Share the article
Sunny escapes will soon be in full force after everyone gets their pumpkin spice drink and rustic photo ops of the foliage.
Whether you’re afraid of chopping firewood, driving on ice, or just need blue skies and vitamin D, you won’t be alone in your quest for winter sun.
Latin America is teeming with sun-drenched coastlines, and one of those places is Cartagena, Colombia’s most sought-after beach destination.
But there is one, at least according to USA todaythat is much cheaper to achieve. Better yet, the weather is consistently in the 80s and there are some great deals on luxury hotels too.
So if you know you’ll do anything to escape the winter blues, look no further than Colombia’s underrated coastal city: Barranquilla.
Colombia’s urban playground with Coastal happiness
At first glance, Barranquilla is nothing to notice. An ordinary skyline like any other ordinary city.
Despite the apparent lack of glitz and glamor in Barranquilla’s light-colored cityscape, the opposite of what the eye sees: vibrant streets, incredible food and affordable luxury is within reach.
While it’s not quite the right season, Barranquila’s biggest claim to fame is its action-packed season Carnival festivals in which visitors from all over the world participate in late February and early March.
But if that’s too far away to make plans, don’t worry. Barranquilla is still an incredible place to visit, with vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches on the outskirts of town, such as the picture-perfect shores of Tayrona National Park.
The city skyline isn’t the backdrop for the best beaches; for the cream of the crop you have to venture out a bit, but no more than 15 minutes to heavenly golden sand Playas de Salgarwhere a recent beachgoer claimed: “I really love this beach, it’s the most beautiful in Colombia”.
USA Today Claims Nearly 20% Drop in Airline Tickets – Is That True?
Two things travelers should know when visiting Barranquilla: Uber is readily available and Ernesto Cortissoz Barranquilla International Airport is located 45 minutes outside the city center.
USA Today claims airfares to Barranquilla are down 19% based on Skyscanner data – is that true this winter?
Let’s see.
US travelers can only reach Barranquilla directly from Miami (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
Travelers can book round-trip flights from this South Florida duo for under $200!
Since this is based on SkyScanner data, it only seems right to use it their website as a test subject.
In terms of sample size, late January had the best deals I could find with Spirit Airlines flights costing just $183 from January 22 to 28.
Obviously not everyone interested lives in the Miami area, so what about connecting flights?
At some of the busiest airports in the US – all of New York, Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles – fares were still super low for international getaways in January.
- Atlanta – $259 (ghost)
- Dallas – $278 (ghost)
- New York (LGA and JFK) – $382 (American)
It seems that no matter which major city you’re departing from in the US, it’s a safe bet to book round-trip flights here under $500 if you’re not picky about dates.
Budget-friendly luxury and incredible dining options
Whether you’re staying in the city to visit Colombia’s famous coffee houses, intriguing museums or picturesque landscapes boat trip along the Magdalena River there are some really nice hotels to choose from at unbeatable prices.
There are lesser-known hotels along the coast, but there are also some great deals for beachgoers, but a good base in Barranquilla may be your best bet.
Get ready to spend your points on household names like Crowne Plaza, Marriott and Radisson – all listed as 4-star accommodations and under $100 per night.
The latter is your best overall value at just $60, even during Christmas week! Be sure to take advantage of the rooftop pool.
As for food, there are some great places here to enjoy the flavors of Colombia. You’ll find street vendors selling arepas, which are common on this side of the country as well as in neighboring Venezuela.
Empenadasare of course a staple of Colombian cuisine, and are easily found here as well.
On the coast, Barranquilla’s food scene is where seafood comes into its own, highlighted by the varieties of ceviches and fried fish.
Many beach towns nearby have hole-in-the-wall stalls preparing fresh batches of ‘today’s catch’, so keep an eye out for these.
But if you prefer to dine and dine in style, check it out Restaurant Palo de Mango serves traditional dishes and receives rave reviews from customers.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
