As a Bogotana my advices are: - Don't forget that on Sunday mornings we have the Ciclovía and many roads are open only to bikes and joggers, so plan ahead. - Uber works very well and you can take taxis or regular cars from the app. - Don't forget to visit the surrounding little villages. The landscape is breathtaking. - If you're in town in the same day of a soccer game or a concert, be aware of the traffic jams and plan accordingly - If you have problems with salt or sugar, don't forget to tell the waiter in advance. Many restaurants put those by default. - If you want to wonder by yourself, please do it in the daylight and don't use your cellphone in open areas without checking your surroundings. Bogotá is an incredible city but is a capital and has its own rules. Enjoy your visit. We bogotanos are wonderful people.
One thing that surprised me about Bogota was how relatively early restaurants close compared to places like Argentina/Brazil. Then I realized they’re a city of morning birds, there was already so many people out and about even before 6am!
Yup! As a colombian I was totally surprised in Uruguay when I saw entire families on a Tuesday with their children dinning out and eating basically a second lunch in restaurants 🍖 🥓 🥩at 8-11pm and going to sleep at 12-2am to wake up between 9 or 11am😅 They invited me out at that time, I thought it was a party or smthing similar but nope, it was just a common dinner lol, and I was having fun but couldn't stop nodding off from sleep and I felt a little ashamed as I had baggy eyes while they where full of energy. 😅🤣🤣🤣 In Colombia we are used to have a small dinner at 6pm (biscuits and latte usually) just at sunset 🌇, by 8-11pm 🌃 most of us are already aslee and between 11pm to 3:59am streets are completely empty for most of the week. Most working people wakes up between 4-7am, so bakeries 🍞 open just at sunrise 🌄 (5am) and we wake up to the smell of tamales, fresh bread with chocolate or coffee on the streets ☕😊😊
Its because Bogota is the capital and is a city mainly for doing Business , work , and study. It has over 8 million people so you need to wake up very early to get to every place with at least 2 hours of anticipation , the traffic is horrible and the wheater is unpredictable. Is very nice for travel but for work can be a nightmare.
I love Bogota! I've been there four times, most recently in April, 2024. One of the reasons is one you mentioned. Cartagena is overtouristed. Medellin is beautiful, but it has become absurdly popular with digital nomads. It's hard to go out for breakfast without being seated next to someone who is doing business on their cell phone, in English. But Bogota is the real Colombia. It's big, somewhat disorganized, and filled with Colombians, not foreigners. One thing you forgot to mention. People in other parts of Colombia refer to their capital as "la nevera"--the refrigerator. That's because, no matter what month of the year, Bogota almost never goes above 20C (68F). It's really not that cold (at night it can go down to maybe 6-7C--around 45F) but if you're coming from the Caribbean coast or Cali, it's a very noticeable difference in climate. One warning. When I was last there (two months ago) they were experiencing problems with water shortages. In the building where my Airbnb was, the water was shut off for one day. They were turning off the water supply by neighborhoods for 24 hrs. The mayor of Bogota was advising couples to shower together! I'm going to plug a great, inexpensive restaurant for very typical Colombian food in the heart of the wonderful, bustling, Chapinero Alto neighborhood. I've eaten there numerous times. Las Cazuelas de la Abuela, which has two restaurants a block apart from each other, and is only open for lunch. You'll find many dishes you haven't tried before, at very affordable prices. It fills up with locals. Hardly a foreigner in sight. Always a good sign.
One more thing, definitely try out local and typical dishes, but DO NOT miss out on some of the international or higher cuisine restaurantes in zona G, T and rosa. If you're from Europe or the states, its not gonna be that expensive, maybe 50 dollars per person, and you'll get some of the most wonderful and banging food you can have in America.
If you deem Botogtá to be "disorganized" then you have to go to the coast, maybe to cities like Sincelejo, Corozal, or Barranquilla. THOSE are disorganized. Also, if it embarasses you already to not have water for ONE day: at the coast there are many places that only HAVE water for one day ;( It's very common to not have water for saturday and sunday in some of the poorer suburbs of Barranquilla, for example. And one last thing: It has only been since the pandemic that there are comparably few foreigners here in Bogotá. Before it used to be very different! And yes, if you have lived at the coast for many years, like me, Bogotá is freezing cold, but I got used to it a bit. Maybe it is interesting to know that, temperature-wise, Bogotá is Colombia's city most affected by climate change. The average temperature rose by a whopping 3.8 degrees during the last 70 years. So, the fridge is broken, actually :)
@@Oli1974 I've been to Barranquilla and liked it a lot. In part because, outside of Carnival, it's not a tourist magnet. And I didn't experience any water shortages during the week I was there.
In Bogota, there is a amazing public library system worth visiting, the best of all being Virgilio Barco library not far away from downtown, it is beautiful, it's just beside the city largest park called Simon Bolivar Park and very near the Botanical garden. This is a excellent visit to experience the vibe of the city. The Maloka interactive Museum of Science is also nearby and a great place to go with kids. There are always tons of cultural events going on throughout the year, many of them free.
La Virgilio Barco y toda la zona al rededor son de lo mejor de Bogotá, ¡ese parque es una chimba pa sentarse a parchar! Y cerca está el Simón con su salpiconcito y empanaditas 😍.
Don't forget to explore the nice upscale parts of Bogota. Wander from Chapinero up to Chico, then up to Usaquen. It gets nicer and nicer as you go. I wouldn't think too much about la Candelaria, a couple hours is enough.
In addition some of the old architecture in Bogota is not something you will see in cartagena. It's very different, English or Irish style in bogota, maybe Victorian time style architecture. In cartagena I spent a lot of time and didn't see that kind of architecture. Surprisingly compared to cartagena bogota seemed like a quiet city. Definitely didn't feel like the city of 8 million people. Many streets very quiet and empty. It's good. Although that can make people nervous regarding safety when no one else is around walking there. And that's in that beautiful old architecture area
For those who are love art, the Museum of Modern Art of Bogota MAMBO is great just a few blocks from Museo del Oro. Barrio la Macarena neighborhood in downtown is an amazing place for restaurants, art galleries or just for plain walking, to the north of the Macarena is Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia which is a local market with good local food, popular with the locals and tourist alike. Best market to visit is Paloquemao.The Concordia Market in the Candelaria Neighborhood is very nice and the food is better and cheaper than in Perseverancia market. Best views of the city are not from Monserrate but for the Mirador (sight spot) on the way up to the Calera town, the road goes up the mountain about 80 street.
