Beginners Guide to Colombia
Visiting Colombia
This summer, I finally had the chance to tick off a dream destination from my travel bucket list—Colombia. After years of anticipation, I embarked on a 3-week solo adventure, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of amazing. Colombia, with its delightful cuisine, warm-hearted people, and vibrant culture, left a mark on my travel memory. In this post, I'll share some of my cherished experiences from both Cartagena and Medellín.
Cartagena
During my stay in Cartagena, I hopped around a few different hostels, but I always made sure to stay within walking distance of the Getsemani district. Getsemani boasts its own unique culture, with most social gatherings happening right on the streets. You'll be greeted by stunning street art, live music, and mouthwatering food vendors. Forbes magazine even crowned Getsemani as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world.
Now, let's talk about the weather in Cartagena—it's hot, and you'll definitely want accommodation with a pool. A refreshing pool was a lifesaver during the scorching midday hours, leaving the mornings and cooler evenings free for exploring the city.
My top recommendation for starting your Cartagena adventure is a free walking tour. These tours are typically offered twice a day and are based on donations. Most visitors hand around 40 pesos to the guide at the tour's end. Any hotel or hostel should provide you with information on tour locations and schedules, but most tours start at the Camellón de los Mártires statue in the town square.
Now, here comes a must in Colombia—salsa dancing. Even if you're not a pro, dancing to live music and people-watching is a blast. Every local will steer you to Café Havana as the go-to spot for salsa. They open at 8:00 pm, but the real fun starts late in the evening, especially on Thursday through Saturday. I initially told myself I'd check it out for an hour and ended up dancing until closing time!
If you ask me what I love most, it's the beach, and Cartagena has plenty of it. I embarked on a 7-hour catamaran tour around the Rosario Islands, and it was a blast. I even made friends with a group of Brazilians from São José do Rio Preto (the town where I lived for a year in Brazil), with whom I ended up dancing the night away in town. A word of advice if you take this tour: be punctual because they do leave on time, and you don't want to be stuck hiring a small motorboat to take you to meet the catamaran in the middle of the ocean, like I did. I don’t recommend it. Check out my Instagram post for the full story.
Another fantastic beach experience is a visit to the crystal-clear waters of Playa Blanca, about an hour away from Cartagena. You can get there by shuttle, boat, or private car. A little tip for Playa Blanca: visit on a weekday for a more relaxing experience, as weekends can get quite crowded. Also, carry some cash as ATMs are scarce, and many places don't accept cards. I stayed in a casita owned by a warm Colombian family, which allowed me to immerse myself in a Spanish-speaking environment for three days.
If you're a seafood lover, Cartagena is your haven. Although I'm sure there are many more restaurants worth exploring, I must recommend trying La Cevichería. Multiple locals pointed me there for the best ceviche in town. Another great spot is Buena Vida Marisquería offering a unique menu and a rooftop with an incredible atmosphere—perfect for dressing up and sipping on cocktails.
Medellín
Medellín, often dubbed "the city of eternal spring" due to its year-round pleasant weather, provided a welcome escape from Cartagena's heat and humidity. This mountainous metropolis, the second-largest city in Colombia, captured my heart during my week-long stay. When choosing accommodation, you can't go wrong by staying near the Poblado district, which serves as a central hub for various tourist activities.
One of my favorite tours took me to the charming town of Guatpe (tour link posted below). Upon arrival and a hearty breakfast, we embarked on the ascent of Piedra del Peñol, conquering 700 steps to reach the top. The view from there is great, and I promise the climb is not as daunting as it sounds. Afterward, the tour led us to Guatape's downtown, and included a boat ride with scenic views, passing by the ruins of Pablo Escobar's former vacation home. Plan for about 10 hours to complete this tour in its entirety.
Another tour I highly recommend is a visit to Comuna 13 district (link below). It was fascinating to learn about the area's history from a local who grew up there. Discover how this neighborhood transformed from a hub of gang violence to a thriving tourist destination. The tour winds through a mountainous area, offering a spectacular view of Medellín.
Now, when it comes to dining, Medellín has a wealth of culinary treasures, given its size. However, my two standout restaurants on this trip were Mamasito Medallo and Alambique. Both exuded a fantastic ambiance, and the food was simply mouthwatering. For a livelier experience, head to the Provenza neighborhood, where two streets brim with restaurants, bars, and places to dance. Ask your taxi or Uber driver to take you to Bastardo Restaurante Provenza—the center of it all.
Even though I spent a wonderful three weeks in Colombia, it still feels like it wasn't enough. Based on insights from locals and fellow travelers, here are some things I'm eager to explore on my next visit. I'd love to visit Santa Marta, the oldest city in Colombia, known for hiking and beautiful beaches. A couple of days in Bogota, the capital, is on my list. As well as a visit to the bird sanctuary, an hour's drive from Cartagena. Lastly, I plan to dedicate 2-3 days to hiking in Medellín.
These recommendations and insights were uncovered during my journey while in Colombia. I hope you find these tips and suggestions valuable as you prepare for your own adventure. Buen viaje!
Tour Links:
Rosario Islands Catamaran Tour
*I may receive commission from this post if you purchase from the links.
