Practical information about Barranquilla

Travel Guide Barranquilla

Practical information about Barranquilla

Home 9 Author archive for J ( Page 19 )

Here you will find practical information about Barranquilla: useful information about the climate and the best time to travel, how many days do we recommend to stay in Barranquilla, where can you withdraw money, how are the  supermarkets and what about the safety in Barranquilla.

Climate

Climate

It is warm year-round in Barranquilla, with an average temperature of over 27 degrees and a maximum temperature of 31-33 degrees. There is high humidity and little wind. You can visit Barranquilla all year round. In the period from November to April there is the most wind. The warmest month is August. Most rain falls between August and December and the least rain falls in January and February. A hotel with air conditioning is highly recommended. We were in Barranquilla in mid-September and the humidity was not too bad. We stayed in Riomar and noticed that -because of its location close to the sea- there was a very pleasant, refreshing breeze.

Best time to travel

Carnival is the event of the year in Barranquilla and the coastal region. In 2026, Barranquilla carnival is scheduled to take place from Saturday, February 14 to Tuesday, February 17. Leading up to the main event, the city hosts several pre-carnival activities. Check our article about Carnival in Barranquilla if you want to know what to expect during the biggest party of the year. Keep in mind that prices go up and you have to book your hotel far in advance for the carnival period.

 

Safety

Safety

In general, Barranquilla is safe, if you stay in the recommended neighborhoods. Places with lots of people like the Malecón del Rio have lots of police and we felt very safe there at night. Also at the #1 nightlife hotspot La Troja, there is always a big police presence.

If you are going to Barranquilla, stay in a safe neighborhood such as Riomar, El Prado or Alto Prado. Avoid Centro at night and if you go during the day, preferably don’t go alone and watch your belongings. Avoid the very poor neighborhood of Barranquillito.

Even then, it is important to be careful with phones, apple watches etc and leave your expensive jewelry at home.

Theft from a motorcycle is one of the most common forms of theft in Barranquilla. Because of this, the police strictly monitor 2 men on motorcycles.

Read more about safety in Colombia.

How many days do you need?

3 days

On day 1 you can  get used to the high temperatures of this Caribbean city, in the pool of your hotel. Toward the evening, you can check out the monuments Ventana al Mundo (see photo) and/or Aleta del Tiburón and then grab a bite to eat at the promenade Malecón del río. On day 2, you can catch a cab for a city tour of El Prado and visit the Carnival Museum. Afterwards, peek into the iconic hotel El Prado, for a bite to eat and a drink. On day 3, shop at one of the many malls or take a taxi+ mototaxi to Bocas de Ceniza, where you can walk to the point where the sea meets the river. If you still have energy left after that, visit one of the salsa clubs, for an evening of partying with the Costeños, e.g. at la Troja.

1 week or longer

During 1 week in Barranquilla, you can take a multi-day trip to Tayrona National Park. There is a wide choice of hotels in and (just) outside the park. This way you can enjoy some nature during your city trip to Barranquilla. Another possibility is to extend your city trip with a visit to Cartagena. (2.30h by bus)

Practical info A-Z

What to bring
  • Light clothes and shoes
  • Set of nice clothes for dining out
  • Sunscreen
  • Anti-mosquito/insect spray
  • Umbrella or rain jacket if traveling in rainy season
ATM machines

You will find ATMs in malls and in larger drugstores where you can safely withdraw cash. Make sure the transaction is complete before you leave the ATM.

Tip: We experienced one time that it did not work to withdraw money. When we changed the language from English to Spanish it worked!

Vaccinations

No yellow fever or other vaccinations are required for Barranquilla. Check the link for more information about vaccinations and medical care in Colombia.

Wifi

The wifi is generally good. The larger malls also have “we work” zones for digital nomads.

Supermarkets

The supermarkets we encountered everywhere were Ara and D1. You can also find Jumbo and Carulla. At the latter you will find more imported, more expensive products. At the department store Exito, there is a large food and beverage department.

Drinking water

The water from the tap is not drinkable unless the hotel or hostel has a filtration system.

