INFORMACIÓN GENERAL

 

Capital: Santa Fe de Bogotá
Altitude: 2.640 (Bogotá)
Temperature: 17 degrees C
Population: 8.200.000
Economy: Industry, commerce, agriculture, milk, tourism, floriculture
Telephone prefix : 1 (091)
Getting there: By air or land

Santa Fe de Bogotá is the capital district and so big that we dedicated an entire section to Bogota.

In Cundinamarca there are big tourist attraction from historical to recreational. Following, we list the principal cities and tourist attractions of the department.

 

ATRACTIONS

HISTORICAL-CULTURAL

ZIPAQUIRA: Altitude: 2652 Temperature: 14 degrees C. Founded in 1600, in the Chibcha language, Zipaquira means City of Our Fathers (Zipa + chicaquicha being its aboriginal name). Here is the famous Salt Cathedral -- an eco touristic, religious, cultural and recreational complex located 200 meters below ground level. During your tour of the Salt Cathedral (approximately 1 hour), you will experience a miner landscape of salt rocks, enormous caverns, and mazes in all levels.


On the first floor you can appreciate the víacrusis, with 14 stations. On the second level the Copula is located, balconies, and the chorus and narthex (or in the labyrinth). On the third level is the chamber of birth and death. You can visit, as well, the Salmuera Museum where you can see the process of the exploitation of salt

The Salt Cathedral is considered by many one of the most beautiful places in Colombia -- truly a place of National pride.

CHIQUINQUIRA: Altitude: 2587 Temperature: 15 degrees C Population: 40.000. Chiquinquirá is a word from Chibcha that means "place of the Priest", "place of the keeper of secrets", "Place of the director of communities."

On July 9, 1919, the Virgin of Chiquinquirá was crowned in Bogota as the Queen and Patron of Colombia -- one of the most solemn acts in the history of the country. July 3, 1986, the city and Mariano Sanctuary received the visit of Pope John Paul II. Among the most important attractions of the city is the Plaza of Liberty, the Royal Street, the Castle of the Olimpo, the balsam bridge, the convents of the Dominican fathers, the train station, and the Basilica.

GUATAVITA: A beautiful lagoon high in the mountains famous for the Indigenous rituals and the Legend of the Dorado.

SUN AND WATER

GIRARDOT:Temperature: 25 degrees C. Founded in 1852 by Ramón Bueno and José Triana. Because of its hot climate, it's one of the places Bogotanos prefer for rest and tranquility. It's located 134 km from Bogota.

"The City of the Acacias", named after the beautiful Acacia trees that abound in the region. It was born as an obligatory stop for travelers and salesmen that turned this port on the Magdalena River into a rest stop and place to stock up on provisions. Today it's the most important tourist area in the interior of the country because of its climate, geographic position, and port on the biggest river in the country. Its main tourist attractions are its excellent hotel infrastructure and services. It was a pioneer in the new way of traveling called "shared tourism."

You can go mountain bike riding, go on ecological walks, and enjoy water sports in the following places: Río Magdalena, Isla del Sol, Las Cavernas, El Centro Vacacional El Peñol; Los Miradores el Arbolito, El Alto de las Rosas and La Avenida Agua Blanca.

 

ACTIVITIES

 

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

GIRARDOT

NATIONAL MARATHON: January

FESTIVAL OF THE RIVER: June Julio

NATIONAL TOURISM BEAUTY PAGEANT: October

CRAFT FAIR : October

NATIONAL LIVESTOCK FAIR: December

 

GASTRONOMY

The typical food of the region is ajiaco -- a delicious chicken soup made with three kinds of potatoes, corn, capers, and cream.

TRANSPORTATION

 

Air:
Airports
El Dorado Airport: Av El Dorado No 93-30 Tel: 4138103

Commercial Airlines:
Avianca
Satena
Aerorepublica
Intercontinental

Land
Bus Station : ( Buses, taxis ):
Address: Calle 33B No 69-59 Tel: 4168928

Urban Transportation
Bogota has a modern, massive transportation system called the Transmilenio (internationally acclaimed!) More information about the Transmilenio can be found at www.transmilenio.gov.co

 

COMMUNICATION:

 

Newspapers:

El Tiempo: The most important newspaper in the country
El Espectador: Weekly newspaper with a rich tradition here in Colombia
La República: Economy newspaper

Regional Channels

City TV
Canal Capital

 

HOTELS - LODGING

FOOD - RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT (Bars - Discos - Recreational parks - Commercial centers- etc.)