Located in Colombia's high-altitude capital, Bogotá is a sprawling metropolis with many exciting attractions. It has a number of popular museums that display pre-Columbian gold, Fernando Botero's art, and more. The Teatro Colón is a neoclassical performance hall, and the Iglesia de San Francisco is a 17th-century church. The city also boasts La Candelaria, a cobblestoned colonial center that is home to some of the city's most interesting landmarks.
Museo Botero
Located in the historic Candelaria neighborhood of Bogota, Museo Botero is a museum that displays the art works of renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero. The museum was opened in November 2000 by the Colombian artist. His collection consists of 123 of his own works and 85 original pieces by renowned artists such as Picasso, Renoir, Dali and Matisse.
There is no charge for admission to the museum. Guided tours are also offered, as are free educational programs. It is open from Wednesday to Monday, 9 am to 7 pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
The Museo Botero displays an eclectic array of paintings and sculptures. Visitors can spend two to three hours exploring the exhibits. A courtyard full of plants surrounds the building. There are benches lining the perimeter of the property. The courtyard also has a fountain.
The Botero Museum has a collection of paintings that depict voluminous figures in a playful manner. There are also paintings that depict a parody of the Mona Lisa.
La Candelaria
Located in the heart of Bogota, La Candelaria is a popular tourist destination. This district is the oldest in the city and has been home to many important events in Colombian history. In fact, it is the oldest neighborhood in the country. Its main attractions include museums, churches, and historical buildings.
La Candelaria is also home to several interesting museums. One of these is the Botero Museum, which has a great collection of the artist's work. The museum is free to visit. There are 208 pieces on display, and 123 of them are by Botero.
Another attraction in the area is the Teatro de Cristobal Colon. This theater was built in 1892. The architecture is very impressive. The building features a Spanish style roof, and it also has a courtyard with a fountain.
The Monserrate hill is another must-see in the neighborhood. You can reach the hill through an aerial tramway. The hill is also home to the Shrine Basilica of the Fallen Lord. The hill is a great place to relax, and it offers beautiful views of the city.
Santuario Nuestra Senora de El Carmen
Located in the heart of Bogota's colonial neighborhood, Santuario Nuestra Senora del Carmen is one of the city's most renowned architectural landmarks. It's a temple designed by Italian architect Giovanni Buscaglione in Florentine Gothic style. It has three naves, and a Latin cross plan. It is also known for its red and white striped facade.
The Santuario Nuestra Senora Del Carmen was declared a National Monument in 1993. It is a Catholic temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary as Carmen. It is located in the neighborhood of La Candelaria.
The temple has elements of both Gothic and Mozarabic style architecture. The interior is decorated with decorative paintings led by Mexican expert Rodolfo Vallin Magana. The temple also has a unique striped paint scheme.
The temple is located above Plaza de Bolivar. The most obvious reason to build a new church here was to house the growing marian devotion. Previously, the antigua iglesia was the center of marian devotion in Bogota. During the colonial period, numerous festivals attracted huge numbers of devotees.
Cerro de Monserrate
Located in the city of Bogota, Cerro de Monserrate is a landmark that dominates the skyline. It is a popular site for both locals and tourists. Aside from its spectacular views of the city, the hill is also home to a beautiful church, religious monuments, and a restaurant. There are several ways to get to the top of the mountain, but the most popular is to take a funicular or cable car.
If you prefer hiking up the mountain, you can do so on the pilgrimage trail. This trail is a 2.4 km route that takes 50 minutes to 3 hours to complete. It is free and open to the public.
The Sanctuary of Monserrate is a mystical place of prayer and thanksgiving. The sanctuary is dedicated to the Passion of Christ. You can view the sanctuary from several locations throughout the city. You can also climb to the peak to enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
Salt Cathedral
Located just half an hour away from the capital city of Bogota, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is an underground church carved out of salt. It is one of the most impressive and unique religious sites in the world. It was nominated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
It's located 650 feet below the ground. It's a must-see destination in Colombia. You can visit it on a guided tour, or you can do it on your own. The price is relatively inexpensive. You can get there in less than a day if you don't have a group.
