Language Tourism Product Catalog to Promote Bogota As a Tourist Destination for Learning Spanish 1 2 3
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Language Tourism Product Catalog to promote Bogota as a tourist destination for learning spanish 1 2 3 LEARN SPANISH BOGOTÁ ALCALDÍA MAYOR DE BOGOTÁ INSTITUTO DISTRITAL DE TURISMO - IDT Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego Mayor of Bogota Tatiana Piñeros LaVerde General Director Instituto Distrital de Turismo - IDT Arturo Bravo Deputy Director for Tourist Destination Management Authors Margaret Quizobony Rodríguez John Alexander Ramos Calderon José Luis Suárez Translator Michael King Layout Agencia en casa de la Alcaldía Mayor de Bogotá Photographies Copyright IDT ISBN 978-958-99390-7-9 Printed in Colombia TABLE OF CONTENT LEARN SPANISH IN BOGOTA 11 Advantages and Location LEARN SPANISH BEYOND THE LESSONS 23 Aditional options LEARN SPANISH AFTER COMPLETING ALL PAPERWORK 31 Tourist and visa facilitation LEARN SPANISH AMONG LOCAL PEOPLE, TRADITION & CULTURE 37 La Candelaria, Bogota’s historic center COURSES AND INSTITUTIONS 40 La Candelaria, Bogota’s historic center Bogota is one of the main gastronomic centers of Latin America. It has more then 6 fine dining or gastronomic sectors including Zone G, between calles 68 and 71 Bogota, a destination filled with surprises. and carreras 7 to 4; Zone C located in the Candelaria neighborhood; the Pink Zone (Zona Rosa) and Zone T between calles 83 and 84 and Carrera 12 a; Usaquen; Zone M in the Macarena neighborhood; el Parque de la 93; neighborhoods and streets of the La Calera neighborhood. Although Bogota is notable for its cuisine, the city is also famous for its wide variety of nightlife, where it’s Bogota, the capital of Colombia is located in the center of possible to discover a range of options and styles that the country on a vast plain 2,640 meters above sea level. can be found in its bars and discotheques which feature It has a mild temperature and a population of almost Colombian music such as salsa and the vallenato, as eight million inhabitants who come from all corners of well as international music such as tango, lounge and Colombia. It’s a city as diverse as the entire country. electronica among others. The city is a tourist destination where culture, Bogota has a vibrant cultural life, which distinguishes it amusement, fine dining, shopping, education and many as one the most important capital cities in Latin America. other activities are available. Additionally, thanks to the Every day the capital hosts art exhibits, plays, concerts, existence of more than 70 museums and art collections, films, literature and music festivals among others, that 28 churches of touristic interest, more than 50 shopping provide its citizens and visitors with a wide range of centers, 6 gastronomic regions, restaurants, bars and options to choose from. discotheques, educational centers and theme parks among others, has made the city a diverse and inclusive The city has more than 70 museums and cultural destination where residents, visitors and tourists can find centers, among some of the most outstanding include a multitude of options to satisfy any taste. the Museo del Oro, el Museo Nacional, el Museo Botero and the Centro Cultural Gabriel Garcia Marquez. In Bogota is the seat of the national government and addition, Bogota possesses a network of public libraries one of the most important industrial, commercial and that have been the recipient of major awards and cultural centers in South America. The architecture of the recognition. Bogota is also recognized for cultural events city ranges from that of its colonial and republican period such as the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro, the most found in the historic center of the city, to its modern important in the world of its kind, the Feria Internacional buildings highlighted by the architecture of Rogelio del Libro, one of the most renown on the continent and Salmona. His use of brickwork reflects an architectural the Festival Rock al Parque, the most widely attended style in the capital that can be appreciated in the Torres free open-air concert in Latin America. de la Parque, la Biblioteca Virgilio Barco, the Archivo General de la Nacion and the Centro Cultural Gabriel For those who love to shop, the city offers more than Garcia Marquez among others. 