Colombia has traditionally been negatively depicted by the mainstream media, so as travelers who venture to the capital Bogota Colombia may be in for a surprise when they discover what a cosmopolitan metropolis Bogota and other Colombian cities have become.
Over recent years, Bogotá has become an increasingly popular
tourist destination due to its wild cultural diversity, exciting nightlife, and
above all improved safety measures since the beginning of the 2000’s.
However, as with traveling abroad to any foreign city, it is
important to recognize the issues you’ll face that are particular to the
region. Whether Bogotá is your vacation destination or simply where you’ll be taking
your next business trip, here are some tips for planning a trip to Bogota Colombia and making your journey safer and
more affordable.
Finding Reliable Travel
In addition to having Latin America ’s
largest biking network, there are many safe and reliable means of communication
that you can depend on once arriving to Bogotá.
While the city’s trams are no longer in use, there are
shuttles and buses that frequent airports and circulate throughout popular
tourist destinations, primarily throughout the historical La Candelaria area
and surrounding artistic centers and shopping hotspots. Bogotá is also home to Latin America ’s greatest network of bicycle routes, which
attracts thousands of bicyclists annually.
Taxis are also readily available throughout the city, though
it is crucial to know how to safely find and use taxis.
From being overcharged, dealing with a reckless driver, to
even being held for ransom, taxis are one of the more unfortunate ways that
some criminals might target tourists making their way through Bogotá. While
these practices are becoming weeded out by authorities over time, they present a
very real threat to unsuspecting travelers.
To avoid these unfortunate circumstances, only take taxis
which are registered when arriving at the airport. These drivers are specially
marked and have a registration where you leave your name.
Also make sure you verify your phone number with any taxi
drivers that you phone for a ride, which can also help eliminate the odds of
being taken for a ride you’ll regret. Keep this in mind if you intend on taking
in the nightlife, since criminals posing as taxi drivers often target tourists
at such destinations.
Once you’ve navigated around these potential threats, making
your way across Bogotá can be easy and convenient.
Know Where to Book Your Lodging
Given the great deal of cultural and economic disparity
between Bogotá’s numerous districts, it goes without saying that the likelihood
of dealing with loss property or personal harm can be higher when staying in
certain areas.
As with any city, it is wise to recognize the nature of the
district you’ll be sleeping in before forking over your money and booking ahead
of time. It can be tempting to go with lower priced hotels in rougher areas,
but this isn’t always a great idea when you’re exposed to a higher risk of
dealing with crime and squatters.
There are affordable options in more populous areas designed
for tourists, but they’re typically harder to spot. Prime locations on main
roads can charge easily more than double what you should be spending for your
accommodations. To find the greatest options at your disposal, it can help to
research Bogotá hotels ahead of time.
Otherwise, learning how to navigate the peculiar street
network of Bogotá to find a good lodging tucked somewhere in a desirable
district can be your best bet.
In urban areas, streets (or calles) are typically designed
around a central plaza in a perpendicular, grid-like system. This design is
intended to more easily funnel traffic through the center square of town and is
typically surrounded by main roads. More modern areas differ in structure, but
this pattern holds true for older and historical districts.
Given that this style of traditional Spanish-style roadwork
can be confusing to foreigners, carrying a map or sticking with a guide
whenever possible is highly advisable when visiting.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to more easily
navigate around the cost and confusion that travel to Bogotá might provide less
prepared travelers. If you ever experience doubt about your safety during your
travels, remember the value of sticking with your guide and taking public
transportation whenever possible. With this in mind, your travels can be safe
as they are entertaining in the heart of Colombia .
Author Bio: Felipe Santos is a travel blogger and an
adventurer of Latin America . A native to Colombia , Felipe enjoys sharing ways that tourists can enjoy
themselves when traveling while learning from others and their experiences in
his country.
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