Bogota, Colombia July 2023

Bogota, Colombia July 2023

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA


ITINERARY: CLICK HERE FOR ITINERARY WITH TOUR LINKS: Itinerary for Bogota July 2023


PHOTOS: See Photos here: Instagram - Bogota

Traveling to Medellin, Colombia? Here is our Medellin, Colombia July 2023 itinerary

TRANSPORTATION: Taxi Apps to Download : (1) Cabify (2) Uber (3) DiDi
  • It can be very difficult to get ubers/taxis. Use all three apps at the same time to see which app gets a taxi faster. Have lots of patience & always leave 10 min earlier than Google maps says.
    • Ubers only good for 2 people; need to get uber xl or comfort for more quality ones
  • Sit in the front seat of Ubers; OK to sit in back for yellow taxi

HOTEL: Stay in Chapinero neighborhood

PAYMENT METHODS:
  • CASH: Recommend bringing $100 USD worth of Colombian Pesos in small bills. We exchanged money beforehand from Bank of America.
    • Several food places only accept cash
    • Public bathrooms can charge $1,000-2,000 COP (25-50 cents)
  • CREDIT CARDS: Tour companies will charge 5-6% additional for using credit card instead of cash 
    • Only use credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fee
    • Always charge your credit card in COP (Colombian Pesos) instead of USD (better conversion rate)

SAFETY:
  • Avoid anyone who comes up too close to you or offers candy. Say no and walk away
  • As the locals say, don't give "Papaya" - don't give a reason to be targeted. Ex. Don't hold your phone out taking photos/google maps without having a firm grip on your phone, wear expensive jewelry etc.

WHAT TO BRING:
  • Umbrella & sunscreen is a MUST (protect from heat & random downpour)
  • Belt bag - I wore a "belt purse" over one shoulder across my chest to keep money / cell phone close to me
  • Print color copies of passport to carry in wallet
  • No converter needed coming from the USA

LANGUAGE: Be sure to learn basic Spanish phrases - even in big cities, most Colombians do not speak English  
  • Download Google Translate App to help communicate

RANDOM TIPS:
  • In bathrooms, grab toilet paper before entering the stalls. Throw toilet paper in trash - not the toilet.
  • Download WhatsApp to communicate with tour guide/groups
  • If possible, avoid visiting any major tourist attraction on weekends/holidays due to heavy crowds. Morning & weekdays are much better to visit.
    • Colombia has 18 days of holidays - be sure to look up beforehand and plan accordingly
  • Did you know that Colombia is one of the largest exporters of Emeralds? You can get them for a great price 

FOOD:
  • For Lunch, look for places that have "Menu Del Dia" - menu of the day: It's a good price for a ton of food
Menu del Dia

  • Vegetarian/vegan: In the big cities, it was very easy to find vegan/vegetarian. Within the country, vegetarian was much easier to accommodate than vegan. We used the Happy Cow App and Google maps to find places. 
    • Our favorite vegan/vegetarian places were:  Maria Candela and Loto Azul Vegetariano 

Maria Candela Restaurant 

  • Water OK to drink from the tap in big cities. As a precaution, stick to bottled waters when traveling away from the big cities.

  • FRUITS are incredible and found everywhere! Colombian fruits are unique due to the microclimate they grown in. Try them!!

Fruits! 
  • 6Colombian Things to try: Cheese arepas, Bandeja Paisa (Traditional Colombian Meal), Aromatico tea drink, Oblea wafers, Chucula drink (Cocoa, lentil, clove powder etc. drink), etc

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • 1) Monserrate - take the cable cars up and down. Go during sunset (if possible). Avoid going up there if there's heavy cloud cover -- you won't see a view. Cafe Santa Clara is very cute and you can try Coca tea here.
    View of Bogota from Monserrate 
  • 2) Fruit Tour - this was awesome! Poonam loves fruits, so this was right up her alley! In addition to 25+ fruits, you'll also try smoothies, an arepa, Chucula drink etc. Did you know most flowers sold to the USA (Trader Joes, Whole Foods etc) comes from Colombia? It was $2 USD for a dozen roses.
    Fruit Tour 
Walking tour: Parque Bolivar Square

  • 4) Visit the Gold Museum
  • 5) Visit the Botero Museum (it's free!)

Guatavita Lagoon 
Salt Cathedral 

Location: Bogotá, Bogota, Colombia

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