As bogotana I completely agree with this video, specially the last thing on the list (thank you), and I will give you a "DO" !! If you want to avoid the rain, try to come in december or january, maybe february as well. This time of the year is beautiful in Bogotá! Blue skies and nice weather (around 20°C during the day, max 25°C but that would be unusual), and the city is a little less busy with easier traffic because a lot of bogotanos are usually out of town for the holidays. Best time of the year in this city in my opinion :) Welcome to Bogotá! Enjoy and be safe!
@@jcwoodstl Well, It's not like it is a forbidden topic, we can talk about Escobar and also the drugs issue. However, (and I experienced it once in Europe), sometimes foreigners bring out these topics in a disrespectful way, like mocking us or as if these were fun things about our country to talk about. If you want to break the ice with a colombian person and be fun, you can talk about Shakira for instance, or food, o whatever, just not drugs and Escobar as if we were fans of the guy, or as if we were proud of cocaine production as much as we can be about our coffee. Once there is mutual trust, we can talk about those issues in all seriousness.
When I visited Colombia it was to meet my girlfriends family.. we met here in the states, and she gave me a long list of things to do and not do. Don't forget your manners, no elbows on the table, keep your hands where they can be seen no hats inside especially while eating, keep your hands out of your pockets while talking. look at someone when you say salud and clink glasses, when visiting someone's house, bring a small gift. it is considered impolite to ever turn down any invitation to go out or go to someone's house, it's actually better to not show up.. lol really . gifts are not opened in front of the person giving it. The Beso Beso is common a kiss on the cheek. but don't lean in unless they are (can be awkward) Learn Spanish.. like in France, you should know some French, in Colombia, if most of the speakers speak spanish, that is the language that will be spoken. oh and one more Don't expect anyone to ever be on time for anything.. ever
One more piece of advice if you plan on renting a car. In most cities in Colombia there is a system called Pico y Placa. It's meant to curb traffic by limiting which cars can drive on certain days of the week. In Bogotá it's dependent on the last number of your license plate. Make sure to look up what hours you can drive, which days you can drive, etc. because the cops will pull you over for not following pico y placa. It's different everywhere so make sure to look online or ask a local how pico y placa works.
Loved the video! As a 🇨🇴 living in the 🇺🇸, and who is currently here visiting family, you really hit a lot of great points! Bogotá is a beautiful city in a beautiful country and I hope more people come visit! Thanks for your content
Buenos dias means good morning, so it can only be used in the mornings. Buenas tardes means good afternoon (from 12:00 to 18:00) and buenas noches is like a good night but not in the have a nice sleep way.
One important tip (Bogota's temperature is around 75°F): Since Bogota is on a top of a huge and high plateau and since the climate depends on the altitude (not the latitude) you can find both, warm (85°F) small villages in less than 3 hours by car if you go down from the plateau; or you can find cold (60°F) beautiful places with spectacular lakes and incredible landscapes if you go "up" from the plateau, also in less than 3 hours by car.
Hello, I hope you're doing great. I just wanted to mention that “buenos días" is like saying good morning, it isn't like bonjour in french. To say good afternoon we say “buenas tardes" and to say good evening or good night we say “buenas noches". Hope it was useful to somebody.
I don't live in Colombia but as a born and raised Bogotano I want to commend you on this video. Bogotá is charming and deceptive, is glitzy and gritty at the same time, it is welcoming but harsh too. Avoid taxis if you are not local, Uber works just fine.
Bogotá is beautiful, I have been there several times and I have never had any trouble, just use common sense. I love the food, the weather, the people, the architecture.
Welcome to Bogotá! Bogotá is the most tourist city in Colombia right now and the favorite among tourists, which is why it was chosen as the sixth best tourist destination in the world (voted by millions of tourists) in the most important tourism awards in the world (TripAdvisor 2024). Like every big city there are places that are not cool (places I have never visited and I'm from Bogotá haha). In Bogotá there are too many things to do and enjoy, so much so that you wouldn't be able to see them all even in half a month. My recommendation is that you take a lot of time to visit Bogotá. And also enjoy other cities in Colombia. If you want to know about fascinating places that you will only see in Bogotá, just ask me!
I'm Bogotan and the only nitpick I have with the video is that you make the south of the city sound horrible, it really isn't (trust me, I live there), it definitely is the "poorer" part of the city but if you want to see it for some reason you definitely can without too much worries. Just, as you always should, be aware of your surroundings and if you feel something is off, maybe you should leave that specific area 😅 Also, if you have any questions regarding this just ask, if UA-cam notifies me I'll be happy to help 😊
As a bogotan I'll say that this guide is pretty accurate, besides the weather forecast tip. I would add this: Don't trust weather apps and forecasts, they ALWAYS fail, to the point we don't even have any TV weather/climate forecast show nor channel 😂, Bogotá's climate is unpredictable and bipolar, we developed an instinct to try and predict climate, so do as the locals do and you'll get a 60/70% chance of getting a better prediction: go into a second floor, look out on the window and check up the landscape through the area, determine if it's completely clouded, or if there's too many clouds scattered or if the sky is perfectly blue and sunny; then observe their tone, if it is white, gray-ish or dark. If it's sunny, then feel the sunlight on your skin a little, determine if it feels too strong or mild and pleasurable, also determine the direction of the air. If it's blue and perfectly sunny and the sun is spicy 🥵: bring out your umbrella and a sweater, the sky will fall on your head by the afternoon 😂. ⛈️ 30% probability you'll even see a hailstorm lol. If there's scattered clouds and the sun is pleasurable: look at the color of the clouds and determine the direction they're moving to, the darkest ones are the ones who'll ruin your day, there may be distinct micro-climates scattered throughout the entire city on each neighborhood, so you may get a glimpse of a hailstorm on the west of Bogotá, a blue sky on the center of the city and at the south it'll be like Mordor 🥵😅 If it's full cloudy then trust your gut, it's a 50-50 it may be a spruce rain, a few droplets or nothing, may be predictable if you manage to detect "fog" under the clouds, that's rain👍🏽🤣 You can always intuit if the wind 🌬️ will blow a dark cloud on you area and how much time it'll take it to reach whiting your area, so plan ahead, that way you'll dodge the rain.
