When people talk about their first visit to Bogota, one adjective almost always pops up in their description of the Colombian capital: surprising. And after living here for several years now, I can attest that this city on the move does indeed surprise—pleasantly so—in many ways.
When I first arrived here, I expected drinking margaritas by the pool—not hot chocolate by the fireplace. At the foot of the Andes with an elevation of over a mile high, Bogota means sweater weather—year round. After living in Florida for many years, that’s a welcome change.
The frequent downpours aren’t such a welcome change. April to May and September to October are our rainy seasons, or as I call them, the “I’d rather be almost anywhere else” months. But you have to look on the bright side—all that water does make Bogota a very green place, and the city’s parks stay lush all year long.
When the sun is shining, there is no better place to be than outside. Whether it’s hanging out at one of the many Juan Valdez cafes in town, rollerblading around the stunning Virgilio Barco Public Library, or strolling the grounds of the botanical gardens, when the sun comes out, it is glorious.
Sun on a Sunday? That means one thing: you’ve got to head to the Ciclovia. Each Sunday and on holidays the city closes off about 150 miles (!) of city streets to traffic. They are taken over by around a million cyclists, joggers, dog walkers, skaters, and strollers each week. The Ciclovia has become so popular that other world cities are copying the project. This year New York City began their version of the Ciclovia in August and Miami is considering a project of their own.
Another aspect that never ceases to surprise is the cultural life in Bogota. From the incredible theater festival put on every two years, which brings troupes from over one hundred countries to the city during Holy Week, to countless film festivals to a lively modern art scene, one never lacks of cultural options.
Mixing culture with shopping—what could be better than that?—is the mindboggling Expoartesanias every December. This famous handicraft fair brings artisans from every corner of Colombia to Bogota for two weeks to show and sell their wares. Modern jewelry, woven goods, ceramics, toys, and so much more wow thousands in five enormous pavilions. It is the perfect place to pick up beautiful holiday gifts.
Speaking of shopping, Bogota has got to be the shopping center capital of the world. I suspect that it gives California’s “Valley” a real run for its money as far as shopping malls go. The glitz of the shopping centers, restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels never ceases to surprise me.
All those negative stereotypes about Bogota being a war-torn, no-go zone perpetuated by Hollywood, which I admit that I also shared before I arrived six years ago, I can unequivocally say are not true. Bogota is a city that moves—one that is looking towards the future and it truly surprises.
