Here’s a list of Ten Places to Visit in Bogota, Colombia:
1. Donación Botero - The place is open from 10am to 8pm, the place houses a collection of paintings donated by Botero to Bogota. It also houses some works by Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Dali and others. A must visit place to enjoy some fine art and the plus side is the entrance is free.
2. El Museo del Oro – The museum houses a jaw dropping collection of gold and pre-Colombian artefacts from Colombia and some of the neighboring countries. It is now open to the public once more because it was once renovated on October 2008, so don't miss it out the place is a must go to and has a fee of 2,800 COP.
3. Banco de la Republica Art Collection (Museo Botero) – The museum exhibits Permanent Banco de la República Art Collection that has almost 3,000 paintings, sculptures and assembly of Colombian and Latin American masters from the XVI century to our present day. This is the best place to visit if you enjoy learning about local historical artworks. You will definitely enjoy some of the local Colombian painters work like instance Gregorio Vázquez de Arce y Ceballos, Alejandro Obregón, Enrique Grau, Latin American as Rufino Tamayo, David Alfaro Siqueiros and more. The entrance to the museum is also free.
4. Museum of Colonial Art – The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10AM to 5:30PM and on Sunday’s from 10AM to 3:30PM. The Colonial Museum exhibits some Viceroy-ship art, silver plates, the Virgin of the Light and the most characteristic Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos collection. The museum was declared as a National Monument National in 1975.
5. National Police Historical Museum – The museum is open on Monday to Friday 8AM to 12PM. The museums main interest resides in the rooms dedicated to the hunt of Pablo Escobar. The place offers guided tours both in Spanish and English languages. A must see place if you’re into Pablo Escobar’s history. Entrance is also free.
6. Torre Colpatria – It is Bogota's tallest building and also one of South America's tallest. If you want you can visit the panoramic deck on the top of building on Saturdays and Sundays.
7. Museum of Modern Art of Bogota – The museum exhibits a complete collection of modern art works which includes drawing, paintings, engraved work, sculpture and assembly. The fee to the museum is 4000 COP for Adults and 2000 COP for students.
8. Hacienda Santa Bárbara - A 19th century house that belonged to Pepe Sierra, one of the wealthiest Colombians in that era. This place also became a mall in late 80's. It is a high end mall famous for its cafés and jewellery shops.
9. Parque & Museo El Chico – An old hacienda that is located in a nice park. The place also offers a guided tour and the interior with its antique furniture is a great sight to see especially for those who are into architecture and design.
10. Maloka (Neighborhood El Salitre) –Maloka is one of the few science centres in South America and it houses interactive exhibitions about biodiversity, physics, telecommunications, space explorations and environment protection as well as the only dome theatre of the continent. Interactive exhibitions costs 9,000 COP.
Have you been to Bogota, Colombia? Feel free to share your tips and recommendations.
Photo Credits (Flickr Creative Commons): Museo Botero by Javier Sanchez