The climate of Bogotá is one of the most curious and unpredictable in the world. It is classified as a cold city because it is located at 2600 meters above sea level, but it is common for Bogotá's weather to be around 18°C in the mornings and to rise to 20°C throughout the day. Nights are cold, with temperatures dropping to 8°C or even less. Bogotá is a city with a very varied climate that can present different temperatures throughout the day and frequently experiences heavy rain. It's curious how, in a matter of minutes, the sun shines brightly again. This means that people have to be prepared with the appropriate clothing for each of these changes.
Hotels in Bogotá
Tequendama Hotel
- Address: Carrera 10 #26-21
- Services: Tequendama Hotel is one of Colombia's most traditional hotels, operating continuously since 1953. It is the preferred place for many artists visiting the country due to its classic style and central location in Bogotá. It offers cozy rooms and various amenities throughout the hotel such as sauna, steam room, pool, casino, spa, jacuzzi, beauty salon, and gym. Tequendama Hotel offers crib and babysitting services for young guests.
ExpoHotel Bogotá
- Address: Carrera 37 #25B-65, Teusaquillo
- Services: This hotel is perfect for those visiting Bogotá with the intention of attending a fair or event at Corferias, as it is only 3 blocks away. The 21 rooms have wireless internet, minibar, and a very pleasant view of the city. In the restaurant, guests can enjoy an American breakfast or end the day with a glass of wine by the fireplace. ExpoHotel also offers laundry service and airport transfers.
Bogotá Central Hotel
- Address: Carrera 13 No. 22-24, Alameda Centro
- Services: This hotel is strategically located in Bogotá, close to important landmarks such as Torre Colpatria, Plaza de Toros La Santamaría, Plaza de Bolívar, and the National Museum. The 38 rooms feature cable TV, private bathroom, and WiFi. The hotel also has a game room and a room for ironing, dry cleaning, and laundry services.
Restaurants in Bogotá
La Juguetería
- Address: Calle 27 No 4A-03, La Macarena
- Services: The food here is varied, offering meats, chicken, pork, fish, and soups, all with very accurate preparation, generous portions, and prices suitable for a quality lunch or dinner. However, the main attraction of La Juguetería is its decoration, logically of toys. With elements from different eras, movies, cartoons, TV shows, and figures in general. This place manages to evoke memories of a wonderful stage in the life of each of its diners.
Crepes & Waffles
- Address: Various locations
- Services: Although this is a well-known place with several locations in different cities in Colombia and Latin America, it is in Bogotá where you can find the most Crepes & Waffles restaurants. The preparations are very simple, they can be in crepes, waffles, pitas, and panne cooks, accompanied by some protein, sauce, or other product that makes an ideal combination. This restaurant is perfect for any occasion due to its abundance of locations, comfortable prices, food quality, and quick service.
La Floridada Bakery
- Address: Carrera 7 # 21-46
- Services: La Florida Bakery has been part of Bogotá's landscape since 1936, being one of the most popular places in the capital scene. Its wide variety of cakes, pies, pies, cookies, biscuits, desserts, and breads in general, accompanied by coffee, tea, or chocolate make the perfect dish for those leaving work and wanting to eat something before returning home. Breakfasts with different egg preparations and changuas are also famous for starting the day in the best way.
Highlighted Tourist Places in Bogotá
- Planetarium: This space allows science lovers to get close to different advances and astronomical research that have been done here. The Planetarium also has an imposing dome that simulates a night sky to be able to capture all the behavior of the stars on the screen. Different concerts and attractive audiovisual performances are also held in this dome.
- Gold Museum: Located in the center of Bogotá, this emblematic museum houses several pre-Columbian elements that were abundant in this land before the Spanish conquest. Gold vessels and other elements, accompanied by their respective descriptions, allow you to see the works and the marked symbolism that existed at that time. However, the main protagonist of this place is gold, which not only gives its name to the museum but also allows reliving through its golden pieces, multiple accessories that represented great value not only economic but also spiritual.
- Monserrate: The panoramic view from this hill allows you to see how gigantic Bogotá is in its entirety. You can go up by cable car or funicular in 10-minute journeys, or for nature and exercise lovers, there is also a trail to climb this mountain on foot, in a journey of about an hour depending on each person's pace. At the top of this hill is the Church of the Fallen Lord of Monserrate, famous for performing miracles. There is also an attractive variety of restaurants and cafeterias to have spectacular snacks while enjoying the view.
Important Dates in Bogotá
- August 6th: This day is Bogotá's birthday and is celebrated with different free outdoor concerts to promote art and cultural diversity.
- July 20th: Although this is a national date for being Colombia's Independence Day, nowhere is it celebrated like it is in Bogotá. Military parades along Carrera 68 and the display of military aircraft are a spectacle that must be experienced and makes Colombians feel proud of their homeland.
How to Get Around Bogotá?
- Taxi: Fares are charged according to a meter that advances while the journey is in progress. The offer of taxis is very wide, as is the demand for their service.
- Public Bus: The same card works for both services, which must be recharged at TransMilenio stations and allows free transfer from one bus to another. TransMilenio covers the main roads in Colombia, advancing at a good speed thanks to its own trunk, although it is necessary to take an SITP bus to get to the stations. The Integrated Public Transport System SITP has various buses that travel throughout the city covering Bogotá in its entirety.
How to Get to Bogota?
Bogotá by bus: You can travel from Cúcuta to Bogotá by land. The travel time is 14 to 16 hours.
Gastronomy in Bogotá
- Santafereño Ajiaco: Chicken soup made with different types of potatoes, corn, and some spices. It is also usually accompanied by avocado and cream. A hearty delight for the palate.
- Bogotano Tamal: The tamal is a snack that is prepared in different Andean countries. In its Bogotan version, this is made from a corn dough combined with meat, chicken, pork ribs, onions, garlic, and salt, all wrapped in a typical banana leaf tied to be cooked with steam. It is usually accompanied by a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
- Santafereño Puchero: Tropical dish, native to the city. It is prepared with potatoes, meats, ribs, sausages, pastusa, cassava, plantain, and corn, all bathed in hogao and presented with cabbage leaves.
Things to Buy in Bogotá
- Coffee: Colombian coffee is excellent. In Bogotá, you will have the option to visit different stores and compare the flavor of each region to take the best gift.
- Emeralds: In downtown Bogotá, there is a great variety of shops where you can buy spectacular emeralds, ideal for taking back home.
- Wafers: A great idea to take back a good dessert that can be carried without being damaged. Be careful not to break them in the suitcase.
Bogotá Facts
Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is an inclusive city that welcomes people from all over. With a population of over 7 million, many of whom come from different regions and countries for reasons such as work, education, and forced displacement, Bogotá stands out as the country's main business center. Here you will find emblematic buildings such as the Nariño Palace, the presidential residence, the Palace of Justice, and the Congress of the Republic. Its well-preserved historic center evokes nostalgia for the colonial and independence era of Colombia. Bogotá is also known for its vibrant cultural scene, with events like the International Book Fair FILBO and Rock al Parque, the largest free music festival in Latin America, attracting visitors from all over the country. The city, with a cosmopolitan culture, is home to a mix of local traditions and influences from other cultures, reflecting the diversity of its population.
Bus operators of the route Valledupar to Bogotá
- Copetran
- Expreso Brasilia
- Continental
Where to board in Valledupar?
Where to unboard in Bogotá?
In Conclusion
Traveling from Valledupar to Bogotá offers a unique experience to explore the vibrant capital of Colombia. From its rich colonial history to its bustling cultural life and impressive landmarks, Bogotá promises to captivate travelers with its diversity and charm.