Bogota Andes
3
Day Itinerary •
Colombia
Three days in Bogota and the Colombian Andes introduces you to one of the most dynamic and culturally extraordinary capitals in Latin America, a city of eight million people set on a vast Andean plateau at 2,600 metres, with a remarkable colonial La Candelaria district, the finest collection of pre-Columbian gold on earth at the Museo del Oro, and an extraordinary street art scene that transformed the city's global reputation. This focused route covers the essential Bogota and Andes experience. The extraordinary La Candelaria colonial neighbourhood, the Museo del Oro and its extraordinary Muisca gold raft, the Cerro de Monserrate cable car above the city, the extraordinary salt cathedral of Zipaquira carved underground into a salt mine, the Paloquemao flower and food market, and the finest modern Colombian cuisine in the Zona Rosa.
Best Time To Visit
December to March or July to August, dry seasons
Getting There
Fly into El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Getting Around
TransMilenio bus, Uber or taxi throughout Bogota
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 150 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, though altitude at 2,600m needs mild adjustment
DAY 1
LA CANDELARIA AND BOGOTA
MORNING
MUSEO DEL ORO AND LA CANDELARIA COLONIAL DISTRICT
The most extraordinary pre-Columbian gold collection on earth, housing over 55,000 gold pieces from the Muisca, Zenu, Tairona and Calima cultures. The centrepiece is the extraordinary Muisca gold raft, the object that inspired the legend of El Dorado, a tiny golden figure of a chief surrounded by attendants on a raft performing a ritual offering ceremony. The museum is extraordinary in its depth and presentation. Entry approx 4,000 COP. Then explore the extraordinary colonial La Candelaria neighbourhood. 20 min taxi
MIDDAY
CERRO DE MONSERRATE CABLE CAR AND SUMMIT
The extraordinary Cerro de Monserrate, a 3,152-metre peak rising directly above Bogota with a remarkable whitewashed pilgrimage church on the summit, reached by cable car or funicular from the base station at the foot of the eastern hills. The extraordinary view from the summit over the entire Bogota savanna, with eight million people spread across the plateau and the Andes rising on every horizon, is the finest urban panorama in Colombia. Cable car approx 24,000 COP return. 30 min taxi
AFTERNOON
LA CANDELARIA STREET ART AND ZONA ROSA EVENING
The extraordinary street art district of La Candelaria and the adjacent areas of Santa Fe and La Merced, where Colombian artists have created one of the finest concentrated murals programmes in Latin America, with extraordinary large-scale works covering entire building facades. Then Zona Rosa in the Chapinero district for the finest bars, restaurants and nightlife in Bogota, where the extraordinary Colombian dining scene comes alive.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Planetario de Bogota in the Parque de la Independencia, one of the finest astronomy centres in Latin America, offers extraordinary shows about the Colombian night sky and the Muisca astronomical traditions that underpinned the El Dorado myth. Entry approx 7,000 COP. The extraordinary surrounding park is the finest green space in central Bogota.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Azahar Cafe, Bogota Outstanding Colombian specialty coffee and fresh arepas near the Museo del Oro. Finest coffee in the city. | Lunch: La Puerta Falsa, La Candelaria The oldest restaurant in Bogota, in continuous operation since 1816. Extraordinary ajiaco santafereno soup. | Dinner: El Chato, Chapinero The finest contemporary Colombian restaurant in Bogota. Extraordinary tasting menu using Andean ingredients.
