When visiting the gorgeous city of Barranquilla, Colombia, it’s best to learn a little bit about their history. Having this knowledge will be more meaningful as you appreciate what you’ve learned about some of the city’s famous tourist attractions and historical sites which you’ll be traveling to.
The city was founded in 1629, serving as a port for maritime transportation as well as the transferring of commodities within the country. Barranquilla is situated along the famous Magdalena river that links to the Caribbean Sea. Contributing to the business and tourism within the city and country, Barranquilla has then become an industrial and cultural center in the Caribbean Region of Colombia.
One of the most renowned festivals in Colombia is celebrated in Barranquilla—the Carnaval de Barranquilla (Carnival of Barranquilla). This festivity is also one of the biggest and most famous carnivals in the world, particularly second to that of Rio de Janeiro’s. Locals and foreigners who attend this festival bring the entire city to life as they come out in extravagant costumes and floats—all while dancing the night away.
As a result, the carnival has then been declared as a National Cultural Heritage in 2001 by the Congress of Colombia and was acknowledged by UNESCO in 2003. Because Barranquilla has served as a main port for immigrants from Asia and the Middle East, seeking safety from the events of the two world wars, it has also been given the nickname as the Golden Gate of Colombia.
Barranquilla was also popular for being the second largest city in the country and one of the most modernized ones. With a rich history and culture that has contributed to the country’s tourism, Barranquilla continues to allure tourists and locals up to this day, further empowering the importance of Colombian history.
Barranquilla celebrated its declaration as a town on April 7, 1813. The city also stands as the most important maritime port in Colombia, serving as a platform for transporting goods that effectively helped in boosting the economy and development of Barranquilla. This has therefore instituted the coastal town of Puerto Colombia.
Traveling to Barranquilla, you’ll discover that the city is also home to the very first airport in South America which was built in 1919, presently distributing flights both domestically and internationally. It is called the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport. The city of Barranquilla is also where the oldest operating airline in the Americas was established, currently under the name Avianca.
The Bocas de Ceniza is a famous destination where you can witness how the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean Sea. Found within the area are local restaurants where tourists and locals can stop by to eat and relax.
One can take pleasure in learning a brief history of Colombia at the Romantic Museum of Barranquilla. It is also the most visited museum in the city especially for those who wish to know more about Barranquilla’s culture and history. A room dedicated to author Gabriel García Márquez, the one behind the world-famous novel Love in the Time of Cholera, can be found within the museum, as well as letters written by Simón Bolívar.
The famous cultural center of the city known as the Caribbean Cultural Park is where one can learn more about the historical heritage of the Colombian Caribbean region. Although it was opened to the public in 2009, it has made its mark in holding esteemed cultural events that occurred in the city. The main goal of this complex is to restore the Historic Center of the city, and to further develop the city’s cultural significance.
Situated within the Park is the Caribbean Museum, also known as Museo del Caribe, which is the first regional museum in the country. Although there are many historical sites and museums found in different Colombian cities, this one in particular serves as an institution for the cultural and historical remembrance of the eight departments belonging to the Colombian Caribbean.
As mentioned, one of the things that sets Barranquilla as a major destination for tourists is the festive spirit celebrated by the people. Among these are the beautiful and stunning Barranquilla women. Meeting these ladies during your trip to this city will definitely make your whole experience more worthwhile.
Being a haven for fine Caribbean music, Barranquilla boasts an impressive array of hot spots, clubs, hotels, and venues where one can enjoy a spectacular nightlife. Not to mention the food, dancing, art events, and festivals, you can never run out of things to enjoy doing in this magnificent city, adding more to the reasons why you should visit Colombia and experience what its cities have to offer!
What indeed makes Barranquilla so vibrant and colorful is the aforementioned Carnaval de Barranquilla. As the city is flooded with tourists and locals who are there to celebrate the festivities, the people simply give them a warm and friendly welcome, wherein everyone gets to experience the thrill of this famous Carnival.
As you can see, there is certainly much to see and explore in this historic yet modern city. Just be sure to equip yourself with a helpful itinerary so that you may have a safe and memorable trip. If you’ve already had your share of visiting historical monuments, you can also visit some of the modern infrastructures such as hotels, parks, and shopping centers which are mostly found in the northern part of the city.
Whether your interest is in meeting Barranquilla women or simply exploring the city’s wonders, it is absolutely an amazing opportunity to understand and explore the history of Barranquilla and how it came to be.
