Barranquilla Beaches
With the tropical climate of Barranquilla hitting you as soon as you step off the plane after your flight and as you try to adjust to the ever present heat probably the first thing on any tourist’s mind will be where is the nearest beach?
Unfortunately although quite close to the sea there are no beaches in Barranquilla, despite its status as the largest port on Colombia’s Atlantic coast. The nearest beaches to Barranquilla are about a twenty minute car journey from the center along a wide avenue lined with vegetation including palms and banana plants.
The fact that the city is not on the coast means that most of the beaches are bordered by lush tropical plants and palms creating an experience very different from its neighbours either side and just along the coast.
One of the most popular (particularly with visitors) and also exclusive of the private beach areas is known as Prado Mar. The setting is usually peaceful during the week and the buildings and amenities are very Colombian in their style, general appearance and maintenance.
Salgar beach is very long and located between Prado Mar and the mouth of the Magdalena river. It is composed of various beaches with private access where small groups of Colombians stand outside the beach complexes waiting for cars and tourists to pass and try to encourage and direct them to enter.
In general the beaches near to Barranquilla are not what you tend to imagine a Caribbean beach looking like in that they are not golden sand and perfectly manicured but rather a greyish colour. The huge Rio Magdalena which deposits large quantities of silt as it spills out into the ocean nearby together with the small waves, winds and currents which are often found along this unsheltered stretch ensure that the waters are often not very clear. However, conditions are variable and some days when there is a clear blue sky and the water is still the beaches can be idylic.
One of the advantages along this part of the coastline is that the beaches are not as crowded as in neighbouring cities and you are not being disturbed by vendors all the time.
If you continue beyond Prado Mar you will end up at the free beaches of Puerto Colombia which is a relatively poor coastal town. However, for security reasons as well as the benefit of having the convenience of private toilet facilities and an excellent restaurant serving sea food and steaks as well as comfortable areas to relax it would be best to pay the 15,000 pesos or so to enter Prado Mar.
If you wish to explore even further along the coast beyond Puerto Colombia along the road to Cartagena there are a number of other protected and private beach areas (such as Playa Santa Veronica) where you will also find fairly modest holiday and weekend homes (cabañas). It is probably the best spot along this area of the coast where you can spend the day but unless you own a cabaña there most people jump out of the taxi as they are too impatient to wait to stroll on the beach and dip their toes in the warm waters.
What is your favourite beach near Barranquilla?
Brief Essentials Regarding Barranquilla
·Although not as well known as Cartagena, it is an important destination for business tourists and features a satisfactory choice of accommodation.
·Along the East of the city runs the extensive Rio Magdelena, it is a sizeable international seaport and has a considerable industrialized base.
·Being next to the Equator the climate is hot and tropical all through the year.
·The Barranquilla Carnaval is world famous and the city is busiest at this week.
·Residents are known as "Barranquilleros" and are characterized by their welcoming and pleasant feelings and relaxed behavior.
·While in Barranquilla it is easy to visit other coastal towns and cities such as Cartagena about two hours along the coast and Santa Marta.
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