Beaches

Barranquilla itself has no beaches; the nearest is in Puerto Colombia, just under 20km away. Puerto Colombia used to be an important port city. It is also the city where the first immigrants used to set foot ashore in Colombia. At sunset, it is a hot spot with the locals, who stroll on the long pier and enjoy the renovated central square, filled with statues depicting the former immigrants. Hotel Pradomar is a favorite hangout for a beach day. Puerto Colombia can be combined with a visit to Salgar, whose most famous attraction is El Castillo de Salgar.

The best restaurants in Barranquilla-eating and drinking

Travel Guide Barranquilla

Home 9 Author archive for J ( Page 19 )

There are good restaurants in Barranquilla for every taste and budget, from traditional Caribbean food (Costeño food) to international food. When you consider that Barranquilla is the place where the first immigrants set foot in Colombia, you won’t be surprised that the different cultures have influenced the food immensely.

Barranquilleros love to eat and there is a restaurant on almost every street corner! Fish is an important part of the food in Barranquilla. With its location on both the Magdalena River and the Caribbean Sea, there is both freshwater and saltwater fish. Local seafood include Mojarra, Bocachico, Cabrito (grilled fish). Patacones (green banana cookies) and arroz de coco (coconut rice) like to be served as side dishes.

Other local specialties:

  • Patacones con suero (sour cream)
  • Sancocho de guandú (soup with salted meat)
  • Arroz lisa, a rice dish with freshwater fish
  • Arepa de huevo (arepa stuffed with egg)
  • Butifarra, sausage made from beef and pork
  • Cayeye, a dish made from green bananas

To learn more about traditional food on Colombia’s north coast, check our article food Caribbean coast.

A fun way to try the local specialties is with a street food tour.

Here are our tips for the best restaurants in Barranquilla. Buen provecho!

Our tips

PESCAYÉ

El Prado and Barrio Abajo

Fish restaurant serving authentic, traditional Costeño food in a tropical setting. There are establishments in el Prado and Barrio Abajo and in Caimán del Río on the Malecón del Río. The establishment in Barrio Abajo is a good lunch spot before or after a visit to the Carnival Museum.

PALO DE MANGO

El Prado

Chef Alex Quessep’s restaurant, where traditional Colombian dishes are given a modern twist. There is regular live music.

VARADERO

Alto Prado

Popular Cuban restaurant that has been around for 25 years. Cuban live music completes the atmosphere.

STORIA D'AMORE

Parque Washington-Alto Prado

Italian restaurant/wine bar, where the food and cocktails are beautifully presented. Highly recommended if you have something special to celebrate.

STEAK HOUSE CHEZ ERNEST

El Prado

French family restaurant that has been in business for nearly 65 years. Specialty is the pepper steak.

SARAB

Riomar

Traditional Arabic food in a personal atmosphere.

CUCAYO

One of the restaurants to try local food (fast food style) such as arepas, butifarras, chicharrones and seafood. The main location is on Calle 85#53 and you can find smaller branches in Caiman del Rio and Mall Plaza.

CREPES Y WAFFLES

In various locations around the city, including in the Buenavista 2 shopping mall, Viva Mall, Portal del Prado and Alto Prado. Crepes, sundaes, waffles, soups and more… Crêpes y Waffles never disappoints!

PIZZERIA THE MEETING POINT

Barrio Bellavista (El Prado)

In addition to regular pizzas, you can also order sweet pizzas there, such as the pizza with strawberries and chocolate sauce

GRAN MALECÓN

Avenida del Río

On the Malecón, there are lots of different restaurants, some of which are in food court Gran Caimán and range from pizza to traditional Costeño food. Near Manglares del Río you will find even more restaurants including Bistro del Rio and a cocktail bar. If you walk further up the Malecón, you will find several more simple restaurants and food trucks, where we ate delicious Cuban sandwiches. The Malecón is also entertaining when matches of the Colombian soccer team are broadcasted.

RESTAURANTE EL GIRATORIO

Riomar

Want to “do something different? Then go “upscale” for lunch or dinner at Restaurante El Giratorio, on the 13th floor of the Dann Carlton hotel (across from Buenavista shopping mall). The restaurant rotates, for an extra special experience AND a 360-degree view over Barranquilla. Closed on Sundays, Mondays and holidays.