The cathedral is also home to a 50-foot glowing cross. It's the largest underground cross in the world. It's built from 250,000 tons of salt rock. Its construction took four years and was the result of a tender by the Colombian Society of Architects.
Aside from the cathedral, there are other attractions to check out. The Brine Museum is housed in an old building that once housed the processing facilities for salt. It features an interesting collection of minerals and a 3D movie.
Paloquemao Fruit Market
Located in Bogota, Colombia, the Paloquemao Fruit Market is a great place to purchase local, fresh fruits. The market has many vendors who are always eager to demonstrate their products. A great way to get the full experience of the market is to visit on a guided tour.
The Paloquemao market is divided into different sections based on the type of produce. The fresh cut flower section is an outdoor area where you can buy flowers at affordable prices. The herb and plant section is also a great way to learn about some of the medicinal plants that are used by the locals.
There are plenty of different foods to try at the market, such as arepas, lulos, guanabanas, and ajiaco. Ajiaco is a traditional chicken soup made with corn, potatoes, and other ingredients. The lulo pulp has tiny seeds that give it a citrus flavor.
The Paloquemao Fruit Market in Bogota is a great place to shop for exotic fruits, and there are some vendors who offer free samples. The market also has some national chef stalls.
Azahar Cafe 93
Located near the Parque 93, Azahar Cafe 93 is a great place to try an authentic Colombian roast. Azahar is known for its unique design and prompt service. The cafe serves a variety of coffees, teas, pancakes, and acai bowls.
Azahar's motto is "Por Una Cosecha Diferente," or "for a different coffee." This is the company's mission statement, which involves integrating the entire value chain in Colombia, starting with farmers and working all the way through to coffee export.
Azahar is a new player in the Colombian coffee scene. In addition to its two Bogota locations, it has one in Armenia. Founded in 2010, the company has a mission to reward coffee farmers for producing high quality coffee. They buy distinctive beans from small-holder farms, which have under five hectares (12 acres) of land. They ferment the beans overnight, then de-pulp them on their own farm.
The company has three single-origin coffees, which are traceable back to a specific farm. In order to identify the single-origin coffee, Azahar uses QR codes. These codes connect to videos describing how the coffee was produced.
Free war and peace tour
During your free war and peace tour in Bogota, you will learn about the causes and the aftermath of drug wars in Colombia. You will also learn about political assassinations in the country.
You will be introduced to the history of pre-Hispanic societies, the Spanish foundation of Colombia, the Colombian peace process, and other events. You will also experience the culture of the city and its people.
On your first day, you will spend most of your time exploring the most touristy attractions. Then you will move to the more off-the-beaten-path parts of the city. You will see the most important churches and buildings.
On your second day, you will see even more of the city. You will visit the Gold Museum of Bogota. This museum is home to tons of gold artifacts. You will have a guided audio tour, which will explain the history and importance of the collection. You will also have the chance to take a 2-hour horseback ride through the mountains.
Bicycle tours
Taking a bicycle tour of Bogota is an excellent way to explore the city. This is not a city for the faint of heart, so be prepared for a little physical effort. Whether you are in the market for a one or two day excursion, you are sure to find something to suit your taste.
One of the first things you should do is get your bearings. The best place to start is in the downtown area. This is where you can also find a lot of the tourist attractions in town.
There are a number of companies that offer a variety of bike tours. However, the most popular tour operator is La Candelaria Cycling Tours. They offer daily tours at 10:30am and 1:30pm. They also provide bicycle rentals to help make your experience that much more enjoyable.
The city has over 360 kilometers of bike lanes, and is home to two million inhabitants. As the capital of Colombia, it's no wonder that Bogota is the country's cycling hub. This is particularly true on Sundays, when cars are banned from the city's 120 kilometers of roads.
