Overview
Take a trip to Bogota on your Colombia Vacation
The largest city in Colombia and one of the largest in South America, Bogotá is situated high in the Andes. A sophisticated city, Bogotá is the political, financial and service centre of the country and a good starting point for Colombia tours.
Prior to the Spanish conquest, Bogotá was home to the Muisca, one of the most advanced pre-Colombian Indian groups. The town was officially founded in August 1538 when an expedition led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada arrived. While initially a small settlement of just twelve huts and a chapel, Bogotá grew to hold a great deal of political clout eventually being named the capital of Gran Colombia in the 19th century.
The 20th century posed difficult challenges for the city including the El Bogotazo uprising as well as a guerilla movement in the 1980s. However, Bogotá was able to repair itself and recent decades have witnessed continued expansion allowing the area to grow into a cosmopolitan city.
A cultural hub Bogotá hosts over eighty museums, more than sixty art galleries, forty-five theatres and thirty-three libraries that have helped the city earn the nickname “the Athens of South America”. The northern part of the city is more modern, yet many tourists on a Colombia vacation package choose to explore the historic La Candelaria which hosts museums, churches, cafes and more. Located in the heart of the country, Bogotá provides an excellent base to explore the rest of this unique country.
A cultural hub Bogotá hosts over eighty museums, more than sixty art galleries, forty-five theatres and thirty-three libraries that have helped the city earn the nickname “the Athens of South America”. The northern part of the city is more modern, yet many tourists on a Colombia vacation package choose to explore the historic La Candelaria which hosts museums, churches, cafes and more. Located in the heart of the country, Bogotá provides an excellent base to explore the rest of this unique country.
At a Glance
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Colombian Peso (COP)What do the experts say?
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