WELCOME TO BOGOTA
BOGOTA WEATHER Bogota has a subtropical mountain weather. The average daily temperature in Bogotá is 50 F to 70 F. Throughout the year, Bogota has a dry and a wet season although rain is usually present. One of Bogota s features is that the temperature is relatively consistent throughout the year but conditions may change drastically in the course of a day. The morning can be sunny and the afternoon can become into a storm.
TOURIST ATRACTIONS LA CANDELARIA NEIGHBOURHOOD Is the Heart of the City and the Historic district, surrounded by colonial houses and cobblestone streets. Libraries, theaters, coffee shops, museums and restaurants can be visited. BOLIVAR SQUARE This square located in the historical area of Bogotá is the main square of the city as it hosts the most important buildings. You can see the National Capitol seat of the Congress. The Palace of Justice where the Supreme Court is, the Primada Cathedral and the Liévano building, headquarters of the Mayor of the city. GOLD MUSEUM This museum is house of the world s largest gold collection. It has a total of 33,000 pieces dedicated to the fascinating history of gold and the original Colombian tribes who worked with this metal.
TOURIST ATRACTIONS BOTERO MUSEUM Fernando Botero is the most renowned Colombian artist. In this spectacular museum a large collection of his paintings and sculptures of voluptuous characters is exhibited, it is located in the city center. MONSERRATE It is a hill located at 3,152 meters above sea level, the most spectacular view of the city can be contemplated. You can climb on foot, cable car or funicular. It is also recognized for its religious nature, thousands of pilgrims and travelers visit its sanctuary founded in 1640. USAQUEN Usaquén neighborhood is located in the north of the city, is characterized by having a lot of restaurants and bars. It has a church and its surroundings have preserved the colonial architecture. It is located near Hacienda Santa Barbara shopping mall in Bogotá which is well known for its antiquity.
TOURIST ATRACTIONS VIRREY URBAN PARK Street 88, Carrera 7 North to Highway (North). It is a biological corridor and linear park along the street 88. The park has a network of bike paths, pedestrian walkways and seating areas. Its area is divided into three major areas: The first between Seventh and Eleventh Street. The second extends from the Carrera 11 and 15. These first two areas are characterized by a narrow part that extends into the third wide zone that goes from the Carrera 15 to the North Freeway. It has cardio and body training equipment, which has been integrated to the natural areas to practice sports and for entertainment.
TOURIST ATRACTIONS ZONA T The T Zone, is surrounded by restaurants, bars and nightlife. Two blocks from this area there are tree very well-known malls: Centro Andino, El Retiro and Atlantis. LA CALERA La Calera is 16 kilometers from Bogota, about 20 minutes away; It is surrounded by a beautiful landscape: the eastern and western Bogota hills. La Calera is mainly a tourist site that has an excellent viewpoint where the whole city can be contemplated. Its name came from the limestone mines or Calera stones that can be found in the region. His Indian name is "Teusacá" which means "prison".
HOTEL SURROUNDINGS The Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota is located in Rosales neighborhood. The area around the hotel is known as the Zona G. (G for Gastronomic). This area is surrounded by restaurants for all styles as well as bars and pubs. Two blocks from the hotel, the financial area of the city where the offices of the most important banks are located. SHOPPING MALLS EL RETIRO SHOPPING CENTER Calle 82 No 11 75 ANDINO SHOPPING MALL Carrera 11 No 82 71 ATLANTIS PLAZA Calle 81 No 13 05 BANKS Banco GNB Sudameris Citibank Helm Av Villas Banco de Occidente Bancolombia Davivienda Banco Caja Social
GENERAL INFORMATION SUGGESTED GRATUITY Restaurants: Note that the tip is 10% of your total account and regularly is included. General:Gratuities are discretionary in areas such as door staff, bellmen, housekeeping, Laundry attendants,etc. EXCHANGE RATE 1 USD = COP 3000 This is an approximately value. It changes daily.
RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES DAY 1 MONSERRATE MOUNTAIN & CANDELARIA A mere 20 minutes from the hotel is the downtown La Candelaria neighborhood, a major tourist attraction that should not be missed. Many of its colonial- and republican-style buildings have been declared sites of historic and cultural interest, and are well preserved. These large mansions, with their big windows, doors and balconies, hide countless secrets that have played a leading role in the country s history. The attractive cobbled streets are just waiting to be discovered. Don t miss Bolívar Square, which is surrounded by government buildings and Bogotá Cathedral, a Catholic church in the neoclassical style that was built between 1807 and 1823. Many of Bogotá s museums, libraries, universities and cultural centers are also in this part of the city. Monserrate Hill, which rises to a height of 3,150 meters above sea level and is not only one of the city s best-known landmarks but also a must-see tourist attraction. Hundreds of people ascend to the summit every day, using either the footpath, cable car or funicular, in search of the best panoramic view of Bogotá or simply because they have a religious interest in the Basilica of the Fallen Lord of Monserrate.
