When I was preparing for my 6 weeks in Colombia, I struggled to find traveler tips. Of the few tips I could find, most were very tourist-y for short trips. Now that I have returned, I feel it is my duty to provide my own list of things I think students need to know for living in Colombia.
1. Washcloths
If you are someone who likes to use a washcloth when you shower, be sure to pack one! My host family only had a bar of soap to clean with, so I had to buy a loofah at the store. I would have preferred a washcloth, but they don’t even sell them.
2. Conditioner
As a part of the trip, we spent two weekends in hotels visiting Cartagena and Santa Marta. Like hotels in the US, they provided a bar of soap and shampoo. However, they did not have conditioner. I recommend bringing your own bottle of conditioner on the excursions if your hair needs it.
3. Checks
At restaurants, waiters will not be constantly checking on you like in the US. After you order, you almost always have to flag them down to get the check or ask for something. This can be nice, though, if you want to spend extra time with your friends and enjoy the meal.
4. Roads
The roads are scary! Drivers are always switching lanes without warning and laying on that horn. My advice is to trust your driver. It may feel terrifying, but they have experience and know what they’re doing.
5. Rain
It is difficult to trust the forecast in Barranquilla because rain can happen randomly. And when it does happen, the raindrops are usually really big. I recommend always having a small umbrella with you to be prepared for unexpected rain.
6. Spice
In Colombia, spicy food is pretty rare. As someone who loves spice, this was a little difficult to get used to. When I went out to eat, I made sure to take advantage of any spicy options. My roommate bought red pepper flakes so she could add them to our meals at home.