We asked Hugo, one of our first travellers, to share with you his unique experience as a first-timer in Latin American countries. He’s a travel enthusiast with more than 49 countries visited so far. So dive into his testimonial.
Hi there!
I believe you landed here due to your interest in getting to know more about Colombia, and to understand if this is the right destination for your next trip. I am very used to travelling, but unfortunately, I don’t know Latin America very well. Thankfully, I was very fortunate to be invited by Alejandra and André to join the very first The Tripidea tour in Colombia, in 2022. We’ve managed to visit the most diverse places inside the same country and let me tell you that this trip exceeded all my expectations.
The country itself is very rich: You can enjoy a mix of several different environments or stay stuck with the weather you like the most. In Colombia you can enjoy beautiful beaches, in San Andres or Santa Marta, historical cities like Cartagena, modern cities like Medellin (in a valley) or Bogotá (in the top of a mountain) and enjoy the quietness of the country field like we did in Salento. Therefore, regardless of your tastes, you can find the perfect suit for you in Colombia, without having to look elsewhere. Our trip covered three main cities: Bogotá, Medellin and Cali, the quiet region of Salento where one of the best coffees in the world is produced, and the incredibly beautiful beaches of San Andrés in the Caribbean Sea.
Prior to my trip, I did some research about Colombia that I can share with you. Below you can find some of the major topics I researched about, and that I recommend you to know beforehand as well. Getting to know a country’s food and most famous products is crucial to enjoy its uniqueness and culture.
Coffee
Colombia is the third biggest coffee producer in the world, but it’s probably the first one in terms of quality. In the case you haven't tried Colombian coffee yet, let me tell you it’s more intense and it can bring several fruity flavours attached. It’s very common to plant coffee close to other fruit trees like banana trees, making the flavours naturally inherited by the coffee beans that are therefore packed and shipped to the entire world.
It's usually more expensive than the regular coffee you can buy in Portugal (my home country), but it’s definitely a must buy, at least to try, if you’re a coffee appreciator.
Food
The food variety in Colombia is very high, due not only to the local indigenous traditions that live in the territory for many centuries, but also thanks to the influence received from the Europeans during the colonisation phase. The must try dishes in Colombia, based on the feedback from a true Colombian, are these three:
Bandeja Paisa: A very well diversified meal that can keep you full for long
Arepas: A piece of corn dough, very famous in Colombia and in Venezuela. While in Venezuela is more common to have them opened and covering meat/vegetables (like an hamburger bun), in Colombia is more common to have them covered with toppings (like a Toast)
Ajiaco: A middle-term between thick soup and stew, made with potato and chicken, and very common in the capital Bogotá
Flowers
Since Colombia is a tropical country, it’s very common to have lots of plants, fruits, and of course, flowers. The most famous flowers in Colombia are the Orchids, which are very abundant throughout the country. They’re also exported abroad, as they’re appreciated overseas. Apart from these, flowers like Hibiscus, Roses or Hydrangeas are also profusely abundant across the country and used for several purposes, like teas, creams or simply for decoration.
Coca leaves
Yes, yes, you can make cocaine with these leaves. However, it’s very common to have coca leaves available in supermarkets, especially in Bogotá. Although only indigenous people chew them and extract their juice directly, the leaves bought in supermarkets are often used to brew tea.
The main advantages of consuming this kind of product are:
· Energy boost (not surprising). This drink can elevate your energy levels due to its stimulant properties
· Metabolism accelerator, that can lead to benefits as fat burn or better sleep
· Better immune system, as it has lots of vitamins on its composition
· Can contribute for a better digestion
· Can relief some pain on your body
Apart from this research, I still strongly advise you to perform your own, since we might have different tastes. Try to investigate the topics you enjoy the most on your travels, and maybe you’ll be able to find a hidden gem I am not aware of.
I also advise you to research very well for the weather you’re expecting to face in the cities you choose to visit. Colombia is a tropical country so the weather is a bit unpredictable. In Bogota for example, we had a rainy/foggy day that didn’t allow us to enjoy Monserrate as we were expecting. Warmer clothes are also advised for this city – don’t expect to always be with t-shirts and shorts.
Take also the necessary precautions with your skin and eyes: Sunscreen, mosquitos spray and sunglasses are a must for the other cities that you’ll visit. Going unprepared might lead you to spend more money than you should or ruin your experience.
Lastly, I can say that I enjoyed the country much more by having the company of The Tripidea and all my group mates. The main reasons for that, were:
· Safety: Even though I never felt unsafe once, even when walking alone, I was aware I was in a Latin American country. This means that not all areas are safe and good to visit. Having the expertise of a local person who could advise you is very important when visiting these destinations.
· Fun: Let me tell you that the group I shared my trip with was almost handpicked. Everyone seemed to have been tailored to fit my friendship tastes and cultural interests.
· Itinerary: There were some places we visited that I probably had missed if I was not travelling in a big group. Two examples I can share are the Comuna 13 in Medellin, where you need a guide to visit due to safety reasons, and the Coffee Farm in Salento that lacks proper public transportation to be visited.
· Cost: Travelling in a group can be much cheaper, since we were able to enjoy several group discounts negotiated by Alejandra and André. This definitely left me with some extra pocket money to spend elsewhere.
And this is it for this time. I hope this article contributed to your general knowledge of Colombia and created an inner desire to visit the country. See you next time!
Don’t forget that The Tripidea crew are your best friends in Colombia. If you need any assistance or you are ready to go to Colombia, send them a message!
