The wide diversity of climates in the country makes the gastronomic traditions of each region different, which is why Colombian cuisine is so varied.

If in addition to being amazed by fantastic landscapes you want to delight your palate with the traditional flavors of Colombia, here are some combinations you must try as you travel through the insular region, Amazon, and Eastern Plains.

Insular Region

The Colombian insular region consists of all the islands belonging to the country, including the San Andrés and Providencia archipelago in the Caribbean Sea and the Gorgona and Malpelo islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Due to its insular nature and proximity to the ocean, fish and seafood are the main features of traditional cuisine of the insular region, which has influences from other parts of the world where ships carrying goods, as well as cooking methods and flavor fusions, contributed to what is known as Colombian island cuisine.

If seafood is your thing, this is the flavor combination we recommend trying on any of the Colombian islands.

Main Dish: Rondón

A traditional soup made by the raizales, the original inhabitants of the island, which is prepared mainly with coconut milk that serves as the base for cooking all the other ingredients. This soup generally includes fish, crab, pork tail, green plantain, cassava, yam (a tuber similar to cassava), fried corn tortillas, and snails, seasoned with salt and pepper.

Although there are fundamental ingredients in this preparation, you may find some variations in the recipe on the islands depending on family traditions or the restaurant's specialty. Be sure to always ask about the ingredients before ordering the soup in case you have any allergies.

Dessert: Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin is a vegetable grown in the area and traditionally prepared as a puree or with other vegetables; however, its sweet flavor and striking orange color make it perfect for a delicious dessert. The best part is that it is a healthy dessert that not only adds a sweet touch to your meal but also provides your body with important vitamins and minerals.

Drink: Coconut Lemonade

Try Colombian coconut lemonade

Source: Mejor con Salud

The traditional lemonade made with lemon juice and water is taken to another level in the Colombian islands by adding the traditional flavor of coconut.

How is coconut lemonade made? The preparation is very simple: blend the coconut pulp and strain it to obtain coconut milk, which is used instead of water and gives a unique flavor, perfect for refreshing yourself on the hottest days while enjoying the perfect balance between sour and sweet in this drink.

 

Eastern Plains

One of the most important activities in the region of the Orinoquía, also known as the Eastern Plains, is cattle ranching.

A large portion of the meat consumed in the country and exported to other countries comes from this region, so it's expected that the typical dishes from the Eastern Plains include high-quality meats. Whether at a renowned restaurant or a typical traditional barbecue, it’s likely that the Llanos meats will delight your palate.

To fully enjoy the flavors of this area of the country, we recommend:

Main Dish: Mamona

This is a dish of roasted veal cooked on a grill. While it may seem like any other meat, the way it is seasoned with beer, salt, and traditional herbs gives this tender and juicy meat a unique flavor.

Try Colombian Mamona

Source: Rincón Colombiano

Typically, this Llanos-style veal is served with potatoes, cassava, and plantains, as well as other meats like pork, beef, and even chicken to complement the flavors.

Dessert: Jalea

Jalea is made by cooking guava pulp, a Colombian fruit known for being the main ingredient in traditional veleño snacks and also used to make a refreshing juice served throughout the country. Due to its thick consistency, it is ideal for spreading on breads and cookies or served with a portion of fresh cheese.

Drink: Pineapple Guarapo

Guarapo is a drink made with pineapple slices, panela (unrefined cane sugar), water, and ice, according to personal taste. It is a natural complement with a sweet flavor, perfect for enhancing any traditional Colombian dish.

 

Amazon Region

The Colombian Amazon region, composed of the departments of Caquetá, Putumayo, Guainía, Vaupés, and Amazonas is one of the regions that most faithfully preserves indigenous gastronomic traditions. Additionally, due to its proximity to Peru and Brazil, the cuisine of these countries blends to create a fusion cuisine full of flavors, colors, and aromas.

Furthermore, not only do the ingredients and their combinations give the food in the area a unique character, but the traditional cooking techniques, such as moqueado (cooking with the smoke from a fire), also add a distinctive touch to the food of the Colombian Amazon region.

To experience the best of this region's cuisine, we recommend:

Main Dish: Pantarashca

The traditional pantarashca can be made with either golden dorado or pintadillo, which are very common in the area.

Try Patarashca, a typical dish from Colombia and Peru

Source: Wikipedia

The cooking process dates back to indigenous traditions where the fish is seasoned with garlic, paprika, and other spices, then wrapped in banana leaves to cook in its own juices, intensifying its flavor. The fillet can be accompanied by patacones (fried green plantains) and cassava, which also plays a significant role in Amazonian cuisine.

Dessert: Pomarrosa Sweet

Pomarrosa is a fruit native to Asia that is cultivated in the Amazon. It is not very common due to the slow growth process and its cultivation in small quantities, but it has an exceptional flavor that you should try if you visit this area of the country.

To make the sweet, the fruit pulp is cooked with water and sugar until it thickens into a dense, delicious treat.

Drink: Arazá Juice

Colombia is a country of exotic fruits available year-round; however, arazá is a fruit almost exclusive to the Amazon that you must try on your next trip. You can enjoy the juice with water sweetened with sugar or panela to savor its tangy and refreshing flavor.

Feeling tempted? Decide to travel through Colombia and let yourself be enchanted not only by its landscapes but also by the unique flavors full of history and tradition from these three regions of Colombia.