Sightseeing Highlights in Bogotá, Colombia - 24-Hour Travel Guide

Monserrate

Plaza Bolívar

Overview - After decades in the negative spotlight, Colombia is proving to be a hot, travel-worthy destination. Head straight to Bogotá, Colombia's capital of 8 million, to soak up the culture of a cosmopolitan city filled with amazing museums and a booming nightlife.

Breakfast - Colombians prefer light breakfasts. Most hotels include a simple, typical Colombian breakfast of juice, coffee, bread with butter and jam, fresh fruit, and eggs cooked to your liking (my personal preference is the "revueltos"—scrambled eggs with tomatoes and onions—they're tasty and the most filling). If breakfast is not included, opt for coffee and a pastry from one of the many Juan Valdez Coffee Shops. What better way to start a day in the capital of one of the world's largest producers of coffee than with a strong cup of Colombian coffee?

Morning - Put on your walking shoes as you'll be walking around Bogotá's oldest section, La Candelaria, all morning. Start at Plaza de Bolívar, flanked on one side with the massive 450-year old Catedral Primada and the Capitolio Nacional (where the Congress sits) on the other. The enormous plaza is an ideal place for a half-hour of people-watching: military officers in uniform, street performers acting as Simón Bolívar, uniformed school children running to school, and the most entertaining—thousands of pigeons that flock here for the corn being thrown out. When you're finished dodging the pigeons, walk one block North to the Museo Donación Botero, filled with Colombian-born artist Fernando Botero's works of overly plump figures. You'll become familiar with these recognizable images throughout the day. Then walk to the Museo del Oro, the world's largest collection of gold with over 50,000 pieces. The must-see museum was renovated in 2008 with new exhibits. Don't miss the Offering Room!

Lunch - In the heart of La Candelaria, is La Puerta Falsa (The False Door). It has been an operating restaurant in Bogotá for almost 200 years and there's a good reason for it—the food is delicious and representable of Colombia. The tamales are scrumptious but the real treat is the Chocolate Santafereño, hot chocolate with chunks of melted cheese. I know it sounds like a horridly odd combination, but you can't say so unless you've tried it. It's actually really tasty...no wonder you'll find Colombians eating this at all times of day and night!

Afternoon - You'll spend the afternoon 10,000' above the city at Monserrate, affording spectacular views of Colombia's immensely spread-out capital. Part of the fun of visiting Monserrate is getting up there: via cable car, funicular railway, or by foot. At last visit, the only non-climb option was with the cable car which zooms passengers up an intimidatingly steep incline in a matter of minutes. Mass is held at the church daily and if you're not religious, you can comfortably (albeit, quietly) peak inside. Don't mind the throngs of panting, barefoot people arriving near the left-side of the church—they've just made the climb up Monserrate as a pilgrimage. Meander around the property, perusing the stalls of trinkets and snacks. I always laugh that the hundreds of rosaries are placed right next to the fake cow-hide liquor flasks.

Dinner - Come hungry and prepared to start the night off with a bang at one of Bogotá's most infamous dining spots—Andrés Carne de Res. This quirky restaurant is a bit off the beaten path but will be well worth your extra pesetas for the cab ride to get here. This celebrated steakhouse not only serves delicious meat, but has a party hearty attitude. With every inch of the walls and ceilings covered in random objects, it's a fun place to start the night out.

After Dark - For a taste of swanky, trendy Bogotá nightlife, spend your late night hours drinking and dancing away at the numerous new clubs that open habitually in the Zona Rosa district. Start off on Calle 82 and Carrera12 to see your pickings for this area's plenitude of bars with candle-lit terraces and music cranking. You can find out which clubs are having what specials for each night by asking the doormen. If you want dancing to the wee-morning hours, just look for the word 'Rumba'.

Sleep - I recommend staying in La Candelaria since it's central and where most of the sightseeing is. There's new small B&B and boutique hotels opening regularly. I like Abadia Colonial Hotel on Calle 11, right up the street from the Botero Musuem and Plaza Bolívar. They serve a great breakfast with the 'revueltos' eggs I recommended before. Don't be afraid to ask to see all available rooms before checking-in since they can vary quite a bit.

Tags: Museum, Plaza, Coffee