Bogota Street Style / Fashion

One of the first things tourist notice about Bogota is the way that people dress here. It is different because it is a mix of street fashion, traditional clothes, urban, punk, and conservative. Also, the weather has a large influence on how people dress. For example, the rain causes a big trend of people wearing boots and leather jackets. Even if the person is not a wanna-be hipster or punk, black leather boots and jackets are worn by all.

Another thing tourist notice is that people wear mostly dark colors. You will only see bright colors on the coast of Colombia because they are considred tropical colors. One of my friends form the USA arrived wearing a red hoodie and immediatly felt out of place!

Since a lot of expensive, American, and high-fashion brands are out of reach for most people because of price or availability, street fashion is a unique mix of affordable clothes that is mostly influenced by personal style -- not brands. Though recently, some brands have focused on Colombian fashion and has impacted style via their advertising and marketing campaigns. Success stories of fashion brands penetrating the Colombian market are Adidas and Doc Martins.

A great photo gallery of Bogota street style can be seen on the Cartel Urbano Magazine website.







Bogota street style trends for 2013 and 2014 are:

• Jackets (because of the weather)
• Lots of black
• Fashion sneakers like Nike and Converse shoes
• 90s fashion and accessories (earings)
• Punk / grunge
• Platform shoes over high heels for women
• Designer t-shirts
• Leggings and fashion tights (noone walks around with bare legs!)
• Hipster style sweaters
• Highschool varsity jackets
• Leather boots and jackets
• Anything Adidas

How To Make a Colombian Mad

Depending on the culture, it may surprise you which things can make someone mad in another country. Here are some things that are surprisngly rude in Colombia, which may lead to you accidently making them mad.

• Refusing candy: Colombians love candy and anything sweet. As a result, eating dessert and candy throught the day is a common habit. However, if you are a foreigner and not used to eating so much sweets, you will not be tempted to eat it.

• Ignoring them: In Bogota, people are more conforntational than usual. For example, random people on the street or in public will make comments about you. Whether it is what you are wearing or a casual insult, they make comments that are indirect, but knowing that you can hear them. If you are Colombian, it is normal to engage in a verbal dispute, but if you really want to make someone mad, just ignore them and they get even more irritated.

• Not saying hello or good-bye: Greetings such as buenos dias is reguired in the morning. Especially if you are in a work environment. Say a general good morning to everyone no matter what! If not, you will be considered rude. 

• Not having small bills/change: You will constantly be asked to for smaller bills or coins when paying for items. Because of this, you are expected to make an effort to have exact change. Therefore, when you have no other opton but to pay with large bills, you will get attitude or an eye-roll from the cashier. This especially makes taxi drivers mad!

• Slamming taxi doors: This may seem strange, but it happens a lot to foreigners because of an interesting insight. Cars in the USA a larger than the taxi cars here, so the doors are heavier. As a result, Americans who are used to closing heavy doors, tend to slam the tiny lightweight doors here. Though not done on purpose, it still makes taxi drivers mad.

La Calera - Drinking & Eating On Top of a Mountain

Going out to eat in Colombia is not only about the food. It also includes a unique cultural experience. Because of this, some of the best places to experience Colombia combine great food with a fun atmosphere. Whether you start with a dinner that transforms into an all­-night party or have breakfast with a view of the city, Bogota has a variety of dining experiences that are perfect for every type of traveler.

Try a one of these while you are there.

Brunch in La Calera 

For those who want to try Colombian coffee over brunch, the best places to go are the roadside restaurants on the way to La Calera. La Calera is a town in the mountains 15 minutes outside of Bogota, but locals go there for afternoon drives to see the amazing views of the city over a hot breakfast or lunch. There you will see couples or families enjoying a typical sunny day in Bogota while getting a quick bite to eat on the way to their next destination.



Along the road to La Calera, expect to find several places to get a traditional Colombian breakfast that includes huevos pericos (Colombian scrambled eggs), bread, juice, coffee or hot chocolate. Meanwhile, street food is perfect for an afternoon snack such as mazorca (grilled corn on the cobb) and empanadas. If it is a cold day, warm up with a canelazo. This hot and alcoholic drink is a mix of aguardiente, aguapanela, and cinnamon. Any of these meals are a great way to take in the views during a relaxing weekend.

This is your view while brunching in La Calera.

Colombian Personality Traits

Growing up in Colombia builds in personality traits and habits that are learned since childhood. I have noticed this recently just by observing parents with their children. If you do so, there is an obvious difference in how Americans and Colombians are raised. As a result, this child rearing causes Colombians to have similar personality traits.

Nice stereotypical image to talk about stereotypes.

Besides the cultural stereotypes of partying, happy, people; here are some not as obvious traits:

1. Very Clean:

Colombians are very clean. For example, they take at least 1 if not more showers per day. A lot of people brush their teeth after lunch and have spotless apartments. In contrast, anyone that is familiar with American or European culture can agree that other countries are not as clean when it comes to showers and apartments. Just look at American college dorm rooms -- they are always gross.

