Is Colombia (Bogota) safe for travelling alone? any good hints or bad points ?

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Bogota is known as the Athens of South America because of its Educational institutions being the best on the Continent.

Bogota is a interesting city , I have been there about 10 times(most of my family live there) and it has improved a lot in the past few years...
Restaurants:
depends on your tastes....
Casa Vieja is a good touristy type resturant....typical Bogotano food.
You can also try the resturants around Parque 93, Zona Rosa and Zona T.
For Fast Food nothing beats : El Corral!
For good beer....Bogota Beer Company!

Hotels: Depends on your budget....I would search on the net for this because I have never stayed in a hotel in Bogota..sorry..

Security:
Like any major big cities, things can happen and I cannot completely re assure you everything will come out peachy.
Like I told someone here....be street savvy, use common sense....don't reveal any expensive equipment, item..etc....and furthermore....always look like you know where you are going....I love this city and know it very well but I also acknowledge its potential dangers....

People: The people are friendly and helpful. Just be careful who you begin trusting....unfortunately....w... have some of the best scam artist ...but this does not mean to shy away from people...just be cautious....

Landscapes- Bogota is a mountainous region..and on the outskirts ....pure Savanna. Not sure where you live but some people will need to adjust to the altitude change...
Colombia has it all though....very rich and diverse when it comes to the landscape..

Transportation:
I included a link below of the Transmilenio.....this and Taxis are the way to go.....I would stay away from the old buses unless you know where you are going(signs on the window somewhat telling u the route..good luck reading it all at once..lol.....I actually take the old buses more than anything else out of convenience but I know this city really well...

Climate: 50-55F at night......60-70F during the Day.....all year round.....There is just dry season and rainy season......
Places normally do not have heat...so take sweaters and what not ...depending on your tolerance to cool weather....some days i can get pretty warm....this is all due to the altitude....you drive 1 hour to the next major city.....Villavicencio. its like 90F during the day......

Attractions:
Museo de Oro (Gold Museum)
Museo Nacional (Historical Museum)
Plaza de Bolivar and its surroundings(Main plaza..)
La Candelaria Neighborhood..(Oldest part of Bogota)
in the Candelaria are there good handful of museums even one of Botero's (artist with the Fat People pics and sculptures)
Quinta de Bolivar ( Home of Colombian's Liberator Simon Bolivar)
Monserrate: Chruch on top of a peak....Awesome views of the entire city....
Maloka...Science musuem....
There are a tons of Malls....one to really visit is Hacienda Santa Barbara.....very beautiful.....

Outside Bogota:
Zapaquira....for the Cathederal of Salt!! This place is awesome....

Guatavita: nice traditional town nearby Bogota...Lake of Guatavita has this whole legend behind it.....

Villa de Leyva in Boyaca is such a traditional town.....its not close(i think 3-5 hours) but its worth a mention....

Tips:
Exchanging money:
The exchange rate is about 2,200 for 1 US Dollar...
this is a good tip....there are Citibanks around Bogota and this is how I normally get Cash.....it generates a better exchange rate and they don't charge commission ( if ur a Citibank Bank Customer..not sure other american banks...aslong as it has Cirrus/Mastercard your good.) if you go anywhere else, especially exchanging cash....commission will be charged...

Water: Do not drink TAP water...unless you want Amebas in your system and one of the most painful stomach aches...
This Includes ICE!!!! Stay away from that too...
Take Milk products at your own risk....Milk and my body does not go well...so that may just be me....

I can urge you enough about flashing anything expensive or wearing anything that seems expensive.....what you don't need..don't take....
I have never been bothered in Bogota and its mainly because I blend in very nicely...but I live in NYC and used to living big metropolis type life....

Colombia in general is one of the best places to visit due to its culture and diversity(land, people, flora, and fauna)...It has it all....check the clip below....

Enjoy!

ColombianitoNY- NO MAS GUERRA!

I am tired of people who answers questions without knowing!!! Bogota is really safe!! especially if you go to the north of Bogota. Those people dont know because they have never been there!!! 22 years ago, it was really bad, but you can see that everything in Bogota is different, wayyy different!!! Bogota is so much safer than New York City. Bogota is just like every big city in the world, and if you compare with any other city from the world, you will see that Bogota is soo much secured than other important cities!!! Go to Bogota, you will have fun, go to Salitre Magico, go to Maloka, To the libreries, to the malls...you will find soo much things and you wiill love it..

