Parque Simon Bolivar

The metropolitan park covers around four hundred hectares across its linked sections, which makes the whole complex larger than Central Park, though the core park people mean is smaller. It was developed from the 1960s onward round an artificial lake with paths, lawns and a plaza de eventos that holds tens of thousands - Rock al Parque, a free rock festival running since 1995, is held here and is among the largest free festivals in Latin America, alongside similar free events for salsa, jazz and hip hop that the city funds deliberately as public programming. On ordinary days it is joggers, cyclists, families and boat hire on the lake. The botanical garden, the sports complex and a science museum adjoin it.

What you'll find

• Around four hundred hectares - across the linked park complex.
• An artificial lake - with paths and boat hire.
• Rock al Parque - a free festival running since 1995.
• City-funded free music programming - salsa, jazz and hip hop too.

When to go

Year round; festival dates are published. Two to three hours.

Before you go

Bogota weather is cool and often drizzling. Festival weekends fill the park completely and change its character. Some sections are separately gated and ticketed. It is large - pick a section.

Nearby

The botanical garden is west; El Campin stadium is east.