An active Caribbean seaport with beaches, interesting museums and lively nightlife, Barranquilla shares its water-centric lifestyle with the Magdalena River. A primary draw is the Carnaval de Barranquilla, second only to Rio de Janeiro’s for South America’s biggest party.

Things to do

Spend some time in the upscale neighbourhood of El Prado to find the city’s finest eateries, art galleries and neoclassical architecture. It’s also home to Museo Romántico, where you’ll see artefacts from former festivals and mementos of famous Colombians who lived in the area. Keep an eye out for letters written by Simon Bolivar and a typewriter belonging to noted novelist Gabriel Garcia.

Check out Barranquilla’s dining scene in places such as Carrera 53, a local bar that features gourmet international and Middle Eastern food. In the morning, stroll the Paseo Bolivar market district for shopping and to sample Barranquilla street food, including arepa con queso corn cakes. Taste local flavours at NarcoBollo, where you can try regional costeno cuisine, then get ready for a lively night of salsa music and dancing at La Troja.

Explore the history and culture of Colombia’s Caribbean coastline at Museum of the Caribbean. Five levels of exhibitions showcase everything from music to literature, biodiversity and history through photographs, displays and video. You can enjoy the coast yourself with surfing, sunning, swimming and stand-up paddleboarding at Pradomar Beach in Puerto Colombia, about a 10-minute drive from Barranquilla.

Getting around

Transportations options in Barranquilla include buses, taxis and a rapid transit metro system. You can rent a car at various locations in the city, at major hotels or at Ernesto Cortissoz Airport, about 18 kilometres from Barranquilla.