Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao

Paloquemao is the market Bogotanos mean when they talk about going to the plaza for fresh produce. It has been trading for more than four decades and is one of the city's main supply centres, with products arriving from many regions of Colombia. For visitors it is the easiest way to see the variety of the country's farms in one place, from fruit you may never have seen before to great piles of herbs and Andean tubers.

The market is organised by trade. There are sections for fruit, vegetables, meat, groceries, dairy products and herbs, and the flower area, which has a strong link to Colombia's flower export business, is the part many visitors come for. The official tourism board describes Paloquemao as one of Latin America's leading flower suppliers, and early in the morning the flower sellers' stalls are at their fullest and most colourful.

The tourism board lists opening hours of 4:30 to 16:30 from Monday to Friday, and 5:00 to 14:30 on Sundays and public holidays. Entry is free, and the market's listed phone number is 742 6664. Arrive early in the day for the flower section and the liveliest trading; by early afternoon some stalls begin to pack up. Bring small notes in Colombian pesos, and ask before photographing stallholders.

Tasting is a good reason to come. Buying a few pieces of unfamiliar fruit to try is the simplest way to get to know Colombian produce. If you want explanations of what you are eating, Beyond Colombia runs an exotic fruit tour of the market on weekday mornings and afternoons, which can make sense on a first trip. The market suits food lovers, photographers and families with curious children.

Paloquemao is at the corner of Avenida Calle 19 and Carrera 25, west of the centre. By TransMilenio, ride to CAD station on the Calle 26 line and walk a few blocks south to Calle 19, or take one of the SITP buses that run along Avenida Calle 19 and stop near the market. Drivers can head west on Calle 19 to Carrera 25, where the entrance is, and there is parking nearby. Keep valuables out of sight in the crowded aisles.