Bogota, the bustling capital of Colombia and the heart of the country’s financial center. It’s nicknamed “La Atenas Suramericana” or the “Athens of South America” for its scientific, educational, and cultural contributions to the country. But Bogota wasn’t always a welcoming place for visitors. It had a reputation for danger and violence, but today it’s a city that’s safe and friendly to tourists, provided they use common sense.
We arrived in Bogota on a Saturday evening, not knowing what awaited us the following day. Sunday mornings in Bogota are a special affair. It’s when the city shuts down 70 miles of its streets from 7 am to 2 pm for a mass recreation event called Ciclovia. The city is transformed, and the streets are filled with runners, walkers, cyclists, and rollerbladers. Over a million people take part in this weekly celebration of life. And we were lucky enough to be there for it. We decided to go on a cycling tour with Gran Colombia Tours, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience. Our guide was knowledgeable and experienced, and we even got to sample some delicious food and natural juices. The pace was perfect, and we didn’t have to deal with too many hills.
After the tour, we decided to tackle the Monserrate Mountain. The mountain stands 3152 meters (10,341 ft) above sea level, and it offers a stunning view of the city. Although we didn’t climb the mountain, we took the funicular to the top. Unfortunately, the cable car was closed for maintenance. The top of the mountain is a popular tourist spot, so don’t expect to have it all to yourself. But the view is worth the crowds. From the top, we could see the whole downtown of Bogota. For those who want to climb the mountain, there is a path with many stairs. We chose to take the path on the way down, and it was a lovely experience.
It was tough to leave Bogota after only two nights. We could have stayed longer, but we had a plane to catch to the quaint pueblo of Salento. If you’re planning to travel from Bogota to Salento, I recommend flying to Pereira or Armenia (depending on which is cheaper), and renting a car only if you know the roads well. Traffic can be harsh, and there are many road works. We chose to fly to Pereira and then took a taxi to Salento. The price of the ride depends on your negotiating skills, but it should be somewhere between 20 and 30 EUR. The ride takes about 40 minutes, and the views along the way are stunning.
