Fun Things to do in Barranquilla Colombia

At the mention of Colombia, Barranquilla doesn’t necessarily come to mind. Instead, most of us instantly think of Medellin, Cartagena, and Cali, the top three tourist cities of the country.

Though underrated and overlooked by many, Barranquilla offers equally exciting and unforgettable travel experiences to those who visit it.

Incredible food, friendly locals, rich culture, amazing scenery, and fun non-touristy activities — you can find them all in this port city.

That being said, we’ve written this article to convince you to visit Barranquilla Colombia. It’s difficult to imagine skipping this incredible hidden gem.

Without further delay, below are places to see and things to do in Barranquilla:

1. Come and participate in the grand festival!

Carnaval de Barranquilla is practically unrivaled. It’s Colombia’s crowning glory. The second largest and grandest cultural celebration in the entire world, next to that of Rio de Janeiro.

For four days and four nights, you get to party with locals and tourists alike. It’ll surely be an experience you won’t forget. Even until you grow old and bald, you’ll think back on your adventures during this grand festival.

There’s street dancing accompanied by loud traditional Colombian music, people in flashy costumes, and heavily-ornamented parade floats on display.

All visitors are encouraged to participate and have fun throughout the event. So don’t hesitate to get in on the action. Remember to do your stretches beforehand so you won’t risk straining yourself from all the festivities.

2. Get a taste of authentic costeño Colombian food.

Just to be clear, costeño refers to people from the coastal region. Their cuisine typically circulates around seafood caught from the Caribbean Sea.

Considering that Barranquilla is a port town, this place has no shortage of fresh fish and crustaceans. Arguably, you’ll find the best Colombian seafood dishes in this city.

Visit these two spots to get a grasp of Barranquilla’s local food:

• Narcobollo — It might be a fast-food chain, but it’s a solid choice to get a taste of the local fare. It’s also one of the top places in the city to try costeño cuisines. Order a whole fried fish. You’ll be amazed at how sweet and succulent its meat tastes. You won’t find fresher fish in any fast food chain other than here.
• Arepas Y Arepas — A vacation in any Colombian city isn’t complete without trying the famous arepas. If you don’t know what it is, it’s a sweet pastry made from corn flour and sugar that’s traditionally cooked by using an open grill. It’s often stuffed with chicken, beef, pork, cheese, or avocados. The best arepas in Barranquilla can be found in the downtown area, at a small joint called Arepas Y Arepas.

Tasting the local cuisine is one way to get acquainted with a country’s culture. So be sure to try new flavors while traveling.

3. Swim in a volcanic mud pool (for a reasonable price).

An hour’s drive south from the city is Volcán del Totumo.

They say volcanic mud has healing powers, though we can’t necessarily vouch for that since we aren’t medical experts. However, taking a bath and swimming through naturally heated mud can be fun.

Besides that, it’ll only set you back 10,000 Colombian pesos, converted in US currency to a meager four dollars. Plus, there’s no time limit. Stay in the pool as long as you want. Do some exfoliating and you might just wake up with softer and brighter skin.

4. Learn Colombian culture and history by visiting the local museums.

In every travel blog, it’s taboo to skip out on museums. It’s a sacred place where non-locals and foreign guests gain knowledge of the place they’re visiting.

Call it courtesy, but wouldn’t it be nice to get to know a place or city on a deeper level? That’s one of the reasons why museums were built. So consider visiting one, or two, and broaden your knowledge about the world around you.

Here are four museums to visit in Barranquilla:

• Museo del Caribe | Cl. 36 #46–66, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
• Museo Romántico | Cra. 54 #59–199, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
• Museo de Antropologia | Cra. 53 #64–42, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
• Museo de Arte Moderno de Barranquilla | Cra. 56 #74–22, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia

Learn interesting facts while visiting these places and share them with your friends back home.

5. Stay and chill at the local beaches.

Take advantage of being in a coastal city. It’s bordered by Caribbean shores, with the entire metropolis surrounded by bodies of water.

Below are the top three Barranquilla beaches to visit:

• Prado Mar — Probably among the fancier resorts you could visit at a reasonable cost. Besides the shores, you’ll find giant bean bag cushions, regal-looking cabanas, and a luxe restaurant that serves upscale food. To top it off, the resort has an on-site nightclub where you can party and meet beautiful Colombian women.
• Coco Beach — A resort located inside the Hotel GHL Collection, one of the most booked hotels in Barranquilla. It’s a popular place known to serve fantastic classic and premium cocktails. Buy a drink, enjoy the ocean view, and take in the cool breeze.
• Villa Alcatraz — People come here not just for the beach, but also for the food. They’re known for their filet salsa, mojarra roja, and salmon plancha.

Though incomparable to the neighboring cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta, the beaches you’ll find in Barranquilla are still quite pleasant.

6. For nature lovers, visit the city’s luscious parks.

Take a walk on the lakeside promenade of Barranquilla’s Gran Malecón, also called the Golden Gate Park. Whether you want to stroll alone or take a friend with you, this park is a great place to unwind and relax while taking in the cool fresh air.

7. Go shopping in the local malls and bargain shops.

Buy cheap, well-made trinkets and souvenirs for friends and family back home. Head on to Paseo Bolivar. Find Calle 72 and Avenida 46 for handcrafted artisan goods. They’re small stalls you can easily find along the streets.

But if you prefer a more modern shopping spree experience, head on to Buenavista Mall. It’s the biggest shopping outlet you can find in Barranquilla.

This list is just a small scratch on the surface, as there are tons more things to do and places to see in this beautiful and incredible Colombian city.

Beautiful Barranquilla Women

If the above-mentioned are not enough to convince you, come for the sea of beautiful women!

Sign up and register on our website to meet single Colombian women who are looking for love. Join our singles vacation tour and explore Barranquilla while also meeting women from the local area.