Hostels in BOGOTA, COLOMBIA

Beguiling Bogota: Introducing a City’s Charm

Bogota is today one of Latin America’s best showpieces with its modern infrastructure, job opportunities, churches, museums and bustling nightlife. It is also the country’s financial, service and political centre and is heavily influenced by the Spanish, Indians and English.

History
Bogota was originally named Bacatá by the Muiscas, before the Spanish colonized their area it was the center of their civilization before the Spanish explorers colonized the area. In 1538, the Spanish leader, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, named the area Santa Fé de Bacatá. In time, the name Bacatá degenerated into Bogotá by which time it was known as the capital city of New Granada’s Viceroyalty, then part of Peru. Bogota soon became an important centre of Spanish colonial power in Latin America.

In 1810, the people of Bogota revolted against Spanish rule and set up their own government, though they had to fight against the loyalists of the Spanish military who governed the city until 1819, when Simón Bolívar captured it after winning over Boyacá. Bogotá was pronounced capital of Grand Colombia, which comprised Colombia, Panama, Venezuela and Ecuador.

As soon as this republic was dissolved, Bogotá was named the capital of New Granada, which in turn was renamed the Republic of Colombia. Under the Constitution of 1991, Bogotá was yet again named the capital of Colombia.

Popular Places and Monuments
Bogota is a very pretty city with numerous parks with facilities for storytelling, concerts, plays, etc. Some of them are the National Park, the El Tunal Park, the Salitre Mágico amusement park for kids and the Botanical Park.

People come to Bogota to watch the world’s biggest theatre festival, the Ibero-American Theater Festival. Churches and the Cathedral of Salt are well worth a visit. Also visit Old Bogota which houses small, quaint houses and churches, and attractions including the Plaza de Bolivar, The Gold Museum, Bogota Cathedral, Religious Art Museum, Fundacion Botero, Coin House, etc. Take a tourist train to see the sights.

Getting Around
It’s easy to get around in Bogotá using a taxi, van, bus or the bus rapid transit (BRT) network called Transmilenio. Bogota is also a major hub for national and international air and bus routes.

Places of Entertainment
Bogota is known for its spectacular night life. It has a large range of restaurants, clubs, bars and many cultural activities. Its multi-cuisine restaurants serve food from all over the country and world. They are of varying budgets, ranging from the home (“corrientazo”) to the most sophisticated restaurants. Visit any of the following for some delectable cuisine - T, Parque de la 93, Candelaria, Avenida Primero de Mayo, Usaquen and Zona G. Here, dining always ends in dancing. Restaurants close at 3 a.m. Desserts here are absolutely divine.

If you’re a shopaholic, visit any of these malls and shop all you like: Unicetro, Andino, Atlantis, Hacienda Santa Barbara, Granahorrar, Bulevar Niza and Salitra Plaza.

Bogota Colombia has a great variety of tourist places to visit, both in and around Bogota with a combination of colonial buildings and skyscrapers. Points of interest in the city include:

Accommodation Options
You can find accommodation in youth hostels, guest house rooms, bed and breakfast places, hostels, budget hotels, guesthouses, mid-range hotels, apartments, fincas (farms) and luxury hotels.

Currency
Bogota’s currency is the peso. If you want the latest news on this, turn to your newspaper or TV.

Group accommodation in Bogota | Cheap hostels & budget hotel