Exploring Bogotá during a 8 hour plane layover? (cost, place, speak)
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Location: Fort Bend County, TX/USA/Mississauga, ON/Canada
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Hello, I am wondering if it's worth it to explore Bogotá on a plane layover going to Lima? We are travelling light. Would anyone here recommend it? Or should we set aside a day or 2 to explore the city? Thanks!
El Dorado airport is 10-12 km to the main attractions in the La Candelaria district of Bogota. The problem is that it depends on what time of day or night you arrive. The other problem is traffic in the city can be heavy during regular day time hours so it's hard to predict how long it takes to get from A to B. I never like to be in a rush when it comes to catching long haul flights and especially when I don't have a place to stay. It would be a real bummer to miss a flight, and your luggage takes off without you.
Bogota is certainly worth spending a few days in. My problem with visiting there is the altitude at over 9000 feet above sea level. The first day there I would not feel like doing much. I would likely have an altitude sickness headache or nausea and not feel like walking around much until day 2.
I'd check and see if you have to pay an extra exit tax first. If I remember right my last time at Eldorado Airport I wasn't expecting such a big fee that had to be paid at a separate desk before being allowed to go through security. As long as you don't have to pay then its probably worthwhile to go for a short trip into the Candelaria as long as its daytime and then up to Monserrate (don't walk, take a taxi or Uber) before heading back to the airport. Taxis or Uber won't cost much, but the traffic is pretty terrible. You can take the Transmi but be prepared for unreal crowding on those buses. They do have dedicated lanes so it gets around faster than regular traffic. Its not like a "can't miss it" trip since you are going onto Lima as well, but sure beats staying 8 hours in a pretty soul-less airport.
Your time line is tight. Are you willing to miss your flight. This stop over is not like places like Amsterdam that specialize in doing this. You have to go through bag check, customs and traffic. If you have the option of at least stay over night I would do it. If you only have a few hours to hang out in Bogota I would suggest:
1. [url=http://bogotagraffiti.com/]Bogota Graffiti Tour - The Official Graffiti Tour in Bogota[/url]
Bogota Graffiti Tour as a MUST
Grab a snack and drinks to take with you
( For the ultimate Colombia snack ...
[URL="https://www.city-data.com/url?url=https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/colombian-refajo-refajo-colombiano&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwj V39Lp2qbaAhVL6oMKHbHBA-EQwW4IGjAC&usg=AOvVaw3OkDGoHTxbSl4BPxR8qfKa"]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...Fy8_q_NUn-vR1A[/URL] [URL="https://www.city-data.com/url?url=https://trans-americas.com/cartagena-colombia-eating/&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwjGjseP26baA hWi14MKHXUhAV84FBDBbggsMAs&usg=AOvVaw1n6PR7VY5sPR9 TFltxJqHu"]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...GctcXkNb9ZEBLs[/URL] https://www.city-data.com//www.goethe...ia-holguin.jpg
You might want to get all 3 options from stand in the last picture.... all amazing and really cheap.
2. Museo Botero
3. Monserrate Bogota ( Get lunch up there. Several options ).
If you only had time to do one thing do the Bogota Graffiti Tour. You will get exercise and see the most possible in a short amount of time. It is free, but it is really worth at least an $20 US per person and I would advise giving this to the guide. $20 US is nothing for how good this tour it.
The traffic is awful almost all the time and getting worse every year. Bogota is not an easy city to get around especially if you are in a hurry. You must keep in mind its 8660 feet above sea level and when we go we are resting and doing very little for the first 2 days. My wife is from there and it takes her the full 2 days. The lady in that video went to Monserrate which is 10,341 ft above the sea level. When I went I almost passed out from walking too fast. If you decide to go see about some altitude sickness medication and definitely get a guide.
I had to put this somewhere, but creating a new thread just for this seems too much. lol
The Colpatria building in Bogotá, Colombia gave recognition to the Dominican Republic on the night of last Saturday, February 27. It was independence day in the DR.
I would not recommend it. Depending on when you land, traffic can be absolutely horrendous and at least 25%, or more, of those 8 hours could be spent in traffic going to and from where you want to go and back to the airport, maybe even 1/3rd if you are really unlucky. The stress just wouldn't be worth it.
Set aside a good solid few days, at least, to explore the city. More if you can as there are some charming surrounding towns.
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