Fortunately for us, no one told Villa de Leyva about the 21st Century and so it sits about an hour north of Bogotá, almost entirely untouched by modernization. Cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings make the town as close to a genuine colonial town as you are likely to find in South America. Somewhat unexpectedly, the […]
Category: Colombian Culture
Visiting almost anywhere in Colombia, whether you seek it out in a bar to dance to or hear it blasting from shop fronts into the streets, you won’t escape the traditional folk music of Vallenato. Locals love it almost as much as salsa and although to the foreign ear it may not sound like the […]
Of all the misconceptions about Colombia, there is one that seems as though it will always remain pervasive and almost impossible to change; a dark cloud looming over the country that may never be cleared. For decades, Colombians have sought to teach us English-speakers the truth about their country, but to little avail and the […]
We’ve written before about Colombian culture and the country’s artistic exports. It’s a country full of artistic inspiration, talented writers, painters, and the amount of museums, galleries and culture festivals here in Colombia is testament to that. But it’s not all about celebrating Colombia’s past achievements in the world of art – today (Monday 21st March 2011), the highly-coveted Alfaguara Literary […]
Very few countries in the world are located on the Equatorial world line dividing the planet in two. This exclusive situation makes Colombia weather extreme in the variety of climates to be found inside the country. Thanks to this geographical phenomenon Colombian weather multiplies the characteristics of any other touristic destination by ten. Traveling by […]
One of the most important customs when traveling is to try the local drink. Often this is more or less unavoidable as any local you meet on a night out will be quick to ask if you’ve had the pleasure of trying it before buying you a glass. In Argentina, that drink is Fernet; in […]
Bogotá is one of South America’s biggest cities and one of its most bustling and thriving capitals. Many people come to the city merely because it’s the easiest place to fly into, but what they find is a fascinating place; a city full of life, culture and history that lures people with a slow-burning, intoxicating […]
Colombians have a great habit of holding on to the iconic inventions that decorate their past. The Willy is one of them, but perhaps even more symbolic of Colombian culture is the Chiva (which translates as ‘little goat’). Chivas are modified buses with benches for seats, there’s a ladder to the roof (used for carrying […]
Food is a huge part of getting to know any culture and in Colombia it’s no different. Many of Colombia’s cities offer a wide variety of international cuisine, fast-food chains and, oddly, English-style pubs. But we think the best way to get to know about Colombia’s cuisine and, therefore, Colombia’s culture, is by sampling the […]
Colombia’s main contribution to the art world has undoubtedly been the paintings and sculptures of Medellín born Fernando Botero. Botero is a popular figure in modern art and, owing to his distinct style, he boasts critical acclaim worldwide as well as recognition and appreciation from those with little interest in art. –> Colombia Dolar (TRM) […]