Old country house converted into a shopping mall, with upscale stores and clientele. They also have a branch of the National movie theater chain Cine Colombia.

Address: Cra 7 # 115 - 60

Phone: 6120388

Website: www.haciendasantabarbara.com.co

Colombia's big box superstore. The quality is good, and you will notice a significant difference in your receipt if you do your weekly shopping here as opposed to Carulla or Carrefour. Keep in mind that it is often difficult to find imported products at Exito. For a list of stores in Colombia, go to the website's homepage and scroll down to the very bottom where is says Puntos de Venta>> Horarios e Informacion. Click that link. The location that we most frequently visit is listed below.

Address: Calle 52 #13-70, Bogota

Phone: 212 4022

Hours: M-Sat 8:30am-9pm and Sun 9am-8pm

Website: www.exito.com

Simple, well-crafted, and functional leather is what TM Cuero is all about.  Work with Cesar to create a customized bag for you, or learn to do it yourself at one of their leather working courses. Check out their website for more info and pictures of some products. We love the portfolios and cartera teca.

Address: Carrera 5 #26A-18

Phone: 342-8964 or 314-413-3443 (cell)

Website: www.cersargiraldo.com.co

Corferias is a very large event center that hosts some of the most important national and international exhibitions to come to Colombia.

ArtBo (art fair), Bogota Moda (fashion show) and Expoartesanias (artisan fair) are just a few examples.

Address: Carrera 37 #24-67

Phone: 381-0000

Website: www.corferias.com

Event calendar: www.servicios.corferias.com/calendario

This great neighborhood flower shop is our favorite. You can walk in and talk to a very nice and competent sale person and have them prepare a nice arrangement for you. Whether it's for you or a love one, they will take time to do it very nice and you will be surprise how cheap it is to offer a great bouquet. We usually tell them how much we have, and they pick something great for you and deliver it whenever you want.

Address: Diagonal 70A No. 4-70

Phone: 600-5720

Pastaio is a great local chain of fresh pasta and sauces. They have a fast delivery to almost everywhere in town. We love to ask for a napolitana and an alfredo sauce and mix them. Delicious.

Address: Carrera 5 # 70A-45 or Calle 85 # 9-71

Phone: 540-4302 or 218-3347

Right in the heart of the emerald district, this small store located in a jewelry mini-mall offers reasonably priced loose emeralds and ones that are already set. Since emeralds are native to Colombia and there is no fixed emerald price world-wide (like in the case of diamonds), this is definitely the best place to buy!

Address: Centro Comercial La Esmeralda, Calle 12 #5-86/83- Locales 4 and 8, Bogota

Phone: 282-8753 or 286-1339

Upscale shopping mall in the center of one of the most famous zone in Bogota (La Zona Rosa).

Address: Cl. 81 # 11 - 94
Phone: 3760800
Website: www.elretirobogota.com

Funky and functional leather bags, wallets, and more. Every piece features a unique lining. Smaller items make great gifts!

Address: Calle 85 #12-10 Local 204, Bogota

Phone: 635-8192

Website: www.mubags.net

This smaller shopping center is situated in the center of one of the most famous neighborhood in Bogota (La Zona Rosa). You can also find there a movie theater of the  chain Cinemark (see website).

Address: Cl. 81 # 13-05
Phone: 6066205
Website: www.atlantisplaza.com