San Andresito

Bogotá


One of Bogotá’s biggest shopping areas is San Andresito, which spreads over several city blocks. It’s packed with a couple of thousand stalls that have almost everything that can be bought in Colombia. It is one of the cheapest places to buy video, hi-fi and TV equipment, computers, film and photographic gear, watches, cassettes and CDs, and clothing and footwear.

Urban buses and busetas go there from the center – you can catch them on Calle 19.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bogotá attractions

1. Museo Histórico Policial

1.97 MILES

This surprisingly worthwhile museum not only gets you inside the lovely ex-HQ (built in 1923) of Bogotá's police force, but gives you 45 minutes or so of…

2. Edificio Liévano

2.04 MILES

On the western side of the plaza, this French-style building is now home to the alcaldía (mayor's office). The building was erected between 1902 and 1905.

3. Museo Santa Clara

2.06 MILES

One of Bogotá's most richly decorated churches, the Santa Clara is also its oldest (along with Iglesia de San Francisco). Deconsecrated in 1968, it was…

4. Observatorio Astronómico

2.08 MILES

Conceptualized by celebrated Colombian botanist José Celestino Mutis, the 1803 tower is reputedly the first astronomical observatory built on the…

5. Palacio de Justicia

2.09 MILES

On the northern side of the plaza, this massive, rather styleless edifice serves as the seat of the Supreme Court.

6. Iglesia La Tercera

2.09 MILES

Boasts a fine stone facade and lovely wood-carved altars in walnut and cedar set on white walls below a wood-carved ceiling.

7. Plaza de Bolívar

2.09 MILES

The usual place to start discovering Bogotá is the giant concrete Plaza de Bolívar, the heart of the original town. What it lacks in green foliage it…

8. Capitolio Nacional

2.1 MILES

On the southern side of the plaza stands this neoclassical seat of congress. It was begun in 1847 but, due to numerous political uprisings, not completed…