Bogotá Services

Tourism
In the southwest corner of the Plaza de Bolívar in the Candelaria there is a helpful Tourist Information office (Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday and holidays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cra. 8, Ca. 10, Palacio Liévano, 1st floor. Tel: 283-7115, E-mail: pitcentrohistorico@idt.gov.co, URL: www.turismobogota.gov.co). You can also find tourism offices at the Terminal de Transporte (Módulo 5. Tel: 295-4460), in the airport (413-9053), and at Transmilenio stops Las Aguas, Alcalá and Biblioteca Tintal. Additional resources include Ciudad Viva, the city’s monthly publication of cultural events, and The City Paper, a monthly English-language newspaper (URL: www.thecitypaperbogota.com).

For tourism card/visa extensions, go to DAS (Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Ca. 100, 11b-27, Edificio Platino. Tel: 595-3525).

Money
The Carrera 7 running north from the Plaza de Bolívar is the most convenient place to locate the banks and financial institutions that you might need. There are many ATH (A Toda Hora) ATM machines that work with every type of card. The main branches of major banks are: HSBC (Cra. 8, 15-46), Bancolombia (Cra. 8, 13-17; Cra. 10, 17-54; exchanges American Express travelers checks), Citicorp (Cra. 13, 29-25), BBVA (Cra. 14, 19-71). There are a couple of well-policed ATMs close to the Museo del Oro.

Additionally, several exchange houses can be found in the Emerald Trade Center (open Monday-Saturday until 6 p.m. Av Jiménex 5-43); some exchange Thomas Cook and American Express travelers checks. Others can be located on Avenida Jiménez, between Carreras 5 and 6. Another reliable place is Titan (Cra. 7, 18-42, local 116). People often jostle for a position on street corners near the Avenida de Jiménez Transmilenio station offering to exchange money. Do not change money in the street. Go to one of the official offices nearby instead. American Express office is at Calle 85, 20-32 (Tel: 313-1146 /800-912-3054). Western Union is represented by Palma Real (Ca. 28, 13-22, local 28). Money Gram is at Calle 47, 9-53.

Keeping in Touch
In Bogotá, and in particular in the Candelaria, you have your pick of Internet cafés and telephone cabins. International calls can be made easily and cheaply, while an hour on the Internet should cost no more than $1. To mail a letter, go to the 4-72 post office (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-noon. Cra. 8, 12A-03). Other Bogotá branches are listed at URL: www.4-72.com.co/seccion/oficinas.

Medical
Pharmacies can be found on almost every block along the Carrera 7 and inside most major supermarket chains (Éxito, Carrulla and Carrefour). Recommended hospitals are Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (Ca. 116, 9-02, Tel: 629-0766) in Usaquén, Clínica del Country (Cra. 16, 82-57. Tel: 530-0470, URL: www.clinicadelcountry.com) in Zona Rosa. Yellow fever vaccinations are available at Clínica Marly (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Ca. 50, 9-67. Tel: 343-6680) in Chapinero for $30.

Laundry
Most hotels will have a laundry service that you can use. However, for those in the Candelaria that don’t, try Lavaseco La Colonial (Cra. 3, 13-88).

Camera Repair
Foto Almacén Buitrago is a second-floor shop (Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cra. 7, 21-65) that can assist with most camera needs. You can also seek camera repairs at Carrera 7, 22-31, local 231 (Tel: 286-3369).