Food

There is a huge food boom. Many restaurants to choose and great street food.

Gastronomy district is located at Usaquen, parque 93, Zona T and G.

Other restaurants (too many to list all):

· Hornitos: Breakfast

· Yanuba: Breakfast to dinner

· Crepes and Waffels: Brunch to dinner and dessert

· Central Cevicheria: Seafood

· Andres Carne de Res: Traditional Colombian food and atmosphere

· BBC. Bogota Beer Company: artisanal brewery with food

Typical Colombian dishes:

Most food is not spicy. Unless indicated in a menu the only local spice is through a side condiment called Aji. Some places will have imported hot sauces.

Arepa is a baked, fried or skillet cooked corn based patty. Most commonly filled with cheese, meat, chicken or pork. Variations of corn are used

Bandeja Paisa: Plate with three meats (beef, chicken and pork), sausages, Chicharon (fried thick bacon), arepa, rice, beans and sweet plantains.

Caldo de Costilla: Traditional beef rib soup for breakfast.

Yuca: sometimes they are used to make arepas or filled and fried with different meat options

Coffee: Colombian coffee is world known, it’s a national product. Avoid going to Starbucks. You can order liquor with your coffee.

· Café Juan Valdez

· Café Quindio

· Tostao

COLOMBIA TRAVEL INFORMATION

Electricity: Colombia uses 110 volts AC (60 Hz) and most of the sockets are for appliances using 2 flat pin plugs.

Calling to and from Colombia: For incoming calls Colombia’s country code is +57.

There is a wide network of public phones from which you can make local and international calls. Also you’ll find Internet and Call Shop Centers at all major and small towns around the country from where you can communicate with the world. There are 2 major carriers to make both national and international calls and their connecting numbers are 9 or 7.

To make international calls dial 00 + 7 or 9 + country code + area code + number. For example calling to US would be 009 1 650-207-7131

For national calls dial 0 + 7 or 9 + city code + number.

To make calls from a land line to a mobile phone dial 03 + 10 digit mobile number, for example 03 + 3117892000. Calling from a mobile to a land line you must dial 03 + city code + number.

City codes: Bogota: 1

TIMEWISE

Colombia local time is 3 hours ahead, the same as New York.

TIPPING

Always check the bill first as there is a 10% suggested tip that is normally added to the total. If you are not happy with the service feel free to get it removed or changed.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR COLOMBIA

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: First up, obviously you need a valid passport, wherever you come from. If you’re a dual citizen, you’ll need your Colombia passport to get in and out of Colombia and your other passport for the other country. You will also need to present evidence of a return/onward flight and an address for where you’ll be staying when in Colombia (a Colombian hotel name is fine).

So far what you need to get into Colombia:

• Passport

• Return/Onward Flight

• An address for your stay

We’d also recommend the following documents:

• Student ID

• Driver’s License

• Travel/Medical insurance

• Photocopies of passport, credit cards, insurance etc

DESTINATION

BOGOTÁ

Visit Bogotá, Colombia’s cosmopolitan capital city and one of the largest cites in South America 8mm population. This modern city, with its intriguing mixture of beautifully preserved colonial buildings, modern shopping malls and trendy nightlife, will smash any preconceptions you might have about Colombia. Explore the city and its surrounds with one of Colombia4u’s tours and activities in Bogotá. Always be aware of your personal items. Avoid having your phone out when in public areas.

GETTING THERE

Bogotá’s airport, Aeropuerto El Dorado, is around 9 miles to the northwest of the city and from there a taxi to the city centre should cost you about US$10 (avoid unofficial taxis). There are buses available, which are much cheaper but come with their own risks, and it can be difficult if you have a lot of baggage with you.

WHAT TO DO IN BOGOTA

There’s no shortage of things to do in Bogotá, but for the time-constrained we suggest visiting the beautiful Plaza de Bolivar, which is surrounded by the Corte de Justicia, the Alcaldía Mayor de Bogotá, the Capitolio Nacional and the Catedral. For a spectacular view of the city, take the funicular up to the top of Cerro de Monserrate. A visit to the city´s museums and galleries is essential – particularly the Museo de Oro and the Donación Botero. A great place to relax in the day, and home to the pick of the nightlife, La Candelaria is Bogotá’s most popular tourist point.

Monserrate

Take an UBER or Taxi. From the hotels it’s about 30min in car. Once there you can take the stairs or a trolley to the mountain top. It’s about 2K feet to the top. Total elevation north of 10K feet. At the top there are beautiful views, a church, restaurant and shops. Don't go here on your first day. The higher elevation will make it difficult to walk around. Starting US$5

Bogotá City Tour

Short of time in Bogotá? Book a half-day guided city tour for a great overview of Colombia's capital city. Mountain views, historic sites, museums and gold! Starting US$79

Tour to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

Book the Tour to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá from Bogotá and be amazed by one of the main tourist attractions in Colombia. Discover how it was built, what its sculptures of salt and marble symbolize and how it achieves the spectacular visual effect that will dazzle you when you are underground touring this magical place. Starting US$49

Andrés Carne de Res Night Tour

Extravagant décor, incredible atmosphere, exquisite food, all-night dancing – visit the riotous, world-renowned, Andrés Carne de Res for a uniquely wonderful evening of entertainment. Starting US$80

Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral & Guatavita

Venture outside Bogota to explore the astonishing Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and uncover the natural beauty of mystical Lake Guatavita on this wonderful full-day sightseeing tour. Starting US$230

Tour contact pending