BOGOTÁ
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SAFETY
Bogotá is one of the world's largest cities and has a history of crime. If you take
precautions you should have no problems. Crimes against tourists are rare and
are usually due to mistakes made by the tourist. You must take great diligence
with regards to your safety. Do not walk around flashing your electronics. Leave
your large camera in your room. Ask your hotel/hostel operators about the area
you're in. Do not walk alone at night. If you have little experience in Latin
America and worry excessively, it may be better to stay in North Bogotá. Treat
your stay in Bogotá the same as you would if you were visiting New York City or
any other large city.
AIRPORT
When arriving in Bogotá at the Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado you should
get a taxi at the airport taxi office. Outside there are a few booths on each side
of the airport. You give your destination to the attendant and they will give you a
piece of paper. Grab the first taxi that is in the line of them waiting. The cost to
La Candelaria is around 20,000 COP and takes around forty minutes depending
on traffic. It's highly recommended that you take a taxi from the airport to your
destination. (www.elnuevodorado.com).
BUS TERMINAL
The Terminal de Transportes is a modern and extremely large bus terminal.
There are restaurants, cafes and dozens of bus companies running routes all
over Colombia. It's about twenty minutes from the airport and thirty minutes
from La Candelaria in a taxi.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Bogotá is a great city to walk in. Within El Centro walking is the best option.