The original plan was to spend just a week in Bogotá—meeting clients, doing some shopping (since many items are only available in big cities)—and then moving on. But as soon as we arrived, Simon came down with dengue fever [crying emoji], and we had no choice but to extend our stay by another week. Later, when we finally planned a trip to Villa de Leyva—a charming town about a three-hour drive from Bogotá—we were met with an unexpected twist.
A sudden fuel price hike sparked protests among truck drivers, who blocked all roads leading into and out of the city. When we reached the bus station, it became clear that leaving wasn’t an option [disappointed emoji]. Haha, this kind of chaos feels like something only South America could throw at us, right?
Imagine—a massive capital city completely sealed off! No one knew how long the blockade would last, so we ended up booking a hotel temporarily and staying put in Bogotá [cute emoji].
In the end, we spent over half a month in Bogotá. Looking back, I have to say what impressed me most was the climate [thumbs up emoji]. It’s absolutely perfect—cool and comfortable year-round, with lush greenery everywhere. The city itself is beautiful, far exceeding my initial expectations. And let’s not forget how pet-friendly it is!
It seems like every other person has a dog 🐶, which made for some adorable encounters along the way. Of course, there’s also the coffee ☕️!!! Oh, the coffee in Colombia… it’s simply the best I’ve ever tasted. Pure heaven.
But honestly, as much as I enjoyed parts of Bogotá, I wouldn’t choose to live here long-term 🙅🏻♀️. For starters, the social inequality is staggering. The gap between the wealthy and the poor is immense, and you see it reflected in people’s behavior too. In upscale neighborhoods, everyone is polite and friendly, but on public transport, things take a sharp turn.
Kids treat bus seats and handles like toys while their parents seem oblivious. There’s no concept of lining up; boarding and exiting buses turns into a chaotic free-for-all where the strongest prevail.
Walking through the streets, you can’t escape the smell of urine [embarrassed emoji], which I found particularly hard to tolerate. Homelessness is widespread, and venturing out alone at night feels unsafe.
And then there’s the food… Who told me Colombian cuisine is amazing? [angry emoji] Don’t get me wrong—it does have its highlights—but I’m craving Chinese food, Thai dishes, and hot pot every single day! While there are some excellent local specialties, they’re often found in mid-to-high-end restaurants, making daily dining there a bit too expensive for comfort [facepalm emoji].
If you’re planning to visit Bogotá for tourism or sightseeing, though, here are some practical tips ⭐:
– **Where to Stay**: I highly recommend choosing accommodations in the northern part of the city, such as around 93 Park. This area offers both great environment and excellent safety.
– **Getting Around**: Uber is your best friend—it’s affordable and reliable.
You can also opt for public buses, but if I were traveling solo, especially in downtown areas, I’d stick with rideshare services.
– **Where to Eat**:
– Mini Mal is an outstanding Colombian restaurant recommended by one of Simon’s clients. We practically tried everything on the menu, and there were zero disappointments.
– Listo serves comforting Chinese food, perfect for satisfying those cravings for home-cooked flavors.
– DelosTresOlivia, a delightful Peruvian spot, offers delicious meals without breaking the bank!
– **What to Do**: While I won’t go into exhaustive detail, Bogotá’s museums, churches, and squares are definitely worth exploring.
Just remember: for safety reasons, avoid venturing into areas below Calle 6, as locals advised us.
For anything else, feel free to ask in the comments [cute emoji]!