Although there is a way to predict it, although the level of resolution is at a weekly level (perhaps there are no more precise people). It is using the moon, the farmers (los campesinos), those of before, did it like that.
I love seeing you in my city. I have followed you for years and always wanted you to come to my country and give all your amazing tips. Hope you enjoy and have some nice vacations! And thank you for your great videos! ❤🎉
Great tips ! I found that the Spanish spoken in Colombia is textbook Spanish. Do they still have the cyclovia ? Oh also I remember the take off in the plane was crazy , because if the altitude, it takes twice as long to get in the air.
Yes, the ciclovía still works. In fact is one of the most celebrated features of the city. With respect to the spoken spanish is a bit complex. In Bogotá live people from all the country, so is easy that you find people that talk different variations from the same language, also you'll find the different accents from different parts of the country, so you can guess form which part of the country came some person just by hearing the speech. Maybe, the textbook aspect is the grammar. Is important take into account that this is true in all the hispanoamerican countries.
Bogota my home city I was born there and adopted from the orphanage Fana at a young age. I went back in 2007 and saw the people who took care of me. Rest in peace Mercedes. Thank you Fana❤🇨🇴
In bogota you must visit the botanic garden, then the Simon bolivar park (it’s better than Central Park) and the Virgilio barco library (stunning architecture )
Great video as always. Spot on. We have relatives in Colombia and took a four day trip to Bogota this year to escape the heat in Pereira. It's 10 degrees cooler, no mosquitoes so a great climate. We loved the city. Museo de Oro is fantastic. Next trip we'll definitely be heading back for a few days. Oh, and the food is great too. As for it being dangerous. It's no more so than anywhere else. We also went to Salvador in Brazil on our trip which has a rep for being dangerous. We loved it and were absolutely fine. Just be sensible about where you go in the cities and have your wits about you just like anywhere else. Finally, Mr Wolters....best travel blogs out there! Keep em coming!
I've been to Bogota and a few small towns around it a few times and one thing that is good to know is that at least in the public women's bathrooms often times (especially these bathrooms are not in a super nice/touristy part of town) may not have toilet seats and/or toilet paper. Or you might have to pay for some from a dispenser. So I found that I would just carry a roll around with me in case.
I’m from Cali and I visit Bogotá often and every time I go I immediately remember why I don’t like to be in Bogotá at all: having to invest at least 1, 2 or 3 hours in traffic to go anywhere. Not exaggerating here. That’s the deal breaker for me even after all the cool stuff Bogota has to offer.
Some additions and context: 0:58 There's military presence around the Plaza de Bolívar because... well... the Palacio de Nariño (Colombia's White House equivalent) is right around the corner. It's essentially the same as Secret Service keeping an eye on the White House, except less subtle. And yeah, the point right next is unfortunately very important: pickpockets are frequent in Colombian crowded sites. Be VERY careful to not give them any chances. 4:14 Yeah. You're not getting kidnapped. You _could_ get robbed if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, though. Having company (either being with friends or just being part of a crowd) will help reduce the chances of this, but still: be careful when walking around. Especially at night. 5:56 There's TONS of motorcycles circulating in Colombia. Even when cars are stopped, they always try to sneak in between cars, so watch out for them when crossing streets. Also... yeah, motorized robbers are a thing. Goes back to "be mindful of your surroundings" point. Getting a bicycle might not be so bad of an idea, though; we have plenty of bike lanes going around the city, and they can actually come in handy to avoid traffic. Remember that Bogotá is HUGE, though; if you're going anywhere outside the historic downtown, you'll likely need proper transportation. 12:04 This is an important point in Bogotá in particular. Bogotá Spanish is actually pretty formal, compared to other Colombian regions. Saying "hola" (hello) or "tú" (you) to strangers can be off-putting to some people; "buenos días/buenas tardes/buenas noches" (good day/afternoon/evening) and "usted" (you, but less personal/more formal) is the proper way to refer to people there. This is less important in other regions of the country, but is still good practice if you're not sure how to refer to people in Spanish. 14:06 There are bad areas you want to stay away from, indeed. The south end of the city (particularly next to the mountains) has some favela-like sectors you don't want to go to if you don't need to. Even near the historic downtown, a handful of streets have unfortunately devolved into "crack dens"; stay away from those at all costs. Overall: if you want to wander around, you can, but be VERY mindful where you are. Especially at night; after it gets dark, stick to places you _know_ you want to go to. 18:32 This is basic decency. Many people suffered, lost their homes, or even had family members die, due to the drug wars in the 80s and 90s. In some areas of the country, there's still violence to this day. Rubbing salt in those wounds will make you no friends here. Make completely sure people are fine with talking about the subject before bringing it up. Or just... don't bring it up.
I traveled there on Feb 6 to 12! I went to the Monserrate on foot. It took me 3 hrs 24 minutes to climb up and 1 hr 34 to go down. It not suitable for pregnants or people with diabetes, high pressure and fatigue. Also went to the following museums: Gold, Simón Bolívar, Botero, Folk Clothing and the Museum of the Man. Not remember where I ate but enjoyed bandeja paisa, ajiaco and arepas. For last the churches like De las Corrientes that was a military post.
Man, I see your videos for all my travel preps. Last ones I was checking were China as is my next destination. But overall all your tips are super complete. Glad you visit our city. 👍🏼✌🏼🇨🇴
I am from Bogota 🇨🇴 living in 🇨🇦 for 7 years I can say this with confidence my city is way more modern and safer than most north american cities. Thank you for your content.
Well, when you say “North America” you probably included Mexico, so it is understandable what you say, but excluding Mexico, for safety issues, most of the US & Canadian cities & towns are safer than Bogota.
