With a population of about 8 million people, Bogota sits approximately 8,660 feet (2640 meters) above sea level in the Andean Highlands. Orientation is relatively easy, as the mountains to the east are generally visible from most parts of the city.

Bogota is a city with many layers. From internationally recognized universities to regional offices for multinational companies, Bogota is Colombia's capital for official business dealings. It is a city that caters to a population that has been exposed to European and North American influences, which ensures that anything from traditional dishes (Ajiaco) to sushi or fast food restaurants can be found. It's one of the most modern and metropolitan cities of South, Central America and the world. Bogota is divided by 4 sections: The south which is mainly the poorer section of the city , El Centro, which translates "Center" in english is where the main financial headquarters are established, it's pretty similar with downtown found in North American cities. El Occidente which is where Bogota's main middle and some upper class lives, and The North which is where most of the affluent live and where you will find many upscale boutiques, cafes, nightclubs, and many new multinational headquarters.

Santa Barbara, La Carolina, El Chico, Contador, El Retiro, El Nogal, Los Rosales, Lisboa Antigua, La Calleja, La Bella Suiza, El Lago, Cedritos, Usaquen country

Chapinero, La Candelaria, www.lacandelaria.info El Centro, Barrio Egipto, Teausaquillo

El Salitre, Alamos Norte, Modelia, Normandia, Los Heroes, Centenario, Tintal, Fontibon

Restrepo, Ciudad Kennedy, Americas, Galan, Ciudad Bolivar, Claret, Ciudad Tunal,

The city is served by El Dorado International Airport (IATA: BOG) (ICAO: SKBO) (~20 minutes from downtown in a taxi), that receives several flights daily from New York, Atlanta, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Newark, Paris, Sao Paolo, Madrid, Mexico City, San Jose, Lima, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Panama City, Quito, Guayaquil, Oranjestad (Aruba), Willemstad (Curaçao) among others. Tourists can also take advantage of the convenient conexions and direct flights from Los Angeles, Washington, Toronto, Santo Domingo, San Juan, Punta Cana, Valencia (Venezuela), Manaos, Havana, Montego Bay, Rio De Janiero, Santiago de Chile, Santa Cruz, La Paz, and London, Frankfurt and Orlando will count so soon with direct and frequent flights from Bogota other South and Central American cities. Many international airlines such as Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, Air France, Air Canada, American Airlines, Iberia, LAN, Mexicana Airlines, Varig, Copa Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Spirit Airlines, TACA, Aerogal, Air Comet among others and from soon JetBlue, Santa Barbara Airlines, US Airways, among others, serve El Dorado. Domestic flights are served by many airlines including Avianca (main Colombia airline), AeroRepublica (an Continental-owned domestic airline) and Aires. Domestic flights of Avianca are served from the Puente Aereo terminal, next to El Dorado terminal, and features WiFi access to the Internet from almost every location. Taxis are regulated, reasonably priced and safe from the airport. El Dorado Airport is under a complete makeup, which will end in 2012 and will make it bigger and more comfortable. El Dorado is also the third busiest airport in Latin America and the largest by cargo movement. A taxi ride from the airport to the center takes approximately 15 minutes.

The safety of bus travel in Colombia has greatly improved in recent years. However, foreigners should take precaution of not traveling to areas of unrest and travel only during the day. Do not carry large amounts of cash with you as robberies are known to occur along some routes. Service in the 'upscale' buses is very good and they are very comfortable. Pick the most expensive service (just a couple of dollars extra) as these buses tend to be newer and better mechanical condition. Bogotá is also building 2 new terminals, one located far south and one on the north corner to serve buses going on those directions.

Currently buses run in and out of Bogota's main station, El Terminal de Transporte de Bogota. The station is clean and has standard amenities. Located at Calle 33 B, No 69-59, Multiple bus companies have regular routes to destinations around the country. To get there from the airport you can take a short taxi ride.

The Terminal is divided in several color-coded areas that indicate the destinations to which comapanies in that area travel to. Yellow= South Blue=East and West Red= North Purple=Packages

Search Engine by Destination Destino=Destination Empresa=Bus Company. Simply enter destination and a list of companies serving that route will return along with average prices.

Some common bus companies in Colombia that are found in this Terminal are:

The city of Bogota is built on a grid system. Carreras (streets) are abbreviated as Cr, K and Crs and run parallel to the mountains from South to North.

The calles (also streets) cross the Carreras and run from East to West. Calles are abbreviated as C, Cll and Cl.

