{"id":2673,"date":"2015-04-13T01:02:49","date_gmt":"2015-04-12T17:02:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/?p=2673"},"modified":"2017-03-10T17:22:37","modified_gmt":"2017-03-10T09:22:37","slug":"bogota-vibrant-city-contradictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegallivantpost.com\/bogota-vibrant-city-contradictions\/","title":{"rendered":"Bogota: a vibrant city of contradictions"},"content":{"rendered":"
Most of the time, Bogota gives people the impression that it’s a crime-ridden violent city, but that infamous reputation is a thing of the past. The pulsating heartbeat of Columbia, Bogota is now a city of contradictions.\u00a0 It balances between ancient and avant-garde, frantic and\u00a0 mellow. You can find century-old churches alongside towering skyscrapers, or stroll idly along a flora-lined street, only to turn a corner and meet with bustling traffic.\u00a0 This means a visit to the city is like a trip to two cities instead, and to sweeten the deal are Bogota’s diverse cuisine offerings, thanks to European and North American influences, and its busy nightlife.<\/p>\n
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Planning before the trip<\/strong><\/p>\n Comparable to big cities like San Francisco or New York, Bogota is an enormous city packed with over eight million people.\u00a0 It’s important to plan where to go before your visit.<\/p>\n The city is divided into four main sections. The South is the poorer section, which you’d be wise to avoid. The center or El Centro is where you can find the city’s original Downtown area, home to its heritage locations. The west sees residential areas and sporting venues. Then there’s the North, home to the more affluent, and where you’d find the latest cafes and the hottest clubs. Further divided into 20 districts, there’re a handful that are must-visits.<\/p>\n Getting to know the past in La Candelaria<\/strong><\/p>\n This historic district is a good place to start.\u00a0 La Candelaria is where Columbia\u2019s capital city was first founded, in 1538 by Spanish conquistador (or conqueror) Gonzalo Jim\u00e9nez de Quesada y Rivera. Through the years, the city expanded westwards and northwards, leaving its Colonial center relatively untouched. Here, you can trod on cobblestone streets while admiring centuries-old buildings. Experience the beginnings of the city here, at the Bol\u00edvar Square. At the heart of the city, you can see historic structures all around you.\u00a0 On the north, there is the Palace of Justice, on the south you can see the National Capitol, which seats the Colombian Congress sits. The west faces the Li\u00e9vano building, styled in French architecture and seats the city\u2019s Mayor. Lastly, the east side of the square faces the Primary Cathedral of Bogot\u00e1, built somewhere in the early 1800s.<\/p>\n