TransMiCable ride to Mirador del Paraíso - A last view of Bogotá

 


Situated south of the city centre, Ciudad Bolívar is one of the poorest areas of Bogotá and has a bad reputation. It is definitely not a tourist destination, although there is an attraction that is worth - and safe - to visit. Fairly recently, in December 2018, the government opened a cable car line (TransMiCable) to the top of one of the hills where a lookout, Mirador del Paraíso, stands. This project is part of an effort to make the slums more liveable: to provide cheap transport to residents, to improve the reputation of the area, to attract tourists and boost local small businesses. In Medellín, a similar initiative in Comuna 13 seems to be a big success, so hopefully Mirador del Paraíso will also be discovered. At the top there is a small square with a museum, restaurants, cafés and shops, and a bigger shopping street is located a block away if someone wants to explore the area a bit more. The museum, Museo de la Ciudad Autoconstruida, seems to be a community centre as well, and on its roof a little urban garden can be found. The views are also great from the roof. The museum is free. 


Getting there

 Getting to Mirador del Paraíso is really easy and cheap. From Bogotá centre, and even from the northern suburbs, there are a number of TransMilenio buses to Portal del Tunal. You don`t even have to go outside the bus station, it is connected to the cable car station. 

More info about practicalities in travelswithmitzi.blogspot.com. 












































































































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