BONUS TIP: LA TROJA

The best place for drinks and dancing in Barranquilla is La Troja. This #1 nightlife hotspot for locals and tourists has been around for 50 years and has been named Barranquilla’s cultural and musical heritage. Salsa is the order of the day here and it’s a fun place to “mingle” with the locals and have a dance…in short, “the ultimate local experience in Barranquilla.” It is particularly fun on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. Also a fun place to be when matches of the Colombian soccer team are broadcast. During Carnival,la Troja is a hot spot and you can dance until the early hours.

How to get to Barranquilla

Travel Guide Barranquilla

How to get to Barranquilla

Home 9 Author archive for J ( Page 19 )

How to get to Barranquilla? Here you can read about the different modes of transportation to Barranquilla, by plane, bus + transportation from the international airport to downtown Barranquilla.

ColombiaMyWay

Airplane

How to get to Barranquilla by plane?Here is an overview of the direct international and domestig flights:(Updated July 2025)

North America
From Canada, there are no direct flights to Barranquilla.

United States

  • Miami (MIA): with American Airlines and Avianca, offering year-round direct flights.
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) there is a seasonal flight from July through November, operated by Spirit Airlines. 

Europe
There are no direct flight to Barranquilla. However, if you want to combine a trip to Baranquilla, with a Carribean vacation, you can fly directly from Amsterdam to Curaçao with KLM and contintue to Barranquilla with EZ air (2 hours). You can also fly to Panama and take a direct flight to Barranquilla.

Central America

  • Panama City (PTY): Copa Airlines provides direct flights and Wingo offers direct flights from
  • Balboa (BLB) with Wingo

Caribbean

  • Willemstad, Curaçao: Non-stop flights operated by Z Air.
  • Kralendijk, Bonaire: FlexFlight has announced direct flights starting in September 2025.

South America
There are no direct flights to Barranquilla within South America. 

Domestic flights within Colombia include: 

  • Bogotá (Wingo Air, Avianca, Latam)
  • Medellín (Avianca, Latam)
  • Cali (Avianca, Latam)
  • San Andres (Wingo Air)
  • Perreira (Avianca)

Tip: Consider flying into nearby airports such as Santa Marta (SMR) or Cartagena (CTG), which are approximately 65 km and 95 km away from Barranquilla. There are many minibuses daily that do the ride between these destinations. Barranquilla can be easily added to a round trip on the Carribbean coast of Colombia. Check the trip we made from Barranquilla to Santa Marta. 

Transportation from the international airport

Aeropuerto Internacional Ernesto Cortissoz, (BAQ)
Barranquilla’s airport is 12 km from downtown. You can choose the following means of transportation to get to your hotel in Barranquilla.

Taxi
You can catch a taxi outside at the official taxi stand or at the desk within the airport at the baggage claim. 

The cost of a taxi from Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) to Barranquilla’s city center varies based on several factors, including the specific destination within the city, time of day, and the type of taxi service chosen. 

  • Standard fare: Around COP 26,000 to COP 32,000 (about $6.50 to $8 USD)

  • Travel Time: Around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic

  • Payment: Primarily cash in Colombian pesos

  • Tip: It’s advisable to agree on the fare before starting your journey.

Shuttle service hotel
You can also arrange a shuttle service through your hotel, which will be waiting for you at the appointed time. We paid COP55,000 ($14) for a Duster service to our hotel in Riomar. A Duster is a very comfortable SUV. After about half an hour we were at our hotel in Riomar. If you stay in El Prado, it’s closer to the airport and the ride will take about 20 minutes.

Pre-booked private taxi
A private pre-booked transfer that you can book in advance online, is also very relaxing. You have already arranged the payment, you will get contact details of the driver/car in advance, and just need to get in. Therefore the most efficient option to travel from Barranquilla . You can book a private cab from 20$.

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation to/from Barranquilla
How to get to Barranquilla by bus? Barranquilla has good bus connections to other destinations on the Caribbean coast, such as Cartagena and Santa Marta, and major cities in Colombia. The bus terminal Terminal de Transportes Metropolitano, is located in the south of the city.

