 and 119
- Fire department: 119
- Electricity: Voltage - 120 Volts.
View from Montserrate mountain
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