Settled around 1629 and formally founded in 1813, Barranquilla sits 7.5km from where the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean, making it Colombia's main river and sea port and earning it the nickname 'Puerta de Oro' (Golden Gate) in 1921. Its Carnival, recognised by UNESCO in 2003, is Colombia's largest and one of the world's biggest street festivals. The city was also an aviation pioneer: Ernesto Cortissoz airport, built in 1919, was South America's first, and SCADTA, founded here, grew into Avianca, the continent's oldest airline.
Nights sit around 25°C and afternoons around 33°C.
Barranquilla barely changes season: afternoons sit around 33°C and nights around 25°C most of the year.
Rain is spread through the year: about 10 days in 30 in September, the wettest month, and 0 in January.
Wind is rarely an issue; most months sit between calm and a light breeze. Air quality is worth watching: July averages an AQI of 60, while January clears to 47.
Daylight is steady all year, around 12.0 hours a day.
For what you're after, the best months in Barranquilla are November – April. Expect fast internet (248 Mbps) and a moderate cost of living (about €1150 a month).
Affiliate links: if you book through them I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