DAY 2
ZIPAQUIRA SALT CATHEDRAL
MORNING
CATEDRAL DE SAL DE ZIPAQUIRA
The most extraordinary underground structure in Latin America, a cathedral carved entirely inside an active salt mine 200 metres beneath the Andean town of Zipaquira, 48km north of Bogota. The extraordinary nave is 75 metres long and 18 metres high, carved from halite rock salt with extraordinary stations of the cross illuminated in dramatic indirect lighting. The cross at the far end is the largest underground cross in the world. Entry approx 80,000 COP including guided tour. 1 hour bus back
MIDDAY
ZIPAQUIRA COLONIAL TOWN
The extraordinary small colonial town of Zipaquira on the Andean plateau above Bogota, a remarkably well-preserved 16th-century Spanish settlement with an extraordinary plaza, fine colonial church and the remarkable salt production heritage that built the town's wealth over four centuries. The extraordinary salt market and local cheese makers in the market square are the finest in the Cundinamarca highlands. Free to explore. 1 hour taxi
AFTERNOON
BOGOTA STREET ART TOUR, LA CANDELARIA
The extraordinary La Candelaria street art district where Colombian and international artists have created one of the finest mural programmes in Latin America. The 2011 decision by Bogota's mayor to legalise street art transformed the city's international reputation overnight. The extraordinary works range from large-scale political murals to intricate portrait series. Several companies offer guided tours from Parque Periodista for approx 20,000 COP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Laguna de Guatavita, 75km northeast of Bogota, is the sacred lake of the Muisca people and the actual origin of the El Dorado legend, where the Muisca chief covered himself in gold dust and paddled to the centre to offer gold to the lake deity. The extraordinary circular volcanic crater lake at 3,100 metres is surrounded by remarkable cloud forest. Entry approx 22,000 COP.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast or Bogota cafe Good breakfast before the Zipaquira journey. The bus from Portal del Norte takes 1 hour. | Lunch: Restaurante el Virrey, Zipaquira Outstanding traditional Cundinamarca cuisine in Zipaquira's colonial plaza. Extraordinary cocido boyacense stew. | Dinner: Criterio, Zona Rosa Outstanding modern Colombian cuisine in Zona Rosa. Extraordinary Andean ingredients in extraordinary combinations.
DAY 3
BOGOTA MARKETS AND CULTURE
MORNING
MERCADO DE PALOQUEMAO, THE FINEST MARKET IN COLOMBIA
The most extraordinary market in Bogota and one of the finest in all of South America, a vast wholesale and retail market covering an entire city block where the extraordinary flower hall at dawn is the finest sight in the city. Colombia is the world's second largest flower exporter and the Paloquemao flower section contains an extraordinary variety of roses, orchids and tropical flowers in abundance. The fruit and vegetable sections are equally extraordinary. Arrive before 8am for the finest experience. 30 min taxi
MIDDAY
MUSEO BOTERO, FERNANDO BOTERO'S GIFT TO BOGOTA
The extraordinary free museum in La Candelaria where Colombia's most celebrated artist, Fernando Botero, donated his entire personal collection to the Colombian state. The extraordinary rotund figures of Botero's own work sit alongside remarkable pieces by Picasso, Dali, Renoir and Monet that Botero collected over his lifetime. The extraordinary generosity of the donation and the quality of the collection make this the finest free museum experience in Colombia. Free entry. 30 min taxi
AFTERNOON
USAQUEN SUNDAY FLEA MARKET AND COLONIAL VILLAGE
The extraordinary Usaquen neighbourhood in the north of Bogota, a former colonial village absorbed by the expanding city that has preserved its remarkable central plaza, colonial church and extraordinary Sunday flea market. The market fills the surrounding streets with antique dealers, artisan craft sellers, extraordinary Colombian emerald jewellers and street food stalls. The finest Sunday afternoon experience in Bogota. Free to browse.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango in La Candelaria, one of the finest libraries in Latin America, has a remarkable free gallery programme with extraordinary rotating exhibitions of Colombian and international art. The extraordinary reading rooms and courtyard garden are open to the public. The finest free cultural space in Bogota and almost entirely missed by tourists. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Fresh juice at Paloquemao Extraordinary fresh-pressed tropical juice and arepas at the market at 6:30am before the crowds arrive. | Lunch: Leo Cocina y Cava, La Candelaria The most celebrated chef in Bogota, Leonor Espinosa's extraordinary modern Colombian restaurant. Book ahead. | Dinner: Harry Sasson, Zona Rosa Outstanding steak and Colombian fish restaurant in Zona Rosa. Extraordinary Andean ingredients and fine wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
La Candelaria Casa Deco Hotel or Casa Platypus. Colonial neighbourhood. Approx 40 to 120 USD per night. Zona Rosa or Chapinero Hotel Casa Medina or Hyatt Place Bogota. Safer, more modern area. Approx 80 to 200 USD per night. Budget Option Masaya Bogota Hostel or Cranky Croc. La Candelaria location. Approx 15 to 40 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Stay in Zona Rosa or Chapinero rather than La Candelaria for better safety and transport links.
2. The Museo del Oro is extraordinary. The Muisca gold raft room alone justifies the visit.
3. Monserrate cable car runs from 5:30am. Go at dawn for the finest view before cloud builds.
4. Book the Zipaquira salt cathedral tickets online ahead. Entry approx 80,000 COP per person.
5. The Bogota free walking tour of La Candelaria departs Parque Periodista at 10am daily.
6. Paloquemao market is best before 9am. The extraordinary flower hall is at peak beauty at dawn.
Total Budget
40 to 300 USD/day