@@Holbrooks1984 I think petty crime is worse in Bogota but bigger crimes are worse in North America. My car was stolen two months after I arrived to 🇨🇦 in 2017. And my bike and tires slashed on a trip to 🇺🇲.
@@Holbrooks1984Dude, Philadelphia alone is way more dangerous than Bogota. There was literally a shooting Philly yesterday where 7 people, including a teenager, were shot.
Don'ts, some additions - do not walk alone on quiet areas at dark, even in pairs etc. I do not recommend - it someone is approaching you, many times there is scam or something even nastier going on. Refuse politely, no eye contact and keep walking. They may pretend to be tourist, fake polices appear from nowhere etc. - in case of mugging, do not resist, they have always knife and the are ready to use it too. - taxis can be a risk for a tourist, look for the most recent information what to do on web. There are also some positives, most people are very friendly in Colombia, larger mall/restaurant areas with a few people relatively safe also in the evening. But bad stuff is happening, especially if you are naive and used to travel mainly on safer destinations. I have been visiting Bogota for several business trips, totalling several months on site, have been visiting expats etc. I do not like experienced travelers bragging visited sites and ignoring the negative facts, just because they have avoided problems at that certain time, with much more experience of traveling than some less experienced ones here.
Wouldn't recommend wearing touristy clothes and if you are walking alone at night. Don't stop even if someone approaches. At least look like you know what you're doing.
I have always loved the weather of this region, but yes, you should have a jacket or umbrella because the rain can come at any time and might last for 15 minutes or an hour but you can be cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon. 5:46 dehydration is definitely an issue due to the elevation. 7:51 food is amazing and definitely better than anything you can get in the United States because American food is tasteless and loaded with chemicals and pesticides. 13:05 yes 🙌 yes 👍 the day trips are very important to Villa de Leyva etc. 15:09 you can use Uber especially at night. 18:35 malls and food are great - Unicentro, Centro Andino
My friend im from Bogota, and im a Tourist Manager, and Bogota is the most tourism city in Colombia, the magasing trip advisor saids that is the 6 city in the hold word that the people want to visit in 2024, you have to read more.
Kidnapped ??? hahahaha 🤣 👌 you guys have more guts than me... I visit 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴 soon... God bless you guys ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ your guys channel 🫵😎 Cheerz from Auckland New Zealand 🇳🇿
I live in Bogota, why did I watch the entire video? Anyway, I enjoyed it all and agree with everything. As a side note, I was worried about the camera you were using. My advice to anyone visiting the city is do not take your belongings out in the street. Most places are dangerous
Bienvenidos a Bogota, la ciudad capital de la Colombia! (It's Colombia, not Columbia...) The city is an intriguing mixture of Spanish colonial and modern, and its a cool place in more ways than one.
Excellent video. Has anyone been to Medellin and Bogotá in the first 2 weeks of December? What’s the weather like then? Does it rain a lot during that time? Trying to avoid going then if it rains a lot 😅. Thanks for sharing these tips :)
The photo you posted is not of the Guatavita lagoon, it is the Tominé reservoir. The lagoon is very close and is in the middle of a natural park. It's beautiful. The hike of approximately 1 hour can be demanding due to the height, but it is a way to live and understand the legend of El Dorado.
Bogotano here, dont go below la séptima because is dangerous, san victorino, plaza de la mariposa etc, above la séptima is actually my favorite place in the city. Also get a little drunk in el chorro de quevedo 😊 that is a suggested do!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
As a Bogotana my advices are:
- Don't forget that on Sunday mornings we have the Ciclovía and many roads are open only to bikes and joggers, so plan ahead.
- Uber works very well and you can take taxis or regular cars from the app.
- Don't forget to visit the surrounding little villages. The landscape is breathtaking.
- If you're in town in the same day of a soccer game or a concert, be aware of the traffic jams and plan accordingly
- If you have problems with salt or sugar, don't forget to tell the waiter in advance. Many restaurants put those by default.
- If you want to wonder by yourself, please do it in the daylight and don't use your cellphone in open areas without checking your surroundings.
Bogotá is an incredible city but is a capital and has its own rules. Enjoy your visit. We bogotanos are wonderful people.
I agree that you're wonderful people which is why I keep going back!
Advice is never plural in English.
@@shawnsavage9341 thanks for the tip. English is not my native language
@@johannagarzon9313 You have a very good english skills, don't worry about it. Instead of "advices", you can use "tips" or "recommendations".
@@johannagarzon9313 what other taxi apps does Bogota have ?
One thing that surprised me about Bogota was how relatively early restaurants close compared to places like Argentina/Brazil. Then I realized they’re a city of morning birds, there was already so many people out and about even before 6am!
Yes, Colombians start their days really early.
Yup! As a colombian I was totally surprised in Uruguay when I saw entire families on a Tuesday with their children dinning out and eating basically a second lunch in restaurants 🍖 🥓 🥩at 8-11pm and going to sleep at 12-2am to wake up between 9 or 11am😅 They invited me out at that time, I thought it was a party or smthing similar but nope, it was just a common dinner lol, and I was having fun but couldn't stop nodding off from sleep and I felt a little ashamed as I had baggy eyes while they where full of energy. 😅🤣🤣🤣
In Colombia we are used to have a small dinner at 6pm (biscuits and latte usually) just at sunset 🌇, by 8-11pm 🌃 most of us are already aslee and between 11pm to 3:59am streets are completely empty for most of the week. Most working people wakes up between 4-7am, so bakeries 🍞 open just at sunrise 🌄 (5am) and we wake up to the smell of tamales, fresh bread with chocolate or coffee on the streets ☕😊😊
I'm Brazilian and I'm living here for 2 years and yes, this bothers me a lot
Its because Bogota is the capital and is a city mainly for doing Business , work , and study. It has over 8 million people so you need to wake up very early to get to every place with at least 2 hours of anticipation , the traffic is horrible and the wheater is unpredictable. Is very nice for travel but for work can be a nightmare.
Kids near my house go to school at 5 am
I love Bogota! I've been there four times, most recently in April, 2024.
One of the reasons is one you mentioned. Cartagena is overtouristed. Medellin is beautiful, but it has become absurdly popular with digital nomads. It's hard to go out for breakfast without being seated next to someone who is doing business on their cell phone, in English.