Caribbean coast

Bus fares to and from Barranquilla, vary depending on the bus company and level of comfort. On average you can count on these prices (2025)

  • Cartagena: 2.30h, COP30,000/$7.50. Traveling from Cartagena to St Marta, the bus stops in Barranquilla.
  • St Marta: 2h, COP COP30,000 /$7.50

Minibus transportation
If you are traveling on from Barranquilla to Cartagena or St. Marta, you may find it convenient to travel with MarSol or Berlinas minibuses. Instead of taking a cab to the bus terminal, catch the minibus at the MarSol or Berlinas office in Barranquilla. In Cartagena or Santa Marta, you will be dropped off at their office. There are set times, including several buses a day on weekends. 
Price indication:
Barranquilla- Santa Marta: COP45,000/€11 (one way), 2h.
Barranquilla- Cartagena: COP45,000/€11 (one way) 2.5h.

Long distance buses

  • Bogotá 17h, COP175,000 / €44
  • Medellín 14h, COP 190,000 / €47.50

Where to stay in Barranquilla? – The best neighborhoods + tips

Travel Guide Barranquilla

Where to stay in Barranquilla?

Home 9 Author archive for J ( Page 19 )

El Prado, Alto Prado or Riomar?

Where to stay in Barranquilla? You can find the best neighborhoods + tips here.

Before booking a hotel in Barranquilla, it is important to check accessibility and safety of the various neighborhoods to view. The neighborhoods El Prado, Alto Prado and Riomar in the north of the city are safe and easily accessible. Riomar is further north, closer to the sea; El Prado and Alto Prado are more central.

Which of these neighborhoods is the most fun and convenient to stay in? That depends on what you want to do and where. Check out information about the different neighborhoods and our tips here.

El Prado + Alto Prado

El Prado (Viejo Prado) is a beautiful colonial neighborhood + the cultural heart of Barranquilla. There are still many colonial buildings, inhabited by Jewish, Arab, German and Italian immigrants at the beginning of the 20th century. You will find beautiful white houses with large gardens and universities. Many old buildings have now been converted into clinics, but the atmosphere of yesteryear is still noticeable in the wide streets with tall trees, parks and interesting architecture, perfect for a stroll .

An interesting sight is the church Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción and you will also find the Carnival Museum in El Prado/Barrio Abajo. There are several shopping centers, such as Portal del Prado.

Hotel Casa Colonial is a beautiful colonial house, where you can stay for an affordable price.

Hotel el Prado is a well-known hotel in the El Prado district, which was built in the 1930s and at the time was the first 5-star hotel in Latin America. The hotel is located on a spacious fenced-off lot on the busy Carrera 54 and is recognizable by its many palm trees. You can read more about this hotel and its history in this article.

Alto Prado is located north of the city’s historic center. This is one of the best and safest neighborhoods in Barranquilla. Here you will find shopping centers and the best nightlife in the city, around Washington Park. Most of the bars and clubs are located here and there are many restaurants. You can shop at Jumbos Altos del Prado mall, among others. In Alto Prado, you can choose from several boutique hotels, such as Washington Plaza by DOT Premium.

Riomar

Riomar is a newer neighborhood in Barranquilla in the north of the city. The district extends to the Magdalena River and the Caribbean Sea.

Because of this location, there is usually a nice breeze and the temperature is pleasant. Riomar is one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods, with many trees and more expensive stores.

There is a wide choice of hotels in Riomar. The hotels here are mostly high-rise, many of which have rooftop terraces with pools, such as the comfortable GHL Collection Barranquilla Hotel. We stayed here ourselves and wrote this article about the hotel and its services. 

Riomar is home to the city’s largest shopping centers, such as Viva Centro Comercial, Buenavista 1 and 2 +Mall Plaza that are connected. A number of hotels are ideally located for a shopping trip, such as Movich Buro 51 (Viva Centro Comercial)

Hotel Dann Carlton Barranquilla is located across from Buenavista mall, perfect to splurge as much as you want in the stores and relax afterwards.

Riomar is located on the Circunvalar, which puts you close to the monuments Ventana Al Mundo and Aleta del Tiburón and Barranquilla’s boulevard, the Malecón del Río.

The location is also convenient for visiting mangrove park Ciénaga del Mallorquín and Bocas de Ceniza, the point where the Caribbean Sea meets the Magdalena River. Also, if you want to take a side trip to Salgar and Puerto Colombia, you are there in “no time” from Riomar.

