The city of Bogota is often cited as a city of stark contradictions. The city boasts ultramodern skyscrapers but is also home to magnificent architecture from times past. It is in the city of Bogota that you will not only see affluence comparable to the super rich anywhere else in the developed world but also abject poverty represented by the sprawling slums. That said, this is one city you will not regret visiting. However, understanding some important aspects of Bogota is what will make your stay even more pleasurable.

Well, the first thing you will want to do is to sort out the accommodation. And here is where you meet one of the good things going for Bogota: you can book your hotel through the internet. This means you can do it way before your arrival date. Booking online is the best way to do it because you can virtually 'tour' each of the hotels online as you sel.ect which one best suits your needs and budget.

Note though that just looking at the hotel's website itself might not suffice in getting you the real experience on the quality of service at the hotel. Therefore, couple the information you gather from the hotel or travel agent's website with either advice from friends and relatives that have been to Bogota before or with online reviews of each hotel on independent review sites. The hotels you can book online are spread across the entire spectrum of client needs in terms of cost, location and amenities.

When you do get to Bogota, transport will be another of the key considerations. How do you move around? One of the ways you can opt for is the use of yellow taxis. Yellow taxis are cheap which makes them popular with locals and tourists alike. Just as is the norm in many of the world's large cities, the yellow taxis are metered. Therefore, make sure that the driver resets the meter when you board just so that you pay the correct fare. Whereas during the day you can source for a taxi on your own, when travelling at night, it better for you to request the hotel to order one on your behalf.

The minimum fare for a taxi ride is 3200 pesos, which translates to just over one and a half US dollars. Note that though the cost of the ride is pegged to the distance and any applicable waiting time, there is an additional surcharge for airport transfers as well as any taxi service provided on Sundays, public holidays or after 8.30 pm.

If you are on a thinner budget or simply want to explore different aspects of the Bogota lifestyle, you can use the buses. Buses in Bogota are not standardized and come in different sizes. The good thing is that they cover the length and breadth of the city and are also much cheaper than the yellow taxis. The cost of travel via a bus through Bogota will cost between $US0.30 to $US0.50.