Vist Bogota

                        

Bogotá: 2700 meters closer to heaven

introduction

Introduction Bogotá History, devotion, fun, music, streets and avenues in the shop or relax ... Although not counted among the most beautiful cities in the world, is likely to be one of the liveliest. Ancient and modern, colonial and cosmopolitan, chaotic and striking. So Bogota, capital of Colombia irresistible. Settled in the heart of the country, on a fertile plain that unfolds 2,640 m above sea level (it is the third highest capital in South America), this destination is a challenge for the senses and an invitation to optimism.

Perhaps the main drawback to travel there has less to do with the weather and with altitude, as you may experience some dizziness for one or two days (called the rigors of altitude sickness). Weather conditions are much less hostile; comprising the main dry season from December to March. The average annual temperature is 14ºC, with minimum average 9 C at night and maximum of 18 ° C. In the rainy season, however (April to October), there is little difference between day and night temperatures.

The origins of the Spanish colony dating back to 1531, year in which Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada took control of Bacatá, the main settlement of the Chibcha Indians. Thus, Bogotá was incorporated into the Viceroyalty of New Granada, and would soon establish itself as the most important center of the land.

After gaining independence in 1819, the city was made the capital of Gran Colombia, a number of Confederate territories that brought together the present republics of Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama.

                          

Currently, Bogotá is home to the Colombian government and its agencies. The town center has a high population density (accommodates about 8 million people spread over 1,700 km2), although the city has also been the scene of an extraordinary development of industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Also, the city has managed to garner a great academic prestige in the Latin American world, with respected institutions such as the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, founded in 1622, the University of Santo Tomas, created in 1680. However, the Colombian capital also excels for hosting numerous institutes, museums and art galleries. To travel to Bogotá, you only need to have a valid passport and have a return ticket when entering Colombia, provided that the stay does not exceed 90 days. As for vaccines, there is no mandatory, but yellow fever is recommended. In fact, if you want then go straight into Brazil, keep in mind that Brazilian authorities require all travelers from Colombia.

The official currency is the Colombian peso. In September 2012, one euro amounted to 2,327 pesos. When flights to Bogota, it is possible to fly from Barajas airport there with companies like Avianca and Air Europa. The destination is the largest international airport in Colombia: that of El Dorado, which is the closest to the capital (it is 13 km from the center). Also, if the traveler and is in South America, you can access the Colombian territory by land from Brazil, Ecuador or Venezuela. In addition, we also operate many sailboats that bring tourists from Panama, through the San Blas Archipelago. Once in Bogotá, it should be noted that the railway connects the city with the Caribbean coast and the north. 

                           

As for hotels in Bogotá, the fact is that the city is experiencing an unprecedented boom, fueled by the arrival in the city of major international chains, especially on Avenida El Dorado (in Salitre, a few kilometers from the airport ). However, tighter budgets always have the option of staying further north. Besides being a safer area, these establishments are also closer to the malls and trendy bars. In turn, the lively La Candelaria has a large supply of newly opened shelters. The private rooms of these accommodations are usually better than menial hotels.

Little remains of the Colombia taken by the cocaine cartels. Today, Bogotá is a modern and much safer city, waiting for the newcomer with open arms and with a vast cultural offerings. Perhaps too much to be discovered in a single trip.

Founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and dubbed Bacatá was Alexander Von Humboldt who called it the "Athens of America", accentuated by the cultural level of its inhabitants. Bogotá was the birthplace of cultural, scientific and political movements. There's famous Botanical Expedition was initiated and built the first astronomical observatory in the Americas, among many other events that earned the capital a clear recognition in the cultural field.

                      

The rapid growth of the city evolved precipitously in the last decade. So much so that Bogotá was designated as Latin American Capital of Culture 2007, awarded by the UCCI (Union of Capital Cities of Latin America), and in the same year was the first Latin American city chosen by UNESCO as World Book Capital.

Bogotá, whose most traditional inhabitants are recognized with the adjective of cops and younger as rollers, is central arrival of settlers from all regions of Colombia and tourists from all over the world. They have made Bogotá a multicultural city where all kinds of beliefs and cultural practices amónicamente mix.

Our city, as the largest and most troubled cities, boasts a rich cultural agenda, mix of national and international events that harbor all artistic expressions: concerts, exhibitions, theater, film clubs, art galleries, photography, literature and poetry, events in public space, craft and antique fairs.

