You're Going to Love Barranquilla
Barranquilla is a busy, cosmopolitan city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It is most famous for its Carnaval de Barranquilla, held on the four days before Ash Wednesday in February. It is an important sailing port and a renowned party town.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Barranquilla
1. Carnaval de Barranquilla
Carnaval de Barranquilla is the second-largest carnival in South America, behind Rio de Janeiro. It is a four-day party of fancy dress, parades, street bands, and dancing. Remember to book your accommodation well in advance.
2. Nightlife
The local nickname for Barranquilla means 'party' and you don't have to wait until carnival to do that in this city. Try the Washington area for some of the best restaurants and clubs.
3. Architecture
The city has some lovely Art Deco buildings and other attractions such as the Teatro Amira de la Rosa and the Antiguo Edificio de la Aduana in the old Customs building.
4. Museo del Caribe
The museum has an excellent collection showcasing Barranquilla and Caribbean history and culture.
5. Castillo de Salgar
The Castillo is a great place to enjoy the beach, watch the sun go down, and enjoy good food and drink in a historical setting.
When to Visit Barranquilla
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Barranquilla has a tropical savanna climate with high temperatures all year round. Cooling winds from April to November make it a pleasant time to visit.
How to Get to Barranquilla
Plane
Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) is to the south of the city and has international flights from Miami, Quito, Panama City, and Curacao. There are also plenty of domestic flights from other Colombian cities. A taxi into town will cost COL$30,000 and the bus fare is COL$1,800.
Car
Route 90/A connects Barranquilla with cities on the coast, such as Cartagena to the west. Route 45 runs from Bogota in the south.
Bus
Barranquilla is well connected by bus from other Colombian cities and to Caracas in Venezuela. The fare from Cartagena is from COL$15,000.
Airports near Barranquilla
Airlines serving Barranquilla
Where to stay in popular areas of Barranquilla
Most booked hotels in Barranquilla
How to Get Around Barranquilla
Public Transportation
A number of bus companies serve the city with fares from COL$1,300.
Taxi
Taxis cost COL$6,000 for the meter drop and then COL$6,000 per mile.
Car
Roads in Barranquilla can get busy and the traffic will sometimes seem chaotic to visitors. Car rental is from COL$120,000 per day.
Car rental agencies in Barranquilla
The Cost of Living in Barranquilla
Shopping Streets
Barranquilla's main shopping malls are CC Villa Country BAQ and Centro Comercial Buenavista, both in the north of the city. Local crafts are sold from stalls on 72nd Street and 46th Avenue.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk in Barranquilla costs COL$2,375 and a loaf of bread is COL$2,000.
Where to Eat in Barranquilla
Narcobollo on Carrera 43 offers hearty local fare at budget prices, while Cocina33 on Carrera 52 features fine Colombian dining with a focus on seafood. A meal in a casual restaurant will cost COL$10,000, with mains in a high-quality restaurant costing COL$25,000.