Bogotá’s Top 5 Transport Options: A Traveler’s Guide
Bogotá, is that sprawling capital of Colombia, is quite a sight! It is set high in the Andes, is really, a city is bursting with a really interesting mix of history, culture, too it’s almost modern vibes. Getting around this mega-city can seem a little overwhelming, or even a bit stressful, especially if you aren’t quite familiar with all your options. But don’t you worry! That is why I created this, and to give you the lowdown on the top ways to zip around Bogotá, so you can spend less time trying to plan the logistics and spend more time enjoying all the city is providing.
Taxis: The Sometimes Predictable Choice
Yellow cabs are like, so incredibly easy to spot all across Bogotá. This is typically because they’re just about everywhere! Hopping in a taxi is generally pretty easy, you can either flag one down on the street or call for one using an app. I’ve got to tell you though, it is so good practice to stick to using the app option, or asking your hotel to call one for you. Is that street taxis can sometimes, often, present challenges such as, like, overcharging and, like, less-than-professional service. Taxi apps that such as Easy Taxi or Taxis Libres, can actually help you get around the language hurdle, too it’s almost gives you a price estimate beforehand and it is providing some level of accountability, so it is possibly making things smoother and more secure. Oh! and it is pretty good to keep small change handy, as that isn’t every driver who can make change for larger bills.
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TransMilenio: Bogotá’s Bus Rapid Transit
TransMilenio, which is Bogotá’s bus rapid transit is a rather extensive bus system is running through dedicated lanes to try to miss that crazy Bogotá traffic. This can be, in some respects, a very economical choice, this can also be kind of intense, more or less, if you are taking that during peak hours. What I will recommend here is, that you will get a “Tarjeta TuLlave” card is almost, to pay your fare and so to sidestep standing in long queues for tickets. When you’re, like, using the TransMilenio, just keep a really good eye on your belongings and, like, try to be aware of your surroundings, that’s because that these buses can get extremely crowded and you, you know, may experience some petty theft.
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SITP: Zonal Buses
That, you’ve also got SITP buses; that’s the Sistema Integrado de Transporte Público. They do compliment the TransMilenio routes, and this covers more of the city, as a matter of fact. So, they might be slightly smaller, and they may make some additional stops, yet they get you closer to some, slightly more local parts of the city. It can be very, very good, that is checking routes and schedules using apps like, so, Moovit that will give you pretty up-to-date information. And just remember is almost that safety precautions you might take on TransMilenio is as useful here too.
Bike Sharing: Cycling Around Bogotá
Bogotá is increasingly bike-friendly, really, especially with all the “Ciclovía” on Sundays and holidays when a huge amount of the city’s major roads become available only for cyclists and pedestrians. Now, there really are multiple bike rental places, which provide an easy, healthy option to have some exploration of the city at your pace. Actually, just be prepared to ride at altitude, and that, maybe, consider the weather, as that, Bogotá can be pretty wet! Safety gear such as a helmet is something to think about.
Ride-Sharing Apps: Uber and Didi
Ride-sharing applications that such as Uber and Didi, which, I have to say, tend to operate in Bogotá even though that it is not totally within, more or less, any legal grey area. Now, they will give you the convenience of, such as, the door-to-door service and generally you are having, usually, the chance to see your costs beforehand. In that case, just be sure that you are verifying your driver’s identity, as that, before you’re going in the car. That, is due to some regulatory hurdles, some drivers might want you to sit in the front seat. All things considered, they usually will give a pretty dependable and comfy service.
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