The capital and largest city of Colombia is located almost in the center of the country at an altitude of 2600 m. Bogota combines a mix of traditional Colombian and Spanish colonial influences. Many historical monuments have been preserved as the Capitol City Palace and the cathedral on the main square, Plaza Bolivar. Bogotá is also home to the Gold Museum, with its unique collection of over 100 000 objects of pre-Columbian art. About 50 miles south of Bogotá lies Zipaquira, a region known for its many salt mines, one of which houses the famous Salt Cathedral (capable of containing 8,400 people). Guatavita, two hours by bus from Bogota, is known for its Laguna Guatavita, the ritual center and sacred lake Indian Muiscas.

Located just three hours from Bogota is Villa de Leyva, one of the best examples of colonial architecture. Founded in 1572, is very well preserved and it highlights many buildings of that period.

To highlight the main square which is the largest in Colombia. The villa has very good hotels and restaurants, as well as a variety of crafts.

Located in the region of Boyaca, we will see a dinosaur fossil marine and archaeological site of El Infiernito. Optionally we can make a short ride to arrive at a beautiful waterfall area.

Back in Bogota Ráquira visit famous artisan center, and  the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira.

LEVEL: No difficulty
ACTIVITIES: colonial architecture
LODGING: Hotels 3 * / 4 *
DURATION: 3 days / 2 nights
PRICE: On request
INCLUDES: Accommodation with breakfast, transfers from Bogota, guided tours, entrance fees to sites.

State: Cundinamarca
Average temperature: 14 ° C
Altitude: 2630 m

Main sites:
- Museo del Oro
- Mint
- Museo Nacional de Colombia
- Casa Museo Quinta de Bolivar
- Interactive Center of science and technology Maloka

The city of Bogota, capital of Colombia, important center for business and home to cultural events. It offers its visitors various attractions such as museums, historical monuments, theme parks and entertainment, national and international cuisine and great shopping.

Founded in 1538 by Don Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, and since then it has remained an important political, cultural and economic. The quality of capital city was granted in 1740, in colonial times when there was still the Viceroyalty of New Granada. In 1819, on attaining independence, the present Republic of Colombia adopted it as their capital.

Currently, Bogota holds part of its history in the imposing mansions inhabited in colonial times by viceroys, judges and various officials in the Spanish administration. These beautiful homes now function as museums, restaurants and cultural centers, and most are located in the neighborhood of La Candelaria, the historic city center.

On Seventh Avenue, between 10th and 11th Streets, is the Plaza de Bolivar, the largest of the capital. All around are the Cathedral, the Capilla del Sagrario, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Capitol (where sits the Congress), the building Liévano (home of the mayor of the city), the House Museum from 20 July and the courthouse was built recently. To the south of the Plaza is the Palacio de Nariño, residence and office of President of the Republic.

These buildings represent different eras and styles contrast with the colonial architecture of the area. It retains a great number of ancient churches of Baroque and Renaissance styles, among which are the Cathedral and the Monserrate Sanctuary, which though less ancient, is known as a pilgrimage site and tourist attraction offering a spectacular panorama of the city.

The area surrounding the city provide pleasant restaurants, antique shops and interesting places to visit include the Cathedral of salt Zipaquira Guatavita Lagoon, the savannah of Bogota. among others.

For one thing, “the” king momo ‘and’ queen of queens’ synthesize the festive spirit of a people from the human side and from his passion, devotion and surrender to the carnival, “said Maria Pia Quiroga, executive producer and researcher the documentary. On the other, “Alfonso El Torito Fontalvo-director of a troupe-embodies the importance of cultural heritage and sense of tradition, while Monica Lindo dancer and choreographer-enrichment represents innovation and the need to transmit Carnival to more young people to remain alive forever, “complements Quiroga, Colombian documentary some years working in Argentina.

Audiovisual, conducted between November 2007 and February 2008, recorded 25 hours in high definition in 18 days, while half the team conducting the filming of El Dorado “another documentary about Colombia-between Bogota, Boyaca, and Amazon. Where did the idea of making a documentary about the party Barranquilla?

I am Colombian, the original idea of making a documentary of the carnival was for many years when I met through my work in Cultural and subsequently in the Ministry of Culture. When I moved to Argentina I worked as a freelance documentary filmmaker for Animal Films, a producer who usually produces for this channel, with 10 ideas were submitted by special documentary on Colombia for Latin America and History were chosen two: the legend of El Dorado, which opened last year and the carnival.

This is a business directly related to poverty-in some of these ‘destinations’ displaced victims are children-in which most Colombians and customers are now operating through networks in which not infrequently involved minor’s family . The human market in Sucre, for example, the indigenous move Zenú offering children of that community to tourists visiting the famous beaches of  Tolu and Covenas weekends.

