Travel Insights

If you thought Barranquilla is a boring port town, think again.
This fourth largest city in Columbia is a beautiful Caribbean coastal town with a party scene to rival Rio during the Carnivale.

What else can you do here?

Well, hit the beaches as often as you want, indulge in amazing food, and if you’re a culture aficionado, visit the many museums in the city.

Here are the 15 best things to see and do in Barranquilla

1. Museo Romantico

If you want to start off your trip by dipping your toes in the history of Barranquilla, this is the place to be. Museo Romantico is full of curious and quirky exhibits from Barranquillo’s past, including some of its most prominent figures: Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Simon Bolivar. You’ll come across Marquez’s typewriter as well as some letters by Simon Bolivar.

Visit the museum Monday-Friday between 9 AM-11:30AM and 2:30-5:30 PM.

2. El Museo del Caribe (Caribbean Museum)

This museum is also an excellent testament to Barranquilla’s coastal history and culture, albeit in a much more modern way. This museum has many multi-media and interactive exhibits dedicated to Barranquilla’s historic past. You’ll also find many exhibits dedicated to Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

This museum gets pretty crowded on weekdays, so if you want to avoid the horde of school kids, begin at the lower levels and work your way up.

Visit the museum Monday to Thursday between 8 AM-5PM and Friday to Sunday between 8AM-6PM.

3. Museo de Arte Moderno de Barranquilla

This is a small but seminal museum if you’re a fan of modern art, particularly those by Columbian artist Alejandro Obregón. There are many temporary exhibits of other renowned modern and post-modern artists as well.

Visit the museum from Monday to Friday between 9AM-1PM and 3PM-7PM. The museum is open on Saturday between 9AM-1PM.

4. Zoológico Barranquilla

If you’re traveling with kids, Barranquilla Zoo is a great place to plan a half-day trip. There are about 500 animals from 140 species. Kids and parents alike can learn about endangered animals like otters, manatees, and the spectacled bear as well as about the conservation efforts for these species. There are many representative animals from Asia and Africa as well, predominantly the big cats.

5. Catedral Metropolitana María Reina and Plaza dela Paz

Barranquilla’s biggest cathedral is an ultra-modern structure, but don’t let that stop you from venturing in. The stained glass windows, the ceilings, and the big wooden altar will immediately capture your attention.

Once you’re done exploring the interiors, head over to the main square of Barranqilla, Plaza de la Paz. It’s a beautiful square surrounded by palm trees and tiny food stops. The place becomes even livelier during a festival or event with musicians and street performers putting their best foot forward.

6. Paseo Bolivar

This is the old commercial center of Barranquilla and a great place to buy souveniers as well as sample some authentic Columbian street food.

If it’s a particularly hot day, grab some coconut water and explore the meandering streets in this area. The public market adds color and flavor to the area.

Keep an eye on your belongings while you’re here though!

7. Party during the Carnivalle

Barranquilla’s Carnivalle is a melting pot of culture. While it has its roots in Catholicism, it has been enriched over the years by a Caribbean influence.

The result?

A four-day fiesta before Ash Wednesday to rival Rio’s grand carnival.

While the carnival lasts only for a few days, the preparations begin at least a month before. So if you can’t make it during the festival, you can still get a taste of the festivities during your visit.

8. Combarranquilla

Combrranquilla is a great place for some family fun. Apart from pocket-friendly restaurants and cinemas, this place houses excellent community facilities like gyms, spas, soccer fields, ping pong tables, as well as a planetarium if you’re in the mood for some star gazing.

If you’d rather catch some sun, lounge by the pool with some drinks and have your fill of summer fun at the water slides.

9. Great Malecon

This is a beautiful walkway beside the Magdalena river where you’ll find a slew of activities: from live music to street performers to fun parades.

Avoid coming here in the afternoon though as it can get pretty hot.

10. Castillo de Salgar

If you’d like a breather from the city, visit Castillo de Salgar – a quaint, restored Spanish fort about 20 mins from Barranquilla.

The fort has a lovely restaurant overlooking the sea, which is ideal for visiting for a scenic supper at sunset.
What else can you do in Barranquilla?

11. Visit the beaches as often as you can

What’s a Caribbean vacation without some (or a lot of) beach time. Catch bus bus to Puerto Colombia and the Playas de Salgar and relax at the beach with some drinks.

If you’d like to fancy it up, plan your stay at hotel Pradomar, which hosts upscale beach parties in the evenings.

12. Indulge in yummy Columbian coastal cuisine

From salds to whole fried fish and coconut rice, you’ll get your fill of authentic Columbian-Baribbean coastal food all over Barranquilla. Arepas, creamy ajiaco, and sancocho are also super popular here.

13. Get caught up in Barranquilla’s night life in La Troja

Barranquilla also hasa thriving nightlife, but none more happening than at La Troja. La Troja is pretty much an institution in Barranquilla where you can salsa the night away or simply groove to the music with some amazing drinks.

14. Visit the confluence of the river and the sea at Bocas de Cenizas

If you’re up for a hike, plan a trip to Bocas de Cenizas where the Magdalena river meets the Caribbean sea.

After exploring the Los Flores neighborhood, you can take an old school “open air” train towards Bocas de Cenizas. The journey to the tip of the coast is a short hike with beautiful panoramic views all around.

15. Wrap up your trip with some shopping

If you didn’t get your fill of shopping at Paseo Bolivar, make your way to Calle 72 and Avenida 46 for some authentic handicrafts. Head over to malls like Buena Vista or Portal del Prado if you’d rather escape the heat during your shopping spree.