I hate to re-ask questions...Where should I live in Colombia?

viajero1 says on Dec 26, 2007, 06:28:

bucaramanga sounds nice

jelsaad says on Dec 26, 2007, 06:40:

Cartagena is dirty, over-run with tourists and local salesmen aggressively peddling all types of wares, and is unbearably hot and humid...also expensive, relative to other areas of Colombia. Barranquilla is worse --hotter, more humid, with little charm.

Manizales is relatively clean, and the mountain range backdrop is spectacular, but the weather is quite cool. The women, although very attractive, are mostly White(similar to BA).

I would recommend Medellin(city of 3million, but feels much smaller, perfect weather, gorgeous women, clean, modern, vibrant, great nighlife), Manizales, and Bucaramanga, in that order.

morphus says on Dec 26, 2007, 06:40:

" I want a good social life, nice bars. Where will I more easily fit in with the local populace"

In Cartagena you will be just another scummy foreigner.

jelsaad says on Dec 26, 2007, 06:42:

True. You're most likely to fit in with the local populace in Medellin or Manizales...although Mnaizales' nighlife is fairly limited.

Robert Jorge says on Dec 26, 2007, 06:59:

Bucaramanga is still pretty big and a college town. Villavicencio is smaller still, 350,000 people, great weather but hot during the day, and only 2.5 hours away from Bogota. Probably easier to find a teaching job in Buca though. The nightlife in both mentioned cities is pretty damn good. Some people travel from Bogota to Villavo just to party at huge clubs like Kuarzo and San Pachos.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

juanalejo says on Dec 26, 2007, 07:02:

Barranquilla, Pereira or Bucaramanga, the latter two for nice warm weather and good enough night life. Manizales would not be my choice, too conservative of a society, too cold of a climate, to quite of a city.

Rikito says on Dec 26, 2007, 07:33:

SeanStock,

I vote for Armenia. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in all of Colombia and some say South America. It is safe, easy to get around, with excellent restaurants and activities. The cost of living is low as is housing. There are two major universities, Qundio University and the University of Grand Colombia. There are many young professionals your age and there are several schools that teach English. Go to: www.gimnasioingles.edu.co/english/index.php? For some info. Also go to: www.travelpost.com/SA/Colombia/Quindio/Armenia/5724499 for some general info on Armenia. It is the coffee capital of Colombia.

Airfare from Bogotá to Armenia is cheap now, around $70 round-trip from Bogotá to Armenia with "Easy Fly Airlines." By car it is a dangerous 6-7 hour drive with a driver who knows the roads well.

Sean do yourself a favor, do not believe all the hype someone gives you about “their city or this city� having the most gorgeous women. In my limited experience living in Colombia, every city in Colombia can justifiably boast that they have the most beautiful woman in Colombia. Bottom line...they are all correct. But that being said, there is more to beauty than the physical stuff. The one thing that I feel separates Colombian women from other countries is: they enjoy being beautiful, they have a passion about life that is difficult to describe, and usually if you find a physically beautiful Colombian woman she is as beautiful inside as she is outside...maybe more.

Wherever you go in Colombia, there is someone on the PBH web site that would be happy to show you their city. I am an American from Colorado who retired early and moved to Armenia last June. (By the way, I am married to the most beautiful woman in South America ï?Š) I have not regretted a second of my new life. There is an amazing pride among Colombians that goes with the passion of life and tolerance of viewpoints and beliefs.

Let me know if I can get you some more information. Also, do ‘google’ searches on this PBH web site by typing in the info you want at the top of the main page. For example, I just typed in: “Where to live� and over 30 pages of sites came up on areas to live in Colombia. It searches all the info from PHBers for the past 10 plus years.

Viva Colombia!