DAY 1 RECOMMENDED ITINERARY 09:00 a.m. 09:40 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Pick up at the Hotel Tour by Monserrate and its sanctuary. Visit the Golden Museum or the Botero Museum Visit Bolivar Square, National Capitoly, Justice Palace, Cathedral and La Candelaria neighborhood. Lunch :Restaurant Suggestions @ La Puerta Falsa. Located one blog apart from the Bolivar Square This is Bogotá's most famous snack shop. Displays of multicolored candies beckon you into this tiny spot that's been in business since 1816. @ Prudencia, you will encounter food from all over the world that is united by a focus on the techniques and cultures of the countryside: local ingredients, minimization of waste, a connection with the natural environment, and preservation techniques that take time, such as smoking and fermentation close from Arrival at the hotel. Recommendations: Wear comfortable clothes, Not recommended to people with breathing difficulty
RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES DAY 2 PALOQUEMAO MARKET TOUR A fascinating trip to a typical Colombian market. You will discover and taste fruits and vegetables that you never knew existed. A visit to the market will engage all five senses and provide an insight into Colombian customs and local living in Bogota. The Plaza de la Paloquemao has been in operation since 1972. It was built by famous architects Diken Castro and Jacques Mosseri, who were inspired by the market places in Spain and Mexico to functionally separate several types of commerce. The sector in which this traditional square is located is called Paloquemao, because there was a large dry tree that once burned down and the inhabitants of the city used it as a point of reference. In this place, today, you can enjoy the best sample of fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, flowers, and other products of the Colombian countryside. Very early in the morning, there is a marvelous encounter of colors, aromas, and textures, in the more than 900 stalls that make up the largest pantry in the interior of the country.
DAY 2 RECOMMENDED ITINERARY 09:00 a.m. 09:40 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Pick up at the hotel. Visit Paloquemao Market Place Return to the hotel Arrival at the hotel. Lunch: Restaurant Suggestions @ El Chato Giving center stage to local ingredients in its exquisitely delicious take on modern cuisine. Let your tastebuds be taken away by steak tartare, crab with spicy mango, succulent lamb and beef, peach palm soup and a new take on traditional rice and chicken. @ Rafael, opened in Bogota in 2007 bring his passion of creative cuisine and flavors of Peru to the heart of this city. @ Castanyoles, It's easy to make yourself comfortable at Castanyoles, our first-floor eatery designed in the style of a traditional neighborhood with a Mediterranean touch. @ Villanos en Bermudas, with a taster menu made up of seven dishes reworked on a weekly basis depending on the organic ingredients provided by local producers Recommendations: Wear comfortable clothes
RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES DAY 3 SALT CATHEDRAL OF ZIPAQUIRÁ The Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá is a place that everyone who comes to Colombia must visit as this monument to faith has become an architectural piece like no other. The Salt Cathedral is located near to Bogotá, Zipaquira is a colonial town known for its beauty. But its typical architecture is not its principal attraction, 180 meters under the ground we can find an engineering jewel, famous around the world: The Salt Cathedral.
DAY 3 RECOMMENDED ITINERARY 09:00 a.m. Pick up at the hotel 10:30 a.m. Visit the Salt Cathedral and Zipaquirá town. Lunch: Restaurant Suggestions @ San Alejo Restaurant. With 43 years of experience, delighting families from Bogotá with the most delicious recipes of typical Colombian food. @ Andres Carne de Res Chia, is a restaurant that has earned a place in the hearts of locals and foreigners. Great for good music and taking guests to a party-euphoria. @ El Pórtico, full of the magic and charm of small towns in Cundinamarca and Boyacá, this restaurant is right outside the city limits, heading north out of Bogotá. El Pórtico s unique recipes are based on traditional cooking techniques that delight visitors, and couples Return to Bogota Recommendations: Wear comfortable clothes Average Difficulty Not recommended to people with claustrophobia.
RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES DAY 4 BIKE TOUR Bogota is a global icon for promoting the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation and this has made Bogota an example in the world of sustainable mobility. This tour is like no other and gives you the chance to see Bogotá in an up-close fashion, allowing you to appreciate the architecture, landscapes and famous graffiti all the things that make Bogotá such a unique city.
