Barranquilla Solo Travel Guide: Ultimate 2025 Tips

Heading to Barranquilla? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip:

QUICK FACTS

Colombia’s fourth most populous city, with about 2.3 million inhabitants.
Capital of the Atlántico Department of Northern Colombia, it is one of the country’s most important industrial and port cities.
Nicknames: Golden Gate of the Republic, City of Open Arms, Lighthouse of America.

Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
Spoken languages: Spanish
Best time to visit: During Carnaval, which takes place in late February or early March (depending on the year).
Arriving via airport: Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport serves Barranquilla at the south end of the city. Buses that can take you downtown cst 1.500 COP, taxis 15.000 – 30.000.

There are a handful of backpacker’s hostels sprinkled throughout, with the cheapest accommodations in the not-so-safe centro.
For hotels: the upscale district El Prado has great mid-range and luxury options.

As in most Colombian cities, buses are widespread and charge 1,500 COP.
Standard taxi initial fee is now 2,852 COP with a rate of 372 COP per kilometer. For example, a 5km journey would cost approximately 5,456 COP.
– If the meter isn’t running, you’ll have to negotiate a price before getting in.
Uber is technically illegal in Colombia – although it remains popular with locals and tourists alike. Worth checking in-app to see what the rates to your destination would be.
Mototaxis (motorcycle taxis) are cheap, fast, and illegal.
The new Tren de las Flores is a tourist train departing from Las Flores station in Riomar that takes visitors to the recently opened Puerto Mocho beach (Barranquilla’s first public beach).

Drinking age is 18 (enforced, so bring ID). Last call varies. Some bars close at 1 AM, others at 3 AM. Times fluctuate with days of the week and the time of year.
– Clubs typically close at 4 AM on Fridays and Saturdays during Carnival (the party takes place on the streets anyway).
Most of the famous and best bars in Barranquilla are in Alta del Prado and El Centro.
There’s not much else to do but party during non-Carnival months, so don’t come to Barranquilla if you’re looking for a calm vacation!
Great bars in town (many have a dance floor): Lobo Feroz, Zamba Salsa Sport Bar, Phuket bar, Patio Barranquilla, Bourbon St. Bar Restaurante Barranquilla, Patio Barranquilla, Extasis Restaurante Bar.

Artesanias de Colombia and the market on 46th avenue and 72nd street both sell traditional handicrafts unique to the Colombian Caribbean.
Plaza San Nicolas facing the church of the same name deserves a quick look around. The church is most alluring at night when its lit up in different colors.
The Teatro Amira de Rosa is an impressive modern building which hosts numerous music festivals throughout the year.
Mapuka Museum: an open archaeological museum about Karib Peoples that offers a journey through 20,000 years of Caribbean history.
Window to the World Monument: a colorful monument (Monumento Ventana Al Mundo).

Take a walk around the pleasant streets of El Prado for stunning sights, such as the lengthy Plaza de Paz and the modernist Catedral Metropolitana María Reina. Great for street photography.
Gran Malecón: waterfront promenade featuring restaurants, cafes, bars, parks, sculptures (including one of Shakira), and fountains.
– Best visited in late afternoon when temperatures cool down
– Use app-based transport services when returning at night
Ciénaga de Mallorquín Eco Park (north of the Malecon) offers kayaking, bird watching, guided tours, and biking.
Stroll through Parque de los Ejecutivos – great for people watching.
Take a train 45 minutes out of town to the confluence of the Magdalena River and Caribbean Sea to take a walk around this surreal scene – the Bocas de Cenizas (or the ‘Mouths of Ashes,’ as it’s called in Colombia).

Great restaurants that locals love: Porthos Steakhouse and Pub 53 ($$), Cucayo ($$ – Caribbean), Narcobollo Barranquilla ($$ – local cuisine), Deliasia (Indian).
Local dishes to try: arepa de huevo, sancocho de pescado (a traditional soup), bollo (corn dough), and arroz de lisa.
Sweet tooth? Check out Panaderia La Baguette for delicious fresh baked food and snacks.
Where to find good cheap eats: fresh fruit juices, set lunches, street food and shots of coffee sold in the parks are all fixtures of El Centro during the day.
Caiman del Rio: a bustling food court shaped like a caiman, located in the Gran Malecón waterfront district.

Cartagena vs. Barranquilla: for attractions, history, and architecture, UNESCO-listed Cartagena is considered better, but Barranquilla offers a more authentic taste of local Colombian life.
Locals appreciate when foreigners try to speak Spanish – if you know some, don’t be shy!
Dangerous areas: El Centro at night, and anywhere crowded during Carnival – pickpockets make out well that time of year.
Regardless of the time of year, stick to well-lit areas and don’t wear flashy stuff!
– Tip: ask a local what “no des papaya” means.

Recommended trip duration: 1 day (6 days if visiting for Carnival!)