Experience in Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia by Eduardo

What is it like to live in Santafé de Bogotá? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Bogota is a nice city, the temperature is around 14°C but hard sun because of 2800 meters of high. We have different choices to know the Golden Museum, Cerro de Monserrate (hill where the view of Bogota is wonderful), Simon Bolivar's Park, Downtown with the old architecture and plaza de Bolivar, Botanic Garden, National Museum, Esmeralda's Museum, Maloka, among others. There are many malls distributed along the city, as well, as churches like 20 de julio, Lourdes, the Porcíncula, the Candelaria, from the 3rd order church, etc. The pink zone for party time goes throw the 15 avenue (street 85 up to 93's park), a lot of places to take a drink, excellent food, you can enjoy and share with friends or family.

What is the student lifestyle like in Santafé de Bogotá?

Depending on your interest we have the universidad de los andes, near to downtown. Or the Universidad Javeriana after nationals park. Both universities are private with excellent quality level. People enjoy studying in groups, some meetings at the university or in the house of somebody near. Outside the city there are many other universities like the Sabana, el Rosario, etc. All depends on your interest! People are very friendly and supportive. You don't need too much many because you can get places plenties of fresh and organic food, local markets, restaurants, pubs, etc.

How much does it cost to live in Santafé de Bogotá?

If you share an apartment it can cost around $250-$500 dollars. You can prepare breakfast and dinner, lunch is better outside because of our variety of dishes (lunch from $4-15 each day). Transport cost $0.70 the transmilenio and other expenses you could have.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Santafé de Bogotá? Is there any advice you can give?

No, it is not. Near to most universities you can find a room or apartment for rent. Depending on your budget is preferable near to the university because of the traffic. Yo can look for advices in
http://clasificados.eltiempo.com/habitaciones/arriendo/
http://www.encuentra24.com/colombia-es/bienes-raices-alquiler-cuartos
http://bogota.locanto.com.co/Habitaciones-en-arriendo/302/
etc. It depends basically on you $$

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

We have all kind of food, fruit and dishes, with attractive colours: typical are cocido boyacense, sanchocho santandereano, sancocho santafereño, cuchuco, bandeja paisa, a big variety of fishes, fritanga (pork), the soups are combined with aguacate, banana, etc. Dishes with beef, carne a la llanera, chiguiro, "cerdo-pork", potatoes, yuca, arracacha, etc. You can choose whatever you want to taste!!

What places would you recommend visiting in Santafé de Bogotá?

Downtown: plaza de Bolivar and Primada Cathedral, all the architecture of the Candelaria is the oldest part in the city. You can walk all downtowm, to be in touch with people, take pictures, see esmeraldas (green stones) trade. You can go to el cerro de monserrate by climbing around 2 hours, or by rail or cableway.
Then you can go to the Golden Museum

Is it good to eat out in Santafé de Bogotá? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I prefer typical food, so there are many places: Galerias has the typical restaurant with cuchuco, sancocho, beef, pork, chicken, etc based dishes. So you can taste and decide, but, there are also hamburger, Italian, Chinese, etc.

Is the nightlife good in Santafé de Bogotá? Where is good to go?

of course, party time wherever you go. Generally, near to university, you can find pubs, but the pink zone goes from 85 to 93 street, with 15 avenue. But you can go outside from to city to Chia, la Calera, etc.

What advice would you give future students heading to Santafé de Bogotá?

Get fun! Immerse the culture, you only live once! It is a nice opportunity to speak Spanish or practice it. The student environment provides you with many choices to learn, study, share and enjoy a short or long stay. If your think to rent do it near to your university, ask your partners for secure places, avoid to be alone in the night, etc.