MARIE-CAROLINE HEYDENREICH, FOUNDER MI CASA ES TU CASA, IN BOGOTA
Marie-Caroline Heydenreich left Paris 9 years ago. After spending 1 year in Angola followed by 3 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she eventually settled in Bogotá, Colombia, with her husband and their 3 children. This super-active mamma is nothing but a born entrepreneur: she first set up a PR company in Paris, then she launched her own children's fashion brand, Marinoceros, and finally, in 2015, she created Mi Casa Es Tu Casa, a trust-based social network to sell, rent and exchange real estate. Today the network is followed by more than 21 000 members and owns its website : www.micasaestucasa.site
Our mom entrepreneur has agreed to play our Bogotá "insider" as she guides us through her favorite spots in and around the city.
IN BOGOTA WITH MARIE-CAROLINE HEYDENREICH
A few words about Bogota. Bogota is a modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan city, which is very pleasant to live in as an expat! A mix of Spanish and North American influences, it is a big Latin American city with both rich and poor neighborhoods, very modern buildings and small European style houses. There are lots of parks and traffic is terrible!
Eating out with the kids. On Sunday, we often have lunch at the Salto del Angel (near the Parque de la 93). A nice place with a play area. The children have lots of fun playing with entertainers and putting make-up on.
For the best burgers of Bogotá, go to El Corral Gourmet (try the Manhattan!). They have very cute menus for children and coloring helps them to wait quietly.
In a completely different style, Andres Carne de Res in Chia (outside Bogotá) is quite a «psychedelic» place but offers delicious meat, delectable mojitos, and great shows for children. The atmosphere is indescribable!
Many restaurants outside the city offer large spaces for children. Acuamonte, for example, is a 20-minute drive from Bogotá. Here you can catch your own fish before having it cooked and served to your table.
Still in the countryside, La Granja is a farmhouse where children can feed animals, do handicrafts and play mini-golf (plan to arrive early as space is limited).
Grabbing a snack. The bakery & tea-room Eric Kayser has delicious French pastries.
Your favorite activities on a sunny day. Bogotá has many pleasant parks. El Parque El Chico is one where children can run as much as they want. You can picnic, feed animals, or just have a cup of coffee. Painting workshops are often proposed on weekends.
The Parque de la 93 is famous for its pirate ship, huge spider web to climb and brand new swings.
El Parque Metropolitano Simon Bolivar is the biggest in Bogotá. There is a huge pond that can be used for boats and pedal boats. It also offers playgrounds for kids and sports facilities for the older ones!
At the exit of Bogotá, El Parque Panaca is a great family outing. The little ones will enjoy milking cows and feeding calves while the others can climb on a buffalo or attend a pig race.
El Parque Jaime Duque, situated outside the city, is a very kitsch yet worth amusement park. They offer rides for children from 2 to 10 years, among other activities.
Your favorite activities on a rainy day. Cinema Paraiso and its Club Babilla feature a special session for children and their families every Sunday at noon (with large armchairs and small tables to watch the screening while having lunch).
Every weekend, the Hilos Magicos puppet theater offers a variety of shows appealing to both children and parents.
C for Culture... There are few museums in Bogotá. The Museo Botero situated in the La Candelaria district, the historical and cultural center of the city, is delightful and can be easily visited with children.
On the East side of Bogotá, the 3150m Monserrate hill is worth a visit: children love the cable car and the view of the valley from the top is breathtaking!
The Cathedrale de Sel de Zipaquira, about fifty kilometers away from the capital, is a true architectural and mineral treasure. Easily accessible, it's a « not to miss » top pick.
Naptime/peaceful spot. The walk around the laguna de Guatavita - located about sixty kilometers North of Bogotá - is very pleasant and easy with children.
Shopping for the kids. Minibhu is a neatly decorated concept store for children and babies. They stock a lovely children's clothing selection, including many European brands. They also organize baby showers and children's birthdays.
Materile Juguetes: A toy, book and art craft store where you will want to buy everything!
Getaways outside the city. For a green weekend, I particularly recommend two hotels:
La Finca El Refugio Hotel & Spa, a 1 and a half hours drive from Bogotá, is a great kid-friendly hotel. Ideal for sunbathing, swimming, bowling, tennis, picking organic fruits, enjoying great walks and even getting a massage.
La Casa de la Estacion, in Tobia, is an old train station tastefully renovated. It only has 5 rooms and a jacuzzi but you have the option to go hiking, rafting, horse-riding... In short, an idyllic place only 1 hour 40 minutes drive from Bogotá!
Another great option with friends and children is to rent a large villa with a swimming pool in Anapoima or Villeta (about 2 hours from Bogotá with temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees celsius all year round).