But Bogota is the real Colombia. It's big, somewhat disorganized, and filled with Colombians, not foreigners.
One thing you forgot to mention. People in other parts of Colombia refer to their capital as "la nevera"--the refrigerator. That's because, no matter what month of the year, Bogota almost never goes above 20C (68F). It's really not that cold (at night it can go down to maybe 6-7C--around 45F) but if you're coming from the Caribbean coast or Cali, it's a very noticeable difference in climate.
One warning. When I was last there (two months ago) they were experiencing problems with water shortages. In the building where my Airbnb was, the water was shut off for one day. They were turning off the water supply by neighborhoods for 24 hrs. The mayor of Bogota was advising couples to shower together!
I'm going to plug a great, inexpensive restaurant for very typical Colombian food in the heart of the wonderful, bustling, Chapinero Alto neighborhood. I've eaten there numerous times.
Las Cazuelas de la Abuela, which has two restaurants a block apart from each other, and is only open for lunch. You'll find many dishes you haven't tried before, at very affordable prices. It fills up with locals. Hardly a foreigner in sight. Always a good sign.
One more thing, definitely try out local and typical dishes, but DO NOT miss out on some of the international or higher cuisine restaurantes in zona G, T and rosa. If you're from Europe or the states, its not gonna be that expensive, maybe 50 dollars per person, and you'll get some of the most wonderful and banging food you can have in America.
If you deem Botogtá to be "disorganized" then you have to go to the coast, maybe to cities like Sincelejo, Corozal, or Barranquilla. THOSE are disorganized. Also, if it embarasses you already to not have water for ONE day: at the coast there are many places that only HAVE water for one day ;( It's very common to not have water for saturday and sunday in some of the poorer suburbs of Barranquilla, for example. And one last thing: It has only been since the pandemic that there are comparably few foreigners here in Bogotá. Before it used to be very different!
And yes, if you have lived at the coast for many years, like me, Bogotá is freezing cold, but I got used to it a bit. Maybe it is interesting to know that, temperature-wise, Bogotá is Colombia's city most affected by climate change. The average temperature rose by a whopping 3.8 degrees during the last 70 years. So, the fridge is broken, actually :)
@@Oli1974 I've been to Barranquilla and liked it a lot. In part because, outside of Carnival, it's not a tourist magnet. And I didn't experience any water shortages during the week I was there.
@@josephpanzarella1417 Of course not, because you probably stayed at estrato 5 or even 6. There the water never goes out.
What is the name of the restaurant u recommend in Bogota?
In Bogota, there is a amazing public library system worth visiting, the best of all being Virgilio Barco library not far away from downtown, it is beautiful, it's just beside the city largest park called Simon Bolivar Park and very near the Botanical garden. This is a excellent visit to experience the vibe of the city. The Maloka interactive Museum of Science is also nearby and a great place to go with kids. There are always tons of cultural events going on throughout the year, many of them free.
La Virgilio Barco y toda la zona al rededor son de lo mejor de Bogotá, ¡ese parque es una chimba pa sentarse a parchar! Y cerca está el Simón con su salpiconcito y empanaditas 😍.
Wow! Ive been living in Bogota for the past 20 years and this video was fantastic! Everything you mentioned was Spot on! What a great job, well done!
Don't forget to explore the nice upscale parts of Bogota. Wander from Chapinero up to Chico, then up to Usaquen. It gets nicer and nicer as you go. I wouldn't think too much about la Candelaria, a couple hours is enough.
In addition some of the old architecture in Bogota is not something you will see in cartagena. It's very different, English or Irish style in bogota, maybe Victorian time style architecture. In cartagena I spent a lot of time and didn't see that kind of architecture. Surprisingly compared to cartagena bogota seemed like a quiet city. Definitely didn't feel like the city of 8 million people. Many streets very quiet and empty. It's good. Although that can make people nervous regarding safety when no one else is around walking there. And that's in that beautiful old architecture area
La Mcarena maybe
Mi linda ciudad que el universo te proteja. Te Amo Bogotá! 😘
Nice
For those who are love art, the Museum of Modern Art of Bogota MAMBO is great just a few blocks from Museo del Oro. Barrio la Macarena neighborhood in downtown is an amazing place for restaurants, art galleries or just for plain walking, to the north of the Macarena is Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia which is a local market with good local food, popular with the locals and tourist alike. Best market to visit is Paloquemao.The Concordia Market in the Candelaria Neighborhood is very nice and the food is better and cheaper than in Perseverancia market. Best views of the city are not from Monserrate but for the Mirador (sight spot) on the way up to the Calera town, the road goes up the mountain about 80 street.
As bogotana I completely agree with this video, specially the last thing on the list (thank you), and I will give you a "DO" !! If you want to avoid the rain, try to come in december or january, maybe february as well. This time of the year is beautiful in Bogotá! Blue skies and nice weather (around 20°C during the day, max 25°C but that would be unusual), and the city is a little less busy with easier traffic because a lot of bogotanos are usually out of town for the holidays. Best time of the year in this city in my opinion :) Welcome to Bogotá! Enjoy and be safe!
This is interesting to me because when I speak with Colombians here in the states they almost ALWAYS bring up Escobar when talking about Colombia.
@@jcwoodstl Well, It's not like it is a forbidden topic, we can talk about Escobar and also the drugs issue. However, (and I experienced it once in Europe), sometimes foreigners bring out these topics in a disrespectful way, like mocking us or as if these were fun things about our country to talk about. If you want to break the ice with a colombian person and be fun, you can talk about Shakira for instance, or food, o whatever, just not drugs and Escobar as if we were fans of the guy, or as if we were proud of cocaine production as much as we can be about our coffee. Once there is mutual trust, we can talk about those issues in all seriousness.
Hello, if you're able to share. Do you know of any recommended places where I can lashes pedicure and manicure done?
@@jcwoodstl I mean, there's still people who romanticize the guy, but 99% of us Colombians absolutely despise him and his legacy.
Bogotá en Enero es el mejor vividero del mundo 😍
As someone from Bogota, this video is amazingly accurate. well done ! Hope you enjoyed your visit.