The best hotels for carnival in Barranquilla

The carnival parade in Barranquilla is on the Vía 40 (Vía Industrial), a long road that runs along the major factories such as glass factories and beer breweries. There are no hotels along this road, but you can easily reach the carnival route from the hotels in Riomar, El Prado and Alto Prado.

These hotels are closest to the route in terms of distance. This does depend on exactly where you will be staying.

  1. GHL Collection Barranquilla hotel
  2. Holiday Inn Express Barranquilla Buenavista, an IHG Hotel
  3. Hilton Garden Inn Barranquilla
  4. Movich Buro 51
  5. Wyndham Garden Barranquilla

Conclusion: best districts to stay in Barranquilla

Conclusion: Where to stay? Riomar, Alto Prado or Prado?

The answer to this question depends mostly on what you want to do in Barranquilla and what kind of atmosphere you like.

We booked a hotel in Riomar ourselves. We wanted to spend the night near the Avenida Circunvalar, so we could get to my travel companion’s family quickly and easily get to places up north, such as the Malecón del Río and Bocas de Cenizas. From El Prado it would take longer to get to the Circunvalar due to heavy traffic, so that’s why we chose Riomar. In the evening, it was wonderful to relax on the roof terrace of our hotel GHL Collection Hotel Barranquilla overlooking the city, the river and the monument Ventana al Mundo. Our room had air conditioning, a fantastic rain shower and was super spacious. The delicious breakfast was included and otherwise we had everything we needed nearby, such as a small shopping center across the street with supermarket D1, a drugstore, coffee shop Tostao and Domino’s pizza. The hotel was on a quiet side street and we were not bothered at all by traffic or noise.

Disadvantage of Riomar is, that it is a newer neighborhood and therefore it lacks the charm of a historic neighborhood like El Prado. It also lacks bars and restaurants in the area.

In short, we would recommend staying in El Prado if you want to be in a central location, in a colonial neighborhood. Alto Prado is highly recommended if you want to stay near Parque Washington, with its many restaurants and bars. If you are looking for a comfortable hotel with pool, on the outskirts of the city, choose from one of the many hotels in Riomar.

We do not recommend staying in the Centro Histórico overnight because it is not safe there at night.

Below you can find more hotels for every budget in Barranquilla.

El Prado

$ price range up to $50

$$ price range $50 – $100

$$$ price range above $100

$

$$

$$$

More hotels in El Prado-Barranquilla

Alto Prado

$$ price range $50 – $70

$$$ price range $70 – $100

$$

$$$

More hotels in Alto Prado-Barranquilla

Riomar

$ price range up to $50

$$ price range $50 – $100

$$$ price range above $100

$

$$

$$$

More hotels in Riomar-Barranquilla

Practical information about the coffee triangle

Travel guide Coffee Triangle

Home 9 Author archive for J ( Page 19 )

In this guide you will find practical information about the coffee region: how is the climate, how do you pay, what is the best time to travel, how many days do you need and how is the safety in the Colombia’s coffee region. Keep on reading for useful tips about a stay in the coffee triangle.

Climate

The coffee triangle is a hilly to mountainous region, with towns that are more than 2,000 meters above sea level, such as Manizales in Caldas. The climate is tropical, with warm days and nights that can cool off considerably. The average temperature there is around 22 degrees. Caldas is more mountainous, making it colder there than in lower-lying Quindío.

Best travel period

The coffee triangle can be visited year-round. It rains a lot, especially in the months of April/May and September through November. We have been to the Zona Cafetera twice, the first time in March 2019 and the second time in late September 2024. In the month of March, there were brief showers in the afternoon hours. In late September it also rained mostly in the afternoon, but the showers were heavier and lasted longer. We also had conversations with locals about the weather and they told us that the rainy season in Salento is actually no longer a rainy season and the dry season is no longer a dry season. Because of El Niño, everything has changed and the weather is no longer really predictable. Around Christmas and New Year’s period is the high season, from mid-December to mid-January. Easter week and (long) weekends are also very busy in villages like Salento and Filandia, so if possible, avoid these periods. Harvest times for coffee beans are April/May and Oct/Dec. For most action on the coffee plantations, that is the best time to visit the coffee triangle.

