San Victorino is the city's traditional commercial district west of La Candelaria, a dense maze of small shops, stalls, and warehouses selling everything imaginable at wholesale prices. It is where Bogotanos come for cheap clothing, electronics, household goods, and fabrics. The market spills into the surrounding streets and operates every day of the week.
It is not a tourist destination in the conventional sense — there are no crafts here, and the area is gritty and crowded. But for a visceral sense of how a large informal economy actually works, it is fascinating. The Christmas season, when San Victorino lights up with elaborate decorations and the crowds become truly dense, is the best time to visit. Keep an eye on your belongings.