Bogotá, the mega-city of culture and business


Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is located near the center of the country on a large plateau in the Andes at 2,600 meters (8500 feet) above sea level, Bring long-sleeves and a jacket  as temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees F. The highest recorded temperature is 26.6 degrees C (80 degrees F). It has a population of about eight million people from all over the world . Bogota is a city that is very diverse, is the most important cultural center of Colombia and a place with hundreds of places to visit and many activities.

Bogota is in transition, urban renewal is visible everywhere: the Transmilenio mass transit system is changing the face of the through roads in the capital, new office buildings, upscale hotels, large, modern shopping malls and housing. In 2006 Bogota received the Golden Lion Award from the Venice Biennale by urban renewal, and the New York Times named Bogota as one of the top 31  destinations to visit in 2010.

Lonely Planet magazine of Argentina in the article entitled "10 Easy Travel" said that the Colombian capital stands as a role model in matters of ecology and environment. The article points out that the city has 107 square meters of green space per person, "the highest among the average population cities, and the highest biodiversity per square kilometer in the world."

Bogota is a city for everybody; there are activities and plans for every lifestyle. There is nightlife in many different styles and atmospheres: nightclubs, sports-bars, pubs, Local craft breweries and clubs where fun and dancing are the primary factor.

The cuisine in the city deserves to be explored, tried and enjoyed, There's offerings of typical local and foreign cuisine ample and seen as one of the best in Latin America . You can try the dishes of the region as the melting pot, stew, tamales and best almojábanas or fruit juices and desserts Colombians. It doesn't get much better than this!

Monserrate, El Chico or Usaquén each welcome residents and tourists with open arms, the day is short to explore and discover all it has to offer these wonderful places . More options include visiting one of the city parks, playing sports, walking, enjoying nature or just sitting and reading a book.

In shopping areas, malls in Bogota find everything you could want, the best clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, technology, antiques and crafts  Here shopping is a delight in malls warehouses or small tiendas. Then finish the day at one of the bars or restaurants in the city.

Between modernity and history.

The historic center of Bogota is La Candelaria, a magical place, here you can see the houses that received the colonial and independence movement. They show balconies and wooden doors that are the witnesses of history and the passage of time. Today, a few meters from the historic center are international center offices and very modern buildings. The center of the city is like a time machine that takes you to the eighteenth century with the twenty-first century but a few blocks away.

Bogota is also the meeting place of Colombia, here many cultures from many regions have their place. From the cuisine of the coffee region to the joyous culture of the Caribbean region, through this legacy of crafts of Boyacá and Valle del Cauca can be found here. Bogota is simply the marriage of the best of Colombia, an infinite place to meet.

More to come....

Latin America - Many people have differing thoughts when you mention Latin America. Some think of poverty-stricken, third-world countries with dictators and hot, humid weather. To be honest, Latin America is all of that, but much more!

Latin America includes many countries from Mexico to the tip of Argentina and most of the Caribbean islands. However, today I want to talk about Colombia, a counrty with a soiled reputation for drug-running, paramilitary abductions and violence. There have been some real changes made in Colombia over the past twenty years. Gone are the days of Pablo Escobar, the Medellin Cartel, Cali Cartel (Rodriguez brothers) and most other drug cartels. Drug dealing now is the forte of paramilitary groups that have been pushed to the far rural reaches of Colombia. Even the FARC are discussing peace with the Santos government.

Most of the current violence in Colombia is among small-time drug dealers, family disputes and it is mostly confined to the poorer barrios of the major cities. Don't take me wrong, the killing of a United States DEA Agent in Bogata was the result of a "Millionaire Ride" gone bad. He wasn't targeted because of who he was, but the subject of criminals that prey on single persons traveling alone, usually at night. Most victims are well-dressed and have shown money in public. They become robber victims, first then if they resist, more violence follows. Common sense for most people will keep them out or these situations. See the full story: http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/06/26/the-danger-of-the-millionaire-ride.html. There are parts of most North American and European cities that are very dangerous as well!

Colombia has much more to offer! Take as an example, the World Games in Cali beginning July 25th and running through mid-August. Athletes from around the world are competing and spectators are coming from all parts of the globe. You might read more here: http://worldgames2013.com.co/en/ .

Colombia is a modern country considered to be an emerging economy with an infrastructure that takes advantage of many natural resources and human capital to win the attention of tourists.

Its privileged location in the continent and the presence of Caribbean islands, Pacific coast, and the Andes mountain ranges, its natural regions are all tropical environments with glaciers, beaches, plains, mountains, jungles and deserts. Colombia is one of the most bio-diverse countries on the planet!

 The Colombian Amazon is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to be in contact with nature and meet some of Colombia's representative national cultures.

This wonderful habitat hosts more species of flora and fauna than any other ecosystem in the world and is an amazing place not only for the cultural diversity of its indigenous peoples, but for the culture that originates, grows and thrives on the banks of the Amazon, the largest river in the world.

As long, large veins of water traverse this region, majestic rivers facilitate commercial traffic and commutes to magical places in the middle of the jungle, Many more remote locations, reservations, parks and nature reserves are found near or on the banks of the Amazon River.

Indigenous groups give this area a unique ethnic multiplicity. Observing their rituals, culture and beliefs, you can interact with community leaders and begin to understand their symbiotic relationship with nature.

The fascinating world of the Amazon region offers countless possibilities to travelers looking to find peace of nature sanctuaries and long-held wisdom of indigenous peoples.

Barranquilla Colombia's Gateway

The primary capital of the Caribbean coast has become the door of colorful and open arms.

Since the late nineteenth century Barranquilla was characterized by being the country's main port where entering and leaving passengers and goods, and has since become known as the Golden Gate of Colombia.

With incredible architectural beauty, surrounded by exquisite natural landscapes, golden streets of sun and sand, spontaneity and joy of the people of the Caribbean, Barranquilla make a fantastic destination to enjoy the calm of its beaches and wealth of culture, which gives way to the biggest party of Colombia: the carnival .

The Carnival of Barranquilla.

This is a living treasure passed from generation to generation, is a true expression of the Colombian people and a meeting of colors, races, legends, the revelry and musical rhythms such as the cumbia , mapalé and the black are filling the streets of Barranquilla.


The Barranquilla Carnival culture is derived from its origin of European, African and indigenous people of Colombia. This festival is indigenous for its cadence and dances that are performed around the world, is white from Spain, whence came the celebrations with beautiful gowns. Black slaves brought by the settlers, arrived with drums, and of course rhythm, writhing movements.

...more to come......http://lat-am-blog.com/