Here ini Bogotá

Sunny Day in La Candelaria

I remembered that day when I arrived in Colombia. It was a damn cold night, and I was so tired after 42 hour flight from Jakarta. But all of that backaches paid off on the next day when I arrived at La Candelaria. Although my body was still exhausted it was covered with my excitement to explore Bogotá’s historical and must-see place.

La Candelaria is beautiful, especially when I arrived in Bolivar square. The sky was blue, and the sun was shining so bright, but the air-breathing was so cool, which increased my energy to explore more. I was busy taking photos and videos, capturing moments that will never fade in my mind. I was mesmerized by the grandeur of Bolivar Plaza. I was so surprised that Bogotá was better than I’d imagined before. I felt like Bolivar Plaza has a sense of a mixture of  Eastern European and typical Latin American architecture.

Antique and Colorful Buildings in La Candelaria

Bolivar Plaza is a place to go when you visit Bogotá. This historical complex is full of iconic architecture, such as The Grand Statue of El Libertador, Simon Bolivar, and the presidential palace Casa Nariño. This area is also full of great cafés, cheap hostels with antique buildings, and some cozy hangouts.

Another hip spot in Bogotá is Zona Rosa located in the city center. It is an area full of hip bars, cafés, and restaurants. I was so excited to go here because it serves many Asian restaurants that I’ve missed a lot during my time in Colombia. I was glad I could taste good sushi and fried rice, although the price was a bit expensive. Well, who cares... I was craving Asian food and I wasn’t thinking too much about spending more money.

Craving for Asian Food

Hanging Out in Parque 93 

After walking for a long time exploring Bogotá, we took a rest at Parque 93. I was sitting on the bench for around 30 minutes to catch up on my breath while enjoying the air and people walking by. The thing I love the most about the capital of Colombia is how they dress. Las Bogotánas are very preppy and chic. Most of the men wear a suit and tie while the woman wears a coat and boots. 

It was fascinating to me to see people were dress up like that. Back in my hometown in Jakarta, it is rare to see people wear that kind of wardrobe. Well likely because of the weather, Jakarta is very humid none of the people wear a suit or boots especially,

walking through the streets.

The temperature of Bogotá is around 14 – 18°C, and for a tropical girl like me, the temperature is quite cold. So I felt a bit freezing every time I woke up in the morning, but the most fun part was that I could wear my lovely coat and boots. I felt so chic like Las Bogotánas ^-^

Spending evening at Café Juan Valdez

Another favorite thing to do in Bogotá is to hangouts at the café, enjoying a cup of Colombian coffee that is very affordable. If I had to compare coffee in Indonesia and Colombia, I must say that Colombian coffee is cheaper. A cup of hot latte or cappuccino in a well-known café such as Juan Valdez or El Gualilo costs around 3000 – 6000 Colombian peso (COP) in Indonesia its cost 6000 – 8000 COP. For that reason, I was so glad to spend my money on coffee almost every day when I lived in Colombia.

My favorite go-to café when I traveled through Colombia is Juan Valdez. Simply because it is located anywhere, you can find it in malls, office buildings, and parks. When I was studying on campus, I usually grab a cup of cappuccino in El Gualilo. It was a great way to energize my body in the morning before starting class. 

Top View at Cerro de Monserrate 

There is another must-see place if you come to Bogotá; Cerro de Monserrate, located at the top of the hill. From this place, you can see the whole beautiful view of the city. To go to Monseratte, you need to buy a ticket and ride a train called a funicular or a cable car. If you go on the weekend, you have to prepare yourself to get in a long queue.

If you feel tired after taking a stroll at Monseratte, you can enjoy lunch in a restaurant there. It has a beautiful view of Bogotá, but the prices are a bit expensive. The food tasted good enough, but the scenery was unbelievable. 

Explore Bogota With Trans Milenio

The most convenient way to explore Bogotá for me is by Trans Milenio. It is similar to Trans Jakarta but much more organized. For a beginning tourist, I think it is a bit intriguing and challenging to ride Trans Milenio. Later on, after a few times, you will get used to it. 

If you get lost or do not understand how to read the bus map, please don't hesitate to ask someone for help. Colombian people are nice and helpful. I think many Bogotánas were able to speak decent English. 

I will always remember that day when I arrived for the first time in La Candelaria. I was screaming with excitement. It was an unbelievable moment for me to be there.