Bogotá is the capital city of Colombia, it is the first ever city I visited in Latin America (LATAM) in Aug 2022. Bogotá has a good climate, sunny but not too hot, lots of tropical fruits, affordable, and Colombian food is pretty delicious.
Colombia, if you didn’t already know, has a history with drugs. Pablo Escobar is the infamous drug lord that inspired the Nacros Netflix show (please watch it before you visit Colombia). In every corner of Colombia you can find traces of this person, such as walking tours/ tourist attractions.
However today, it has largely removed that stereotype. Colombia has attracted a lot of people from all over the world to visit this beautiful country. I like the vibes here, it reminds me of Hong Kong. Modern city with a troubled past.
Is Bogotá worth going?
When you think of Colombia, you think of Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena. I have only visited the first 2, and most people would choose the last 2. Regardless, between Bogota and Medellin, I think Bogota caters to the crowd that wants more history, modern facilities, and a big city vibe. Medellin caters to digital nomads and people who wants more quirky neighborhoods.
It is difficult if you can only choose 1 of the 3, but I liked my time in Bogota.
Food
Huevos Pericos and chunchullo
On the left is Huevos Pericos, a Colombian-style scrambled egg dish, typically made with eggs, tomatoes, and green onions (scallions). It’s a popular breakfast in Colombia and Venezuela, often served with arepas (corn cakes), bread, or rice. Also there’s a cup of hot chocolate.
On the right is Colombian grilled Chunchullo (fried beef intestines) at Andrés Carne de Res D.C., a famous multi-level restaurant with a dance floor in Bogotá, Colombia. Chunchullo is a Colombian dish made of grilled beef intestines, commonly enjoyed as a street food snack.
I went with 2 friends, 1 Indonesian, 1 Colombian, and we had a very fun time just eating and dancing there. But the queue to get in can be pretty long.
Caldo de Costilla and Sashimi
There are staples in Colombian cuisine such as Caldo de Costilla (beef and potato stew), a warm, hearty Colombian beef rib soup. usually for breakfast and can be found in other LATAM countries like Peru.
If you are thinking of fancy food, there are cuisines from all over the world, Bogota is very international. As usual I got some sashimi because I am a sushi guy and always find sushi around the world.
Colombian coffee is famous for its rich flavour and aromatic profile, Colombian coffee is typically medium roasted with a balanced taste. It is a cornerstone of Colombian culture, celebrated for its quality and rich heritage.
I joined walking tours/ cycling tours and a cafe is always a stop on the itinerary. Coffee makes a great souvenir and you can find Colombian coffee powder/beans almost at any cafe/ supermarket.
These are some random dishes I ate, mainly soups, hot chocolate and grilled intestines. I love intestines, I know some people may not eat it at all, but maybe because I am technically a Chinese… and Chinese people love to eat intestines.
Places I went to
Plaza de Bolivar
Plaza de Bolívar is the prominent public square in Bogotá, Colombia, surrounded by significant historical buildings like the Palace of Justice, the Capitol, and the Cathedral Primada. It serves as a central hub for social, political, and cultural activities in the city. It is named after Simón Bolívar, the military leader who played a key role in Colombia’s independence.
There are many interesting buildings in this area, I suggest taking a good 1-2 hours just to walk around, soak in the vibes and grab something to eat from the many street vendors.
Colombia’s Capitol building (Capitolio Nacional) is on the south side of Plaza de Bolíva. It was built between 1848 and 1926, it is one of Bogotá’s most important neoclassical structures. Houses the Congress of Colombia, including the Senate and House of Representatives
Monserrate
Monserrate is one of the most famous landmarks in Bogotá, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and a historic church at the summit. It is a popular tourist attraction, religious pilgrimage site, and hiking destination. If there is 1 destination to visit in Bogota, this is it!
There’s both a cable car and rail train taking you up that you can purchase a ticket for at the bottom of the mountain. From this photo, you can see the downtown area (skyline).
There is a church at the top and many people seem to go there to pray. The view from the top is incredible, Bogotá is so sprawling and big, I never knew it was such a large city until I saw it from above.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá (Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá) is a stunning underground Catholic church built inside a salt mine. It is one of Colombia’s most famous landmarks and a unique architectural and religious site. It is located in Zipaquirá, Colombia (50 km north of Bogota). So I had to hire a driver for this.
There were many tourists but it is a very different kind of place. I liked the architecture, the ambience, the lights etc. It is a huge place too so be prepared to walk a lot and take lots of photos.
Luckily, there’s a cafe in there, Miner’s Café (Cafetería del Minero). I was pleasantly surprised to see this in the cave. Pretty sure such a layout is not that common elsewhere.
Bogota streets
I cannot really put a title to this section because I joined a cycling tour and went through these neighbourhoods to get a feel of the area and the history. Photo on the left is Avenida El Dorado, which is quite a popular photo spot. Have a feel around the main areas in Bogota, and you will understand and love the feeling of this city.
Thoughts
Bogota is a good introduction city to LATAM and Colombia. It has a ton of history, is convenient, but not as distinct as Medellin. Nevertheless it is a top capital city worth visiting for a couple of days.
