Bogota Shopping Tour (Self Guided), Bogota

Colombia is known for its gold and emeralds, recognizable national clothing, pottery, accessories, and other crafts. The country's capital Bogota is so rich in authentic shopping that it's almost mind-boggling to decide what to buy first and most importantly, where to buy it at the best possible price!

Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering a labyrinthine experience of narrow passageways brimming with crafts, handmade furniture, dishes, and other unique items, embodying an authentic Bogotá atmosphere perfect for bargaining.

For those interested in precious stones, the Emerald District (Distrito de Esmeralda) is a must-visit. Here, one can find a dazzling array of gems that make Colombia famous worldwide.

Art enthusiasts should not miss La Casona del Museo Shop. This renowned store, located in a historic colonial building, offers a curated selection of art pieces and cultural souvenirs and is complemented by a charming café.

The Artisan Gallery of Colombia showcases the wealth of the country's artistic heritage, featuring handcrafted items ranging from pottery to textiles. Visitors can find unique pieces reflecting Colombia's diverse cultural traditions.

Santander Plaza is another bustling shopping hub, offering a mix of street vendors and established shops selling everything from clothing to electronics.

For those interested in traditional Colombian crafts, the Colombian Crafts Center (Centro Colombiano de Artesanías) is the place to go. Here, artisans from across the country showcase their skills, offering visitors a chance to purchase authentic handmade goods.

The Beautiful Colombia Artisan Gallery (Galería Artesanal Colombia Linda) lives up to its name by offering a selection of high-quality crafts and artworks representing the beauty of Colombian culture.

Finally, the Pulgas San Alejo Market is a treasure trove of vintage and secondhand items, making it a perfect destination for those seeking unique and eclectic finds.

Now that you have a rough idea of Bogotá's shopping landscape, why not explore these diverse locations in more detail and by doing so discover the vibrant culture and creativity of Colombia? Embark on this self-guided tour and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Bogotá's vibrant shopping scene!

Image Courtesy of Flickr and momentcaptured1.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Bogota

Guide Name: Bogota Shopping Tour
Guide Location: Colombia » Bogota (See other walking tours in Bogota)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Author: ChristineT
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:

Pasaje Rivas Market
Distrito de Esmeralda (Emerald District)
La Casona del Museo Shop
Galeria Artesanal de Colombia (Artisan Gallery of Colombia)
Plaza de Santander (Santander Plaza)
Centro Colombiano de Artesanias (Colombian Crafts Center)
Galeria Artesanal Colombia Linda (Beautiful Colombia Artisan Gallery)
Mercado de Pulgas San Alejo (Pulgas San Alejo Market)

1) Pasaje Rivas Market

The Pasaje Rivas is the oldest marketplace in Bogota, with more than 120 years of history. Not actually a centre, it is rather a labyrinth of narrow passageways and crooked corridors, where you can find loads of crafts, handmade furniture, dishes, hammocks, ruanas, leather clothes and pieces made of bamboo, all at really low prices. Pasaje Rivas is not considered very touristy, but it is very authentic to Bogota, where bargaining is acceptable. The Passage is located in the middle of the block, at the intersection of Carrera 10 and Calle 10.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Felipe Restrepo Acosta.

2) Distrito de Esmeralda (Emerald District)

Colombia is one of the biggest producers of emeralds and there is an entire district in the very heart of Bogota where the trade of emeralds is mostly active, from the finest luxury store to sometimes illegal street merchants. The Emerald district is located along Avenida Jimenez, between Carrera 5 and 7. The district is very crowded and has many resellers, trading the green gems cheaply and buying from the street; this might be tricky and unsafe, as it is possible to buy a fake. At least, make sure you have an emerald expert with you. Their informal trading point is at the intersection of Avenida Jimenez and Carrera 7. But it's always safer to buy in the nearby stores, where they provide you with a certificate of authentication. There is an Emerald Trade Center located at the intersection of Avenida Jimenez and Carrera 5, where emerald "brokers" gather for everyday deals, and where several certificated emerald boutiques are located.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Felipe Restrepo Acosta.

