Historic and modern, Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is a bustling center of culture, commerce, politics and scenic beauty. The new and attractive meeting venues in Bogota (which is nicknamed the "Athens of South America") make it a compelling choice for meetings, events, conferences, trade shows and other group gatherings.
Serving as the main transportation hub for Bogota is El Dorado International Airport, which welcomes 65 percent of the country's air traffic, including direct flights from Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.
Conveniently situated near the airport are several event venues. Corferias Convention Center, located on fairgrounds of the same name, features pavilions that can accommodate 1,000 to 7,000 guests, a 1,000-seat auditorium, and smaller rooms ideal for 50 to 500 people. Another major place for functions is the Compensar Convention Center, which offers a salon for up to 950 people, an auditorium for 365 people, 15 meeting rooms and outdoor areas for concerts. The Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada Convention Center, Sheraton Convention Center and the Tequendo Crowne Plaza are other Bogota venues for groups.
Those looking for original settings to stage an event might consider the Museo del Oro, or Gold Museum, and the National Museum housed in a 19th-century fortress that can accommodate 350 in its auditorium.
Dining venues in Bogota include feature locales where planners can organize lively group dine-arounds. These include the colonial quarter of La Candelaria; Zona G, near the financial district; the area surrounding Parque 93; and the fashionable Zona T, which is surrounded by shops, restaurants and bars. One unique venue just outside the city in Chia is the original Andres de Carne des Res, a colorful steakhouse that turns into quite the dancing spectacle as the evening goes on.
Downtime here is well spent with excursions to notable points of interest, such as the main square of Plaza Bolivar in La Candelaria, the Botero Museum, the Gold Museum and the Cerro de Monserrate, a hillside sanctuary featuring restaurants, a church, souvenir shops and the best views of Bogota.
