Bogotá

Bogotá was founded as Santa Fe in 1538 and Simon Bolivár chose the city as the capital of Gran Colombia in 1819: a country that also included Panama, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador. The well-preserved colonial heart of Bogotá brings you back to this history. A visit to the Museo del Oro, with an important collection of pre-Hispanic objects, is also worth a visit.

Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and with 8 million inhabitants also the largest city in the country. The city lies at 2,600 meters and therefore has a somewhat cooler climate with temperatures that generally fluctuate between 15°C and 20°C. It is a cosmopolitan city with a mix of history and the present. There are plenty of good restaurants, nice bars, exclusive shops, nice markets, pleasant parks and nearby nature reserves to find. It is a must to visit 'Paloquemao Square', where one of Bogota's largest food markets is located. Meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, flowers, beans, quinoa, seeds, coffee and everything else you can think of is being sold here. If you like trinkets and markets, you can visit the San Alejo flea market on a Sunday. This is the cultural heritage of Bogotá, where around 300 artists, craftsmen, collectors, art restorers and small producers sell their goods. Finally, every year in August, Bogotá celebrates Carnival in and around the Simón Bolívar Park; around 2,000 artists dance to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, pasillo, currulao, and other popular musical styles.