Colombia 101

Listen to this episode from World Through She Travel Podcast on Spotify. Traveling with a local provides a deeper peek into the everyday life of their citizens. Sheila G. chats with Laura G. (a Colombian native) about their trip to Medellín, Bogota, and Cartegena.

In 2017, I received a handwritten invitation from my roommate’s grandma to travel to Colombia for “Abuelita’s” 90th birthday.

We packed our bags and a month later, headed to Colombia. Traveling with a local provides a deeper peek into the daily lives of their citizens. I want all of you to have the same experience, so here are my tips and recommendations for Medellín, Bogota, and Cartegena.

Tips:

  1. It’s true, Colombian coffee is the best coffee in the world. Drink as much as you can while you’re there!

  2. If you know you know… Aguardiente!! And if you don’t know, you’ll definitely learn when you’re in Colombia. This is an alcohol that is unique to the country. If I had to describe the taste, I’d say… Licorice!

  3. Make sure you know how to spell and say Colombia. Before reading this article, did you spell it with a “U”? Be honest.

  4. A lot of people associate Colombian history with Pablo Escobar. Locals do not want you to recognize the victimizer especially since he caused so much pain and harm to the country. Not to mention the reputation Pablo Escobar and his cartel gave Colombia as an unsafe country. During your visit, try to support Colombia’s true heroes instead of Pablo Escobar and his tours.

  5. Take some salsa classes! There’s a lot of salsa in Colombia!

  6. Foods to try: local regional dishes, chicharron, arepas, arequipe (I still dream about this), , Obleas (arequipe with round wafers, empanadas, churros, mondogo soup. And if you like soda, postobon is the main soda there and is pretty good!

 

 

Medellin Recommendations

  • Metrocable to Arvi Parque for view of the whole city

  • Guatape – Piedra del Penol, downtown

  • Mercado del Rio food court

  • Malls are a huge attraction there

  • Kukaramacara

  • Bandeja Paisa local dish

To read more about Medellín, check out my Falling in love with Medellín post.

 

Bogota Recommendations

  • Andrés Carne de Res for big events (I celebrated my birthday here!)

  • Cablecar up to Santuario de Monserrate

  • Usaquen Market

  • La Candelaria – the old part of town

  • Plaza Bolivar

  • Ajiaco local dish

 

Cartagena Recommendations

  • Rent a boat for a day to visit the surrounding islands

  • Carmen restaurant where chefs modernized the typical Colombian cuisine.

  • Café Del Mar (view of the city, water and walled city)

 

 

 

Sheila Ghaibi