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

Robert Jorge says on Dec 26, 2007, 07:42:

When I mentioned "San Pachos" nightclub in my above post, I was wrong. (though there is a small club by that name) I meant to say "Los Capachos". http://www.loscapachos.com/

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

Gator says on Dec 26, 2007, 08:35:

YOU need to come in-country and spend time PERSONALLY visiting various parts of the country and make your OWN decision. It will boil down to a personally choice-we picked Bogotá because of the cooler climate and "big" city living. For a smaller city I would have to lean towards Armenia or Manizales.

That aside I do totally agree of the assessments of Cartagena. Great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there-which I did for a short time some years ago.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

nathola says on Dec 26, 2007, 08:37:

Bogota or medellin think are good cities to live, but colombia has very beautiful cities and nice,also Ibague,neiva,buca ,neiva,where you like?
tell me..

Nothing is impossible

nueva york bombero says on Dec 26, 2007, 08:56:

You might get 1000 different answers to this question!!!!
I hope you're ready for quite a bit of reading and absorbing!
Buene Suerte!!!

dwmte7 says on Dec 26, 2007, 09:28:

sean...i'll share a personal recommendation based on what you've said. i've been in colombia since '89 and know medellin and it's surrounds like the hairs on my body. my suggestion and one that doesn't get old, rather one which allows you to grow old with it is, go to medellin--you say you want to teach english--and go up the mountain to llano grande. in llano grande is one of the campuses of eafit...an english teaching university. it's a great univ. and llano grande is by far it's best campus. now up in llano grande, you'll meat real colombians...the ones worth investing your time in, not just a tumble in the hay. these folks are not corrupted by what i call big city life. and trust me, i KNOW medellin. been there since pablo e. was walking the streets. to me, it's the best city in the world. but, i don't want to live there. we have a home in envigado (south end of medellin) but even when we're there with the family, i spend my time in the finca in llano grande...just don't have time nor energy for bullshit, traffic and hassles. "give me the finca or give me death" or something like that. check it out, and i can hook you up with all the contacts you'ld ever want up in los llanos.

dwmte

john_stark says on Dec 26, 2007, 09:37:

Good advice. You need to check it out yourself.

SeanStock says on Dec 26, 2007, 09:52:

Ok, Cartagena is out. I don´t want a tourist trap.

Manizales appears to be out. I want a latin flavor to my life and my women, not another toy Europe.

Gator: While your advice appears good on the surface, it´s completely impractical due to both economic and time constraints. I am only coming for a few months and need a job ASAP.

Medellin, Bucarmanga and Armenia sound good....but my life for the past 6 months has been apartment buldings in every direction and I am reallly fucking tired of that big city life. I need something different and am worried that Medellin will be too similair to BA in that respect.

Rikito, your advice is wonderful and I am seriously considering the area. I adore the mountains, and it looks lovely. I might have to come investigate. I just worry about finding a job, with such a low population. Is there an active nightlife. And the women share that equal claim to physical beauty?

bill230 says on Dec 26, 2007, 09:55:

someone

peteyw says on Dec 26, 2007, 10:22:

Sean,

For a stay of only 4 or 5 months, many of the cities have their advantages. But if you need a job to support yourself while you are in Colombia, it gets a little tricky. Also, you gave as selection criteria:
" Where am I more likely to find the traditional ideal of a Colombian girl, dark skin and curvy body"

If that is your perception of the 'traditional' Colombian girl; you'll find plenty of dark skinned Barbie Dolls on the Coast; especially in Cartagena and Barranquilla. You will be hard pressed to find that in Manizales. There are a slew of lovely women in Manizales; just not what you say you like.

However, finding the english teaching job in Cartagena is more difficult as there are lots of foreigners here already bidding for those jobs. And its more expensive to live here. Manizales also has fewer teaching opportunities as its much smaller. A point to consider, two years ago a girlfriend of mine taught English for eight months at a language academy in Manizales and is still waiting to get paid (but that can happen anywhere in Colombia). Barranquilla has more opportunities, decent nightlife, more women than Cartagena and Manizales combined, but doesn't have the charm of either.

