Usaquén's colonial district has always been one of my favorite places in Bogotá, especially during the popular flea market held on every Sunday and holiday. In addition to the market, this area has several great restaurants, a large beautiful plaza, and a lot more history than you'd imagine.

Recipe: Oatmeal Banana energy bars

There's a natural park just 30 minutes outside of Bogotá where you can enjoy one of Colombia's most beautiful ecosystems. It's called Chicaque and it was founded in 1990 thanks to private conservation efforts. The most suprising (and saddest) fact is that only 4% of Colombia's "Andean Cloud Forest", like this one, still exists. Over the years people have destroyed it to clear land for grazing and growing potatoes.

Bogotá’s Ciclovía is the weekly event when dozens of city streets are closed off and people take over mile upon mile of open roads for biking, skating, jogging and walking. It's a rare and amazing event which many cities have tried to copy. Why wouldn’t they? It’s such a good idea and without a doubt one of the best ways to get to know and enjoy a city like Bogotá that is normally overrun with cars and traffic. Plus, you can eat everything along the way and get a taste of some of Colombia’s healthiest street food. Here is just a sampling of some of the fruit and food you might see and taste along the way.