La Macarena lies between La Candelaria and Chapinero on the lower slopes below the Cerros Orientales. It is one of Bogota's most likeable neighbourhoods — a mix of independent restaurants, art galleries, design studios, and bars spread across leafy streets. The area is popular with architects, artists, and the kind of people who own rescue dogs and read literary fiction.
The street art here is excellent — some of the best-known murals in a city famous for them. The restaurants on and around Calle 27 and Carrera 5 range from excellent Colombian regional food to international cuisine. Less flashy than the Zona Rosa and considerably more interesting, La Macarena is where Bogota's creative class tends to congregate. Safe and walkable during the day and evening.