Overall, I have to agree with dwmte...Medellin. Nice climate, great nightlife, many more teaching jobs, less expensive than Cartagena, more fun than Manizales, feels smaller than it is. And because it is the business capital of Colombia, it draws women from all over the country looking for jobs (like Bogota does, but without the cold climate). Therefore you can find the women you described there, not in droves, but they are there. And lastly you'll fit in.

Peteyw

adrimm says on Dec 26, 2007, 10:35:

You might find some of these threads useful..also what would you deem smaller size? Less than a million, less than 500,000, less than 100,000, less than 50,000? It is different for everyone.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=243507 Look under "Threads de las
Principales Ciudades Colombianas" and keep scrolling down to see labelled and groued photos of numerous Colombian cities of all sizes.

Armenia looks very nice http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=238649, Periera looks like nice: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=349966, Popayan looks nice,

elmodefoque says on Dec 26, 2007, 10:39:

Elmo's Bar and Chucharia" jajajajajjijijijjjjij
that name is really growing on me. love it!!!!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

bill230 says on Dec 26, 2007, 10:46:

I think it was slguy that came up with that name ...

elmodefoque says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:03:

slguy! where the hell is that old modefoque?
Only old modefoques like us would know from "The Graduate" with a very young dustin hoffman. I bet he remembers the "DIRTY DOZEN" too! jijijji

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

mentalist3582 says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:15:

Hey Sean, I just moved to Bogota after living in Manizales for 2 years teaching English. Manizales was my first experience in Colombia and I can definitely recommend it. It's a friendly little city, the girls are beautiful. The city already has at least one foreign born village idiot trying to get laid with all the girls he meets, but I'm sure that's not what you're looking for. It's more conservative than other Colombian cities, but don't take as meaning that there is nothing fun to do, most people our age have a lot of fun, I know I enjoyed the hell out of it. A lot of new places are being built there to increase tourism as well. It's close to many places you can travel to for fun like Medellin and Armenia, so it'll be well worth it.

Since you're just looking for a place to live in for 4-5 months you will not get bored there. Perhaps you might look into going to the Manizales Ferias (carnival) from January 5-13 and see if that's the kind of place you'd like. If you need anymore info on living and working there, just drop me a line.

dwmte7 says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:33:

sean...eafit in llano grande offered me a job teaching, but i turned it down. i was teaching english free to the local kids of campesinos. but they're always looking for staff. if you're gonna be in medallo, check it out, it's just 45 min up the hill towards the airport. just tell the taxi driver you want to go to llano grande. when you turn off at don diego, just watch for the campus on your right...about 5 miles down the road.

dwmte

elmodefoque says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:36:

sorry but I really must take issue with the statement I keep hearing over and over and over again regarding colombianas ‘THE GIRLS ARE BEAUTIFUL‿
I’ll accept the girls are cute sexy and walk and dance like angels but all beautiful?
I’ve been going back and forth to to many cities in Colombia for the last 57 years and for me to say they are all beautiful would be way way outta line.
Yes! barranquilla has many broads with really nice ass, as good as Puerto Rican and Dominicans. They are also much prettier than Dominicans but almost as pretty as Puerto Ricans.
You wanna see beautiful girls, go to Disneyworld in Orlando and check out them thar school buses filled with girls from Minnesota, Wyoming etc, them girls are living fokin dolls. Statues tall goddesses from hair as bright as sunshine to very dark with 100 watt bright blue eyes. Or check the Irish parade in NYC, not only are broads breath taking but could drink you under the table too, then be ready for the best sex of your life.
Sorry, I tells it like I sees it.

thank you!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

elmodefoque says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:40:

since i'm nearing my end on this site i will be even more brutally honest

thank you

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

morphus says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:41:

Elmo, your niece looks very pretty. Is she full Colombian?

elmodefoque says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:44:

puerto rican and barranquillera and 100% beautiful

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

morphus says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:48:

Your brother looks Puerto Rican. He missed the Injun genes :)

Rikito says on Dec 26, 2007, 11:51:

SeanStock,

Armenia ha 50,000, but you are also close ot several other larger cities. There is a need for English Teachers here. Contact the Candaian principal at Gimnasio Ingles for details on job availabilty. I have to agree wtih 'peteyw' on the job hunt for 4-6 months. Unless you plan to freelance I cannot think of one place in all of Colombia that will hire you for 4-6 months.

