Bogotá

About the city

Located in the centre of the country at an altitude of approximately 2,600 metres, Bogotá enjoys an almost perfect climate with average temperatures varying from 9 to 23 degrees centigrade.

The city has a population of around 8 million and is divided into a number of different areas including the historic centre 'La Candelaria', the downtown business district and several modern and prosperous suburbs.

Getting around is relatively easy and inexpensive thanks to the city's innovative TransMilenio metro-bus service. There are too many things to do and see in the city to list here but among the highlights are the colonial style buildings of La Candelaria; the Gold Museum with its unique collection of pre-Colombian gold work; the view from the Monastery of Monserrate which overlooks the city and the Botanic gardens which is like a miniature national park.

Safety

Colombia still suffers from an image of lawlessness fomented by the activities of guerrilla groups and drug cartels.

Thankfully, violent crime has tumbled dramatically over recent years. So much so that Lonely Planet, a travel publisher, chose Colombia as one of its top ten travel hotspots for 2006, in large part because of improvements in safety.

Of course travelers to Bogotá still need to take care, as indeed they have to in any large city, but the vast majority of visitors will experience nothing but warmth, hospitality, honesty and politeness.

Airport meeting and transfer service

We offer a meeting and transfer service to and from Bogotá airport, which we recommend to first-time visitors to the country.

Price one way: $US 30