The Gold Museum and other Bogotá, Colombia Things to Do Tips

A fascinating museum that holds a collection of emeralds (4 of the largest in the world are on display here) and over 10000 gold pieces. The collection traces its beginnings back to the Quimbay and Chibcha Indian tribes. On the ground floor you will find antique pottery dating back 1000 years most if it used in burials. The most exciting part of the museum is on the third floor and when you walk up the stairs on front of you are armed guards.. guarding the vaults. The doors are inches thick, when you enter its in complete darkness and the doors are closed behind you? the room is slowly illuminated by the site of gold everywhere it?s truly amazing and overwhelming. English speaking tour guides will give you all the history. I can?t remember what the cost was into the museum something like 1 euro if even that. You can also buy replicas in the souvenir shop.

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Address: Carrera 6 and Calle 16 No 5-41

Monserrate is 3,190 m above sea level.
You have two options of getting yourself to the top of Mount Monserrate. You can climb although this is not recommended for tourists as lots of banditos hide waiting to rob you some of them at gun point. Colombia is a very poor country and only people that can’t afford the to take the cable or funicular ride take this route. Although some guy pointed out to me that he walked up and was neither poor or robbed. The second option is a cable car that carries about 100 people and its goes through a 750 foot long tunnel excavated out of the side of the mountain that takes about 10 minutes. Me being terrified of heights would not go this way as it did not look safe although l never remember anything happening to it. That ride takes about 3 minutes. The cost although l can’t remember is not very much as the peso is worthless against the American dollar. When you reach the top you have spectacular views of Bogotá. There is a statue in a glass case ( The Lord of Monserrate) which hundreds of cripples flock to and kiss and then retreat to the church to pray. You can either take a picnic with you or buy food and souvenirs from the many hawkers and stalls on top of the mountain. Great opportunity for photographs. Of which l have none.. silly me...

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