Sharkman

Sounds like none of these people have ever been in Bogota...

I LIVE in Bogota and I can tell you that its one of the safest cities in LatinAmerica. If you travel alone, well, you must know where to go when and with whom. If you travel alone then take the usual precautions you would have in any big city. No fancy clothes or jewelry, don't be a show-off, use your accesories like cell-phones and stuff with discression...

Always call a cab instead of taking one in the streets, especially at night, and avoid using public buses. Except Transmilenio. You have to know where and when you're going to places in Bogota. Always keep to the north of the city, and if you want to go downtown, I suggest you go with someone else.

Bogota has a lot of great stuff to offer. And the city itself is a unforgettable experience. Its a shame you'd go alone, but that's up to you.

If you do decide to go to Bogota, in your stay, if you have acces to the internet, feel free to contact me for any doubts you have. meanwhile this page will give you some useful info:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Bogota

Anakassandra

If you haven't been there before or don't have family of friends living there, is better not to go. There are dangerous areas that you need to avoid. If you really want to go, make sure to research where you are going to stay and find a guide who can help you there and give you advice.

http://pages.infinit.net/colombia/bogota/

Hedgehog888

Hi, I grew up there and also went back for a year in 2000. Live in UK.

I wouldn't recommend travelling alone without any knowledge of the country or without friends there. Do it but the risks are higher than a normal mugging you may get in a capital city as a tourist anywhere in the world. You need to know what is and isn't safe and that is usually through word of mouth. Some people really try to scare you but I never had any problems. Had my bag stolen from an internet cafe but I had my back to it.. so rather daft on my part. I had a devil may care attitude but at times felt very scared when I got lost and ended up in dodgy areas or taxi driver identified my accent as a not native speaker and drove me off route. I have felt the same in London though!

I understand from relatives that it is safer now than when I was there. You can travel between towns by road where as before that was a def no no.

When I moved back to Uk I realised how tiring it was living there as you are always watching your back. I had not even realised I was doing that but it becomes necessary.

Colombia is a stunning country and on the whole people are very welcoming and generous.

This seems contradictory but then the country is.

Best of luck on whatever you decide.

PAGRO

It is quite simple...

When traveling to ANY South American country, you should be aware of your surroundings and take extra precaution for your safety - and that is true for Bogota, Lima, Quito, etc.. etc. etc....

Don't listen to everyone is this forum. My best advice, go buy the Lonely Planet travel guide to South America or Colombia or check tripadvisor.com, and there you will find useful tips from actual travelers about safety, etc.....

With that said, yes Bogota can be dangerous, but can also be a city that offer lots of fun.. Also if you can travel to Cartagena, I went there 1 year ago and met actually lots on Americans and foreign turists that had gotten past the stereotypes of Colombia, and were taking advantage of great turism and amazing exchange rate.

I am indeed Colombian, but this advice should be true for all south american countries...

EarthCalling

And that, dear reader, was the last we ever heard of him.

Lady Penelope

Well, In Colombia, they cater for long free of charge stays in the jungle with the FARC (rebel anti -government group), you can call Ingrid de Betancourt who's been held hostage for about 5 years now, she'll probably fill you in better than I can.

damari_8

I am from Colombia and to be honest I haven't been back (22 years), because I don't feel safe! Bogota is one of the most dangerous places in Colombia, well known for kidnapping, robbery, rape and lots more! If you want to go to Colombia, the best places to visit are Cartagena, Santa Marta (beach, history, beautiful places to visit and it is safe), and Medellin although it hasn't got a beach, the place is lovely but not as safe as the previous ones!! Good luck and enjoy.

raymervillain@rogers.com

maybe for a 3rd degree black belt covered in kevlar from head to toe, carrying a bazooka.

Bwabyboi

Bogota is dangerous...
don't go on your own..
il come with you..
im sure i can find some nice colombian women!!

jen

i agree, wouldnt go alone...actually, i probably wouldnt go even if i had a bunch of people w/me. nothing like getting kidnapped and killed to supply one with endless stories to tell your loved ones back home....

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