Atlántico Department · Colombia
Barranquilla travel guide
Barranquilla is a city in Atlántico Department, Colombia, home to about 1,327,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- BAQ11 km · Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport
- Currency
- COPColombian peso
- Time zone
- America/Bogota
- Language
- Spanish
About
About Barranquilla
Barranquilla is the capital district of the Atlántico department in Colombia. It is located near the Caribbean Sea and is the largest city and third port in the Caribbean coast region; as of 2018, it had a population of 1,206,319, making it Colombia's fourth-most populous city after Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali.
Barranquilla is a cosmopolitan and primarily industrial city, often visited by businessmen of all nationalities. Barranquilla is also called by its residents and Colombians in general "Curramba" (from a language game, in synthesis, Curramba is a reference to "party") and the Golden Gate to Colombia (Puerta de Oro de Colombia), this due to its location on the delta of the Magdalena river, making it the most important commercial sailing port to the Atlantic Ocean for the nation.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Barranquilla
See
Every year by the end of February or early March (forty days before Ash Wednesday), Barranquilla hosts its famous "Carnaval de Barranquilla" (carnival of Barranquilla), a four-day-long celebration in which the true partying spirit of the city is unleashed. Parades, dances, concerts and many cultural manifestations take place all over town. Barranquilla also houses the beautiful and famous Teatro Amira de la Rosa, the old Customs building-Edificio de la Aduana, that serves as library as well as a museum; the Museum of Gold; and many other great places to visit. There are also a large number of art deco buildings built from the late 1930s into the 1950s.
- Castillo de Salgar
- Gran Malecón
- Museo Mapuka
- Zoológico de Barranquilla
Do
Barranquilla is a large, complex city. Daytime activities are mainly of shopping and eating, but nightlife is active all year round, with bars and nightclubs open from Thursdays to Sundays in most cases. Some of the main party spots in town are Trucupey Latin Disco, AguaHelada, MoMa and Frogg Leggs if you plan to dance. For a more relaxed environment some options are Luna Negra, Beba Genobeba, Old Times (a 1980s retro bar) and some spots known as "estancos": These are basically liquor stores with or without tables, where music is played on weekends.
- Go bowling at: Bolera Moñona
- Xtreme Park Barranquilla
- Mini Golf
- Bocas de Ceniza
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Barranquilla
1 hotel within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel El Prado | 1.7 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Barranquilla
Barranquilla has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. April is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; September is the wettest, with about 172 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Barranquilla: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ), about 11 km from the city centre in a straight line; Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR, 64 km) and Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG, 98 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Visitors most commonly arrive in Barranquilla by the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, which is in the neighbouring municipality of Soledad, just south of Barranquilla on the edge of the metropolitan area. International direct flights are available from Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Panama City. Domestic non-stop flights arrive from Bogotá, Medellín and Cali. Taxi fares from the airport to central Barranquilla usually cost approximately US$10–15, though the exact price can vary depending on factors such as exchange rates, traffic, time of day and destination within the city.
Getting around
Moving around in Barranquilla depends largely on the traveler's budget, language barriers and spirit of adventure. Renting a car is an option for visitors who prioritize greater flexibility and comfort. Economy-class vehicles typically start at around US$40–50 per day, depending on factors like the season, demand (especially during the carnival), insurance coverage, and the booking method. Prices may vary over time. Fuel prices in Colombia are regulated and generally considered moderate compared to international standards.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
BAQ · Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport
SMR · Simón Bolívar International Airport
CTG · Rafael Nuñez International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Barranquilla
Eat
Both local and international cuisine are available in town. Local delicacies include arroz con coco and sancocho de guandul (a soup made of pigeon peas or "guandules" and meat), bocachico frito (fried fish from the Magdalena river), sancocho, and fritos (fried foods), including arepas and empanadas.
Drink
The local beer is Aguila, and is also the cheapest one. However, Club Colombia is a Colombian beer with great flavor and quality, and just a little more expensive. International beer is available widely, with Heineken being the preferred brand. The spirit of preference by locals is rum, in a variety of national and international brands. Another popular drink is Aguardiente (an anise-flavoured liqueur derived from sugar cane), and is worth a try. Aguardiente literally means "burning water", and it honors its name. As well Scotch, which is a little more expensive, hence it is consumed by the elite. (The preferred brand is called Old Parr.)
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Barranquilla: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Barranquilla?
Barranquilla has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. April is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; September is the wettest, with about 172 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Barranquilla?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ), about 11 km from the city centre in a straight line; Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR, 64 km) and Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG, 98 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Barranquilla?
Colombian peso (COP).
Nearby
Destinations near Barranquilla
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.