Christmas in Bogota: Big Trees, Mongolian Food, and Catedral de Sal

By Ryan · December 26, 2012 · Events, Rest of Colombia

One of downtown Bogotá's churches at night, adorned with Christmas lights. — One of downtown Bogotá’s churches at night, adorned with Christmas lights.

Bogotá features its share of lights — not quite the candescence of Medellín — but I would have never known what kind of display the Colombian capital offers had I not come to see it.

I had two other things I really wanted to do as well: go to the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) downtown and to the Salt Cathedral (Catedral de Sal) in Zipaquirá. I accomplished both.

Both were interesting, especially the cathedral because it’s underground, in a salt mine. It’s only 10,000 pesos (about $5.50) roundtrip, two hours each way, from downtown Bogotá by taking the Transmilenio rapid transit bus to the north end of the city, then another bus from the Portal del Norte.

Something I’ve done before was done again too. I went to the top of the Monserrate, only this time I didn’t walk, I took the cable car, and it wasn’t a Sunday so it was not nearly as busy up there.

And because at some point during the day, you gotta eat and I did that three times at a restaurant I have come to love, Crazy Mongolian Flaming Barbecue, a place that sautes vegetables and your choice of meat, sauces and rice or pasta on a huge grill.

The owner, Jose, is a friendly Caleño who speaks English so well, he could be a news anchor in the states. His lack of an accent makes me laugh.

Like I did with my Christmas-related post on Medellín, this one is going to be more pictures than words, if you agree that a photo is worth…well, you know.

Feliz Navidad!