3) La Casona del Museo Shop

La Casona del Museo is the most famous treasure shop in Bogota. Located in front of the Gold Museum, it is situated in an old, two-storey colonial building, recently renovated, which is now part of a cultural and architectural heritage. On the first floor of this mini-mall you can buy gold, silver and emerald items, golden replicas of pre-Columbian golden artifacts exposed in a nearby museum, jewelry and other precious souvenirs. On the second floor there are more paintings, pottery, ceramics, leather clothing and wood artwork. The house has a very pleasant patio that houses le Café de la Fuente, with a very friendly atmosphere and always fresh, delicious coffee and chocolate. It is open Monday through Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and F Delventhal.

4) Galeria Artesanal de Colombia (Artisan Gallery of Colombia)

The Galeria Artesanal de Colombia is the best shopping gallery in Bogota, with more than 80 shops, all dedicated to Colombian souvenirs and handicrafts. Located right across the Gold Museum, this red-wall gallery has very attractive shop windows. Everything here bears an authentic and recognizable design. You might find traditional Colombian clothes and accessories, original pottery from souvenirs to ready-to-use in the kitchen, various home decorations, leather items and even some local delicacies such as coffee, honey and cane sugar products and various Colombian sweets.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and momentcaptured1.

5) Plaza de Santander (Santander Plaza)

The Santander Plaza is more of a flea market in the centre of the business city. There are street stalls selling traditional souvenirs, pottery, art crafts, coffee bags, chivas, models of patios of typical Colombian houses, ponchos and even some replicas of "gold" artifacts. The prices aren't high and you can buy almost anything for under $5. As it is surrounded by midsize highrises and various colonial buildings, the park itself is always very crowded and busy with tourists and office workers. The Santander Plaza is located right across the Gold Museum and is middled by the statue of Francisco de Paula Santander, a Colombian political leader during the War of Independence.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Felipe Restrepo Acosta.

6) Centro Colombiano de Artesanias (Colombian Crafts Center)

Centro Colombiano de Artesanias is a shopping gallery dedicated to Colombian souvenirs and crafts. Located right across the imposing Beaux-Arts Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Theater, this is one of the most popular souvenir spots that offers dozens of little boutiques virtually packed with national garments, hats, bags, jewelery, baskets, musical instruments, CDs with national music and many more. Centro Colombiano de Artesanias is a must visit in the San Diego neighbourhood.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Juan Carlos Pachón.

7) Galeria Artesanal Colombia Linda (Beautiful Colombia Artisan Gallery)

Galeria Artesanal Colombia Linda is an another shopping gallery located in the San Diego neighbourhood. Housed on the first floor of a historic building, practically next door to the famous Terazza Pasteur, the shop-spot will surprise with a good selection of Colombian souvenirs and local specialties, like coffee and local sweets. You can discover very good accessories such as bags, hats, belts and a good deal of Colombian craftwork and paintings.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Marcus Sims.

8) Mercado de Pulgas San Alejo (Pulgas San Alejo Market)

The San Anjelo Flea Market is the biggest in Bogota flea marketplace, held every Sunday in the parking lot next to the Modern Art Museum of Bogota and Torre Colpatria. The market is always crowded and usually starts at 7 am and is over around 2 pm. It has many surprises to offer, so be prepared to browse through stalls of antiques, vintage home decorations, bronze crafts, toys, vintage fashions, pottery, collectibles, miniatures, bikes, plates, furniture, uncountable accessories for all possible occasions and even coca leaf products. The prices are good and the bargains enticing, which make it an exceptional "hunting" experience.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Peter Angritt.

Walking Tours in Bogota, Colombia

Create Your Own Walk in Bogota

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bogota is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Bogota Old Town Walking Tour

In 1538, the indigenous Muisca of the Colombian Altiplano had the advantage in numbers over the force of conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Arriving in the Muisca Federation, the Spanish had only 162 exhausted men. However, the guecha warriors of Chief Tisquesusa were no match. The Federation fell in bloody battle.

In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Architectural Jewels

Bogota, Colombia, is quite a city for an architectural experience. Attentive to the local historical heritage, the city has managed to preserve in full splendor most of its colonial buildings.

One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.

Not far away from it... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

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