The second city of Colombia’s picture-perfect Caribbean Coast, Barranquilla serves both colonial architecture and coastal charm. While it might be most famous for being the birthplace of global icon Shakira (her giant golden statue is on the riverfront), recent development means this bustling port city is becoming a destination of its own. Not only is it hailed as the best place in Colombia to celebrate Carnaval, Barranquilla’s kaleidoscopic celebrations are UNESCO-listed. Other things to do in Barranquilla include trying street food at the Grand Malecon and exploring the mangroves.
Without a doubt, the best time to visit Barranquilla is for its world-famous Carnaval celebrations, which occur in mid-February or early March, depending on when Ash Wednesday falls (the celebrations typically happen on the weekend before). Book your accommodation well in advance, as the city fills up with local and international visitors. Otherwise, December and January are the best months for sunny skies and calm seas.
Barranquilla boasts a convenient Transmetro service, a series of buses that use dedicated lanes to avoid the city’s notorious traffic. Three routes cover all the main attractions, but you’ll need a rechargeable Transmetro card, which you can buy at any stop. Uber is widely available throughout the city if you want to avoid public transport.
For a one-stop shop for all your entertainment needs, head to the Gran Malecón, a recently redeveloped stretch of real estate on the banks of the Magdalena River. It’s home to the Caiman del Rio, a bustling food court in the shape of a caiman, and opposite the Salamanca Island Nature Reserve, where mangrove forests host more than 200 different species of bird.
