"My second home" Top 5 Page for this destination Barranquilla by Lodestar

Barranquilla Travel Guide: 67 reviews and 107 photos

This city was my home for six months and i loved it. wonderful people, amazing party places, fantastic culture - colombian culture at it's best.... This is the la tierra loca Gabriel Garzia Marquez talks about. Th Caribbean coast is the most amazing are in Colombia. It is relatively safe compared to the interior of the country. It is also full of gorgeous, friendly, helpful, fun and nice people. The nature is beautiful, the culture is colorful.
although b/quilla is not among the top tourist cities in Colombia you just have to visit the city to get a real feel of Colombia.

You will find wonders, if you are willing to look

Some of the costumes at the carnivals

Although Barranquilla is in most cases described as a large industrial city, with no real tourist attractions, then there is a certain event in b/quilla, which draws hundreds and hundreds of people together from all over south america and the etire world. This event is the Barranquilla carnival - the second largest and famous in south america after good old Rio. The three days of carnivals that take place usually in the beginning of february, are an event filled with colorful costumes, dancing, drinking, music, parades, sunshine, water and maizena (corn starch) throwing and general fun and boning between all the people there. This is definately something everyone should see and experience first hand.

My experience

The amazing Caribbean beaches

As I lived and worked in Barranquilla for ahlf a year, i got to experience the Colombian life first-hand. I went to places few tourists even go, ate at 'restaurants' the typical visitor would never set foot to, met people you will not normally talk to - and that made me truly love the country and the city. I spent time at the nighclubs, bar, beaches, universities, market places, churches, supermarkets, the crazy public transport, cafes, park benches - everywhere a local person goes to, and I can say - there is so much to see and do in Barranquilla, if you just have the time and if you bother to look. Unlike most people, i'm convinced, that this is a unique city worth discovering and eventually you will find the crazy, chaotic, friendly, loud, hot heart of the country that so many people before you have fallen in love with!

Pros and Cons

Pros:A chance to experience the true Caribbean life, music and clubs, beaches, an oportunity to get to the core of Colombia as many people (like G. G. Marquez) have seen it!
Cons:Not very many tourist attractions, climate may appear to be too hot
In a nutshell:A true example of the tierra loca, with it's loatino rhythms, hot sunshine, fabulously friendly people, long and laisurely days on the beach and dancing the mysitcal nights away...

Last visit to Barranquilla: Jul 2002
Intro Updated Jun 10, 2003
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Reviews (22)

The 'ghetto' Things to Do (8)

You just have to see the mercado in the southern part of the city. a true sightseeing place :) the centro is increadible... more travel advice

This is the ajiaco soup - a typical dish - Barranquilla

Local cuisine Restaurants (3)

Be sure to try the local food of the area. Besides the fast food you can get from the streets, there are many cheap... more travel advice

The building of the modern art museum - Barranquilla

The museum of modern art Things to Do (8)

The Barranquilla museum of modern art exhibits mainly the works of Colombian artists, which comprises the permanent... more travel advice

The largest church in the city - Barranquilla

La inmaculada Things to Do (8)

One of the most impressive old churches in the city, this church creates a certain holy and solemn feeling inside.... more travel advice

Nightlife (5)
See All Cool music, cool people, hot atmosphare
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Taganga
Transportation (1)
Yes, it is the bus

Comments (14)

fabrice Feb 25, 2011 at 12:44 AM Report Abuse

very different from estonia
rubing Jan 28, 2010 at 1:09 PM Report Abuse

Great page! Got my interest piqued!
jillianbean Apr 25, 2008 at 6:07 PM Report Abuse

Hey! Am looking into ways of making my trip to Barranquilla more exciting! If you have any advice on transportation from Panama to Barranquilla that would be awesome, thanks! J
luca76 Jan 11, 2007 at 5:37 AM Report Abuse

hi !! nice page..!!! i'm going there next august, and now i'm getting info about colombia as much as i can, so i hope u can give me some them!!! ciao Luca!!!
Jim_Eliason Jun 27, 2006 at 4:37 AM Report Abuse

here's another place to put on my list!
scarm Apr 29, 2006 at 4:31 AM Report Abuse

Best Baranquilla Page! Thanks
Ashlita Feb 7, 2005 at 11:18 AM Report Abuse

I would like to thank you for your page! I had to do a project on Columbia and it was awesome to have the local scoop. My Dad is originally from Panama and I now have the urge to cross the border and spend some time in Columbia.
Siddha3th Nov 3, 2004 at 2:39 AM Report Abuse

Can see why you're in love with Barranquilla, Liis. There's an indescribable magic to the place... even through your photographs :) "La tierra loca" indeed! Stay safe and keep smilin'... Siddharth
quime Oct 25, 2004 at 2:52 PM Report Abuse

A must see Barranquilla page!
wozzek Jun 30, 2004 at 6:15 AM Report Abuse

ahhhhh... so nice, so inspirational. if I was not in "good old Rio", as now, broke and penniless :)) I’d be on the first plane to Colombia…