🏠 NH Hotel 📍 Teleport
✅ Spacious rooms, complete with a gym, and ideally located in an upscale neighborhood. Just steps away from the Jumbo supermarket, it’s only a 10-minute stroll to the vibrant Usaquén commercial area, with Carulla also close by. A 30-minute taxi ride gets you to the airport (assuming no traffic).
❌ The furnishings could use an upgrade—both soft and hard—and the shower water pressure is disappointingly weak.
✈️ Pro tip: Be sure to line up at the counter a full half-hour before it opens—that means arriving 3.5 hours before your flight! ⚠️ The process is painfully inefficient; I showed up just 5 minutes before the counter opened and still ended up waiting for a solid hour. [Facepalm]
🌟 On the bright side, the LATAM lounge is a gem. Accessible with a PP card, it boasts a superior shower experience compared to my hotel, complete with a full set of Loto del Sur sample toiletries.
✨ Sunday is National Sports Day, making it the safest time to explore the old town on foot. Friendly locals were out cycling and exercising, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
✨ Personally tested: Walking from 113th Street to 93 Park during the day, then starting from Zone G on the east side of 70th Street for a full-city walk back to 113th, felt completely secure the entire way.
✨ Carrying a lanyard with my phone was common practice among locals, and I didn’t encounter any theft or robbery. Contrary to online rumors, those “motorcycle gangs” are actually just motorbike taxis and food delivery services.
💯 Overall, Bogotá felt much safer than expected. The areas above 50th Street, particularly the east side of 93 Park, are lined with luxurious apartments and affluent neighborhoods.
⚠️ If visiting Monserrate, be sure to head up the mountain before 8:30 AM on Sunday. Bring your own food and water! 📍 Taquilla Teleférico Monserrate: Take the cable car up and the train down. The combo ticket costs 19K on Sundays but must be purchased online in advance. ⚠️ No need to worry about time slots—just scan your QR code to enter directly, avoiding long lines. However, the mountain can get incredibly crowded, with food prices tripling and vendors selling knock-off goods from Yiwu.
👉🏻 After descending, take a leisurely walk to 📍 Germania Park, which connects to Journalists’ Park and eventually leads to Bolívar Square in the old town.
🌟 Don’t miss the Botero Museum, MAMU, and Casa de Moneda—all offering free entry and incredible value for art lovers.
✔️ The Gold Museum is another must-visit, with free admission and no hidden fees.
✔️ The Usaquén Flea Market is a weekend hotspot filled with Yiwu imports and some local handicrafts. While most items are affordable, the truly exquisite pieces come with a hefty price tag.
📍 Cachivaches is worth exploring—it’s akin to William Sonoma, stocked with premium European and American goods.
📍 Casa Octava is home to several trendy boutiques, perfect for a bohemian shopping experience.
📍 La Tienda de la Empatía offers stunning handmade bags ranging from $50 to $100.
📍 The district market square next to La Concordia features vibrant mural streets but tends to be deserted outside of weekends.
❌ Paloquemo fruit market? Skip it unless you speak Spanish fluently. Prices aren’t significantly lower than supermarkets, and language barriers make communication nearly impossible. [Facepalm]
❤️ All in all, I absolutely adored my time here and highly recommend it! 🇨🇴 [Thumbs Up] I’ll definitely be returning multiple times!
