Bogota centro is dodgy

pointofview says on Jul 31, 2004, 16:29:

Short and Fat Quit looking in the mirror and get back out on the street. Ask some questions and find a good bar. Hell, it's saturday night. Results are only guaranteed if you circulate. If you can't find a girlfriend on saturday night in Bogota it's only because you are not looking. Don't blame this on us as it will give Bogota an unearned reputation.

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ColombianoX says on Jul 31, 2004, 16:34:

Mike,

Most people would recommend living in the north of Bogotá, which is where the affluent people live. As for the colombianas, you just got there so don't judge so quickly. When you go out to the 'discotecas' you'll see what the hypes about.

ColombianoX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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juanalejo says on Jul 31, 2004, 16:35:

zona roja I am sorry as you have landed right in the middle of one of the worst parts of Bogota, make sure you go up towards the mountain from there to see the nice parts of downtown, because if you go further down you will end in a very dodgy red district. Do not miss the north districts for night life, especially park 93 and Zona Rosa.

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Miguel says on Jul 31, 2004, 17:42:

Tranquilo Mike If you don't like your surroundings, simply move. As far as the colombianas are concerned, you will certainly eat those words hasta pronto. Enjoy.

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pointofview says on Jul 31, 2004, 17:53:

Miguel has right idea Hotel Morrison is a nice hotel and I have stayed there many times. If it costs a few more dollars to be comfortable in a better area, who's counting. Calle 84 and Cra. 13 telephone 622-3111.

http://www.morrisonhotel.com/

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litost says on Jul 31, 2004, 20:08:

That's an awful part of town, it's a valid first impression.

Go towards the mountains to see a nicer side of downtown, and towards the north to see the more interesting areas of the city and some nicer looking colombianas. But if you wanna see what the hype is really about, you would have to visit other cities, the girls from Bogota aren't exactly known for being the prettiest (sorry rolitas, but you know it's true!)

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ShazCas says on Aug 1, 2004, 02:00:

Centro I don't think anyone would recommend staying in that area. The safer part of the centre is above the carrera septima towards the mountains, and not any further south than calle 0. Some people recommend the wonderful Platypus Hostel in the Candelaria area of the centre ($3 per night) , but this is for backpackers and not for people who want to stay in hotels.

The part of the centre that people recommend to visit is the Candelaria, the colonial part of the city, which you should not miss on a visit to Bogota. It runs east towards the mountains from the city's main square - La Plaza de Bolivar. I don't have a map, but it runs roughly from Carreras 0 to 7 and Calles 0 to 14. Even is you move up north, you should spend an afternoon there - it's a must-see.

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ColombiaBoard says on Aug 1, 2004, 09:15:

Worst Area Unfortunately you chose a bad area to stay. That area is no good at all, get out of there as soon as you can, go north along La Septima or go to La Candelaria disctrict. Who told you to get that hotel?
About the women, well, go to the Malls, like Unicentro, Santa Barbara, Andino. You´re staying in a bad area.

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poulet says on Aug 1, 2004, 10:20:

yep definitely not the best part to stay, what a shame this was your first impression
anywho... I live in bogotá, write me an email at east_man at mail.com if you need any help.

also if you plan on going out today traffic might be a little hectic since the bogotá half-marathon is underway.

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Miguel says on Aug 1, 2004, 13:29:

Colombian Newspapers On Line Amigos, sus opiniones, por favor...I try to read El Tiempo, El Colombiano, and El Heraldo daily. I would like to know which newspapers offer the best national coverage of Colombia, and of the Bogotá media, who offers the best local coverage? IMHO El Tiempo's on line service is as good as some periodicos here in the USA.

Mike7 says on Aug 1, 2004, 13:43:

Hotel in Zona Rosa or North The half of marathon was nice. I congratulate the runners who make it at that height with the lack of oxygen. I am a jogger myself and I would have had a hard time. The competition ended in Parque Simon Bolivar, which lies on Calle 68. This is a big park with lots of tracks and movement, where many fañilies spend their week end.

My first impression is that Bogotanians are laid back and easy going, at least stratas 1 to 4, very much like Venezolanos.

Can you recommend mid-price hotels above calle 70, as I will move there tomorrow. I will then see how different and nicer the North part is.

Che'vere,
Mike

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poulet says on Aug 1, 2004, 14:16:

I really don't know any hotels since I'm a native, never had the need to stay in a hotel, but the city is very different calle 70+, you'll enjoy it a lot, plus you'll be very near the "zona rosa" and the "parque de la 93" which are must-see nightlife places.

eltiempo.com will offer you all the info you need, the majority of the people in bogotá read el tiempo.

Mike7, just saw this, check it out and let me know how it goes.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-191502070-bogota_hotels-i


This hotel(Belvedere): http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-346990-hotel_el_belvedere-i
is very close to my house and it's in a very nice neighbourhood, I know this zone and I would recommend it for you, plus it's cheap.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-332365-radisson_royal_bogota_hotel-i
this one's in the same neighbourhood, nearer my house, just accross the street, but it's more expensive.
cheers

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pointofview says on Aug 1, 2004, 17:19:

Hola Mike7 IS that all the report we get so far re: your trip to Bogota = short, fat, laid back and easy going ???? Come on you are into day two, are all the women still short and fat ???? I assume your absence from the posting means that you have discovered that they are not !!!!!! Are you using your jogger skills to chase them ???? Come on women of Bogota give Mike7 an awakening.

Mike, let us know the results when you come up for air !!!!

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elmodefoque says on Aug 2, 2004, 05:37:

I would have to agree with most. Cachacos (Colombians south of Monteria) are short, but fat?
I was in Bogotá and Medellin last year and found most of the guys to be much shorter than me and I’m only 6 feet. I don’t understand why the women are very pretty, a little short, but with stunning faces, yet the men lack in the looks dept. Hey, I’m no George Clooney and in Colombia I’m considered extremely ugly but in the USA I did not do so bad with the ladies and was able to hook and tag my fair share.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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liquidlove says on Aug 5, 2004, 15:32:

so what's going on? Is it getting better? You can't just leaving us hanging like this...!

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Aimster says on Aug 29, 2004, 08:35:

Hostels in Bogota close to Zona Rosa? Hey there

Are there any backpacker-type hostels close to the Zona Rosa in Bogota?

I have stayed at Platypus in the past and loved being able to meet others (esp as i travel alone!) but found the location difficult as I partied (and have friends) close to the Zona Rosa

I can not afford a true hotel (and predict that I wouldnt meet people in a hotel anyway), and found the Patios Amarillos were also rather un-populated

Any one know of anywhere? Perhaps this is an untapped niche!?

Thanks

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