Is Bogota a safe place to be at?
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I have some project to work on in Bogota. I have never been in Columbia and I am a little bit scared how I will manage there. Watching news and reading papers is not the way you can imagine happy and non-violent people down there. What do you think? Is Bogota a safe place to be at?
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You shouldnt watch TV that much. It is a place like every other. If you know someone there and I guess you know because you are going on a project you can relax. They will explain everything. Maybe Chapinero is not completely safe because of robbers but you have that in states too. After
Decades of speaking of Columbia like a kingdom of cocaine, guerrillas and kidnapping now there is a blossom of tourism. Bogota is a big city but the time when you must be careful is when traveling outside. Northern part of the town is safer for you and if you are so scared you shouldnt party in the cafs and you should avoid public transport and poor parts of town. Use taxi all the time and avoid the medellin-bogota highway. Be careful but that doesnt mean that you cant relax.
Decades of speaking of Columbia like a kingdom of cocaine, guerrillas and kidnapping now there is a blossom of tourism. Bogota is a big city but the time when you must be careful is when traveling outside. Northern part of the town is safer for you and if you are so scared you shouldnt party in the cafs and you should avoid public transport and poor parts of town. Use taxi all the time and avoid the medellin-bogota highway. Be careful but that doesnt mean that you cant relax.
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Bogota is known as the Athens of South America because of its Educational institutions being the best on the Continent.
Bogota is a interesting city , I have been there about 10 times(most of my family live there) and it has improved a lot in the past few years...
Restaurants:
depends on your tastes....
Casa Vieja is a good touristy type resturant....typical Bogotano food.
You can also try the resturants around Parque 93, Zona Rosa and Zona T.
For Fast Food nothing beats : El Corral!
For good beer....Bogota Beer Company!
Hotels: Depends on your budget....I would search on the net for this because I have never stayed in a hotel in Bogota..sorry..
Security:
Like any major big cities, things can happen and I cannot completely re assure you everything will come out peachy.
Like I told someone here....be street savvy, use common sense....don't reveal any expensive equipment, item..etc....and furthermore....always look like you know where you are going....I love this city and know it very well but I also acknowledge its potential dangers....
People: The people are friendly and helpful. Just be careful who you begin trusting....unfortunately....w... have some of the best scam artist ...but this does not mean to shy away from people...just be cautious....
Landscapes- Bogota is a mountainous region..and on the outskirts ....pure Savanna. Not sure where you live but some people will need to adjust to the altitude change...
Colombia has it all though....very rich and diverse when it comes to the landscape..
Transportation:
I included a link below of the Transmilenio.....this and Taxis are the way to go.....I would stay away from the old buses unless you know where you are going(signs on the window somewhat telling u the route..good luck reading it all at once..lol.....I actually take the old buses more than anything else out of convenience but I know this city really well...
Climate: 50-55F at night......60-70F during the Day.....all year round.....There is just dry season and rainy season......
Places normally do not have heat...so take sweaters and what not ...depending on your tolerance to cool weather....some days i can get pretty warm....this is all due to the altitude....you drive 1 hour to the next major city.....Villavicencio. its like 90F during the day......
Attractions:
Museo de Oro (Gold Museum)
Museo Nacional (Historical Museum)
Plaza de Bolivar and its surroundings(Main plaza..)
La Candelaria Neighborhood..(Oldest part of Bogota)
in the Candelaria are there good handful of museums even one of Botero's (artist with the Fat People pics and sculptures)
Quinta de Bolivar ( Home of Colombian's Liberator Simon Bolivar)
Monserrate: Chruch on top of a peak....Awesome views of the entire city....
Maloka...Science musuem....
There are a tons of Malls....one to really visit is Hacienda Santa Barbara.....very beautiful.....
Outside Bogota:
Zapaquira....for the Cathederal of Salt!! This place is awesome....
Guatavita: nice traditional town nearby Bogota...Lake of Guatavita has this whole legend behind it.....
Villa de Leyva in Boyaca is such a traditional town.....its not close(i think 3-5 hours) but its worth a mention....
Tips:
Exchanging money:
The exchange rate is about 2,200 for 1 US Dollar...
this is a good tip....there are Citibanks around Bogota and this is how I normally get Cash.....it generates a better exchange rate and they don't charge commission ( if ur a Citibank Bank Customer..not sure other american banks...aslong as it has Cirrus/Mastercard your good.) if you go anywhere else, especially exchanging cash....commission will be charged...
Water: Do not drink TAP water...unless you want Amebas in your system and one of the most painful stomach aches...
This Includes ICE!!!! Stay away from that too...
Take Milk products at your own risk....Milk and my body does not go well...so that may just be me....
I can urge you enough about flashing anything expensive or wearing anything that seems expensive.....what you don't need..don't take....
I have never been bothered in Bogota and its mainly because I blend in very nicely...but I live in NYC and used to living big metropolis type life....
Colombia in general is one of the best places to visit due to its culture and diversity(land, people, flora, and fauna)...It has it all....check the clip below....