Events:

  • January: Carnival of Riosucio/Caldas
  • March: Risaralda bird festival in Pereira
  • June: Fiesta Internacional del café in Calarcá (Quindío).
  • October: Fiestas Cuyabras de Armenia, celebration of the anniversary of the city of Armenia

How many days do you need?

This depends entirely on what you want to do. If you are only going to Salento and the Valle de Cocora, then 3-4 days is perfect. If you want to see more of the coffee triangle and maybe also do a multi-day trek in Los Nevados National Park, then you can easily entertain yourself for 2 weeks. Read on for sample itineraries and more information about the coffee triangle.

#ColombiaMyWay tips
 #Tip 1
Fly from Bogotá to Armenia and start your journey in the coffee triangle in Quindío, in the south of the coffee triangle. After this, climb up through Risaraldas to Manizales, where you end your journey in the coffee triangle. From here fly back to Bogotá or continue by bus to Medellín
#Tip 2
Click here for a sample route in the coffee triangle

Look here for the best of the Coffee region
Look here for organized tours

Important info A-Z

Can you use ATMs in the coffee triangle? Are credit cards accepted, is the coffee triangle safe, where can I find a doctor or dentist and what should I bring with me to the Zona Cafetara? You can find this and other useful information about the coffee triangle here.

Drinking water

Water from the tap is not drinkable. If you don’t trust the hygiene anywhere, watch out for ice cubes, salads and uncooked vegetables.

Money
  • You can safely use debit cards. In the larger cities, it is best to use (safe) ATMs in shopping malls. Banks all have their own rates for ATM transactions
  • Credit and debit cards are accepted in most larger stores and restaurants in the cities. If you travel off the beaten track, you can often only pay in cash
  • We could not pay with US$ anywhere. In Salento we exchanged some dollars (at an unfavorable rate). If you withdraw larger amounts, it is more favourable to go to an ATM than exchange dollars or euros
  • $1=about 4000COP. Check here for the current exchange rate: exchange rate Colombian peso
Locals & language

Little English is spoken in the coffee triangle, so a basic knowledge of Spanish is very helpful. Still, you can usually get by even if you don’t get beyond a few words of Spanish. The locals are generally very helpful and patient and ready to help you, even if it is in sign language -:)

Medical

Vaccinations

There is no yellow fever or other vaccination required for the coffee triangle. Click here for general medical information in Colombia.

Medical aid
There are services such as Angeles Al Llamado that can come to you if you need a doctor’s consultation in the coffee triangle. Want to know more about this service? Then read here about our own experience with the Angeles Al Llamado.

Hospitals

  • Armenia: Hospital San Juan de Dios
  • Pereira: Hospital Universitario San Jorge
  • Manizales: Hospital Universitario de Caldas

Dentists

  • Armenia: Dentisalud Armenia
  • Pereira: Sonrident 160
  • Manizales: Vive Dental

 

What to bring
  • Clothes in layers! It’s warm during the day, but it can cool off considerably at night. If you are going to Los Nevados National Park, prepare for low temperatures anyway. Bring clothes that you can combine with each other; a t-shirt short sleeve, t-shirt long sleeve, thin sweater and a fleece jacket.
  • It rains frequently (especially in the afternoon), so bring a rain jacket or poncho
  • Hiking shoes
  • Flip flops and possibly a bathrobe for the thermal baths

 

Supermarkets and drugstores

Opening hours
Supermarkets are generally open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Some drugstores are open 24/7.

Supermarkets

  • Éxito, Jumbo and Carulla are popular supermarkets. Carulla is a more expensive supermarket that sells many imported products. In Pereira you will also find the Supermercado Surtifamiliar and in Manizales Mercaldas. Super Inter has several supermarkets in the coffee triangle.
  • At the larger supermarkets such as Éxito, medicines are also sold.
  • Tienda Olímpica; medicines are also sold here in the Drogerias Olímpica 24/7
Safety

The Coffee Triangle is one of the safest regions of Colombia. In the larger cities, you  need to be more cautious, especially in Pereira.

ATM’s
Use ATMs in shopping centers and supermarkets where you can safely withdraw cash

 

Wifi

Most larger hotels and hostels have wifi, at least in the common areas. If you travel off the beaten track, there is often no or unstable internet.