Went in 2011. It’s an amazing place and a lot safer than you’d first think. Bogota has some areas you’d want to avoid after dark, but generally, as with most places, the people are very friendly and helpful. Can’t give much advice on what the best way to travel around is as we mainly drove around with locals we know. I believe that there are pretty much no trains other than one or two tourist routes, so long distance buses are probably you’re best bet. The highlights of what we saw were:
A nice nature reserve place north of Bogota which is good for relaxing hiking (at height…) if you were into that. Looks a lot like much of Wales. As above we were lucky to get a local to drive us so I can’t comment on ease of transport. Laguna Iguaque
Close to that there’s also the town of Villa Da Leiva which is very relaxing and very picturesque. Villa_de_Leyva. If you get your rocks off buying cheap food from local markets, and watching livestock getting crammed into the back of hatchbacks, then this is the place for you.
We also got out to the Tatacoa Desert Tatacoa desert which was an awesome place. It’s quite a way south of Bogota and again we got a lift so not sure how you’d do it on public transport.
And try and visit a Tejo bar. It’s utterly bonkers! AS howsyourdad1 says the north has the Caribbean beaches – Cartagena is meant to be amazing.