Barranquilla

Festival and culture in Colombia’s ‘Golden Gate’

Barranquilla, also known as the ‘Arenosa’ or ‘Curramba la Bella’, is one of Colombia’s main cities and a top tourist destination for locals and foreigners.

This city, where the río Magdalena ends its long journey, is the birthplace of great musicians, writers, and painters. It is also the stage for one of the country’s most important celebrations: the Carnaval de Barranquilla.

Days in the ‘Arenosa’ are always lived like a true carnival, as the joy, music, and tradition of this Caribbean city are felt in every square and street. Moreover, the charisma and kindness of its people fill this territory with energy, captivating all who visit. The famous phrase by singer Joe Arroyo “en Barranquilla me quedo” reflects the sentiment of many.

Thanks to its privileged geography, Barranquilla, capital of the Atlántico department, boasts one of the country’s most important ports. For this reason, the city is also known as Colombia’s ‘Puerta de Oro’. This has positioned it as a city with high potential for economic and industrial development.

What can you do in Barranquilla?

This city offers a wide range of recreational and cultural activities to enjoy. One of them is visiting the historic center, declared a Cultural Heritage Site in 1999, where you’ll find tourist spots like the Paseo de Bolívar, one of the city’s most prominent avenues, home to the City Hall, the Iglesia de San Nicolás, the Plaza de San Roque, and various commercial buildings.

You can also learn more about the city and region’s culture and art at the Museo del Caribe and the Museo de Arte Moderno de Barranquilla, which features works by prominent artists such as Fernando Botero, Karel Appel, Ángel Loochkartt, Enrique Grau, Alejandro Obregón, Salvador Dalí, and many others.

Other points of interest to visit include the Catedral María Reina, an architectural landmark of Colombia, and the Castillo de San Antonio de Salgar, an iconic structure of the capital of the Atlántico department.

Regarding gastronomy, Barranquilla offers delicious dishes influenced by Caribbean culture. You can enjoy typical dishes like sancocho de guandú con carne salada, bollos de yuca, and drinks made with fruits such as corozo, tamarindo, zapote, and níspero.

Unique experiences

The Carnaval de Barranquilla is not only Colombia’s most important folkloric and cultural festival; it is also a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, according to UNESCO.

The Carnival is a living treasure passed down from generation to generation. It is the most authentic expression of the Colombian people and a gathering of colors, races, legends, coastal joy, revelry, and rhythms like cumbia, mapalé, garabato, and son.

It spans four days of unforgettable experiences, starting days before Ash Wednesday, reaching its peak on Saturday during the famous Batalla de Flores, where joy, color, and beauty stand out.

Besides this celebration, Barranquilla is an ideal destination for shopping and a port where sailors from around the world dock with their yachts and sailboats.

In the city, you can also visit the iconic Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, home to Atlético Junior and the Colombia national team during World Cup qualifiers.

Activities you can’t miss

If you want to appreciate the region’s natural beauty, you can’t miss visiting Bocas de Ceniza, a stunning site where the río Magdalena meets the Caribbean Sea. It’s undoubtedly a place worthy of many photos.

Another interesting visit is the Zoológico de Barranquilla, home to 550 animals from 140 different species, some endangered, such as the eagle, condor, flamingo, manatee, and spectacled bear.

It’s also worth exploring the Gran Malecón, a five-kilometer stretch along the western bank of the río Magdalena, offering a variety of gastronomic, sports, cultural, and recreational activities.

Recommendations

• The average temperature in Barranquilla is 27.4°C, so we recommend wearing light clothing to handle the heat.

• To get around the city, you can use the Integrated Transport System, which operates with rapid transit buses and allows you to reach many tourist spots.

• Keep in mind that the city offers accommodations like hotels and apartments, strategically located and accessible for all budgets.

• Note that getting to Barranquilla is easy thanks to the Aeropuerto Internacional Ernesto Cortissoz, which has important national and international connections.

"La Arenosa" will envelop you in its warm atmosphere to experience the best that the Colombian Caribbean has to offer. Barranquilla offers a warm welcome to the world’s most welcoming country. Discover more about the world’s most welcoming country here!