Experience in Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia by Jairo

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

Yes I recommended it if you like big cosmopolitan cities, Bogotá as capital city has everything you want to, with almost 9 million of people living there you find diverse people and places.
Living in Bogotá could be stressful if you come from a littel calm city, you should know that the Pick hours in Bogota are 4-9.30, 12-14 and 16.30 to 21 so you probably will get stuck in a traffic jam in main avenues of the city at this hours. But as student you can find easily good students flats close to universities.

What is the student lifestyle like in Santafé de Bogotá?

Life for students is very good, you will enjoy of students from different cities and the ambience is very friendly, academicly could be strict and you will be busy doing work most days of the week, In Bogotá you have places for lunch, coffee or party in different areas of the city, and all universities has interesting places around to enjoy with friends.

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

Cost of live is high coparing with other Colombian cities, but quite cheap if you are coming from Europe or United states.

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

not difficult, but probably you can appreciate the help of a native friend, the websites are in spanish (nost of them) and one important thing is that is not very usual to rent furnished flats in general in the city, but as I said close to Universities are many options. additionally, you can walk around and check in the buildings windows most of the flats or room in rent has "se arrienda" sign stick there, with the phone number to contact the lordland.

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

Food is not a problem at all, personally I like it very much, specially typical suops like "ajiaco" or "sancocho", if you have good spetite maybe you should try the "bandeja paisa" a big dish with almost everything on it! additionaly, Bogotá offers a wide range of restaurants (tastes and prices) and you can find food from anywhere.

What places would you recommend visiting in Santafé de Bogotá?

Plaza de Bolivar - Barrio la Candelaria: you can find colonial side of the city, colonial churches, typical restaurants and museums.

Cerros de Monserrate y Guadalupe, Parque metropilitano Simon Bolivar.

Museo Nacional, Museo del Oro, Planetario, Quinta de Bolivar.

Mechaninical attractions parks Salitre- Mundo Aventura and Malls (Bogotpá has many of them)

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

Barrio la Macarena: Gourmet zone and with good night life.

Zona Rosa (between Carreras(North to south) 11-15, between Calles (east to west) 81-85 and 92 to 94: party night life and shopping.

Zona G (Cra 4-6 between Cll 70-73) - (Cra 7-9 between cll 69-73)

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

You have different choices for different tastes.
Barrio Galerias.

Barrio la Macarena: Gourmet zone and with good night life.

Zona Rosa (between Carreras(North to south) 11-15, between Calles (east to west) 81-85 and 92 to 94: party night life and shopping.

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

Asked for support to the international students department of the university with accommodation. Dont predispose with the sterotype comments that you could hear of the country or the city.

Enjoy time with friends and when you get holidays or free time visit other close cities as Villa De Leyva, Tunja, La Vega.