When I visited Colombia it was to meet my girlfriends family.. we met here in the states, and she gave me a long list of things to do and not do.
Don't forget your manners,
no elbows on the table, keep your hands where they can be seen
no hats inside especially while eating,
keep your hands out of your pockets while talking.
look at someone when you say salud and clink glasses, when visiting someone's house, bring a small gift.
it is considered impolite to ever turn down any invitation to go out or go to someone's house, it's actually better to not show up.. lol really .
gifts are not opened in front of the person giving it.
The Beso Beso is common a kiss on the cheek. but don't lean in unless they are (can be awkward)
Learn Spanish.. like in France, you should know some French, in Colombia, if most of the speakers speak spanish, that is the language that will be spoken.
oh and one more Don't expect anyone to ever be on time for anything.. ever
when starting a party at 8 you have to say it starts at 6 so people will be on time.
@@josephscheuneman8447 youre damn right lol
Yea, even here in Colombia the Bogotá people are ridiculed for that maneurism :)
Eso es verdad 😂 esas son las tradiciones de Colombia 😁, that's true, those are in rules in colombia 😂
One more piece of advice if you plan on renting a car. In most cities in Colombia there is a system called Pico y Placa. It's meant to curb traffic by limiting which cars can drive on certain days of the week. In Bogotá it's dependent on the last number of your license plate. Make sure to look up what hours you can drive, which days you can drive, etc. because the cops will pull you over for not following pico y placa. It's different everywhere so make sure to look online or ask a local how pico y placa works.
Loved the video! As a 🇨🇴 living in the 🇺🇸, and who is currently here visiting family, you really hit a lot of great points! Bogotá is a beautiful city in a beautiful country and I hope more people come visit! Thanks for your content
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This a good review of Bogotá.
Buenos dias means good morning, so it can only be used in the mornings. Buenas tardes means good afternoon (from 12:00 to 18:00) and buenas noches is like a good night but not in the have a nice sleep way.
One important tip (Bogota's temperature is around 75°F):
Since Bogota is on a top of a huge and high plateau and since the climate depends on the altitude (not the latitude) you can find both, warm (85°F) small villages in less than 3 hours by car if you go down from the plateau; or you can find cold (60°F) beautiful places with spectacular lakes and incredible landscapes if you go "up" from the plateau, also in less than 3 hours by car.
Michas Gracias for a very useful advice! I will be in Bogota in one month. My best regards from Toronto, Igor
Hello, I hope you're doing great. I just wanted to mention that “buenos días" is like saying good morning, it isn't like bonjour in french. To say good afternoon we say “buenas tardes" and to say good evening or good night we say “buenas noches". Hope it was useful to somebody.
I don't live in Colombia but as a born and raised Bogotano I want to commend you on this video. Bogotá is charming and deceptive, is glitzy and gritty at the same time, it is welcoming but harsh too. Avoid taxis if you are not local, Uber works just fine.
@@viejoditi uber with more than 1000 trips and 4.5 stars. You will be just fine
I lived in Medellin for 3 years but never visited Bogota. Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much for this video!! I am from Bogotá and you are right in every thing you said❤❤❤
Bogotá is beautiful, I have been there several times and I have never had any trouble, just use common sense. I love the food, the weather, the people, the architecture.
Finally Colombia, my country!!
Welcome to Bogotá! Bogotá is the most tourist city in Colombia right now and the favorite among tourists, which is why it was chosen as the sixth best tourist destination in the world (voted by millions of tourists) in the most important tourism awards in the world (TripAdvisor 2024). Like every big city there are places that are not cool (places I have never visited and I'm from Bogotá haha). In Bogotá there are too many things to do and enjoy, so much so that you wouldn't be able to see them all even in half a month. My recommendation is that you take a lot of time to visit Bogotá. And also enjoy other cities in Colombia. If you want to know about fascinating places that you will only see in Bogotá, just ask me!
Great video!!!! Always wanted to go to BOG but didnt know what the city had to offer....now im all set!
I'm Bogotan and the only nitpick I have with the video is that you make the south of the city sound horrible, it really isn't (trust me, I live there), it definitely is the "poorer" part of the city but if you want to see it for some reason you definitely can without too much worries. Just, as you always should, be aware of your surroundings and if you feel something is off, maybe you should leave that specific area 😅
Also, if you have any questions regarding this just ask, if UA-cam notifies me I'll be happy to help 😊
Your video made me want to explore Bogotá and i live in Bogotá
😀
I was born in Bogota, I came to Spain with my parents when I was 5 and now I'm 50. I haven't come back but I want to do it someday.
As a bogotan I'll say that this guide is pretty accurate, besides the weather forecast tip. I would add this:
Don't trust weather apps and forecasts, they ALWAYS fail, to the point we don't even have any TV weather/climate forecast show nor channel 😂, Bogotá's climate is unpredictable and bipolar, we developed an instinct to try and predict climate, so do as the locals do and you'll get a 60/70% chance of getting a better prediction: go into a second floor, look out on the window and check up the landscape through the area, determine if it's completely clouded, or if there's too many clouds scattered or if the sky is perfectly blue and sunny; then observe their tone, if it is white, gray-ish or dark. If it's sunny, then feel the sunlight on your skin a little, determine if it feels too strong or mild and pleasurable, also determine the direction of the air.
If it's blue and perfectly sunny and the sun is spicy 🥵: bring out your umbrella and a sweater, the sky will fall on your head by the afternoon 😂. ⛈️ 30% probability you'll even see a hailstorm lol.
If there's scattered clouds and the sun is pleasurable: look at the color of the clouds and determine the direction they're moving to, the darkest ones are the ones who'll ruin your day, there may be distinct micro-climates scattered throughout the entire city on each neighborhood, so you may get a glimpse of a hailstorm on the west of Bogotá, a blue sky on the center of the city and at the south it'll be like Mordor 🥵😅
If it's full cloudy then trust your gut, it's a 50-50 it may be a spruce rain, a few droplets or nothing, may be predictable if you manage to detect "fog" under the clouds, that's rain👍🏽🤣
You can always intuit if the wind 🌬️ will blow a dark cloud on you area and how much time it'll take it to reach whiting your area, so plan ahead, that way you'll dodge the rain.
