Unique Things To Do In Bogotá

An Overview of Bogotá

As one of the largest cities in South America, Bogotá is a diverse and multicultural metropolitan. The city is densely urbanized, with the enormous ridges of Monserrate rising in the West. Much of the city still preserves its colonial heritage buildings in certain districts, while other areas are heavily modernized. As a major city, Bogotá merits a certain level of awareness, as street crimes such as thefts and pickpockets are a local possibility. Overall, the city is a fantastic metropolitan hub, an excellent gateway to the rest of the country and a great place for vibrant culture and diverse cuisine.

Unique Things To Do In Bogotá

La Puerta Falsa

This is an authentic Colombian cultural cuisine restaurant with over two hundred years of service in Bogotá. The restaurant is uniquely layered with a small wooden staircase rising to a narrow balcony dining area and more seating available below.

Museo del Oro

Known in English as the “Gold Museum” or “The Museum of Gold,” this fantastic display contains dark rooms softly lit to reveal golden artifacts of priceless cultural value. This includes traditional masks, pieces of jewlery, small figures upon a delicate golden raft and ceremonial relics.

Lake of Guatavita

Requiring about an hour or two to reach from Bogotá, this moderately-sized crater-lake was once a sacred site for the indigenous Muisca people. In ancient rituals, some of which may have been grossly exaggerated, Muisca Chieftains (the zipa) would anoint themselves with golden dust and artifacts before plunging into the lake, often with additional offerings. This legend is thought to have inspired many stories of El Dorado, the City of Gold. Though no massive pile of wealth was found (though some artifacts were recovered), the area is home to walking trails, wildlife forests and the artisinal town of Guatavita.

Bogotá Botanical Garden

The Bogotá Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in Colombia, serving as a recreation venue and research facility focusing on Andean and Páramo ecosystems. The garden is home to numerous small ponds, artificial waterfalls, large beds of Andean flowers, a sun clock, an orchid collection and numerous Amazonian flowering plants.

Central Cemetery of Bogotá

The Central Cemetery of Bogotá is one of the most famous cemeteries in South America, famed as the final resting place for national heroes, venerated poets and Colombian presidents.

Museo Botero

Also known as The Botero Museum, this is a museum housing some of South America’s most vital international art collections.

Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen

This Florentine Gothic Catholic temple is one of the most distinct religious structures in the city. The building is known for it’s unique design, which includes a white-and-red striped pattern. The temple is also known as the “The National Shrine of Our Lady of Carmen.” It is located near Bogotá’s museum district. Museo de La Salle Bogotá, Archaeological Museum Casa del Marqués de San Jorge, Plaza de Núñez, Claustro de San Agustín – Universidad Nacional de Colombia art museum and Botero Museum are all within walking distance.

Plaza de Bolívar

Named for El Libertador Simón Bolívar, whose various actions, revolutions and subsequent independence movements freed much of South America from Spanish rule, this is a pleasant historical square to explore. The area hosts a statue of Bolívar, along with vital historical buildings such as the Palace of Justice, the National Capitol, the Primary Cathedral of Bogotá and the Archiepiscopal Palace.

La Candelaria

La Candelaria is one of the best-preserved historic districts in downtown Bogotá. The streets are narrow, the architecture focuses on stylized houses, murals are common, churches are preserved and many structures showcase Spanish Colonial, Baroque and art deco styles,

Salt Cathedral

Known as the The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, this is a subterranean Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine. The Cathedral isn’t found in Bogotá itself, but a city slightly to the north named Zipaquirá. The popular cathedral has been described as a “Jewel of Modern Architecture” for it’s Colombia-architectural contributions, hand-caved ornaments, marble sculptures and unique lighting.

Museo Santa Clara

This uniquely-designed museum is a repository for famous, preserved paintings. The arch-like main antechamber has entire walls lines with masterful artworks.

Tejo Games

Tejo is a traditional, wildly-popular throwing sport native to Colombia. The sport involves aiming for small targets, which are filled with gunpowder and explore on impact. Essentially, players chuck a metal disc (el tejo) down an alley to a board covered in clay, left at a 45 degree angle. Players are meant to aim at a metal pipe, often with a specially gunpowder-filled envelope (known as the “mechas” which explode when hit

Monserrate

This is an enormous mountain which dominates the Bogotá horizon. The mountain is a popular tourist attraction and served as a vital pilgrimage destination for the indigenous Muisca people. In the modern era, there’s a steep climbing route heading up the mountain with various viewing points overlooking the city and numerous sales-folk offering refreshments during the climb. The route also has an aerial tramway.

 Chicaque Cloud Forest

Located just a half-hour outside of Bogotá, this mountainous park hosts miles of hiking trails wandering through a natural cloud-forest reserve.

Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza

Chingaza National Natural Park is a high-altitude natural and cultural treasure site, known for its unique Andean flora and fauna. The region was prominent in indigenous cultures, especially the Muiscas and Guayupes. To visit the Chingaza Natural National Park, an entrance request must be filed at least 15 days prior to the intended visit date

Tequendama Falls

This is a powerful, cascading waterfall located just outside Bogotá. While the waterfall is indeed gorgeous, it’s actually considered one of the most contaminated major cascades in the world, making it the largest waste-water-fall in the region. Despite this, the Falls are a popular tourist attraction, as is the nearby Tequendama Falls Museum, a once-abandoned hotel overlooking the spectacle.

Desierto de Sabrinsky

Otherwise known as Sabrinsky Desert, this is a suprisingly arid, orange-soil desert found roughly an hour outside of Bogotá. The region is known for its unique gully formations, odd rock features and brightly-colored soil.

Piedras del Tunjo Archaeological Park

Found in the nearby town of Facatativá, Piedras del Tunjo is an important archaeological park, a vital site for Muisca heritage and culture. The rocks found at the park are covered in pictographs believed to be created by Muisca artists.

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