Discovering the magic of Colombia's Capital City
By Alejandra Mendoza Garcia - Posted on April 1, 2025 - Ale Around the World
My adventure began in Toronto, where I got on a 5-hour flight to Bogota. My husband and I had a long layover in the city, so we decided to make the most of it and do some exploring. As a Canadian traveling to Colombia, there are a few requirements to enter the country. When we arrived, we had to join a line specifically for Canadians and pay a $90 Canadian fee. Inside the airport, there was a luggage store where we could leave our belongings for a fee while we went out to explore the city.
We got in a taxi that took us into the heart of the city. The driver was super friendly and shared some interesting facts about Colombia and the places we were passing by. Bogota is a city filled with so much traffic, a lot of motorcycles in the streets, and colorful graffiti walls that are considered works of art for colombians. The taxi dropped us off near the famous neighborhood of La Candelaria, known for its historic charm. The architecture in La Candelaria is a mix of Spanish Colonial Baroque and art deco styles. As we were walking on the streets, we came across with beautiful buildings, houses, universities, libraries, churches, and museums. There were also plenty of souvenir shops to browse through. And of course, we made sure to take some photos to capture the beauty of each building.
When you get to Plaza Bolivar or Bolivar Square, you'll come across the statue of Simón Bolívar, the National Capitol, the Primada Cathedral, the Liévano Palace, and the Palace of Justice. The area is filled with a rich historical and cultural vibe, making it a great spot for some awesome photos. Be prepared for vendors trying to sell you stuff, offer to draw your portrait for a fee, or give you a history lesson on Colombia. My advice? Politely decline.
During our walk through Candelaria, we decided to dine in at Mama Lupe. We tried the most famous dish in colombia: bandeja paisa that comes with chorizo, beef meat, platain, beans, chicharron, rice, arepa, and avocado. The place was nice, but the food wasn't all that great and it was a bit pricey. We noticed other restaurants nearby were packed, but we didn't feel like waiting so we settled for an empty spot. Looking back, I wish we had waited because good food is worth the wait. Remember, a busy restaurant usually means the food is top-notch.
During our trip, we had the chance to explore the famous gold museum, home to over 34,000 pieces of gold - the largest collection of Pre-Hispanic goldwork in the world. It was truly a sight to behold.
Right outside the museum, there's a charming market where you can pick up some souvenirs to remember your visit.
While we didn't have enough time to see everything Bogota has to offer, I highly recommend checking out these must-see spots: the Botero Museum, Monserrate, Quinta de Bolivar Museum, The couple Park (parque de los novios), and the Salt Cathedral. I haven't been to all of them myself, but I'd love to hear about your experience if you do decide to visit. Enjoy your trip!