DAY 4 RECOMMENDED ITINERARY 09:00 a.m. Pick up at the Hotel, Tour by the 85th Street, Zona Rosa, Zona T, El Virrey Park, 93th Street Park, Usaquen neighborhood and Carrera7th. Lunch: Restaurant Suggestions @ Bistronomy by Rausch, their dishes and presentation are creative and enticing. The cuisine is made with the best ingredients, with North American and European influence. @ Mediterranea de Andrei, located in Usaquén, one of the most renowned gastronomic districts in the Capital, this authentic cornerstone restaurant came here seven years ago to stay! Its festive and warm atmosphere brings a breath of fresh Mediterranean air to the area. @ General Michel, baked baguettes out of a wood-fired oven stuffed with spinach and mozzarella dip, Spanish chorizo wontons, and calamari croquettes in ink accompanied by aioli are some of the many dishes to share at this cantina-bistro in Usaquén Return to the hotel. Recommendations: Wear comfortable clothes Average Difficulty
RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES DAY 5 GRAFFITI TOUR Learn about the abundant and stunning graffiti in the Candelaria zone and understand its history and origin. See artists portrayals of everything from social troubles to the armed conflict portrayed on the walls of Bogotá
Day 5 RECOMMENDED ITINERARY 09:00 a.m. Pick up at the Hotel Tour of the Candelaria Neighbor to see the graffiti. Visit Calle 26 to view additional graffiti Lunch: Restaurant Suggestions @ Leo Cocina y Cava, There is no other restaurant in Colombia with the subtle and sophisticated concept Leonor Espinosa has created. This chef has journeyed through the country in search of products and culinary traditions that celebrate national cuisine. Creativity, local ingredients handled with precise technique, an interesting wine list and an elegant atmosphere, make this a top spot. This downtown address is an obligatory stop @ Mini Mal, Eduardo Martinez and Antonella Ariza celebrate Colombian cultural diversity and cuisine through each of the dishes in their restaurant; their continual investigation into gastronomic creation Arrival at the hotel Recommendations: Wear comfortable clothes
RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES DAY 6 VILLA DE LEYVA TOUR Villa de Leyva sits about two and a half hours north of Bogotá, but, with its cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings, it seems to be hundreds of years away from the 21st century. One of the most beautiful colonial villages in Colombia, Villa de Leyva is a city frozen in time. Declared a national monument in 1954, the photogenic village has been preserved in its entirety with cobblestone roads and whitewashed buildings.
Day 6 RECOMMENDED ITINERARY 07:00 a.m. Transfer to Villa de Leyva (Duration: 2hrs 30 mins) 09:30 a.m. Visit to the Fossil Museum, Monastery Ecce Hommo and Pozos Azules Lunch :Restaurant Suggestions @ Mercado Municipal, This chef-driven outdoor restaurant around the gardens of a 1740 colonial house has resurrected ancient techniques of cooking meats in a 1m-deep underground wood-burning barbacoa @ Entrepanes, Sandwich Shop and wine bar in Villa De Leyva for casual dinning with great quality products @ Casa Quintero, is a fully restored colonial mansion and gourmet food court just off the plaza. 02:30 p.m. Walk through the central square and the handcrafted center. 05:00 p.m. Return to Bogotá. 07:30 p.m. Arrival at the hotel. Recommendations: Wear comfortable clothes
RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES DAY 7 GUATAVITA TOUR Many hopes of finding El Dorado, it was once believed, converged on this small, circular lake about 50km northeast of Bogotá. Rimmed by mountains, lovely Guatavita was the sacred lake and ritual center of the Muisca people, where half a millennium ago the gold-dust-coated Zipa, the Muisca cacique (indigenous tribal head), would throw precious offerings into the lake from his ceremonial raft and then plunge into the waters to obtain godlike power.
Day 7 RECOMMENDED ITINERARY 09:00 a.m. Pick up at the hotel 11:00 a.m. Visit Guatavita Lake and town. 01:30 p.m. Return to Bogota Lunch :Restaurant Suggestions @ NEMO, our signature international bar and grille restaurant by world renown Colombian Chef Harry Sasson the local favorite. @ Osaka, one of the biggest names in Nikkei cuisine. A delectable fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. @ La Brasserie, is a type of French restaurant with a relaxed setting, which serves single dishes and other meals. Recommendations: Wear comfortable clothes High Difficulty - Not recommended to people hearth problems, senior citizens or those with respiratory problems.
TWO UNIQUE HOTELS IN ONE URBAN CITY Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá, Carrera 7 No 69A 22 Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá, Carrera 13 No 85 46 Teléfono: 57 1 325 7900 Fax: 57 1 325 7926 www.fourseasons.com/bogotahotels/