In Bogota, where each day hundreds of visitors come from around the world, the supply of sex tourism is essentially gay and works through traditional networks as they move through the center and north of the city. Police investigations have found further that the capital comes a route to southern municipalities of Cundinamarca, Girardot especially where there is a strong market for prostitution of girls. Many customers are foreigners working in Bogota.

Younger children do not reach other parts of the country, because the transfer would involve a high risk for pimps. The recruitment sites are always areas of invasion, market places and popular sectors where children roam scavenging food.

Perhaps it was the height of the Colombian capital, Bogota (2592 m), which is The Gold Museum, or perhaps the scope and beauty of the museum’s collection, but the truth is that he looked at you out of breath. Although only the light less than 15% of the 30,000 artifacts from the museum, the sophisticated work of exhibits and the sheer magnitude of the collection are stunning.

This is a collection unique in its category that largely dispersed any doubts about the treasure of El Dorado. An extraordinary accumulation of masterpieces that represent all the pre-Colombian cultures of the region.

A series of small gold figures exposed a great pleasure playing birds, masks, frogs, insects and human beings “?

The Gold Museum is located at number 15-82 of the Carrera 6, in the Parque de Santander, and is open Tuesday through Sunday. The price of admission is $ 3.

As a result of geographical isolation and difficult access between different regions of the country, developed over time with very distinctive subregions and culturally diverse. Due to the great diversity is difficult to group the different subcultures of the country, but may be considered the most broadly representative, among which are: the “coast” on the Caribbean coast and the savannas of northern Iraq, the paisas Antioquia and the coffee, the “Llanos” belonging to the eastern plains bordering Venezuela, the “Santander” Santanderes belonging to the “vallunos” and “Chocoanos” belonging to the Pacific coast, the “opita” belonging to Huila and Tolima, the “Pasto” belonging to the plateau Narino border with Ecuador, and “rolls” or “cops” belonging to the countryside in the savanna cundiboyacense, where the capital, Bogota. The accent and pronunciation of words varies considerably in each of the regions mentioned.

There is great contrast in terms of family infrastructure. While the Amerindian peoples of the Amazon still depend on hunting, gathering and shifting horticulture and living in shacks or huts covered with palm leaves, in Bogota, the capital, the population of 8 million people (out of 45 million in the country) live in large buildings and uses computer technology and telecommunications.

Pre-Columbian art, ancient, was particularly rich. The figures made of gold and jewelry were quite coveted by Spanish settlers, who in some cases real massacres unleashed in order to possess them (more for the precious materials used in them than for their artistic value). Many of these pieces were taken to Spain, where they were destroyed to use gold and other precious stones in other objects. Archaeological excavations have uncovered many of these objects, which even today is a small window into the artistic opulence of the past of this town.

Handicrafts produced by ethnic groups are equally rich and well appreciated by both locals and tourists. The peasant village manufactures bags, belts and hand-woven nets. Paeces, meanwhile, are known for their typical manufacturing woolen shawls.

Here you can enjoy from jazz festival,  beautiful sunsets can be viewed from the balconies open to Usaquen park. The letter is neat in grilled meats, arepas and tostones, but each time frame of the day is marked by specific specialties.

Along with its walls decorated with original murals, the waiter serves cappuccinos, aguadepanelas (typical based beverage Colombian sugar cane) and chocolates, or if you prefer, the Carajillo Punishment, a haunting combination of peach juice, passion fruit and grenadine.

On weekends, the brunch has been established (combining breakfast and lunch) idle without specific time and a background suggestive of Cuban music.

When you are traveling to Colombia your security is something very important that you should have in mind, and never forget that even thought the government of this country has been doing a huge endeavor to keep the peace and have crime under control, Colombia could be dangerous if you don’t take the precautions you need. Now, I would like to give you some basic recommendations that are going to give you peace of mind when you are traveling to Colombia.

1. Choose a secure hotel when you travel to Colombia: This is something very important for your security. According to several statistics, all Latin American cities, like Colombia have a high rate of criminality and are better if you are protected against any kind of problem that criminals may cause you.
2. It is important that you have at least one companion from Colombia: When you travel with somebody from Colombia is more secure that do it alone.
3. Never walk alone in street after 7:00 pm: Walking alone in the street is something very dangerous, criminals often can identify if you are a forester.
4. Inform somebody in your country in the places you are going to be: Have somebody informed is a good practice.
5. Keep your passport and documents closed in a secure place in the Hotel: It is important that you can have in a secure place your relevant documentation.