Anchored at the foot of the Caribbean Sea, this pioneering and unique blend of a city remained discreet for a long time. Today, it serves as an example of development in Latin America.
Many verses have been dedicated to Barranquilla, Colombia, as if it were someone to be conquered, but it’s the following lines that have become the city’s anthem, a song performed by the great salsa singer Joe Arroyo.
“Del Caribe aflora
Bella, encantadora
Con mar y río
Una gran sociedad…”
“Tengo algo que decirte, oh, oh
En Barranquilla me quedo…”
The song, titled “En Barranquilla me quedo,” was written by an outsider who was fortunate enough to live in “La Arenosa” and become captivated by its charms. The song encapsulates you with a blend of bongos, bells, maracas, and an astonishing piano solo.
About Barranquilla
People know little about Barranquilla, yet they also know a lot about it. You might recognize it as the birthplace of personalities such as Shakira and Sofía Vergara. Alternatively, it may be familiar due to its massive carnival or its role as the midway point between its more famous neighbors, Santa Marta and Cartagena de Indias. The truth is, this city, where summer is eternal and the breeze blows with ineffable power, is gaining prominence due to the development it is experiencing in every sense.
Located at the foot of the Caribbean Sea, this city is also known as the “Golden Gate of Colombia” because of its privileged location. It was the gateway to the country for advancements like aviation and telephony, and also as a haven for thousands of foreigners who found in it a promising land for various reasons.
The advent of steam navigation on the Magdalena River in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to the arrival of people from all over the world. Jews, Italians, Britons, Germans, Syrians, Lebanese, Turks, Arabs, Americans, French, and Palestinians, among others, contributed to the rapid development of the city but also brought with them a blend of races and customs that are palpable in its architectural, gastronomic, religious, and cultural diversity.
Despite not being a popular tourist destination, the city constantly welcomes a significant influx of visitors. The city has a growing appeal as a business and convention destination. It also hosts one of the biggest events that stops time (and its streets) for four days. The Barranquilla Carnival, the most important festival in Colombia, is considered by many as one of the best in the world and declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Millions of people from all corners of the planet gather there to witness and enjoy the most spectacular folk expressions and festivities for four non-stop days. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what your tastes are, or whether you can dance or not. Surely, more than one local will get you into the rhythm without any problem and show you, as Shakira did in the “Hips Don’t Lie” video, that “in Barranquilla, we dance like this.”
What to see in Barranquilla
It is in the city center, the heart of the city, where the icons that speak of its history and idiosyncrasy stand tall. For example, the Aduana Building, built in 1919, was the epicenter of the economy during the heyday of the transportation system and river port activities. It currently functions as a cultural complex, housing a library and various artistic exhibitions.
In the city center, you will also find the Carnival Museum, a place that best tells the story and essence of the city. The museum tells the story of the carnival and its rich history.
This journey should also include a stroll through the El Prado neighborhood, an area of mansions with Republican architecture, wide avenues, and lush gardens that reflect styles brought by immigrants. It’s worth visiting and spending the day at the Hotel El Prado, one of the city’s treasures and the epicenter of this iconic neighborhood.
In the afternoon, when the sun has eased a bit, don’t miss the opportunity to take a walk along the Gran Malecón del Río, where you can appreciate the vastness of the ships navigating the Magdalena River while cooling off with a “raspao,” a kind of granita made with cola essence, condensed milk, and tamarind. Here, you’ll also find gastronomic markets with a variety of local dishes and flavors.
The city is also committed to becoming a high-level “biodivercity,” earning it the title of having the world’s most innovative sustainable urban transformation project. So, it’s essential to visit its newly inaugurated Ecoparque Ciénaga de Mallorquín.
A bit further north, you’ll find the city’s best restaurants and shops with the most recognized names. Le Collezioni, for instance, offers brands like Ferragamo, Valentino, Tod’s, and Zegna, while Malva combines international brands like Missoni, AMI Paris, and Zimmermann with an exquisite selection of Colombian talent. You’ll also find pieces by Francesca Miranda, Pepa Pombo, Leal Daccarett, and Alitza García. Don’t forget to visit the flagship boutique of designer Silvia Tcherassi, who is also from this city.
Where to eat
The gastronomic offerings in Barranquilla are almost infinite and have been one of the city’s standout features. Its cultural richness has always fueled variety in flavor, but it’s been in recent years that this place has aimed to become a significant point on the culinary map (and it seems to be succeeding).
Among the most prominent options is Manuel Cocina, led by local chef Manuel Mendoza, which combines local ingredients, flavors, and techniques with creative and avant-garde cuisine. Colmillo, by the renowned chef Jorge Rausch, offers a spectacular rice dish with Thai sauce, curry, white fish, and seafood. Mantú specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, while Miura and Steak House serve the city’s best cuts of meat. Palenque and Pescayé allow you to savor the region’s most typical food.
For nearly 25 uninterrupted years, Varadero has been one of the default gastronomic destinations for both locals and visitors. This restaurant encapsulates the Caribbean flavor in its dishes. It was founded by Mario Henao and Julio Oñate, two friends who one day decided to open a cevichería with just 5 tables and a few square meters. It’s precisely that spontaneity and authenticity that make the place unique. Its owners still walk from table to table—now not just 5 but 60—greeting diners. Live music in the evening turns the place into a festive space.
Chef Carlos Guzmán has created a diverse menu that combines the finest Caribbean ingredients. Among its standout dishes is a whole deboned snapper cooked over charcoal, flavored with olive oil, fresh oranges, and shallots. The Caribbean ceviche is also a highlight, served on a dried coconut, as are the suckling pig tacos, made from salted pork leg slow-cooked for 12 hours.
To finish your meal, consider a limoncello, amaretto, or cognac as a digestif. If you’re out late, we recommend trying the Penicillin Founder’s cocktail, made with ginger oil, citrus notes, and Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve whiskey.
Where to stay
In such an energetic city where the climate can quickly drain your energy, finding an oasis for rest is essential. In the north of the city, you’ll find the new Marriott Barranquilla, a modern and innovative building with 191 rooms and 9 luxury suites. Its design blends the vibrant colors and typical shapes of the region with minimalist architecture and interior design.
Undoubtedly, one of the most significant attractions of this place is its restaurant, Amira, a space where you can easily identify the blend of local and cosmopolitan, much like the city it’s located in. Additionally, the hotel offers various activities such as rum, whiskey, and coffee tastings, barbecue nights, and cooking evenings for couples. However, the crown jewel is its unlimited consumption brunch, a unique experience in Barranquilla. It takes place every Sunday from noon to 4 PM and features 7 to 10 food stations, offering everything from traditional flavors to dishes like ceviche and roasts, not to mention its cocktail bar and dessert table. It’s a festive way to not only end the week but also your stay in this city.
Barranquilla is a city that recognizes the value of its history and tradition while pursuing a forward-thinking, innovative, and sustainable future. So, it’s worth making a stop there, with the only risk being that its charm and the kindness of its people might capture you, causing you to declare the words that Joe Arroyo proclaimed in the same song with which this article began: “…en Barranquilla me quedo.”
Foreign Direct Investment
fDi Intelligence has ranked Barranquilla third for Latin American and Caribbean cities with the fastest-growing foreign direct investment.
Barranquilla has achieved a milestone by being recognized as one of the 100 cities with the fastest growth in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) globally. This achievement places the city in the third position in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the prestigious ranking of the international magazine FDI Intelligence, affiliated with the Financial Times.