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In need of some good tips and advise on Bogota

I will be traveling to Bogota with a german friend in May on vacation. This is our first time going there. I've heard excellent things about Bogota night life, restaurants, shopping, and scenery. Can someone recommend a 5 star hotel? Is the Radisson or Casa Medina a good choice? is it far away from the Gold museum? How about Parque de la 93? is it far way from those hotels? Thanks for any good tips!

By cay on Mar 22, 2006, 19:37 in Friendly Talkzone.

ColombiaBoard says on Mar 22, 2006, 20:13:

Bogota The best hotels are
- Radisson
- Casa Medina
- Dann Carlton Norte
- Cosmos 100
- Bogota Plaza

And yes, they're all are far away from the Gold Museum, the museum and other interesting areas are in the Candelaria Historic District which is in the old downtown area of Bogota.

If you want a good hotel close to the historic center then stay at the Tequendama Intercontinental Hotel which is within walking distance of the Candelaria District.

Shopping, best Malls:
- Unicentro
- Hacienda Santa Barbara
- Mall Santa Ana
- Andino Mall
- El Retiro Mall
- Atlantis Mall

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webmanco says on Mar 22, 2006, 20:17:

Casa Medina is in between Gold museum and Parque la 93, La Candelaria being closer to Gold Museum

Hotel Opera will be the best choice if want to be near La Candelaria, Gold Museum and other museums.

Hotel Casa Medina
I think the place where is located is noisy right on Carrera 7ma.

April 21

COLOMBIA

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 22, 2006, 21:59:

To be perfectly honest If you want to be near the touristy area, and want a great place to stay along with a well-travelled international crowd and very knowledgable english-speaking staff, I'd suggest the Platypus Hostel.

They have private rooms with ensuites, it's a beautifully maintained colonial-era building with a lovely little courtyard and a really great place to stay. While most of the people there were between 20-and 30, while I was there a retired couple a few 40-somethings were also staying there so don't let age stop you.

Most of the historical sites, musuems, Monserrate, etc are within walking distance (vs a 30-40 min commute in crazy traffic). I'd definitely consider booking a room for a few nights while you check out the area, then you can move further away to newer, posher digs.

If you have further questions about it, feel free to ask.

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el flaco says on Mar 23, 2006, 02:28:

Hotel de Opera Hotel de la Opera http://www.hotelopera.com.co/lang/ Classic hotel in Candelaria but very expensive
Calle Del Coliseo, Calle 10
(Barrio La Candelaria)
Bogota
+57 1 336 2066
Fax: +57 1 337 4617

This sounds like the place for you. The Platypus is a dump, however it might be an idea to buy a dormatary bed for the social life but not to stay there. It is usually full any way. I have heard about the Platypus from hardened travellers, I haven't stayed at either place as I stayed at a friend's flat - lucky me.

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kernow62 says on Mar 23, 2006, 05:24:

The Radisson is right across from Hacienda Santa Barbara, and also the Usaquen station if you want to take the tourist train to Zipa. Usaquen also has a nice market on the weekend. Unicentro is a short walk away.

I haven't stayed there because I am a cheap ass.

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cay says on Mar 23, 2006, 07:46:

About Bogota Thanks a million guys for the great tips! I do want to stay where the good restaurants are,and I don't mind staying a little far away from the Candelaria Historic District. I do want to see the salt cathedral, La Calera, Monserrate, and Villa de Leiva..but what is Usaquen and Guatavita? is Transmilenio safe? I'am thinking of taking a tour guide like Aviatur, which they said they do bilingual tours. I know that the elections will be in May, is it safe? I'am very excited to see Bogota, I have been to other cities in Latin America but we always wanted to see Bogota and I think now that security is getting better, is the time to see it. Thanks again !!!!!

Cay

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litost says on Mar 23, 2006, 12:37:

Casa Medina is your best bet, though high-end prices for sure.

It is in the Chapinero Alto area, which while being in the north and within walking distance of the best restaurants and shopping, is closer to the Center which can be reached in 20-30 minutes. Plus it looks really nice, never been there myself but passed a gazillion times. I remember Claudia Schiffer stayed there on here visit to Colombia a few years ago, that's gotta be a good sign....

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cay says on Mar 23, 2006, 15:20:

Usaquen and Guatavita Guys, any suggestions on those two towns? Thanks again!!!!

Cay

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ws244 says on Mar 23, 2006, 15:56:

hotels La Fontana is a Colombian Hotel, has a great flea market on sundays
in an open square area the hotel surrounds. There is a little church there and they have entertainment and a church service on sundays also. One can walk around the grounds without going outside the property, has a great breakfast buffet, and i have stayed there many times over the years. It is across the street from Unicentro Mall and in an excellent part of town. It is not cheap. there are other hotels that are very good, but i prefer this one.

The hotel De la opera is in Candalaria the original part of town. a nice but very very small hotel, and the area is not really safe at night. All the congressmen stay there when the congress is in session. the lobby and front desk is about 20 feet by 15 feet.

The Radisson is a very nice hotel and more Americanized, have stayed there many times, however the La Fontona has a much better buffet and a real Colombian atmosphere.

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kernow62 says on Mar 23, 2006, 16:13:

Just do a GOOGLE search. Usaquen was a little town but has been absorbed by Bogota, yet it still retains some of its small town charm. It has a nice square, a bit of a bohemian atmosphere and a good flea market (on Sunday I believe).

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