Sunny escapes will soon be in full force after everyone gets their fix of pumpkin spice drinks and rustic foliage photo-ops.
Whether you’re dreading chopping firewood, driving in ice, or simply need blue skies and Vitamin D, you won’t be alone in your search for winter sun.
Latin America is teeming with sun-kissed coastlines, and one such place is Cartagena, Colombia’s most sought-after beach destination.
But there’s one, at least according to USA Today, that is much cheaper to reach. Better yet, the weather is consistently in the 80s, and there are some amazing deals on luxe hotels, too.
So, if you know you’ll be champing at the bit to escape the winter blues, look no further than Colombia’s underrated coastal city of Barranquilla.
Colombia’s Urban Playground With Coastal Bliss
At first glance, Barranquilla is nothing to take notice of. An ordinary skyline like any other ordinary city.
Despite the apparent lack of glitz and glamour of Barranquilla’s pale-toned cityscape lies the opposite of what the eye sees – vibrant streets, incredible eats, and affordable luxury at hand.
While it’s not quite the right season, Barranquila’s biggest claim to fame are its action-packed Carnival festivals where visitors all over the world come to participate in late February and early March.
But if that’s too far away to make plans, don’t fret. Barranquilla is still an incredible place to visit, with buzzing nightlife and stunning beaches on the outskirts of the city, such as the picture-perfect shores of Tayrona National Park.
The city skyline doesn’t backdrop the best beaches; you’ll have to venture out a bit for the cream of the crop, but no more than 15 minutes to paradisal gold sand like Playas de Salgar, where a recent beachgoer claimed “I really like this beach, it is the most beautiful in Colombia”.
USA Today Claims Nearly 20% Decrease In Airfare – Is It 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 airfare to Barranquilla is down 19% based on Skyscanner data – so does that hold true this winter?
Let’s take a look.
American travelers can only reach Barranquilla directly from Miami (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
From this South Florida duo, travelers can score round-trips flights under $200!
Since this is based on SkyScanner data, it seems only right to use their website as the test subject.
For sample size, late January had the best deals I could find with Spirit Airlines flights only costing $183 January 22 – 28th.
Obviously, not everyone interested resides in the Miami area, so what about connecting flights?
Using some of the busiest airports in the U.S – all of New York, Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles – fares were still super low for international getaways this January.
- Atlanta – $259 (Spirit)
- Dallas – $278 (Spirit)
- New York (LGA and JFK) – $382 (American)
Seems no matter which major city you depart from across the U.S., it’s a safe bet to bag round-trip flights here under $500 if you’re not picky on dates.
Budget-Friendly Luxury & Incredible Eats
Whether staying in the city to hit up Colombia’s famous coffeehouses, intriguing museums, or scenic boat ride along the Magdalena River, there are some really nice hotels to choose from at unbeatable rates.
There are less name-brand hotels along the coast, but there are some great deals for beachgoers too, but making your base in Barranquilla proper may be the way to go.
Get ready to spend your points on familiar names like Crowne Plaza, Marriott, and Radisson – all listed as 4-star properties and under $100 per night.
The latter being your best overall value at just $60, even during Christmas week! Make sure to take advantage of the rooftop pool.
As for eats, there are some great places here to savor 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.
Empenadas, of course, are a staple of Colombian cuisine, and are easy to find around here too.
Being on the coast, seafood is where Barranquilla’s food scene really shines, highlighted by varieties of ceviches and fried fish.
Many beach towns nearby have hole-in-the-wall stands whipping up fresh batches of ‘today’s catch’, so keep an eye out for those.
But if you prefer to wine and dine in style, check out Restaurante Palo de Mango serving traditional food and receiving rave reviews from patrons.
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