Simón Bolívar Park

Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park is Bogotá's largest green space, a vast expanse of lawns, lakes and woodland near the geographic centre of the Colombian capital. Often described as the city's lung, it is bigger than New York's Central Park and forms the core of a wider belt of sporting and recreational facilities.

Its significance is civic and cultural. The park is the main venue for Bogotá's great public gatherings, from the free Rock al Parque festival, one of the largest open-air rock events in Latin America, to concerts, papal Masses and national celebrations that draw crowds in the hundreds of thousands. Its central lake, plaza and open fields are designed to hold these vast assemblies.

It sits amid a cluster of attractions in the west-central city, alongside the botanical garden, a major library, sports complexes and an aquatic park, all within an area laid out for public leisure. Tree-lined paths, a boating lake and broad meadows give the grounds a restful character on ordinary days, while the surrounding facilities cater to runners, cyclists and families.

For visitors, the park offers space and local life. Walk or cycle the paths, rent a pedal boat on the lake, or picnic on the lawns among Bogotá families at weekends, when the atmosphere is at its most animated. Entry to the main park is free, though some adjoining attractions charge. At an altitude above 2,600 metres the air is thin and the weather changeable, so a light layer and sun protection help. Combined with the neighbouring botanical garden, it makes an easy half-day away from the historic centre. For travellers seeking to see how the capital relaxes and celebrates, this sweeping park is the place.