Enjoy!
Source(s):
http://wikitravel.org/en/Bogota
http://www.surumbo.com/index2.php3?domai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyFXVslYY
_________________
Certified HUB MBE DBE Packaging Supplier .
Mark my words ~ Eat well three times a day at virginia bed and breakfast
Bogota is a interesting city , I have been there about 10 times(most of my family live there) and it has improved a lot in the past few years...
Restaurants:
depends on your tastes....
Casa Vieja is a good touristy type resturant....typical Bogotano food.
You can also try the resturants around Parque 93, Zona Rosa and Zona T.
For Fast Food nothing beats : El Corral!
For good beer....Bogota Beer Company!
Hotels: Depends on your budget....I would search on the net for this because I have never stayed in a hotel in Bogota..sorry..
Security:
Like any major big cities, things can happen and I cannot completely re assure you everything will come out peachy.
Like I told someone here....be street savvy, use common sense....don't reveal any expensive equipment, item..etc....and furthermore....always look like you know where you are going....I love this city and know it very well but I also acknowledge its potential dangers....
People: The people are friendly and helpful. Just be careful who you begin trusting....unfortunately....w... have some of the best scam artist ...but this does not mean to shy away from people...just be cautious....
Landscapes- Bogota is a mountainous region..and on the outskirts ....pure Savanna. Not sure where you live but some people will need to adjust to the altitude change...
Colombia has it all though....very rich and diverse when it comes to the landscape..
Transportation:
I included a link below of the Transmilenio.....this and Taxis are the way to go.....I would stay away from the old buses unless you know where you are going(signs on the window somewhat telling u the route..good luck reading it all at once..lol.....I actually take the old buses more than anything else out of convenience but I know this city really well...
Climate: 50-55F at night......60-70F during the Day.....all year round.....There is just dry season and rainy season......
Places normally do not have heat...so take sweaters and what not ...depending on your tolerance to cool weather....some days i can get pretty warm....this is all due to the altitude....you drive 1 hour to the next major city.....Villavicencio. its like 90F during the day......
Attractions:
Museo de Oro (Gold Museum)
Museo Nacional (Historical Museum)
Plaza de Bolivar and its surroundings(Main plaza..)
La Candelaria Neighborhood..(Oldest part of Bogota)
in the Candelaria are there good handful of museums even one of Botero's (artist with the Fat People pics and sculptures)
Quinta de Bolivar ( Home of Colombian's Liberator Simon Bolivar)
Monserrate: Chruch on top of a peak....Awesome views of the entire city....
Maloka...Science musuem....
There are a tons of Malls....one to really visit is Hacienda Santa Barbara.....very beautiful.....
Outside Bogota:
Zapaquira....for the Cathederal of Salt!! This place is awesome....
Guatavita: nice traditional town nearby Bogota...Lake of Guatavita has this whole legend behind it.....
Villa de Leyva in Boyaca is such a traditional town.....its not close(i think 3-5 hours) but its worth a mention....
Tips:
Exchanging money:
The exchange rate is about 2,200 for 1 US Dollar...
this is a good tip....there are Citibanks around Bogota and this is how I normally get Cash.....it generates a better exchange rate and they don't charge commission ( if ur a Citibank Bank Customer..not sure other american banks...aslong as it has Cirrus/Mastercard your good.) if you go anywhere else, especially exchanging cash....commission will be charged...
Water: Do not drink TAP water...unless you want Amebas in your system and one of the most painful stomach aches...
This Includes ICE!!!! Stay away from that too...
Take Milk products at your own risk....Milk and my body does not go well...so that may just be me....
I can urge you enough about flashing anything expensive or wearing anything that seems expensive.....what you don't need..don't take....
I have never been bothered in Bogota and its mainly because I blend in very nicely...but I live in NYC and used to living big metropolis type life....
Colombia in general is one of the best places to visit due to its culture and diversity(land, people, flora, and fauna)...It has it all....check the clip below....
Enjoy!
Source(s):
http://wikitravel.org/en/Bogota
http://www.surumbo.com/index2.php3?domai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyFXVslYY
_________________
Certified HUB MBE DBE Packaging Supplier .
Mark my words ~ Eat well three times a day at virginia bed and breakfast
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I have been asked by quite a few people regarding safety in Bogotá. Some of the common questions are: “Is it a safe city?” “Will you be kidnapped and made a drug mule?” “Are you crazy?”
That answer to the second question is a definitive “no.” The answer to the third is “probably” but it has nothing to do with my decision to move to Bogotá.
_________________
Certified HUB MBE DBE Packaging Supplier .
Mark my words ~ Eat well three times a day at virginia bed and breakfast
That answer to the second question is a definitive “no.” The answer to the third is “probably” but it has nothing to do with my decision to move to Bogotá.
_________________
Certified HUB MBE DBE Packaging Supplier .
Mark my words ~ Eat well three times a day at virginia bed and breakfast
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