Travel Guide Bogotá. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Colombia Travel etiquette Health

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1 Travel Guide Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels DC_ LH.com/travelguide 01/11

2 02 Quick view a brief overview It seems like only yesterday that was one of the most dangerous places on Earth. As guerrillas, drug cartels and government struggled for dominance over during the 1990s, much of the country was inaccessible. But while problems with poverty and crime remain, has made a staggering recovery in recent years, with security drastically improving, a thriving art scene and worldclass museums opening. There is a formidable culinary reputation and an exciting nightlife too, both in the colourful old town of La Candelaria and the trendy northern districts. While visitors used to skip the lofty, difficult-to-reach metropolis, now there is a real buzz about the n capital. General Information Country overview No longer a destination only for daredevils, this extraordinary country has battled decades of civil turmoil to emerge as one of South America's hottest destinations. Geography is situated in South America, bordered by the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. The Andes Mountains extend into the country in three ranges running south to north, dipping finally into the lowlands of the Caribbean coast. Along the southern Pacific coast run marshy lowlands and rugged low mountains. The southwestern coastal lowlands extend in a trough running from the port of Buenaventura to the Caribbean. East of this rise the slopes of the Western Cordillera which, with the Central Cordillera range, runs north to the Caribbean lowlands from Ecuador. Further north lies the fertile Cauca Valley, which becomes a deep gorge running between the Cordilleras to the Caribbean lowlands. The Eastern Cordillera, the longest range, rises north of the Ecuadorean border and runs north then northeast towards Venezuela. Flat grassy prairies in the east along with the jungles and towering rainforests of the Amazon make up over half the country's area. also claims two small islands, San Andrés and Providencia, located 700km (430 miles) north of the coast. General knowledge Key facts Population: Population Density (per sq km): 40 Capital:. Language The official language is Spanish, though there are more than 80 other languages LH.com/travelguide 02/11

3 03 and dialects recognised in the country, belonging to various indigenous peoples. In the San Andrés and Providence Islands, English is also an official language. General business opening hours Monday-Friday and Currency n Peso (COP; symbol Col$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of Col$50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of Col$500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. US Dollars are sometimes accepted, but be aware that you may be viewed as a rich tourist if you try to pay with dollars and you might find that the prices go up. Also be aware that there are a large amount of counterfeit US dollars in, so if you need change, get it in n Pesos. Electricity Mostly 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January December 2019 period Año Nuevo (New Year s Day): 1 January 2018 Día de los Reyes Magos: 8 January 2018 Día de San José (St Joseph s Day): 19 March 2018 Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 29 March 2018 Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 30 March 2018 Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 1 April 2018 Día del Trabajo (Labour Day): 1 May 2018 La Ascensión del Señor (Ascension Day): 14 May 2018 Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi): 4 June 2018 El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Sacred Heart Day): 11 June 2018 San Pedro y San Pablo (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul): 2 July 2018 Grito de Independencia (Independence Day): 20 July 2018 Batalla de Boyacá (Battle of Boyacá): 7 August 2018 Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 20 August 2018 Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 15 October 2018 Todos los Santos (All Saints Day): 5 November 2018 Independencia de Cartagena (Independence of Cartagena City): 12 November 2018 Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2018 Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December Año Nuevo (New Year s Day): 1 January 2019 Día de los Reyes Magos: 6 January 2019 Día de San José (St Joseph s Day): 25 March 2019 Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 18 April 2019 Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 18 April 2019 Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019 Día del Trabajo (Labour Day): 1 May 2019 La Ascensión del Señor (Ascension Day): 3 June 2019 Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi): 24 June 2019 El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Sacred Heart Day): 1 July 2019 San Pedro y San Pablo (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul): 1 July 2019 Grito de Independencia (Independence Day): 20 July 2019 Batalla de Boyacá (Battle of Boyacá): 7 August 2019 Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 20 August 2019 LH.com/travelguide 03/11

