Plaza de Bolivar
Plaza de Bolivar, La Candelaria, Bogota, COL
Bogotá’s main square is built on a grand scale, from a landmark statue of Simón Bolívar to the 16th-century La Catedral Primada. In between is a colorful crowd of vendors, travelers, and downtown workers. A starting point for exploring the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, the Plaza de Bolivar is a key stop for visitors to Bogotá.
Flanked by the city’s main cathedral and the Bogotá city hall, the Plaza de Bolivar has been a gathering place for centuries. Travelers enjoy the spacious plaza on their way to popular city landmarks, such as the nearby La Catedral Primada, the Casa de Moneda, and the narrow, colonial-era streets of La Candelaria. Since Plaza de Bolivar is a top destination in Bogotá, it’s a featured stop on many city tours, including walking tours, bike tours, and car tours of the city.
- Great for history and architecture buffs.
- Bring small-denomination bills to purchase snacks and souvenirs from roving vendors.
- Be careful with your belongings here, as the crowded area is popular with pickpockets.
Plaza de Bolivar is located between Carrera 7 and Carrera 8, at the intersection of Calle 11. A long list of city buses stop on nearby Carrera 10, and it’s also possible to arrive on the rapid-transit TransMilenio buses that link the city center with El Dorado Airport. If you’re coming on the TransMilenio bus, get off on the Museo del Oro TransMilenio bus stop. Taxis are also available: be sure to use a licensed taxi with a meter.
Dry weather in December, January, February, and March make these popular times to visit Bogotá, before April and May bring rainy weather to the mountain city. Another “wet season” arrives in October and November, though average temperatures are relatively steady and mild year-round. If your trip to Bogotá falls on a Sunday, you’ll see the city streets transformed into bike lanes for the popular Ciclovia event that happens each week.
Make the most of your time, and you can tick off some of Bogotá’s top attractions while visiting Plaza de Bolivar. Find gleaming, pre-Colombian treasures at the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), or browse Botero’s colorful artwork in the Museo Botero. La Catedral Primada is among Colombia’s most important churches, while the Museo Colonial features paintings and other items from the country’s colonial period.
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