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World Travel Guide > Guides > South America > Colombia > Bogotá

Local time Bogotá

Currency

Col$

Airports

El Dorado International Airport (Bogota)

Bogotá tours and excursions

Bogotá tours

Bike tours

Bogotá Bike Tours runs bilingual, two-wheeled excursions – especially good on Sundays during the cyclovia, when many of the city's major streets are shut off to motorised transport. Spin around the city's parks, plazas, and historical monuments as well as taking in its graffiti and coffee factories. Alternatively, off-road mountain bike tours around the Guadalupe Hill and Frailejon forests are available. Tours usually last between three and five hours, with night routes available upon request.

Tel: +571 342 7649.
Website: http://www.bogotabiketours.com

Walking tours

Beyond Colombia offer free walking tours of the city twice daily, which last around three hours. Guides bring the city to life with entertaining stories and mini quizzes with prizes (so listen up) as groups take in sights such as the dominating Plaza de Bolivar, the Palace of Justice, National Capitol and many more interesting places of interest.

Tel: +57 312 4413 171.
Website: http://www.freetourbogota.com

Bogotá excursions

Suesca

The beautiful area of Suesca, approximately 60km (37 miles) from Bogotá, has recently been developed into a centre for adventure activities (rock climbing, mountain biking and white-water rafting). Rock climbers should get in touch with Monodedo (tel: +57 311 5576 008; www.monodedo.com.co) to hire equipment if they want to scale the sandstone cliff.

Tel: +57 314 280 5219.
Website: http://www.suesca.com

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Located in Zipaquira, some 48km (miles) from Bogotá, the Salt Cathedral is an architectural marvel created by the miners who once excavated salt from the mines here. Located 180m (590 ft) underground, the complex is carved into the salt and lit from the back, highlighting the crosses, altars, statues and side-chapels.

Tel: +571 8519 502.
Website: http://www.catedraldesal.gov.co

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

City Highlight: Bogotá

One of the biggest cities in the Americas, Colombia’s vibrant capital Bogotá embraces an outward-looking modernity while still celebrating its rich colonial past.

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Featured Hotels

Casa Medina

Atmospheric and full of character, this Bogotá hotel offers modern facilities with an Old World atmosphere. Located in a restored historic building, it feels more like a home than a hotel with roaring fires, thick rugs, timber-framed ceilings and leather armchairs. The king-size beds are enough to lose a weekend in, while its La Casa Restaurant offers fine dining in a country cottage setting.

Hotel de la Opera

Situated in two buildings next the Teatro Colon, the Hotel de la Opera is probably the best accommodation in La Candelaria. Housed in a wonderfully restored historic building, it has class, charm and character, and its rooftop restaurant offers great views over the old part of town. The hotel has 42 rooms, each decorated with Italian furniture, but the best have views over Plaza de Bolivar. Booking ahead is essential.

Hotel Augusta

Don't be put off by the aquarium feel of the lobby; Hotel Augusta is a smart, cosy little hotel in the La Candelaria area of the city. The sleeping quarters are light and open, and lead onto a contained living room. Equipped with modern amenities like flatscreen TVs, Wi-Fi and desks, the hotel is ideal for tourists or business travellers as well as backpackers with a little more in their pocket.

Hotel Abitare 56

While bedrooms give off a student dormitory vibe, the sleeping quarters at this budget choice are spotless. Rooms are bright and each of the 28 on offer comes with Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a private bathroom. Tucked away from the nearby bars and restaurants, this hotel also offers a little sanctuary from the buzz of central Bogotá.

Celebrities Suites

With contemporary touches and a modern palate of creams, whites and flashes of red, the Celebrities Suites could be modelled on a famous personality's own pad – if it weren't for the huge murals of superstars sitting above each bed. Each individually designed apartment comes themed around a superstar (think Brad Pitt or Beyonce) and is fully equipped with a kitchen, generous lounge area and beautiful bedroom. A flatscreen TV and Wi-Fi come as standard, while breakfast in bed with Brad is available on request.

Wyndham Hotel Bogota

While it may not look like a work of genius from the outside, behind the doors Wyndham Hotel Bogota flexes its creative muscles. Its 261 rooms are well-appointed and spacious with huge windows letting in plenty of light, but it's the blossoming of primary colours, mesmerising carpets and patterned wallpaper that make it such a pleasure to stay in. The steaks from the restaurant are more hearty than arty.

Introducing Bogotá

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