Or just forget about it and be prepared for anything, I've lived in Bogota all my life and to this day I can't predict the weather accurately 😅😭😭
i agree, the sky will lie to you. from my apartment on the 6th floor the sky will be clear, by the time i get out the door... its raining.
Weather app said thunderstorms all week. Not a single drop.
Although there is a way to predict it, although the level of resolution is at a weekly level (perhaps there are no more precise people). It is using the moon, the farmers (los campesinos), those of before, did it like that.
@@theempireofthepeople Thanks for the tip👍
Very helpful, thanks for sharing
I love seeing you in my city. I have followed you for years and always wanted you to come to my country and give all your amazing tips. Hope you enjoy and have some nice vacations! And thank you for your great videos! ❤🎉
Gee this is amazing I've been following this channel for years I've never thought I've seen you down here 😊
Hi, I m from Bogota. There also nice towns near Bogota, like chia, Tenjo, Tabio, Cota, Cajica, la calera which I recommend. 1 or 2 hours by car.
U re always welcome here in this beautiful country!!!!
I love seeing you in my city 🌆
Great tips ! I found that the Spanish spoken in Colombia is textbook Spanish. Do they still have the cyclovia ? Oh also I remember the take off in the plane was crazy , because if the altitude, it takes twice as long to get in the air.
That’s why el dorado have 3800 meters length
Yes, the ciclovía still works. In fact is one of the most celebrated features of the city. With respect to the spoken spanish is a bit complex. In Bogotá live people from all the country, so is easy that you find people that talk different variations from the same language, also you'll find the different accents from different parts of the country, so you can guess form which part of the country came some person just by hearing the speech. Maybe, the textbook aspect is the grammar. Is important take into account that this is true in all the hispanoamerican countries.
Informative 👍👍👍
Thank God, for years I wanted ypu to visit Colombia 😂❤
Thanks for trying to show the best of Bogota
Bogota my home city I was born there and adopted from the orphanage Fana at a young age. I went back in 2007 and saw the people who took care of me. Rest in peace Mercedes. Thank you Fana❤🇨🇴
🌎⭐Wow que gran viaje ir a Colombia😉👍
In bogota you must visit the botanic garden, then the Simon bolivar park (it’s better than Central Park) and the Virgilio barco library (stunning architecture )
Don't forget the nature in the city, Simon Bolivar park and Botanical Garden are an option for a nice day.
Beautiful place
omg will have to visit!! I think it's just like 4 hrs from NY. Thanks for the video man.
Great video as always. Spot on. We have relatives in Colombia and took a four day trip to Bogota this year to escape the heat in Pereira. It's 10 degrees cooler, no mosquitoes so a great climate.
We loved the city. Museo de Oro is fantastic. Next trip we'll definitely be heading back for a few days. Oh, and the food is great too.
As for it being dangerous. It's no more so than anywhere else. We also went to Salvador in Brazil on our trip which has a rep for being dangerous. We loved it and were absolutely fine. Just be sensible about where you go in the cities and have your wits about you just like anywhere else.
Finally, Mr Wolters....best travel blogs out there! Keep em coming!
Thanks for sharing your side of the Colombian coin! 🍷
Thank you
@@woltersworld Thank you for your Street food tips! Watching that Arepas makes me hungrier! 🫓
I've been to Bogota and a few small towns around it a few times and one thing that is good to know is that at least in the public women's bathrooms often times (especially these bathrooms are not in a super nice/touristy part of town) may not have toilet seats and/or toilet paper. Or you might have to pay for some from a dispenser. So I found that I would just carry a roll around with me in case.
Visiting around the corners❤
wednesday i go for the first time to colombia!!!🎉
Interesting video as always, Mark!
On number one... yes, go easy on the first day, but if you find a good soup (specially ajiaco) helps you acclimate faster.
I’m from Cali and I visit Bogotá often and every time I go I immediately remember why I don’t like to be in Bogotá at all: having to invest at least 1, 2 or 3 hours in traffic to go anywhere. Not exaggerating here. That’s the deal breaker for me even after all the cool stuff Bogota has to offer.
Thanks 👍
Thank you for sharing this video, great information about my city and for mentioning beautiful places people can visit only a few hrs from Bogota 👋👍
Love Bogota💕
Wonder full ❤❤
Some additions and context:
0:58 There's military presence around the Plaza de Bolívar because... well... the Palacio de Nariño (Colombia's White House equivalent) is right around the corner. It's essentially the same as Secret Service keeping an eye on the White House, except less subtle.
And yeah, the point right next is unfortunately very important: pickpockets are frequent in Colombian crowded sites. Be VERY careful to not give them any chances.
4:14 Yeah. You're not getting kidnapped. You _could_ get robbed if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, though. Having company (either being with friends or just being part of a crowd) will help reduce the chances of this, but still: be careful when walking around. Especially at night.
5:56 There's TONS of motorcycles circulating in Colombia. Even when cars are stopped, they always try to sneak in between cars, so watch out for them when crossing streets. Also... yeah, motorized robbers are a thing. Goes back to "be mindful of your surroundings" point.
Getting a bicycle might not be so bad of an idea, though; we have plenty of bike lanes going around the city, and they can actually come in handy to avoid traffic. Remember that Bogotá is HUGE, though; if you're going anywhere outside the historic downtown, you'll likely need proper transportation.
12:04 This is an important point in Bogotá in particular. Bogotá Spanish is actually pretty formal, compared to other Colombian regions. Saying "hola" (hello) or "tú" (you) to strangers can be off-putting to some people; "buenos días/buenas tardes/buenas noches" (good day/afternoon/evening) and "usted" (you, but less personal/more formal) is the proper way to refer to people there. This is less important in other regions of the country, but is still good practice if you're not sure how to refer to people in Spanish.
14:06 There are bad areas you want to stay away from, indeed. The south end of the city (particularly next to the mountains) has some favela-like sectors you don't want to go to if you don't need to. Even near the historic downtown, a handful of streets have unfortunately devolved into "crack dens"; stay away from those at all costs.
