The bus system operated by TransMilenio (website: www.transmilenio.gov.co/transmilenio/home_english.htm) has revolutionised transport in the city. The network covers the whole town (all the main transport arteries), and buses are clean, safe, cheap and efficient. Visitors to Bogota are usually fascinated by the quality of the service, which is close to that of developed countries of the Western World. The system needed approximately 30 years to be designed, developed and introduced and benefited largely from the town's moving away from a metro idea; it is, however, a cross between the two, with self contained stations and buses having their own lanes separate from the rest of the traffic. The network operates between 0500 and 2300, and the 600-strong fleet carries 950,000 people a day. There are currently plans to extend the network to the airport.

For the real, South American transport feel, take a local buseta. They are all over the place, stop anywhere to pick up and drop off passengers, and you usually get off/on through the front door. When you want to get off just say to the driver ‘por aca por favor' (‘here please').

Bogota is well served by its big fleet of taxis (yellow, usually Korean cars). They all have meters (always insist on the meters being switched on) and are also rather inexpensive. They also should have stickers displaying day and nighttime fares. A 10km (6 mile) ride should cost no more than COP 8,500.

In the city, car hire is provided by Avis (tel: (1) 637 4358; website: www.avis.com) and American Car Rental (tel: (1) 243 2130; website: www.americanrentacarltda.com).

Avis, Hertz and National all have representatives at the airport. A driver also can be hired there (self-drive throughout Colombia is still considered to be rather risky).

Bogota is well known for its impressive and extensive bicycle network, which covers over 300km of cycle paths. They are however mostly situated in the north of Bogota and those in the city centre are heavily congested. The best day for a ride is on traffic-free Sunday. The bicycle network is integrated with the TransMilenio bus system which provides bicycle parking facilities. So called ciclorutas are bicycle lanes on the most important streets in Bogotá. Unlike ciclovias, they are permanent, not just on Sundays. Bike rental is almost non existent.