Hostels in BARRANQUILLA, COLOMBIA

Bewitching Barranquilla: Colombia’s Golden Gate

The city of Barranquilla is Colombia’s largest industrial city and port in the Colombian Caribbean region, and the country’s No. 4 largest city. For these reasons, it is known as Colombia’s Golden Gate. It is also known for being the hub of Colombian aviation and for its famous carnival, second only to the one hosted by Rio.

History
Barranquilla is a city that was not founded but just grew. In fact, it was officially founded in 1813 when it was named Villas de Barlobento. Later, the name Barranquillas, a derivative of Barrancas, stuck.

However, the great Bolivar always passed through this area but never stopped here to rest but rested in neighbouring Soledad and San Nicolás or Barlobento. There was some action here in the 1940s when the famous writer Gabriel García Márquez and his friends formed the group Grupo de Barranquilla.

Popular Places
The main reason for visiting this city is its carnival, which originated in the 19th century. It is held four days before Ash Wednesday. Masquerade parades, masked balls, street dances and music shows are held. There are many unique museums, architecture and unforgettable beaches at Puerto Colombia. Nobel Prize for Literature winner Gabriel García Márquez’s hangout, Cuvet, is worth a visit.

People also visit El Prado, which has both modern constructions and haphazard streets and are a treat for architecture fans. Colombians love playing football. And, they love to take part in the Carnival on Ash Wednesday. Also, visit the Museo Romantico to understand Colombian traditions.

Getting Around
Barranquilla has an airport with daily flights to different parts of the country. Within the city, it is easy to travel by bus, or rent a car, taxi or mototaxi. Transport is cheap and plentiful.

Places of Entertainment
For entertainment, people go to bars and nightclubs such as the UVA Club, Seven and Frogg Leggs and retro bars. Local and international cuisines are available here such as Peruvian, Lebanese, Japanese, Fusion and Italian. You can also eat lip-smacking Arabic and Chinese food. You can gorge on local delicacies such as Arroz Con Coco and Sancocho de Guandul (pigeon peas soup), Bocachico Frito (fried fish), Sancocho and Fritos (fried foods).

Good restaurants to try out are Sabor Quile, La Bonga del Sinu, El Sabor del Marisco, El Huerto, Langostinos and Nacobollo.

There are several up market malls in the downtown area which store international brands. The two largest malls are Buenavista and Villa Country.

Accommodation Options
Tourists can find accommodation in cheap bed and breakfast places, guest houses, apartments, hostels, budget hotels, motels and luxury hotels.

Currency
The currency here is the Peso. For more news on the exchange rate between the Peso and the dollar or Pound, go online or read the newspaper.

Group accommodation in Barranquilla | Cheap hostels & budget hotels