Barranquilla, Colombia: Everything You Need To Know
Barranquilla is the fourth-largest city in Colombia. With a population of 2.35 million people as of 2023, it’s the biggest city on the Caribbean Coast and the third-biggest port.
The most important part of the city is the port, economically and historically. It has been used for trading goods internationally through the Caribbean Sea and inside of Colombia itself using the Magdalena River since colonial times.
Barranquilla is working on expanding the port into a superport, which would allow for bigger ships to dock and pass through. This growing region of Colombia is vibrant and active.
Also, Barranquilla is famous for its massive carnival festival held in the days before Ash Wednesday, when lively colors and spirited people dance and have fun.
Cost Of Living In Barranquilla, Colombia
The cost of living in Barranquilla and in Colombia is extremely reasonable… Some would say it’s downright cheap.
A family of four, including rent, can live on around US$1,200 to US$1,300 a month. A single person can live a comfortable lifestyle for US$300 to US$400 a month, not including rent.
Rent itself is more expensive outside of Barranquilla’s city center; however, it’s still very affordable.
For instance, a three-bedroom apartment in the city center, is around US$382 per month, and outside of the city center, it’s close to US$400 per month.
On the other hand, for a single bedroom you can expect to pay about US$200 less on rent every month.
For those looking to buy, you can find nice apartments and houses, whether for investment or living, in and outside of the city center. The price per square meter ranges between US$570 and US$860, depending on where you choose to base yourself.
To eat out at a nice restaurant in Barranquilla, you’d be spending less than US$20 for a three-course meal for two people.
Considering a loaf of bread is around US$0.71, a dozen eggs is around US$1.59, and a gallon of milk is US$3.06, you can have a comfortable lifestyle in Barranquilla, the Golden Gate city of Colombia, even if you’re living on a budget.
Check the currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.
Things To Do In Barranquilla, Colombia
You don’t have to splurge to have a fun and interesting lifestyle in Barranquilla.
Barranquilla is the epicenter of carnival celebrations in Colombia. For the four days before Ash Wednesday, there is a huge festival with plenty of local food, such as sancocho (a type of soup) and bollos de yuca (cheese-filled cassava balls), and dancing, including traditional cumbia, mapalé, garabato, and son dances.
The earliest festivities, including processions and parades, start in January. Around 500 folk groups, an abundance of international artists, and more are attracted to this festival every year.
Great Nightlife
You will be busy in Barranquilla throughout the rest of the year since the city has an animated nightlife scene and historical sightseeing.
El Gran Malecón is a huge stretch of park and boardwalk adorned with restaurants, playgrounds, athletic facilities, and cultural activities for you to enjoy. It is along the Magdalena River.
At El Gran Malecón, also known as the Golden Gate Park, you can take leisurely walk with great views of Via Parque Isla Salamanca, go out for a nice al fresco meal, or even play a game of soccer or basketball with the locals.
Sightseeing
For historical sightseeing, you can enjoy Barranquilla’s countless churches and take in the colonial architecture.
Also, visit the Museum of the Caribbean, which provides information regarding the cultural, political, and sociological backgrounds of Barranquilla and Colombia.
This museum, found within the Caribbean Cultural Park, is a great place to learn about the cultural roots of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
For instance, take time to view exhibits on a wide array of topics, such as music festivals, literature, indigenous culture, the nature of the region… as well as the works of Gabriel García Márquez at the Macondo media library.
Tours Galore
There are countless ways to tour Barranquilla. But, if you are not the type of person who enjoys tour groups and prefers to go it alone, you can walk around for hours and discover new things in Barranquilla.
The bus transportation services are easy to use and get you all over the city.
Whether you are going to the center to enjoy the charming culture of downtown Barranquilla or making your way to El Prado de Barranquilla, a neighborhood adorned with the architecture of European immigrants from the early 20th century, it’s easy to explore Barranquilla.
People who enjoy going on tours, hearing the stories of eccentric guides, and making new friends within the tour group, will find plenty of tours available in Barranquilla. Some even take you to the nearby national parks or islands.
Moving And Visas
Moving to Barranquilla, Colombia, can seem like a huge undertaking. But, it’s a fairly simple process.
On top of that, there’s a growing expat community in Barranquilla and in Colombia. Most foreigners end up living in the Alta Prado district of Barranquilla.
To visit Barranquilla and Colombia, all you need is a tourist visa. You can stay for up to 90 days with no hassle.
You get the tourist visa upon entry into the country by landing at the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, which is about a 30-minute drive from Barranquilla’s city center.
When planning to move to Barranquilla, a migrant visa, which last three years and is renewable, is needed. A migrant visa can lead to full-time residency, which lasts five years and is also renewable.
Under the migrant visa in Colombia, there are marriage visas, work visas, student visas, religious visas, and refugee visas. There are also retirement visas and investment visas.
Investing 350 times Colombia’s minimum wage (which, in U.S. dollars, is currently around US$340 per month) makes you eligible for the investment visa.
Most importantly, if you invest a larger sum in Colombia, you could immediately be eligible for the residency visa.
For retirees (65 and older for men; 57 and older for women), the best option is the retirement visa. If you have an income of at least US$800 per month and meet the age requirements, then you can be eligible for the migrant retirement visa.
Plus, if you want to bring your pets to Barranquilla, the process is fairly simple. You must register your pets with customs.
Weather In Barranquilla
Barranquilla has a warm climate, with temperatures usually above 75°F or 24°C. You should expect tropical weather with a rainy season and a dry season.
The rainy season in Barranquilla lasts from May to November, and the dry season lasts from December to April. There is a period at the end of June when the rain decreases. It’s known as the Summer of Saint John.
Average Temperatures
Temperatures are high throughout the year. That said, the humidity decreases during the dry season.
Hurricanes and tropical cyclones are not much of a risk in Barranquilla because it lies on the edge of the hurricane route in the Atlantic Ocean.
In short, hurricanes rarely affect Barranquilla and its region of the Greater Colombian Caribbean. Hurricane season runs from June to November, but they’re more likely between August and October.
The ocean water in Barranquilla is warm all year, but it’s at its warmest in September and October. This also happens to be when it rains the most and the longest.
Most importantly, the best time to visit Barranquilla is between January and March. You’ll avoid the rain and also get the most hours of sunshine per day.
This means you get to enjoy Barranquilla’s beaches. The most notable beaches in Barranquilla are Playa Caribe Beach or the Luxury Beach nearby.
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