Green lushes in the middle of the city
Every city has its own trademark green space. New York City boasts with, more than a century old, Central Park. Sunny San Diego has signature Balboa Park, gained its glory due to Panama-California Exposition at the beginning of 20th century. The Colombian capital holds pride in Simon Bolivar park. It features aquatic complex, library, Children’s museum, space for concerts and Botanical garden. Today, I’ll discuss Bogota’s climate, the air quality problem and how it is all connected to the Botanical Garden, place that offers escape to nature in the middle of the hectic city. This 5 minutes article will enrich you with couple facts and hopefully gives some thoughts to ponder on.
After staying in the city for over 3 months, I’ve noticed these two things: frequently changing weather and noticeable air pollution. I think tackling these two topics can help us better explain the significance of the park.
Weather in Bogota
The city’s climate has been a subject of widespread jokes and Internet memes. The capital, due to its location between mountains, doesn’t have weather seasons. Better said, that they all might appear in one day. Morning clouds changed by burning sun on afternoon and then interrupted by furious, cold rain. Sometimes all of this happens within one hour! Sunscreens and umbrellas peacefully coexist in local’s purses/cars. Consequently, some people could be seen dressed in jackets, while others in t-shirts’, making the general public look colorful and sometimes funky.
When it comes to choosing a wardrobe for Bogota, chose wisely. Not knowing about the specifics of the local weather, I assumed that Colombia, which geographically located near the equator, is country with rather hot, tropical temperatures. Wrong! At least, Bogota isn’t. Detailed information about the climate in Colombia can be found in this weather website.
“Based on the tourism score, the best times of year to visit Bogotá for warm-weather activities are from late May to late September and from early December to late February.”
weatherspark.com
The air quality problem
Now, the problem with the CO2 emissions. Bogota is the 4th highest capital in the world – 2625 m/8.612 ft. (counting Lhasa – Tibet’s capital, although according to different sources its statehood is arguable) after La Paz and Quito (according to wikipedia). Living in the high altitude might cause health issues as the air is “thinner” (less compressed) and contains less oxygen. The exhaust gases from old trucks and buses add their poisonous elements to the mix. A short note here, nowhere yet, I’ve seen 60+ years old Dodge trucks, which still driving on roads, churning out black clouds. The cost of vehicles and car ownership is very high, therefore, any 4-wheeled transport (no matter its condition) is being utilized.
Above described factors contribute to a somber picture of the air quality of Bogota, home to 8 million residents. As a result, many people head to green spaces during the weekends. Simon Bolivar park serves the role of the city’s lungs. Part of it, the Botanical Garden is the ideal asylum from city’s frenzy. Place where people can learn about flora, meditate, or simply ease off. There are a lot of obscure corners to relax, read a book, feel yourself remote from city noices and people’s problems. The garden has many educational stands, flower’s fields and kid’s center.
Visiting tips:
- The entrance fee is super affordable
- Good place for all kinds of visits: couples, solo, family with kids
- Average spent time is 2 hours
Final thoughts
If a traveler has luxury spending a week in the capital, then I would recommend visiting the Botanical Garden, if not then this place can be easily skept. For the visitors with limited time I’d reccomend spending time in La Candelaria. To me this garden is one of the solutions to the air problem and place for mental recharge in overpopulated metropolis. I hope reader enjoyed the article. ¡Hasta Pronto!