There is much to see and do in Bogota, Colombia. The bustling city is full of museums, attractions, restaurants, nightlife and more. For shoppers, no visit to the city is complete without a trip to the Usaquen district, where a Sunday flea market offers great Colombian food and quality handicrafts.
The Usaquen District
Usaquen (pronounced Ooo-sah-ken) is a hip, upscale district of Bogota. It was once an independent town, so it has its own central park square which is a beautiful oasis of trees and shady benches. Usaquen is known for having good restaurants and pub-type bars. There are also arty shops and boutiques which are a good place to look for quality (if a bit pricey) gifts and souvenirs.
The Flea Market
The flea market in Usaquen has been going on for years and is a Bogota institution. Unlike flea markets in the USA, which are generally for antiques and second-hand junk, the Usaquen flea market is much more of an artist and artisan market. It’s much more like a summer street arts festival than a traditional flea market in terms of vibe and what’s available.
The vendors set up stands in and around the central square in Usaquen. The sellers vary every week, so it’s impossible to say for certain what will be available. They often have fine hand-crafted things for the home, such as picture frames, toys, rugs, paintings, posters, jewelry, refrigerator magnets and all sorts of other knick-knacks. The quality is high, and the prices are not listed to allow for bargaining and negotiation.
There is also food available at the stands. There might be cold drinks, coffee, ceviches, hot dogs or Colombian favorites like ajiaco.
The Shops
Naturally, the shops in Usaquen take advantage of the visitors and most of them are open. There are boutiques, clothing stores, jewelry stores, art galleries and more. Prices tend to be higher than they are with the vendors in the street, but the stuff is generally different.
Restaurants
Usaquen is home to a number of classy restaurants and cafes, so visitors to the flea market often take advantage of being there to grab lunch before going home. There is a variety of international and Colombian restaurants in town, including the ubiquitous Crepes and Waffles and the Bogota Beer Company.
More Markets in Bogota
Those who cannot make it to the Usaquen flea market on a Sunday need not despair. There are a couple of markets near the Gold Museum. These are somewhat tightly packed stores in a small pedestrian mall selling coffee mugs with Botero images on them, bags of coffee, t-shirts, Colombia ashtrays and drink rests, etc. The quality is much higher at Usaquen.
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Christopher Minster - I'm a freelance writer. I mostly write about travel, history and culture. I enjoy writing fiction as well.
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