Finding and attractive woman to be with is not like going to Burger King and getting something from the menu. You go and be respectful and you will have an abundance of attractive women to meet. They are not cattle.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

Colombiche says on Dec 26, 2007, 12:25:

"Manizales appears to be out. I want a latin flavor to my life and my women, not another toy Europe."

Wait a minute, you are getting totally misinformed here.

Manizales is not a "toy europe", it is a small, clean, traditional yet artsy city packed with students from all over Colombia (college town).

The people in Manizales are fairly white compared to the rest of Colombia, but not unlike the people in Medellin. You will find women of all complexions, ranging from blonde to dark, ....similar to the women of medellin minus the silicone LOL.

The weather is cool but warmer and more humid than that of frigid bogota.

I don't know what you mean by "latin flavour" but Manizales is 100% Colombia.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

billyb says on Dec 26, 2007, 12:33:

"Armenia ha 50,000"

Try 325,0000.

Chelesupercono says on Dec 26, 2007, 12:59:

Forget Cartagena.....very expensive and the locals have a really bad attitude......

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

Cerealkiller says on Dec 26, 2007, 13:11:

I would suggest Manizales...its a student city and you wont feel "intellectually challenged" as someone once complained on this website. In addition, Pereira and Armenia two medium sized cities (by colombian standards anyway) are close enough and in case nothing came up in Manizales, you could always look into the other two. You can find the comfort of Medellin and Bogota for a fraction of the price. People in the area are totally awesome, very friendly, open and you still get the small town feeling you won't get in Medellin, let alone Bogota. IMO Zona Cafetera is just the nicest area in Colombia, a bit underrated, but its definitely worth looking into. Medellin is a beautiful city but i think is 1. Overrated and 2. Full of dodgy gringos.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

durito says on Dec 26, 2007, 13:59:

I would suggest visiting a few places and then deciding where you want to live.

"Medellin is a beautiful city but i think is 1. Overrated and 2. Full of dodgy gringos."

I would hardly say Medellin is full of any type of Gringo. In fact, I almost never see other foreigners just about anywhere.

Rikito says on Dec 26, 2007, 14:04:

OOpps, sorry Billy. I was lookin at some old numbers. If so, 325,000 is not exactly a small town. You can get in a lot of trouble in much smaller places.

After reading the posts in here there is one thing that really stands out...visit a few places before you decide. And I am sure that there are enough folks in here that could give the cooks tour to see if you like the place. All of the cities mentioned are worth living in..try San Andres.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

Cerealkiller says on Dec 26, 2007, 14:08:

Durito you're right. It isnt "full" by a long shot. My point is the ones that visit are for the most part pretty dodgy, which is sad.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

dwmte7 says on Dec 26, 2007, 14:46:

re medallo...why do you think after 19 years of living there and loving the place, do i say i can't stand it. not only are there two many gringos (of the dodgy type??) but other foreigners as well and the way the city changes itself to please them. give me up country in llano grande.

dwmte

durito says on Dec 26, 2007, 14:56:

"Durito you're right. It isnt "full" by a long shot. My point is the ones that visit are for the most part pretty dodgy, which is sad."

Given the ever increasing numbers of hostels in Medellin, I would assume that most travelers are the backpacker lonely planet type these days. I would guess most of them aren't terrible dodgy. I'm sure there are plenty of sketchy sex tourists too. Though living here, I don't ever see either group of travelers. Though I haven't been in Poblado once in the last 4 months, so perhaps that's why.

