Not too long ago, a reader considering a move to Colombia wanted to know more about the differences between Barranquilla, where I lived previously, and Medellín, where I live now. As I told her, in many ways the two cities could not be more different. Prior to my own move to Colombia, I heard from others that the cultures of the country’s four major cities – Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla – are very distinct. So far (without having visited Cali – that’s on my list!), I’ve found that to be true, though I’m only qualified to talk about two.
For others who may also be wondering how Barranquilla and Medellín line up, here are a few key differences to consider:
1. As Colombia’s second largest city (after Bogotá), Medellín feels like a big metropolis.
Barranquilla or Bust! 