Barranquilla, Colombia is a colorful and magical city that tourists flock to visit. It is also where the world-famous Carnaval de Barranquilla takes place. Although its principal attraction (especially in February) is the Carnival, there are a lot of other things for tourists to do here. Eating exotic dishes and admiring stunning architecture are a few among them.
But if you want to travel to Barranquilla, where do you start? You’ll need to know about the best things to do, where to visit, what to pack, and most importantly, how to purchase the right travel medical insurance.
Barranquilla Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers — FAQs
Do I need travel medical insurance for Barranquilla?
The Colombian government ended its legal requirement for travel medical insurance on May 4, 2023. You are no longer legally required to have travel medical insurance in order to visit Barranquilla, but it is still strongly recommended by Colombian consulates.
Why buy travel medical insurance for Barranquilla?
Even without the legal requirement, you would still be taking a grave risk traveling to Barranquilla without travel medical insurance. Unlike in your home country, you will not be able to simply present your domestic insurance and expect the lion’s share of the cost of any medical treatment to be covered. Your domestic insurance won’t be accepted here, so you’ll be solely responsible for paying the entire cost of any treatment yourself if you don’t have travel medical insurance.
To secure your healthcare and your finances, buy travel medical insurance.
Things to Do for Travelers in Barranquilla
Carnaval de Barranquilla
With an explosion of color, festivities, and music, the Carnival of Barranquilla is one of the major attractions of the city. It takes place four days after Ash Wednesday in February. So, if you want to be a part of this exciting and merry party, go to Barranquilla in February. But this month is also a month when prices for both airlines and hotels peak. It is best to plan in advance.
Castillo de Salgar
First built in the 19th century, the Castle Salgar is a famous landmark in Barranquilla and an excellent spot for tourists to sit back and relax. It is located next to the sea in Salgar. As a result, the views and the weather here are extremely pleasant.
Not just the views and weather, but the food here is also worth enjoying. The restaurant in the Castle serves a variety of fantastic cuisines.
Museo del Caribe
The Museo del Caribe is a well-designed building with equally admirable exhibits. It’s a fun, interactive, and family-friendly experience that will provide tourists a glimpse at the rich culture of Colombia.
Don’t forget to visit the special section reserved for the Nobel Prize-winning author, Gabriel García Márquez. It’s one of the museum’s highlights.
Zoológico de Barranquilla
From snakes to tigers, the Barranquilla Zoo houses 140 different species of animals.
Although a small zoo, there’s no end to the fun that you can have here. You can learn about the conservation efforts for local animals, touch the animals in the enclosures by coming up close (under guidance), and even grab a bite in the zoo’s café.
Gran Malecón del Rio
Rated by TripAdvisor as the #1 thing to do in Barranquilla, Gran Malecón del Rio is a park where tourists can have the perfect outdoor experience. It is a beautiful mix of nature and culture. The playgrounds and restaurants in the park also contribute to making it an amazing place for families to visit.
Travel Risks for International Travelers in Barranquilla
Flooding
Barranquilla experiences frequent rainstorms and thunderstorms. The inefficient storm-sewer network fails to provide a proper outlet for all this water, which ends up flowing in the streets and causing flooding.
Always keep one eye on the weather forecast, and head to your hotel if it’s cloudy with a chance of rainfall.
Crime
Barranquilla is a safe and friendly city for the most part. Incidents of pickpocketing and robberies have been reported, which makes it important to stay safe and practice some precautions while roaming the city.
Don’t wear flashy jewelry, and don’t whip out expensive and valuable stuff on the street. This will only give an incentive to thieves and robbers to victimize you.
Areas to avoid include:
- San Roque
- Tres Postes
- Don Bosco
Civil unrest
The country of Columbia does not have an ideal political situation. Political demonstrations, riots, and protests occur sometimes. Even though they aren’t that common, still be sure to practice caution.
Avoid large crowds and aggressive mobs. Protests can turn very violent very quickly.
Zika
The Zika virus is common in Columbia. Cities such as Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Santa Marta have to combat many reported cases annually.
It is best to stay safe from mosquitoes during your trip. To help with this, carry mosquito repellent along with you and apply it whenever you go out.
Traffic
Although it has less traffic than the capital, Barranquilla is not ideal when it comes to driving conditions. Aggressive traffic and negligent driving are common.
Try not to rent a car here, as this will cost you much more than simply taking a taxi to your destination. This will also place you in the trusted hands of local drivers, who will have a much better feel of the roads in Barranquilla.
Before You Travel to Barranquilla — Do This
Pack the following:
- Mosquito repellent to avoid getting Zika
- A slash-proof bag for your valuables and passport
Learn some Spanish
English won’t get you far in Barranquilla. To avoid trouble communicating with locals, learn some basic Spanish words and phrases.
Buy insurance
Do not head to Barranquilla without purchasing vacation insurance. All you can do is stay prepared with travel medical insurance.