4 04 Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 14 October 2019 Todos los Santos (All Saints Day): 4 November 2019 Independencia de Cartagena (Independence of Cartagena City): 11 November 2019 Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2019 Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary to offer guests black n coffee, well sugared, called tinto. Spanish style and culture can still be seen in parts of the country, although in, North American attitudes and clothes are becoming prevalent. Casual clothes can be worn in most places; formal attire will be necessary for exclusive dining rooms and social functions. Smoking is allowed except where indicated. Health Health Food & Drink All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated outside major cities. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water is widely available throughout the country however, including in rural towns, so you can always make sure you have some. Milk may be unpasteurised in places and should be boiled. Only eat well cooked meat and fish. When buying food from stalls or markets, try to ensure that the food has not been sitting there for a while, and is kept hot enough to kill germs. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. There is an abundance of fruit available throughout, which includes pre-cut fruit put into bags and sold on beaches or from stalls in tourist areas. Buying whole fruit from the markets is both cheaper and more hygienic, and will help avoid contamination. Other Risks Vaccination against hepatitis B is sometimes recommended, especially for those spending long periods of time in or anyone who could have sexual relations with the local population. Hepatitis C occurs. Outbreaks of dengue fever sometimes occur, particularly in areas along the Caribbean coast and in the Chocó, Antioquia, Córdoba, Sucre, Bolivar and Atlántico departments. Take care when going from sea level to high altitude if you re sensitive to it, don t go on any major hikes the first day you arrive in. Allow several days to acclimatise to altitudes over 2,500m (8,200ft). Initial symptoms include headaches, breathlessness (especially when walking up hills), dizziness and nausea. This should pass within 72 hours. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Prof.Dr. Leal, Carlos Calle 134 # 7B-83 LH.com/travelguide 04/11

5 05 Office 1016 Bogota DC Tel Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone/Mobile Telephone Dialing code: +57 Telephone Most public telephones take phone cards, which you can buy in many shops and kiosks. Many internet cafés also have international phone booths, as well as Skype facilities. Mobile Telephone Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to urban areas. If your phone is unlocked, you can buy a n SIM card from companies such as Comcel, which will make calls and texts a lot cheaper. You may need identification for this. Internet There are internet cafés in most towns and cities. Most hotels and hostels in bigger cities provide free Wi-Fi, and the connection is usually quite good. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in La Candelaria The historical centre of features colonial architecture dating back to 16th century and is a charming warren of pastel-coloured buildings, many of them of great historical importance. The main square, Plaza de Bolivar, is particularly impressive. La Candelaria Catedral Primada Built on the same site as s first church, this 19th-century neoclassical cathedral is one of the largest in Latin America. It contains a number of important frescoes, as well as the remains of the city s founder, Jiménez de Quesada. Carrera 7 No Tel: +57 (1) Mon-Sat Sun LH.com/travelguide 05/11

6 06 The Presidential Palace One of s founding fathers, Antonio Nariño, lived here, in what is now the grand Presidential Palace. Don t miss the changing of the guard. Avenida Carrera 7 Tel Museo Botero With more than 100 artworks by the likes of Picasso, Dalí and Monet, this collection donated by legendary n artist Fernando Botero is unmissable. Calle 11 No 4-41 Tel: +57 (1) Mon and Wed-Sat Sun Cerro de Monserrate Offering the best views of the sprawling metropolis that is, this verdant peak is reached by foot, funicular or cable car. Avenida Circunvalar Tel Wed-Mon (footpath) Mon-Sat Sun (funicular) Mon-Sat Sun (cable car) Museo del Oro del Banco de la República Through its thousands of gold and other artefacts, this important museum tells the story of pre-hispanic cultures in and beyond. Calle 16 Nr. 588 Tel. +57 (1) Tue-Sat Sun Church of Santa Clara Among the city s oldest churches, this former convent is brimming with 17th- and 18th-century paintings and statues. Carrera 8 No Tel Tue-Fri Sat-Sun LH.com/travelguide 06/11

7 07 Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe Near Cerro de Monserrate but higher still, Guadalupe is also less crowded with tourists and hosts the iconic statue of the Virgin by Gustavo Arcila Uribe. Turbay Ayala Sun Colección de Arte del Banco de la República Taking you from colonial times through to contemporary works, this huge collection has the full story of n art from Alejandro Obregón to Fernando Botero. Calle 11 No 4-21 Tel: +57 (1) Mon-Sat Sun rte-banc... Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral One of the most jaw-dropping churches in the world can be found 50km from and 200m underground, in an old salt mine. Carrera 6 with Calle 1 Zipaquirá Tel: +57 (1) Daily Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas The n capital is becoming a hotbed of boutiques and designer stores, with the northern area (especially near the business centre) featuring lots of upmarket options. For clothing and handicrafts made by locals, there are numerous little shops in La Candelaria and downtown. Shopping Centres One of the largest malls in, Unicentro (Carrera 15 No ) contains boutiques and artisan shops as well as international brands. Markets Probably the best flea market in (there are several) is Mercado de Pulgas San Alejo (Carrera 7 No 24-70), a bustling site for second-hand books, old leather jackets, and other odds and ends. There s a great arts and craft market, Pasaje Rivas, on Carrera 10 and Calle 10. LH.com/travelguide 07/11

