Shopping in Bogota can be very frustrating if you don't know where to go. In general, brand name clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories are more expensive here. On the bright side, there are spectacular, local leather goods and jewelry that are very reasonably priced. Here's a selection of our favourite places.
Corner stores (Tienda) and pharmacies (Drogeria). The tiendas and Drogerias are everywhere in Bogota.The great thing about tiendas and drogerias is domicillio. Simply collect the business card or flyer of the store closet to your house or hotel and the next time you find yourself in need of something, ranging from beers to snacks to medication, simply call and wait for front door (or porteria) service! Most stores will go out of there way to find your requested items so calling is generally your best bet. Of course, the only downside is that you need some Spanish to be able to communicate with them.
Corferias is a very large event center that hosts some of the most important national and international exhibitions to come to Colombia.
ArtBo (art fair), Bogota Moda (fashion show) and Expoartesanias (artisan fair) are just a few examples.
Address: Carrera 37 #24-67
Phone: 381-0000
Website: www.corferias.com
Event calendar: www.servicios.corferias.com/calendario
Las Puertas del Cielo is a design fair that takes place every few months in the beautiful Parque Chico. From clothing to cupcakes to notebooks, Puertas features anything as long as it's produced locally by someone with great taste. Go for the products, go for the prices, and go for the hipster watching.
Address: Parque Chico, Carrera 7 # 93-01
Phone: 623-1066
Webpage: www.museodelchico.com
When in 2011: December 18
You did not have a chance to make it up to La Guajira to buy a beautiful Wayuu mochila bag? Check out this website as they have a great selection of authentic hand made/one of a kind bags you can order online. The website was featured in the Vogue.com website in the summer 2011.
Website: wayuumochilabags.com
A vast selection of exchange places and a nice renovated food court on the last floor. There you can find the movie theater called “Avenida Chile” from the national chain called Cine Colombia
(see website), showing a nice selection of foreign movies.
Address: Avenida Chile (Cl. 72) # 10-34
Phone: 3127077
Website in construction: www.avenidachilecentrocomercial.com
This great neighborhood flower shop is our favorite. You can walk in and talk to a very nice and competent sale person and have them prepare a nice arrangement for you. Whether it's for you or a love one, they will take time to do it very nice and you will be surprise how cheap it is to offer a great bouquet. We usually tell them how much we have, and they pick something great for you and deliver it whenever you want.
Address: Diagonal 70A No. 4-70
Phone: 600-5720
A virtual store with a variety of original little things that can be useful or simply very pretty.
Address: Cl. 93 # 13 - 42 Of. 308
Website: www.poordesigner.com
This is the perfect place for souvenirs, gifts, and even items for you apartment. Lots of little booths, each specializing in t-shirts, bags, or artisan crafts. Bargaining welcome!
Address: Calle 16 with Carrera 5, Bogota
Local artists congregate in Usaquen to showcase their crafts. Great place to buy art for your apartment, presents, or just walk around and "window" shop. It's worth planning your time in Bogota in order to be here on Sunday, since this market only happens once a week, and it's really worth going!
Address: Carrera 6 with Calle 116 (or just ask a taxi to take you to Usaquen), Bogota
Colombian crafts with a modern, stylish twist. Definitely check it out!
Address: Centro Comercial Atlantis (Calle 81 with Carrera 13), Centro Comercial El Retiro (Calle 81 with Carrera 11), Bogota
Website: www.salvarte.com