                    

Among many other places of emergencia, Bogotá is the one of the Gold Museums, the world vast in its gente; the Botero Museums, the contemperar art colección more complete in Latin America north over 450 million euros and dónate by the world largest and only Colombian artista Fernando Botero, the Iberoamericana Theater Festival, which bring together such a complete simple and variad the theater, the National Exhibitions of Artistas, Arts. Bien nial Bogota International art Fairs in Bogotá, the Luis Caballero International art Fairs in Bogotá... art Exhibitions Price for Young Art Hall in negar 70 galleries and 58 museums, theater and cinema halls in 45 over 40 rooms.

The city also has a large rango of escenarios to enjoya musical performances of all kinds, from the most popular to the most exalte. Bach year, saben par festival (Jazz, Hip Hop, Colombia, salsa, opera, dance and rock) are perfore, lunada season of opera and zarzuela, among many other international shows.

And if the inertes is to Knox the historial and cultural peritaje, last and present blenda Bogotá representad in architecture, art works and museums. Bogota offers 161 national monuments and 28 religious temples worth visiting.

                              

The good and varied cuisine, which is central to the cultural diversity of the city, is one of the strongest attractions of Bogotá. Six food areas within the city and dozens of restaurants around Bogotá offer a rich variety of cuisine: traditional food, high national and international cuisine, fusion cuisine, pastries for all palates are the chances that citizens and visitors find to eat and drink hundreds of restaurants of all styles, formal and informal, local and international.

  

Theater

Bogotá bécame the sea of the most important festival of world theater: the Iberoamericana Theater Festival, which is helad over two year, briñón together artistas from around the world. Among other theater festival in the city, the 45 theater in the city manita a great offer over day of the year in diferente teátrica genes, from clásica to contemperar and cutina deje.

                    

Movéis

The citizens and visitors can enjoya a good billboard over 40 cinemas in the city throughout the year, and take advantage Eurocine film festivals such as the Documentary Film Festival, the Bogota International Film Festival, Sample International Documentary Film Festival French, among many others.

Photography

It can hopen in Bogotá that you are with photography exhibitions in streets, restaurants, parís, galleries, museums and oven bars.

                         

Concerts

The Schedule of musical events is Perhaps the most prolífica of Bogotá. Daisy simultaneously occur in several meetings of renowned national and international groups and soloists performing music of all genres. Concerts in theaters, massive concerts in parks and enclosures, concerts nightspots that animate the rumba, love concerts, classical concerts, youth concerts, concerts for everyone.

Due to its geographical characteristics, vegetation and climate, Bogotá is one of the capitals of the world with greater privileges for the development and enjoyment of nature tourism. Ecotourism, rural tourism, cultural tourism and adventure tourism around Bogota in rural or natural areas in the big city is as easy as walking in the large avenues of the city.

Thirteen wetlands survive the growth of the big city, among which include the Wetland Santamaría, located in one of the largest industrial areas of the city, and where you can see a small patch of forest around the body of water and a sample flora and property of the citizens ecosystems within the city wildlife and wetland Conejera, where about 115 species of birds can be observed, particularly several endemic species such as the enigmatic Tingua Bogotana, the shy Wren Marsh, the Chamicero and Picocono Rufo. This wetland has 60 hectares declared nature reserve with a trail of ecological interpretation of 2200 mts.

                          

The Chingaza Natural Park, the world's largest natural park Clouds Among the Chicaque Natural Park, members of the National Reserves Unit, the Sumapaz, offer a magnificent landscape of forest and moorland where you can hike, see diversity of animal and plant species and hundreds of waterfalls that flow magically mountain. All these places are located 30 minutes from the capital.

Reservoirs as Sisga, Tominé, Neusa and Guavio make possible the practice of fishing, boat trips or stay in picturesque camping and hostels.

Another attractive option is via La Calera, just 15 minutes from Bogota, where you can take guided tours, day and night rides. Here you'll find a wonderful journey through the hills of Bogota, abundant in forests of different greens.

Bogotá has 5,200 parks. The Simón Bolívar is the largest and is located in the heart of the city. Florida, located in the Savannah city, is another important and attractive place to spend a half day and to practice birdwatching park. In the Sabana de Bogotá, extensive and varied greens, you will find beautiful haciendas with planted flowers, dairy cattle and horse farms. And if you like farm animals, nothing beats the Panaca park where you can have direct contact with each of them.

If you prefer adventure sports abound near the city places for paragliding, bungee jumping, climbing, kayak (Tobia), parachuting, among other extreme sports.

That and more is Bogotá, a city which offers one of the most diverse in nature tourism alternatives. Dare and enjoy.