Practical information about Barranquilla
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.
