Barranquilla, Colombia

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Barranquilla lies on the Northern Atlantic coast between Cartagena and Santa Marta. Fourth largest city of Colombia, Barranquilla is an industrial city whose immediate appeal is far from obvious. Yet, spending a few days there will enable you to discover an authentic and fascinating city whose past history helped define Colombia as we now know it. Furthermore, Barranquilla is the "costeño" ("the coast") capital of Colombia: It has its own language, its own gastronomy, its own music, culture and traditions. Lastly, Barranquilla does have the most famous party in the whole of Colombia: The "Carnaval de Barranquilla" (held once a year in February - make sure you have booked a room months in advance!).

Population: 1 300 000 (intra muros) - 1 750 000 (greater Barranquilla) Elevation: 14 meters. Average temperature: 33 (constant throughout the year) degrees Celcius. Tel: 05 | Editing history.

Places to stay:

There aren't any traveler-type hostels, but plenty of (sometimes seedy) cheap hotels.

Hotel Victoria (0 comments) Calle 35 # 43 - 140 Cheapest night: 10 US$/night. Private rooms available.
Old hotel that was once really nice, these days it's ok and especially cheap, with singles starting at 10 US$.

Practical information:

Eat

These restaurants have been specifically recommended by PBH members

Sabor Quile Cr. 46 between cl 82 and 84.

La Bonga del Sinu Cl. 82 #53-10 local 27C

El Sabor del Marisco Cr. 56 # 74-146

El Huerto Cr. 52 #70-139, Tel: 368-7171

Langostinos Cl. 93 # 51 esquina Tel: 3782320; 3575346

Nacobollo Cr. 43 # 84-188 Tel: 3595305 - 3590596

Mac Mondongo Cr. 43 # 70-24 Tel: 3580067

WAKITA TERRA FIRME Cl. 106 90-146 Las Flores Tel: 3553551, 3559574

Further list of restaurantes (but no specific recommendation!):

http://www.yoquieroir.com/MiRestaurante/Colombia/Atlantico/Barranquilla/tabid/1510/Default.aspx Safety

Barranquilla is very safe. During carnival though, be extra on guard against pickpockets. Climate

The climate is tropical (very hot and very humid) throughout the year. Average day temperature: 33° C (91° F) - the temperature rarely drops below 24° C (75° C) at night. Humidity is always between 75% and 90%. The rainy season is mainly in September and October. January, February and March are rain-free.

Barranquilla is often referred to as "La arenosa" (the sandy city): Between December and March, the prevailing northeasternly trade winds scoop up the sand from the nearby beaches and blow it over the city.

Warning: Tropical storms (aguaceros) are extremely violent and can be very dangerous. They last anything from 15 minutes to several hours. Barranquilla doesn't have a sewer system and, being partly built on a hill, the streets can soon become hazardous as they get flooded. Barranquilleros stay indoors during these storms to avoid these floods (aguaceros) and so should you. Things to see and do

The zoo: Over 500 animals (mainly from Colombia) of 140 species (Calle 77 #68-40 - open every day from 09h00 to 17h30)

The "Museo Romantico". The best place to learn about Barrranquilla's history and culture. You'll find handwritten documents from García Márquez, original maps from Simón Bolívar and an entire section dedicated to the carnival (costumes, dresses and artifacts). (Carrera 54 #59-199 - open from 09h00 to 11h00 and from 14h00 to 17h00 - Monday to Friday). Carnival

Barranquilla is perhaps more well-known for its carnival (proclaimed by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity) taking place every year during the four days preceding Ash Wednesday (thus from the Saturday to the Tuesday).

The carnival is basically a huge party, lasting well over a month. The highlights are:

* "Fiesta de Danzas y Cumbias" (held in the morning in the Romelio Martinez stadium on the third Sunday before the official ceremony)
* "Coronacion Reina del Carnaval" (held in the evening in the Romelio Martinez stadium on the third Friday before the official ceremony)
* "Guacherna" (held in the evening in the streets of Barranquilla the second Friday before the official ceremony)
* "Coronación de los Reyes del Carnaval de los Niños" (held in the evening in the Romelio Martinez stadium on the Saturday before the official ceremony)
* "Desfile del Carnaval de los Niños" (held in the afternoon on the Sunday before the official ceremony - venue changes every year)
* "Coronación Reina de Reinas y Rey Momo" (held in the evening in the Romelio Martinez stadium on the Thursday before the official ceremony)
* "Batalla de Flores" (main event on the Saturday afternoon - Vía 40)
* "Desfile del Rey Momo" (main event on the Saturday afternoon - Calle 17)
* "Gran Parada de Tradición" (main event on the Sunday afternoon - Vía 40)
* "Carnavalada" (main event held on the Sunday afternoon - Calle 68 #62-27 Barrio Bellavista)
* "Gran Parada de Fantasía" (main event held on the Monday afternoon - Vía 40)
* "Festival de Orquestas" (main event held on the Monday afternoon in the Romelio Martinez stadium)
* "Carnavalada" (main event held on the Monday afternoon - Calle 68 #62-27 Barrio Bellavista)
* "Festival de Danzas de Relación y Especiales" (main event held early Tuesday afternoon - Plaza de la Paz)
* "Encuentro de Letanías" (main event held late Tuesday afternoon - Plaza de la Paz)
* "Joselito se va con las Cenizas" (main event held early Tuesday afternoon - venue changes every year)

Bear in mind that the festival is a HUGE party and that, beside the "official events", fiestas are held each Fridays and Saturdays in places called “casetas” (dance floors).

TIPS: Two weeks before the events, you can purchase tickets in elevated tribunes alongside the main routes. For up-to-date information, please visit the Carnival official Web site. Practical information: Managing your money

ATMs still remain the most convenient way to draw cash with your debit/credit cards (VISA, MASTERCARD and even ELECTRON cards are widely accepted) .

The "Bancolombia" branch located in the "Gran Centro" shopping center (Carrera 53 - Calle 70) has a special AMEX TCs desk, but will ONLY accept US$ AMEX TCs.

The main branch of "Banco de Occidente" (next to Carrefour: Calle 76 - Carrera 56) is at present the ONLY bank in Barranquilla that will accept AMEX TCs in Euros. You're limited to cashing in 2000 Euros per calendar month and the desk is only open until 11h30 am (Mondays to Saturdays).

TIP: If you're planning to regularly cash in TCs in the same bank, tip the cashier who handles your transaction (20 000 COP is the norm). You'll get a FAR better (and faster) service on your next transactions...

Getting around & transportation:

There's an airport 10km south of the city with daily flights to Bogota, Cali, Medellin, Cartagena.

Buses (local): Barranquilla has an extensive bus network. The color of the bus indicates the route. Main stops are indicated on the front and/or sides. Current flat fare is 1200 COP (1300 COP on Sundays).

TIPS: You must pay the driver directly (try to have the correct change). You don't have to be at an "official" bus-stop to get on - simply raise your arm to hail. To get off, simply stand up and shout "A la esquina por favor!" (next street corner please!).

If you're shipping a car into Barranquilla, make sure you have a few days for the paperwork.

Buses to other towns leave from the main bus terminal, it's about 16 hours to Medellin, 9 hours to Bucaramanga, 24 hours to Bogota, and 3 hours to Cartagena.

 

Reviews

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Donde Callo

By Kurious on Sep 29, 2009, 22:29.

The good: Great food, great prices and great service!
The bad: Beer is across the street at the corner market - BYOB

Name: Donde Callo
Address: Carrera 41 Numero 66-17
Barranquilla
Phone: Domicilios - 3683788
Cell - 3135700624

This small restaurant offers typical Colombian food for the city of Barranquilla. Their specialty is arepas but my family and I have tried several of their entrees and they are all great. I have eaten the arepas and they are excellent, the salchi-papas are popular with the kids and huge...we take home the leftovers. I recently tried the Carne Asada plate with arepas and it must have included a full pound of beef...delicious!

Prices are low...$2,500 COP for a big chicken arepa to $ 8,000 COP for a huge plate of beef w/arepas and salad (Carne Asada). Most prices in that range...less for a cheese arepa, more for beef w/french fries ($9000 COP). They have mazorcas, sandwiches, hamburghesas, hot dogs (perros calientes) and chuzos. The pollo chuzo entero ($4000 COP) is fantastic...add a pollo arepa and it is a filling meal.

They seem to open early evening and they will deliver to your house...ask for a menu to keep. Definitely worth a call!

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