When you are in Colombia, you dance. Although dancing anywhere is all year around, Barranquilla carnival in February is on steroid. Barranquilla carnival is the second biggest carnival after Rio. Barranquilla carnival doesn’t get the attention it needs, and it is extremely underrated. I haven’t even heard of it till recent. I was lucky enough to visit, and because it is not well known to the foreigner like the Rio carnival, it can be tough to get around. So I want to give you all the information you need.
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Is It Safe to Go to Barranquilla Colombia?
It is an industrial city and not really built for tourists. I even think there are barely any Asians in this city, so everywhere I went, people glared at me. But it wasn’t a bad feeling. Going to the night parties or to the carnival, people were constantly helping me or even including me in the group and partied so much. But also, some people would call me out as Jackie Chan which I didn’t feel offended at all. I don’t know why though lol.
I felt more safe than going through Georgia in America where they were flagging the confederate flags on their cars. I felt included and welcomed.
Where to Stay in Barranquilla
The carnival happens on Via 40, so you should plan to stay not to far from the carnival. I decided to stay at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel. I was traveling for almost a year, and thought doing the SPG Challenge would be great (You can read about it more here) as they would upgrade my status to Platinum. Four Points hotel was a decent hotel with a nice pool and a small gym (like any other Four Points, the gym had barely anything). Also, try to book the hotel in advance as I struggled to find a decent hotel, and most of the hotels jack up the price prior to the carnival.
Few more options are NH Collection and Garden Inn are excellent hotels as the roof top pools are the best in Barranquilla. And you have to go for hotels with best pools because Barranquilla is a hot city where you will want to lounge around the pool. Trust me.
How to Get the Barranquilla Carnival Tickets?
You can always buy it on their website prior to the carnival. But if you are planning last minute and forgot to buy it, the hotels would also sell it. Actually when I bought it at the hotel, it was cheaper than buying legit. On the second day, I also tried the tickets on the street. I was really skeptical, so I asked the guy to check me in. He came with me and put me in the palco. If you are buying on the street, make sure to go with him as I hear a lot people get scammed.
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Where to Sit at Barranquilla Carnival
There is no designated seats but rather sectioned. So you need to find which number you are and go to the section. I luckily got the ticket that is number 3, so the taxi took me to the beginning of the carnival. As you go into the palco, you just have to find an empty seat. I chose the front seat as it was easier to see the carnival. Make sure to put on lots of sun scream and wear a hat. It gets super hot. Also, make sure to get the section with the roof on. Without a roof, you will probably die of heat, just kidding. But it is really hot.
Best Nightlife EVER!
The carnival is a great activity, but it feels like you are watching a show and not participating in it. So, the nightlife is where it makes this carnival the best. Every corner near Via 40 will be having a party with people dancing, but I decided to go to the big party festival where they block the whole street and endless dancing and music. It was so much fun and I wish it had never ended. You can also see my video below about the nightlife.
What to Eat in Barranquilla
I don’t think Barranquilla is a foodie town. It wasn’t easy to find a decent food. But here are few of the places I went and was half decent.
Juan Valdez Cafe
Juan Valdez Cafe is probably the most famous coffee shops in Colombia. I even enjoyed the chain in Miami. So I went there every morning for my coffee and some breakfast.
Donde esta Javier?
I was looking for something down to earth and just an easy bite that I can go in between the carnival and the night party. And Donde Esta Javier came up and tried it. It is a hotdog restaurant, but they also have variety of meat. I had the hot dog and the lomo which were both good. I know you are wondering why I should try hot dogs all the way in Colombia. But it is more like a delicacy in Colombia and put a lot of effort in to the hot dog. Even if you don’t get a chance to eat here, you should definitely try it in other cities in Colombia.
I was told by the hotel that Cocina 33 and Sabina were good place to go. Or the restaurants on that road are pretty decent. I was going to try Cocina 33, but unfortunately it was closed for lunch, but it did look clean and nice from outside.