Overall: if you want to wander around, you can, but be VERY mindful where you are. Especially at night; after it gets dark, stick to places you _know_ you want to go to.
18:32 This is basic decency. Many people suffered, lost their homes, or even had family members die, due to the drug wars in the 80s and 90s. In some areas of the country, there's still violence to this day. Rubbing salt in those wounds will make you no friends here. Make completely sure people are fine with talking about the subject before bringing it up. Or just... don't bring it up.
interesting and delightful! thanks for sharing
I traveled there on Feb 6 to 12! I went to the Monserrate on foot. It took me 3 hrs 24 minutes to climb up and 1 hr 34 to go down. It not suitable for pregnants or people with diabetes, high pressure and fatigue. Also went to the following museums: Gold, Simón Bolívar, Botero, Folk Clothing and the Museum of the Man. Not remember where I ate but enjoyed bandeja paisa, ajiaco and arepas. For last the churches like De las Corrientes that was a military post.
Bogotá is beatiful
I went to mass at Montserrat. And you’re correct if you’re late you’ll be sitting down or standing during mass.
Excellent
the cover photo is right up the road a few blocks from me and my wifes appartment there
Man, I see your videos for all my travel preps. Last ones I was checking were China as is my next destination. But overall all your tips are super complete.
Glad you visit our city. 👍🏼✌🏼🇨🇴
Informative
great video
Im going in october. Staying for like a month.
I am from Bogota 🇨🇴 living in 🇨🇦 for 7 years I can say this with confidence my city is way more modern and safer than most north american cities. Thank you for your content.
Well, when you say “North America” you probably included Mexico, so it is understandable what you say, but excluding Mexico, for safety issues, most of the US & Canadian cities & towns are safer than Bogota.
@@Holbrooks1984 I think petty crime is worse in Bogota but bigger crimes are worse in North America. My car was stolen two months after I arrived to 🇨🇦 in 2017. And my bike and tires slashed on a trip to 🇺🇲.
Good to know. I'd like to see it. I've never been to South America. I had friends from Brazil.
@@Holbrooks1984Dude, Philadelphia alone is way more dangerous than Bogota. There was literally a shooting Philly yesterday where 7 people, including a teenager, were shot.
@@todopegado01 and i was robbed 4 times in bogota. I wasn’t wearing anything fancy or any name brands. From New York City and never been robbed
Fantastic
Amazing video
Nice
This is great video i like this thank you for share it
Don'ts, some additions
- do not walk alone on quiet areas at dark, even in pairs etc. I do not recommend
- it someone is approaching you, many times there is scam or something even nastier going on. Refuse politely, no eye contact and keep walking. They may pretend to be tourist, fake polices appear from nowhere etc.
- in case of mugging, do not resist, they have always knife and the are ready to use it too.
- taxis can be a risk for a tourist, look for the most recent information what to do on web.
There are also some positives, most people are very friendly in Colombia, larger mall/restaurant areas with a few people relatively safe also in the evening. But bad stuff is happening, especially if you are naive and used to travel mainly on safer destinations. I have been visiting Bogota for several business trips, totalling several months on site, have been visiting expats etc. I do not like experienced travelers bragging visited sites and ignoring the negative facts, just because they have avoided problems at that certain time, with much more experience of traveling than some less experienced ones here.
Stay tumed for our safety video. We make a point to talk about the good and bad of the places we visit. We are all about honest travel advice.
Wouldn't recommend wearing touristy clothes and if you are walking alone at night. Don't stop even if someone approaches. At least look like you know what you're doing.
I have always loved the weather of this region, but yes, you should have a jacket or umbrella because the rain can come at any time and might last for 15 minutes or an hour but you can be cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon. 5:46 dehydration is definitely an issue due to the elevation. 7:51 food is amazing and definitely better than anything you can get in the United States because American food is tasteless and loaded with chemicals and pesticides. 13:05 yes 🙌 yes 👍 the day trips are very important to Villa de Leyva etc. 15:09 you can use Uber especially at night. 18:35 malls and food are great - Unicentro, Centro Andino
You guys are always traveling together 👍❤
We try
You are doing great 👍
Very good ❤
Owsome 😊❤❤❤❤ great
I love bogota. Been there a few months back.
Excellent 👌👍
Thanks for sharing
Sweet city
My friend im from Bogota, and im a Tourist Manager, and Bogota is the most tourism city in Colombia, the magasing trip advisor saids that is the 6 city in the hold word that the people want to visit in 2024, you have to read more.
Amazing beautiful good ❤
Hey Mark, awesome video
Thanks T O
Good
Thank you!!! 😊❤
Nice place
Kidnapped ??? hahahaha 🤣 👌 you guys have more guts than me... I visit 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴 soon... God bless you guys ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ your guys channel 🫵😎 Cheerz from Auckland New Zealand 🇳🇿
as a local i can aslo suggest Don't pull over a taxi in the street, use an app to call it, is safer and you will know the price before taking it.
Wow
Nice 👍
Good❤
I live in Bogota, why did I watch the entire video?
Anyway, I enjoyed it all and agree with everything.
As a side note, I was worried about the camera you were using. My advice to anyone visiting the city is do not take your belongings out in the street. Most places are dangerous
good luck 🤞🏻
Great video. We are waiting the Medellin one
Bienvenidos a Bogota, la ciudad capital de la Colombia! (It's Colombia, not Columbia...)
The city is an intriguing mixture of Spanish colonial and modern, and its a cool place in more ways than one.
Excellent video.
Has anyone been to Medellin and Bogotá in the first 2 weeks of December? What’s the weather like then? Does it rain a lot during that time? Trying to avoid going then if it rains a lot 😅. Thanks for sharing these tips :)
The photo you posted is not of the Guatavita lagoon, it is the Tominé reservoir. The lagoon is very close and is in the middle of a natural park. It's beautiful. The hike of approximately 1 hour can be demanding due to the height, but it is a way to live and understand the legend of El Dorado.
Bogotano here, dont go below la séptima because is dangerous, san victorino, plaza de la mariposa etc, above la séptima is actually my favorite place in the city. Also get a little drunk in el chorro de quevedo 😊 that is a suggested do!