My point is that the number of gringos visiting here is sufficiently small enough that if you are living here and you aren't seeking them out, you will never see them.

morphus says on Dec 26, 2007, 15:57:

If the gringos in Colombia are dodgy then what does that say about Colombia? Why does Colombia attract dodgy people?

BAQ says on Dec 26, 2007, 16:03:

a house or an apartment would be a good idea

Semper Fidelis !

BAQ says on Dec 26, 2007, 16:03:

SOUT VERY FAR SOUTH IN COLOMBIA, LIKE NEAR THE SOUTHERN BORDER

Semper Fidelis !

billyb says on Dec 26, 2007, 16:21:

Rikito, did you get that from the bottom of Wikie? What they meant was that Armenia and Calarca both were in the over 50,000 category.

Cerealkiller says on Dec 26, 2007, 16:27:

Morphus, that is very simple. It attracts dodgy people because its cheap.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

dwmte7 says on Dec 26, 2007, 16:43:

what exactly is a dodgy person? i repeated it as used by someone else as if i knew what it meant, thinking others would know what i meant...truth is, i don't know what i meant. too, the ones i personally referred to were those who populated lleras who didn't look the least like the back-packer type...maybe they were just dodgy?

dwmte

Cerealkiller says on Dec 26, 2007, 17:38:

dwmte dodgy as in drug buying, whore chasing tourists. Sadly, most of the tourists coming to Colombia (especially MED and CTG) are males looking to get cheap drugs, booze and/or sex. I seldom see families vacationing in Medellin, or Colombia for that matter...I've seen some couples adopting colombian-born babies but that is pretty much it.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

Gator says on Dec 26, 2007, 20:43:

Armenia is roughly 300.000 population and do you have the proper certifications to teach English? Many schools require this now as well as the Colombian Department of Labor

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

morphus says on Dec 27, 2007, 04:14:

Ha ha, families vacationing in Colombia....keep dreaming!

dwmte7 says on Dec 27, 2007, 06:17:

hmmmm, CK, never seen any of those guys.

dwmte

dwmte7 says on Dec 27, 2007, 06:19:

i can see it now morph....'common honey, why don't we take the kids and go to medellin and get in on some of those cheap drugs and whores.' 'sounds like a great vacation.'

dwmte

Rikito says on Dec 27, 2007, 06:24:

Gator is right on here. My wife is trying to get a job teaching English here in Armenia. She has a degree in Journalism from Colombia and a Masters degree in Education from the University of Colorado. When she taught in the U.S., she developed, implemented, and taught an immersion program that won awards. But, the a-holes here do not think she has enough credentials. I find this hard to believe knowing how poor the education system is in Colombia. In Armenia's 'Gimnasio de Ingles' where they teach English as a primary subject...one of the teachers and only two of the administrators can speak correct English fluently. I told my wife that in the U.S. the Education system is socialist, political, and self-serving. It is more of a self-supporting club. I know this for a fact because I was able to teach at the Junior college, College and graduate school level. In Colombia I will assume that it's the same because that is all I have seen so far. I have met four Colombians who graduated from English programs in Colombia and none can speak English outside some rudimentary conversation. The Colombians I have met that speak English well were taught outside Colombia.

So if SeanStock is going to get a job teaching English for 4-6 months he best concentrate on private lessons.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

morphus says on Dec 27, 2007, 06:49:

CK is a boozer too :)

elmodefoque says on Dec 27, 2007, 06:52:

gee wiz, i've never bumped into any drug bying whore chasing tourists in colombia.
Morph, you know any people like that??

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

morphus says on Dec 27, 2007, 06:58:

That seems to be part of the normal agenda for most in Colombia. Whats the percentage of Colombian men that never chased whores?

elmodefoque says on Dec 27, 2007, 07:01:

2% including my aunt's husband, but that guy almost became a priest. they met in church

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

elmodefoque says on Dec 27, 2007, 07:04:

did i tell you. last trip to curramba i walked in with my nephew to my favorite whore joint, JUERNES and in the corner in the dark was my wify's happily married (for 27 years) uncle.
we pretended not to see each other jiejejajajaj

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

morphus says on Dec 27, 2007, 07:09:

Thats why he is happily married and does'nt resent the old broad :)

slguy says on Dec 27, 2007, 07:19:

"slguy! where the hell is that old modefoque?"