50 shopping centers and outlets providing the best 8 fashions and the work of the country’s most important These offerings are complemented by the excellent designers of haute couture. tourist services which include more than 70 travel operators, more than 350 travel and tourist agencies, The city and its environs have more than 28 churches more than 70 car rental agencies, professional tourist of interest to tourists. Among the most important are guides and 17 tourist information facilities available the Santuario del Señor Caido de Monserrate, located to provide promotional material and assistance in 3,151 meters above sea level, the Santuario del Divino the preparation of tours and travel agendas for both Nino Jesus del 20 de Julio and the Catedral de Sal de domestic and international tourists. Zipaquira, a feat of engineering built in a salt mine 160 meters below the earth. Finally, the best part of the city is its people. Colombians are famous for their friendliness and they Maloka, the amusement parks Salitre Magico and enjoy the progressive environment of their city and the Mundo Aventura, Divercity, Panaca Sabana and the advantages of living in a creative, modern, tolerant and Parque Metropolitano Simon Bolivar, are just some of inclusive capital city. the places to be found in the city for fun and recreation. Copyright Universidad de La Sabana 9 LEARN SPANISH IN 11 are trained professionals with considerable experience in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language. Their knowledge is broad and they are always ready to BOGOTA, motivate their students, which results in the creation of a friendly, pleasant and comfortable environment. YOUR The Centro Histórico (Historic Center) of Bogota better known as La Candelaria is characteristic of the city and is the section of the capital with the largest number BEST CHOICE of important cultural and historical attractions. There are more than 80 sites of historic and architectural interest. It is an iconic area where important historical events of FOR LEARNING Colombian history have taken place such as the grito de la independencia (Cry of Independence). It is also the site of museums with important art collections and SPANISH a deep Spanish Colonial legacy embodied in its distinct buildings. La Candelaria is an ideal setting for learning Spanish, not only because it is one of the most important neighborhoods in terms of historical and cultural significance, but also for its valuable participation in the city as reflected in its broad educational and cultural life which can be seen in its restaurants, churches, museums, streets, libraries, parks and town squares that inspire the Currently, Bogota is the country’s number one tourist interest and appreciation of its residents and visitors. destination. Its range of business and educational, cultural and health activities are highly respected not only within the country but also throughout Latin America as it increasingly becomes one the continent’s great metropolises and important tourist destinations. There are many opportunities to study Spanish in Colombia and the quality of education in the country is recognized throughout Latin America as among the highest. There are 940 accredited high level study programs nationally and Bogota has 115 institutions of higher education . Bogota has institutions, schools, and universities that offer a comprehensive education. The instructors Historical center La Candelaria, Copyright IDT 12 west and decrease as you move east. Additionally there are diagonal streets that run from east to west LOCATION such as the streets and cross streets that go from south to north like the carreras. Some streets and roads are called avenues (avenidas) and so you will Bogota is situated 2,640 meters above sea level and find avenues with proper names. its 1,732 km2 area is home to approximately 8 million inhabitants. It is without a doubt the main city of the Owing to the altitude of the city, Bogota enjoys a country and one of the most important metropolitan spring-like climate throughout the year with an average cities in Latin America. Its strategic geographic location temperature of 14 C (57 F) during the day and 10 C (50 F) has inspired a number of pseudonyms such as “The at night. Like the rest of the country, the city doesn’t have Dry Port of South America” and for this reason its main seasons and instead throughout the year there are rainy airport of El dorado is number one in the movement of months and dry months. cargo and number two for passengers in South America. Bogota is divided into twenty localities with more than The city is situated on the important Cordillera Central 1,200 neighborhoods where people from all over the of the Andes, in which the hills of Monserrate and country as well as from outside Colombia reside. Guadalupe are quintessential tourist attractions. The privileged location of Bogota is recognized for being the center of the American continent. This has resulted in the city’s excellent air connectivity making it today the port of entry to South America. The international airport of Eldorado is the country’s most important, not only in terms of passenger demand but also because of the modernization it is currently undergoing, which according to Juan Pulido, manager of Opain, will convert it into “one of the most modern and most technologically advanced in all of Latin America” The nomenclature of the city is unique and easily remembered. The streets (calles) run perpendicular to the hills from east to west, and the roads (carreras) run parallel to the eastern hills from south to north.