8 08 Restaurants Restaurants in Currently enjoying a gastronomic fever, boasts a number of restaurants showing off creative takes on traditional n cooking.there is also a wide range of world-class spots serving everything from Japanese to Italian. Harry Sasson Based out of a 1930s mansion, Sasson s legendary restaurant mixes Asian influences with n flair. Carrera 9 No Price: Expensive Rafael For the best Peruvian food almost anywhere in Latin America, head to genius chef Rafael Osterling s restaurant. Calle 70 No 4-63, Los Rosales Price: Expensive Gordo Inspired by Brooklyn and all things New York, Gordo offers a classy take on east coast cooking. Carrera 4A No Price: Moderate Andrés Carnes de Res For a bit of a party alongside some of the most decadently huge meat dishes you can imagine, head to this local institution. Calle 3 No 11A-56 Chia Price: Moderate El Tambor With fine grilled meats in a country setting, this is a classic n dining experience. Autopista # Norte-60 Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in LH.com/travelguide 08/11

9 09 La Candelaria has lots of bars and cafés, many of them with live music by local jazz-rock bands and the like.the trendiest parts of the city for nightlife are in the north however, especially the hip Zona T district, and classy Chapinero. Beer Company Having revolutionised the city s lager culture since opening as a microbrewery in 2002, this is the place to go for quality craft beer. Calle 25B No. 68b00 Armando Records This hipster nightspot sees rooftop raves and all-night parties on the weekends. Calle 85 No La Media Torta Latin music, dance performances and theatre productions are hosted by this legendary venue. Calle 18 No Este Quiebra Canto For salsa, head to this two-floor disco with live bands and dancing until dawn. Carrera 5 No Billares Londres This super-sexy club boasts excellent cocktails, electronica and rumba. Carrera 7 No Calendar of events Calendar of events Rock al Parque This huge, free festival leans on the heavy side of rock with a plethora of ska, punk, hardcore and metal groups turning things up to 11. Taking over the wonderful Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park, expect acts from all over the world as well as a LH.com/travelguide 09/11

10 10 choice of food stalls. July Venue: Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park Carnival For two days in August, the annual Carnival brings the streets around Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park to life with music, bright costumes and dancing. Aside from the main parade, there is folkloric theatre, storytelling, puppetry and art. 5-6 August 2018 Venue: Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park. Wine and Food Festival Offering a little taste of Columbia, the annual Wine and Food Festival encourages local cooks, celebrity chefs and international kitchen kings and queens to show off just how good Columbian cuisine can be. Expect plenty of tastings, classes and demonstrations as you get your fill of food and wine. August - September Venue: Various venues Christmas fairs Despite being mainly a family affair, there are a few events taking place in in December to celebrate Christmas. Over 60 artisans make up the feria artesanal navideña, which allows them to sell their wares in Candelaria (el Parque de Los Talentos). Many concerts are also held in churches during this period too. December 2018 Venue: Various venues Hotels Hotels in There isn t an inexhaustible list of top-notch hotels in, but it is a fastimproving list.the trendiest and most luxurious can be found in the north of the city, while La Candeleria has some grand old options, as well as numerous affordable guesthouses. Royal Lying within s World Trade Center, this lofty hotel offers great views and swish, modern rooms. Carrera 8a No Category: Expensive BOG Hotel LH.com/travelguide 10/11

11 11 Perhaps the flashiest hotel in, this sleek tower has a rooftop pool in one of the city s most exclusive areas. Carrera 11 No Category: Expensive Crowne Plaza Tequendama Among the grande old dames of, this downtown hotel has been spectacularly updated by the Crowne Plaza chain. Carrera 10 No Category: Moderate Casa Real Near the wonderful 93 Park, this cosy hotel is ideal for those looking to take it easy. Calle 93A No 9A Category: Moderate Casona del Patio This pleasant English-style guesthouse with 24 rooms also has a restaurant with traditional n fare. Carrera 8 No Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 11/11