I resemble that remark! Less than a month away from #53.....

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

elmodefoque says on Dec 27, 2007, 07:28:

dude, you quoted a line (the future is plastic) from "the graduate" and the first thing i thought chit, you gotta be old to remember that chit, of course i did.

i still love my 25 years younger than me wify, but i gotta soak my wild oats, though is taking a little longer than most guys, maybe 50 years longer, but one day in my 80's i'll go begging for her to take me back, she'll be in here late 40's .

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

slguy says on Dec 27, 2007, 07:33:

what's 50 years, give or take? Long as someone's there to wipe that old, bald ass some day.....jajajajjajajajjajajajjaja

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

slguy says on Dec 27, 2007, 07:37:

I'm on the boat this morning, prepping to take her to Miami for some work before headin' out on the Cartagena excursion. Just caught a VERY nice snook for dinner. Filet and release, I think its called. ;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

rocinante says on Dec 27, 2007, 18:34:

Dodgy gringos: Medellín is full of them. Just backpackers passing through the hostels? Where you from Dorito?

Medellín is crawling with foreign riff raff and that includes eurotrash. These guys LIVE in Medellín. Anyone that doesn't see gringos from North America, Europe, Australia etc... in Medellín seriously needs an eye opener.

I stopped into the Exito in Poblado tonight and heard more people speaking english and broken spanish than real paisa. But you don't have to believe me - just ask the cashiers - they will give you real figures.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

john_stark says on Dec 27, 2007, 23:31:

Looks like Medellin's gone to the dogs.

That's why I am recommending Monteria to him. It's a total dump of a city. All the main roads going into town are clogged with people walking or riding bicycles or motos. They look like refugees but they're just too poor to own cars. The city itself has nothing to recommend it unless of course you like lots of loud vallenato combined with the cacophony of vehicles all honking their horns as they attempt to push through the gridlock. It's hotter than hell and you'll sweat like the horse you rode in on.

sloopskipper says on Dec 30, 2007, 09:09:

slguy, are you a sailing charter captain?

rocinante says on Dec 30, 2007, 09:33:

right you are UC - but also he doesn't want city. Medellín nothing but a huge city with a capital C.

I would totally recommend Manizales.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

pedro says on Dec 30, 2007, 18:08:

Cali.

It's not my favourite city personally... but it meets your criteria.

Also check out Bucaramanga.

Forget Cartagena, it's more Afro than it is Latin.

que nota!

clarkj says on Jan 12, 2008, 13:37:

If you want to be on the Caribbean Armenia will not meet that need. Barranquilla, Cartegena and Santa Marta are all going to be very hot and humid. Cartegena and Santa Marta have a more expensive cost of living. Barranquilla is nice but it is dirty in some areas just like every other major city in the world.

There are some areas on the beach near Barranquilla. Puerto Colombia, Santa Veronica etc. etc.

I agree with one of the earlier comments. I have been to Colombia several times and to several different cities and they all had stunningly beautiful women. He is also correct, the majority of them are beautiful people too not just the looks.

I married a Barranquillera. She's beautiful and a great person. We hope to have a home in Colombia one day. I will only live on the coast despite the heat.

Having been to Bogota I didn't find the people to be as friendly and it was a more dangerous city. I was hit by a pick pocket. I can pretty much walk in Barranquilla, Cartegena and Santa Marta without worrying about that. However, the vendors in Cartegena and Santa Marta are annoying. I didn't find that to be the case in Santa Veronica and the other beaches around Barranquilla.

The Costeno's are very friendly and I found the food to be much better on the coast than in Bogota. Just my opinion. :-)