OTHER THINGS TO DO IN BOGOTA

La Candelaria

The colonial heart of the capital, La Candelaria is filled with 300-year-old houses, numerous churches and several key museums. The best place to start a rewarding walk is Plaza de Bolívar, the city’s main square that has evolved much over the centuries. Dominating gazes here is the Catedral Primada, Bogotá’s largest church –  it reputedly sits on the site of the first mass held after the city’s founding in 1538. Finished in 1823, it is the latest of several Catholic buildings here.

Plazoleta del Chorro de Quevedo

Some say Bogotá was originally founded here, in this plaza lined with cafes, a small white church and many street vendors. It is a public space with colonial and early 20^th century's architecture. On Friday afternoons (at 5pm) there are storyteller sessions.

Address: Carrera 2, Calle 12B

Plaza de Bolívar

Plaza de Bolívar is the heart of the original town of Bogota. In the middle of the square is a bronze statue of Simón Bolívar (cast in 1846), the work of an Italian artist, Pietro Tenerani. On the eastern side of the square is the Catedral Primada of Bogotá, built between 1807 and 1823, and near it is the Holy Chapel, which was built at the end of the 17th century. On the northern side of the square is the Palace of Justice which houses the Supreme Court. On the southern side of the square is the National Capitol, which is the seat of the Colombian Congress. On the west side of the square there is a French style building known as the Liévano building which is the seat for Bogotá's Mayor.

Address: Carreras 7 y 8, Calles 10 y 11

Cerro de Monserrate

Monserrate is a mountain dominating the east of La Candelaria, from which you can take a very wide view of the city. It has been an important pilgrimage site for Bogotanos since the founding of the church that sits at the top of the mountain in 1640. There are three ways to reach the church and its beautiful views from the city: a cableway, a funicular and a footpath (it has a 512 mt rise in elevation up to 3152 meters above sea level).

Address: Carrera 2 Este No. 21-48 Paseo Bolívar

Website: http://www.cerromonserrate.com

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 6:30a.m. – 12a.m. (midnight) (you can buy tickets until 10:30p.m.); Sundays: 6:30a.m. – 6:30p.m.; holidays: 7:00a.m. – 6:30p.m. (you can buy tickets until 5:30 in both Sundays and holydays).

Quinta De Bolívar

Right at the foot of Cerro de Monserrate, this historic-house museum is set in the middle of beautiful gardens. The mansion was built in 1800 and donated to Simón Bolívar in 1820 in gratitude for his leading the country to freedom from Spanish colonial rule. Bolívar spent 423 days here over nine years. Its rooms are filled with period pieces, including Bolívar's sword.

Address: Calle 21 No. 4A -30 Este

Website: www.quintadebolivar.gov.co

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00p.m. Guided tours in English: Wednesdays at 11:00a.m.

Teatro Colón

The Teatro Colón, with its Italian-style facade, is the National Theatre. It was built in neoclassical style by the Italian architect Pietro Cantini in 1885 in the traditional horseshoe-shape and was modelled on the layout of the Palais Garnier in Paris. Today, the theater hosts concerts, opera, ballet, plays and even electronic DJs.

Address: Calle 10 No. 5-32

Website: www.teatrocolon.gov.co

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.; Sunday: 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.

Parque Simón Bolívar

At 360 hectares, this park is slightly larger than New York's Central Park. This spot has lakes, bike paths and walkways, public libraries, stadiums and it is hosts many public events. The Simón Bolívar' station on TransMilenio's E line reaches the east end of the park (at Av Ciudad de Quito and Calle 64).

Address: Calles 63 y 53, carreras 48 y 68

Website: http://portel.bogota.gov.co/vis/public%20simon%20bolivar/parque%20simon%20bolivar.html

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00 a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis

West of the Parque Simón Bolívar (reachable by foot via a pedestrian bridge over Av 68, then past the El Salitre sports complex), the Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis has a variety of national flora from different climatic zones, some in gardens and others in greenhouses.

Address: Calle 63 No. 68-95

Website: www.jbb.gov.co

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Catedral de sal de Zipaquirá

A Cathedral built inside an underground salt mine, the Salt Cathedral is located some 50km north of Bogota, just outside the village of Zipaquirá. Visitors descend into underground tunnels, which lead them almost 200m below ground level and past 14 small chapels. Each of these salt chambers is adorned with a large rock cross and lit with ever changing lights – the chapels are meant to represent the Stations of the Cross from Jesus' crucifixion day. The Cathedral itself marks the culmination of the tour.

Address: Cra 6 Calle 1 Zipaquirá, Cundinamarca.

Website: http://www.catedraldesal.gov.co/

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00a.m. – 5:30p.m.