Bogota on Christmas eve/day

Bill Turley (Moderator) says on Aug 10, 2009, 07:40:

Christmas Eve ( Noche Buena) is the peak of the celebrations. Night places some of them anyway will be open. There will be parties going on until dawn and there will be a lot of drinking. Christmas day will be very quiet and most places willl be closed.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slicker says on Aug 10, 2009, 07:59:

Thanks for that lightning quick reply, Bill.

Just so I am clear, are you suggesting that, if possible, we postpone our trip by a day or so, or come and just soak in the atmosphere or rent a car (if thats even possible to do on Christmas day) and drive around/ take a side trip - possibly to someplace like, say, Somondoco? ;)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

esanch36 says on Aug 10, 2009, 08:15:

Christams to the second week january, bogota is a gost town (a lot of people take there vactions this time of year and leave bogota)....i kinda of like it because traffic is bad..down side is there is nothing to do

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slicker says on Aug 10, 2009, 09:18:

Thanks.
Does "Ghost Town" also mean that all restuarants are closed?
It might be a stupid question but just wondering what we could do for food?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cvivaspoorbuthappy says on Aug 10, 2009, 09:50:

There is a lot of action on Christmas Eve, i.e.: grocery stores and malls open until mid night, restaurants too (as in Colombia the celebration is in the evening not in the day - 25th.) On the 25th, all stores will be closed, grocery stores as well. Perhaps some restaurants will be open but I am not sure.

CV

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Aug 10, 2009, 10:03:

Just like the USA most are closed some are opened ("El Tiempo"usually has a list. Tourist attractions like the Gold Museum will be closed probably Dec 24/25 and Dec.31. This is really a big-time family holiday so things will be quiet. In Colombia the tradition celebration is Christmas Eve and Christmas is church and family abet with a lot of aguardiente/rum disappearing preferably Antioqueño Aguardiente y Ron Medellin

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slicker says on Aug 10, 2009, 11:42:

Thanks for all the responses.
It seems that the only thing to do is hang out on 25th - which is fine.

So in the spirit of hanging out:

a) Does the cable car to Monserratte operates on 25th? Could that be an option for a thing to do?
b) On that note - is the Colpatria Tower open on 25th to go up to and get some views?
c) How about just hanging out in La Candelaria-Plaza Bolivar/Chorro de Quevedo etc?
d) Would going to the Salt Cathedral be a good idea (on Christmas Day specifically)?
e) Are the Botanical Gardens open?
f) I assume Parque Nacional is open to just roam around in as well?

Are any of these realistic?
If not, any similar suggestions would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks again.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2009 says on Aug 10, 2009, 11:51:

I think the only chance you have of seeing anyone in Bogotá on 25th December is volunteering with a charity.
That or bagging an invite to Christmas dinner from Webmanco

0 funny, 0 helpful.

scumbuster says on Aug 10, 2009, 12:17:

Its my impression there is a hikeing trail up to Monserratte.. You got all day.. :)


Party at webmanco place Christmas? What should I bring?

Tomas Jefferson “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slicker says on Aug 10, 2009, 12:27:

But I've heard you can get mugged climbing up to Monserratte if its not crowded - dont know if the baddies take the day off on Christmas :)

And I would agree that if there's a chance getting together with and meeting up with some awesome locals- theres nothing better than that.

I dont know if that will happen so I've got to keep searching for things to do so that the other half/kid don't eat me up for making them come all the way and then staying cooped up in a room....

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2009 says on Aug 10, 2009, 12:34:

the path up monserrate is still closed for reconstruction.
i wouldnt bank on it being open again for christmas

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slicker says on Aug 10, 2009, 13:58:

Any other thoughts on my response at 11:42 am?

Thanks again everyone.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2009 says on Aug 10, 2009, 14:12:

yeah i dont think any of those will be open, parque nacional will be open but that's no place to be when it is empty

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Bill Turley (Moderator) says on Aug 10, 2009, 14:58:

You probably can arrainge for the car rental while you are still in the US and maybe have it as a part of a package deal. You would be welcome to visit Somondoco, we will probably have a bunch of people here now that the family has a habitable house across the quebrada also.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Aug 10, 2009, 18:54:

The Funicular to the top of Monserattre does operate on holidays; same for the Teleférico. Bill T's idea might not be to bad-good time to see some of the scenery, I would NOT take the path , if it is open now-I don't think it is because from what I have read in "El Tiempo" it's a complete rebuild and not just a renovation..

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

lorcan says on Aug 11, 2009, 02:31:

I was in Bogota last year at Christmas. On Christmas eve it is almost impossible to get a taxi as they are in big demand taking people to family midnight celebrations. On Christmas day and the following days Bogota is a ghost town as most people leave to go on holiday to places like Santa Marta

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slicker says on Aug 11, 2009, 10:18:

Thanks everyone for your very helpful insights.
I think I will consider Bill T's idea of just driving around (any suggestions other than Somondoco?)

And I assume that on Christmas Eve, no matter how hard taxi's are to get otherwise, they would still be available at the airport at night (flight lands around 930 pm)?

0 funny, 0 helpful.