Bogotá
Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, is the country’s political center and prime hub for commerce, finance, education, culture, shopping, transportation, and tourism. Throughout its history, Bogotá has also had a crucial influence in the history of northern South America, as it used to be the capital of Spain’s first colonial administration in the region.
The city was originally founded in 1538 as the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada. Since then, Bogotá has grown to be the biggest city in Colombia, and the fastest growing city in South America. Such fast growth continues to shape the urban landscape of the city with new skyscrapers being built next to colonial buildings.
Bogotá’s contrast between the old and the new, the traditional and the modern, has positioned it as one of the most dynamic cities in Latin America. Any visitor should expect world-class shopping malls next to rundown salsa discos and traditional food stands right outside luxury hotels and restaurants, in a fascinating and diverse cultural mix.
Why learn Spanish in Bogotá?
Most neutral and clearest accent in Colombia.
Experience the frantic pace of one of Latin America’s fastest growing cities, both in population and in economic power.
Be part of Colombia’s large indie movement in Bogotá’s ever-growing arts scene, including underground music venues and performing arts centers.
The biggest airport of northern South America ensures connections to everywhere in the continent and beyond.
Language Schools in Bogotá:
Whee Institute is one of the fastest growing Spanish schools in Colombia, with amazing reviews, innovative classes centered around games and activities, and some of the most competitive prices.
Travel
tips
When
Best time to go is December to February and July to August.
FYI
Although in a tropical latitude, Bogotá is considered chilly by most travelers during most of the year.
Meet
Join in the soccer craze at El Campín Stadium for matches of two of Colombia’s most successful teams: Independiente Santa Fe and Millonarios.
Get up close to one of the greatest Colombians of all time: Gabriel García Márquez lived several years in Bogotá and his former house is now a museum.
See
Walk around the colonial district of La Candelaria, Bogotá’s oldest section, and do not miss two of its greatest museums: the Botero Museum and the Gold Museum.
Go up to see the sweeping vistas of Bogotá’s sprawling metropolis from Cerro Monserrate and from La Calera.
If feeling overwhelmed by the city, escape to Villa de Leyva, a preserved quaint cobblestoned village mostly untouched for 400 years.
Do
Every August, Rock al Parque attracts over 400,000 people to the largest free rock festival in the Americas.
ARTBO is Bogotá’s biggest art fair, drawing hundreds of local and international artists every year at the end of October.
The Ibero-American Theater Festival is a biannual event with over 800 plays by around 250 companies and welcomes over 2 million attendees, making it one of the largest theater events in the world.
Eat
Because of Bogotá’s mild weather year-around, soups are a very important staple in the local cuisine. But rising above all is the ajiaco santafereño, a thick soup made with different types of potatoes, chicken breast, avocado, and corn.
Buy
Andrés Carne de Res is a restaurant just outside the city that offers way more than a culinary experience: it’s over 2 square miles in size, has 11 dining areas, 2 dance floors, over 5 kitchens, and a climbing wall. Everything in sight is for sale, including the tables!