I think this could be because of the fact that a lot of people are raised with maids and just get into the habit of having everything clean. Also, because Colombians care a lot about outer appearance and so it is another way to look good in front of others. Also, while observing a mother and child, I noticed that the child was not allowed to play in the dirt while in America it is ok for gets to get dirty. As some may know the American expression, “God made dirt, dirt can’t hurt”.

2. Good at Negotiating & Business:

This definitely applies to Paisas, but in general Colombians are good at negotiating and at business. Whether it is negotiating with street vendors or starting a new business, Colombians have an entrepreneurial spirit that has lead to a lot of growth in the country. I think this may be about the level of poverty as they are willing to do anything to make money and becomes a habit over time when learning these skills form other Colombians. Also, may be because there is no government social support for the unemployed, meaning that learning how to hustles is a live skill that can help in times of need.

3. Polite, Yet Fake:

I have seen a lot of articles about Colombia saying that Colombians are extremely polite and happy people. It may appear like that to a foreigner who is here for a short time, but if you really live here, you notice that the politeness can be a facade. It is a facade because while that may be polite to your face, they also are known for talking behind peoples back and being fake.

This happens especially in the work environment where you get along with everyone, but then later realize that there have been people making complaints about you. Be careful, because in the workplace people often are very competitive and will try to get you fired or take your job -- probably for the same reason as #2.

Benefits of Living in Colombia (Pros & Cons)

The pros & cons of living in Bogota are surprising. There are some things that are unexpected luxuries and other common things in the U.S. that cannot be found here. In my own personal decision trying to decide if I am going to live here forever or move back to the U.S., below is an exercise in the benefits of living in Colombia.

Taxis everywhere.

Pros of Living in Colombia

• Taxis are everywhere and you do not need a car
• Coffee, juice, fruit, and flowers are cheap
• Maids are cheap
• You can get a good meal very cheap
• Most food produce is organic and there are farmers markets everywhere
• The high elevation makes it safe for the apocolypse and flooding predictions
• The weather in Bogota is amazing and stable, the sunshine is the best part

Cons of Living in Colombia

• Imported products are expensive like clothes, cars, and electronics
• Some people have little knowledge or exposure to international cultures
• Hard to find good international food, usually very expensive
• Traffic
• Eating Colombian food everyday can get old, little variety

Unexpected Luxuries

Bogota is not known as an international luxury destination, however daily life can have its unexpected luxuries - perhaps even better than cities like London or Paris. For example, these luxuries are available in Bogota because they are cheap and otherwise would be a lot more expensive in another country.

For this reason, I have decided to live in Bogota forever. Though I come from a very comfortable suburban lifestyle, these luxuries are something that I have decided that I cannot live without. Below is a list of the benefits and luxuries that I enjoy here, but may not be able to afford in the United States.

Organic food and marketings are the norm. Also, cheap!

Unexpeted Luxury & Benefits of Living in Bogota:

• Maids: Maids here are very cheap and a lot of people have one. Not only do they only cost $15-20 US per day, but they are full-service maids. This includes cooking, cleaning, laundry, babysitting, running errands, and taking care of pets. A lot of children grow up with maids and they are part of the family for a lifetime. This is one luxury that I plan to enjoy and is not the norm in the United States.

• Personal Drivers: Taxis are so common that you could consider them to be personal drivers and live without a car forever. But even if you do have a car, some people hire personal drivers to pick them up in thier own care when going out at night to prevent drunk driving. For example, there is a service that you call where a driver arrives in a motorcycle, then they will drive you home. Other driving services include driving from Bogota to weekend travel destinations or communting to and from work.

• Massages, Salons & Spas: Getting a massage, manicure, or a haircut is very cheap. The quality is good and there is a salon on evey street corner. This makes it easy to get your hair and nails done everyweek for about $20 US. Great for women who like to look their best. Great range of cheap and luxury spas also provide great options in pricing and treatments so that you can go often.

• Organic Food: Since most food and produce is grown locally, the quality of the food is very good, natural, and organic. For example, you can get a homecooked meal at a local mom & pop restaurant and get fresh sqeezed juice.

No One Ever Has Pens!

I don´t know why, but Colombians never have pens around - especially when they are needed! For example, at the bank and at work.

I miss these.

While growing up in the U.S., Iing the was used to always having pens around. At the bank there was always a free pen to use. At work we had a suppy closet full of pens and other supplies. At my first two jobs here, there was no supply closet. Eveyone had to bring their own supplies including paper, pens, notebooks, etc. This was crazy to me. I mean, how am I supposed to work without being able to write something down!

Another thing that is similar to this is that at work there was rarely a printer or copy machine. Usually there is one personal-sized printer next to the administrative desk. Usually only limited people have access to it and you have to ask for permition to use it. This is totally different from the large multi-purpose copy machine that you could make 100 copies and print personal items.

Eventually, once ou bring your own supplies tow things happen. 1) People stat stealing your supplies 3) Coworkers will borrow it or it becomes a communal pen. At one point, I was sharing a pen among 3 people!

At the bank, the bank employees don´t understand why you would need a pen. This is demonstrated by how they react when you ask for a pen. They are shocked and even sometimes rude about it!