Avenidas, abbreviated as Av, are usually larger and main streets. The numerical system for the Avenidas is used but some have names that are more commonly used such as Avenida Jimenez. Each address consists of a series of numbers, for example: Calle 16 # 2-43. This indicates that the building on Calle 16 is 43 meters from the corner of Carrera 2 towards Carrera 3.

Transmilenio is the most important massive transport system, as of June 2007, the system runs throughout 8 lines, covering Av. Caracas, Calle 80, Autopista Norte, Av. Jiménez, Avenida NQS , Calle 13, Av. de las Américas, and Av. Suba.

The vehicles used in that systems are articulated buses,those are fast and safe but could be full in afternoon times, the system uses different kinds of stations, the simples offers bus services at the right and left sides (north-south;east-west), the intermediate stations, which are located usually in middle points and have complete services as elevators, station libraries, bikes parks, restrooms, and alimentadores services (buses that reach zones the articulated buses don't) and the portals, there're 7 in the city, and are the arrive and deparure place of the buses, are located near the entrances to the city. In addition to feeders and articulated buses, intercity buses from the metropolitan area also arrive at these stations. The portals also offers the alimentadores service.

Taxi cabs are ubiquitous and affordable. They can be flagged down anywhere. They can also be called by phone, you can call 311-1111 or 411-1111. If calling for a taxi, the driver will want to confirm that it is you who called by asking for a "clave" (key), which is always the last two digits of the phone from which you called to request the taxi. Each taxi has a meter which increments one tick every 1/10 kilometer or 30 seconds and starts at 25 ticks. The rate chart is printed on a card in the taxi. Nearly all taxi drivers are honest, but be sure the taxi meter is started when you begin your trip. Tipping is not necessary. There are surcharges for the airport, holidays, etc. (Details are printed on the fare card.) Surcharge for ordering a taxi arriving at your house is currently 600 pesos, surcharge after 8 pm is 1.500 pesos, even if you are starting your trip before that time. Holidays and Sundays are also charged with 1.500 pesos. Lock the doors of the taxi, especially after dark.

Bogota's new Transmilenio rapid bus service is extremely affordable, clean and efficient and carries commuters to numerous corners of the city. There are some main routes that are not yet reached by Transmilenio.

Privately owned buses cruise all the main thoroughfares and many side streets, and are the principal form of transport for the working class and student class. Though they do follow specific routes, they do not have bus "stops"; you merely call to them like taxis and they will stop for you where you are standing. Placards in the large front windows list destinations, either neighborhoods or main street names. Upon entering you will be asked for the fare; if you are not traveling alone you may be asked "Para ambos?", for example, meaning "For both?", to see if you are paying for just yourself or for your companion. Then you pass through a turnstile to the seating areas. The buses come in three sizes, usually, long (like a school bus), medium and small (called busetas). All have turnstiles. To exit these buses you go to the back door and either push a button located usually on one of the hand rails or next to the exit, or simply call out "Aqui, por favor!" or "Pare!" (Stop!). Passengers are often expected to embark and disembark even from the middle of the street.

Sometimes vendors are allowed to enter the buses to sell candy or small gift items (occasionally donating one to the driver for the privilege). Or, you may find entertainers such as singers or guitar players, and even the more creative of the street beggars who will regale you with a long, poetic story of their sad situation before asking for donations. Even in the smallest buses, cramped full of people standing and sitting, it is a common sight. Interestingly, a recent Grammy-nominated singer named Ilona got her start performing on buses around Bogota.

The cost for riding on a private bus ranges from 1000 to 1200 Colombian pesos.

Colectivos cover practically every major route of the city, and can generally be flagged down at any point on a main road. Watch these small buses for lists of destinations displayed on their windshields, or ask the driver (in Spanish) if he passes the neighborhood or intersection you are going to. Not very comfortable, but they are faster than a common bus and it's also used as a shuttle for routes that don't have so much affluence, it can take you almost anywhere.

Renting a bike and having a ride on Bogota's modern Ciclo-Ruta is a very exciting and healthy way to get to know the city and get closer to the people. There are certain rules that must be followed: Helmet must be worn when riding, also a reflective vest must be worn. The bicycle must have reflective panels in the wheels and back. On sundays and public holidays many main and secondary roads are closed to serve ciclovia from 7AM to 2PM, a special feature of bogota, where people can walk, ride bicycle, enjoy inline skating or just dance.