Things to do near La Candelaria
Things to do a Little Ways from La Candelaria:
Coca leaf tea, cookies, salves, wine, cola and more for sale in the San Alejo Flea Market on 7th Ave. and 26th St., during the Ciclovia.
Coca leaf tea, cookies, salves, wine, cola and more for sale in the San Alejo Flea Market on 7th Ave. and 26th St., during the Ciclovia.
A big, varied flea market, formally named the San Alejo Market, containing antiques, clothing, music, handicrafts, coca leaf products…you name it! During the Ciclovia, there’s bicycle parking inside. Located on 7th Ave., right before Calle 26.
Colombia’s tallest building – only 48 stories and 172 meters, but we never said we were New York or Chicago…There’s a great view from the top! Located on 7th Ave., right before Calle 26; Open: Friday 6-9 p.m. Sat: 11-8 Sun./holidays 11-5 Tel: 283-6665.
Parque de la Independencia
According to the stories, at the site of this small and pretty park located on Seventh Ave. and Calle 26, revolutionary leaders met to conspire against imperial Spain. Today, Bogotá’s Planetarium, which contains free exhibitions, is beside the park.
Parque Nacional/National Park
This sprawling park located along Seventh Avenue at 37th Street has a pro-size futbol field, although for use only by organized teams, a roller hockey pitch, children’s play areas and a restaurant. It’s also often the site of concerts and during the Sunday/Holiday Ciclovia, they stage big aerobics courses here.
Parque Simón Bolívar
This huge park (larger than New York’s Central Park) is actually five parks merged together – all of them beautiful. There’s a sports park, El Parque de los Novios (Lovers’ Park), a lake where you can rent paddle boats and huge green areas. The park is often used for concerts and other cultural events. During holidays, the park fills with kite flyers, day campers, kids playing football….
Biblioteca Nacional/National Library
On 25th St., in a grand Art Deco building built in the 1930s, the library also has free cultural and educational events and exhibitions. Free guided tours also available. The library is Colombia’s version of the U.S.’s Libary of Congress and copies of all books and periodicals published in Colombia must be deposited here – which means it’s running out of space. The library inherited the book collection of the Jesuits, after they were expelled from the Americas, including books dating from the 1400s. It also has book collections donated by prominent Colombians.
Also on 25th St., across the bridge from Independence Park, this museum also has its own movie theatre and bookstore. See the Los Acevedo theatre’s schedule .
Plaza de Toros de Santamaria
Whether you’re a fan of La Corrida de Toros or (rightly) condemn this cruel ‘sport,’ Bogotá’s Plaza de Toros Santa Maria is a beautiful building. Located right off of 7th Ave., just past Calle 26. On our bike tours, we often enter the plaza – but not to see fights.
The planetarium, located between Independence Park and the Bullfight Stadium, has frequent free events and exhibition.
The world-famous Sunday Ciclovia is a wonderful Bogotá tradition. From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. major avenues are closed to cars and thousands of Bogotanos turn out on bikes, skates, jogging, walking, wheelchairs – all sorts of healthy non-polluting, non-motorized transport. The Ciclovia has been imitated in the U.S., where it’s sometimes called ‘Sunday Streets’ or ‘Summer Streets,’ but the original is still the greatest! You can be part of it too, by renting a bike or going on a tour with Bogotá Bike Tours!
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