Local culture in Colombia

Many, though not all, expats have some trouble adapting to the local culture in Colombia. The culture and lifestyle may not appear completely alien, but you’ll notice many idiosyncrasies that can take some adjusting to.

The experience expats have of local culture in Colombia will vary depending on their personality, lifestyle and location within the country. Western-style shopping malls, grocery shops and eateries can be found in all the major cities, whereas adapting to life in smaller towns and rural areas will be significantly more challenging for newcomers.

Colombia has exploded in popularity with tourists and expats in recent years. While foreigners may still attract some curiosity in smaller towns and rural areas, major cities have become quite cosmopolitan. You may occasionally encounter stares or well-meaning questions, particularly outside urban centres.

Dancing and football are beloved throughout the country, and Colombians are generally family-oriented. You’ll undoubtedly be invited to your new Colombian friends’ homes and family events.

Regional differences in Colombia

Cultural differences across Colombia stem from the country’s diverse geography and history. In the Andean region, which includes cities like Bogotá, Medellín and Cali, people are often perceived as more formal and reserved, influenced by Spanish colonial history. The lively Caribbean region, encompassing cities like Cartagena and Barranquilla, has a more relaxed, expressive atmosphere, owing to its African, European and indigenous influences.

The Amazon region, home to indigenous communities with unique customs and lifestyles, shows a fascinating contrast to the urban centres. The lesser-known Orinoquía region, with its vast plains and cattle-ranching culture, has its own distinct music, dance, and cuisine, a reflection of its strong cowboy (llanero) heritage. The Pacific region, known for its lush rainforests and Afro-Colombian communities, is home to distinctive musical styles like currulao and a seafood-rich culinary tradition.

Time and punctuality in Colombia

Life tends to progress at a fairly slow pace in Colombia. The local approach to time and punctuality is flexible in social settings, although Colombians generally value punctuality in business contexts, particularly in major cities like Bogotá and Medellín.

With 18 public holidays annually, among the highest globally alongside countries like India and the Philippines, Colombians highly value their family and personal time, as well as their festivals and traditions. Queueing and waiting in long lines are commonplace. The practice of jumping these lines can also make visits to banks or shops tedious affairs.

Meeting and greeting in Colombia

Colombians are usually welcoming and passionate. People from Bogotá, Medellín and other inland regions may be slightly more formal and reserved, but those from the coastal areas are quite laid-back and expressive. Adjust your greetings accordingly to make sure you don’t offend anyone.

Appearances are important in Colombia. Personal care services such as hairstyling, manicures and pedicures, teeth whitening, and even plastic surgery are far more affordable than in many European and North American countries. Everyone is generally expected to be well-groomed and neat at all times.

Women and gender roles in Colombia

As a predominantly Catholic population, people in Colombia are generally conservative, with men and women usually expected to conform to conventional gender roles. That being said, there is a growing number of women in business, and they tend to be respected by their male colleagues.

Like many countries in Latin America, chauvinism or machismo can be a problem. Female newcomers may have to deal with catcalling and harassment in the street, and men might be expected to pay for everything on a date or in a relationship.

That said, Colombia has made significant progress in promoting gender equality and empowering women in recent years, and the tides are gradually changing.

LGBTQ+ in Colombia

LGBTQ+ rights in Colombia have advanced significantly in recent years. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2016, making Colombia the fourth country in South America to recognise marriage equality. The law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and same-sex couples enjoy adoption rights. In 2022, Colombia became the first country in Latin America to legally recognise a non-binary gender marker.

But there’s a significant gap between legal protections and LGBTQ+ people’s lived experiences. Violence against LGBTQ+ individuals is a serious concern, and transgender people face particularly high rates of violence and discrimination.

Major cities are much safer and more welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ expats than rural areas. Bogotá stands out as one of Latin America’s most LGBTQ+-friendly capitals. The Chapinero neighbourhood is the heart of the city’s lively queer scene and home to Theatron, the largest gay club in Latin America. Medellín and Cartagena also have established LGBTQ+ communities and nightlife scenes.

Language barrier in Colombia

The language barrier in Colombia can be significant, as the average Colombian does not speak much English, despite government efforts to prioritise bilingualism. This is particularly apparent outside the major urban centres. Learning Spanish will be essential if you’re hoping to integrate and fully adjust to life in Colombia.

The Spanish of the inland regions tends to be relatively easy to understand, but even if you speak the language well, you may find it challenging to comprehend Colombians from the Caribbean coast. There’s a huge range of vocabulary and slang, and regional meanings can vary widely.

To overcome language barriers in Colombia, take advantage of language exchange programmes and online courses or enrol in local language schools. Apps and language meet-ups can provide supplementary practice and opportunities to engage with native Spanish speakers. If the app has the option, select Colombian Spanish or South American Spanish to ensure that you’re learning the correct language for the region.

Safety in Colombia

Safety in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, but street crimes like pickpocketing and armed robbery are still common. Expats should take certain basic precautions and be aware of their personal safety. You should also stay vigilant around roads, as Colombians tend to drive aggressively and have little patience for pedestrians.

Eager to put past stereotypes behind them, Colombians do their best to make foreigners feel welcome in their country. They work to put forward an image that is warm and generous. People are generally friendly, although they can also appear oblivious to those around them.

Colombia signed a peace agreement with FARC in 2016, but there are still active dissident groups. Parts of Colombia still experience conflict between guerrillas, paramilitaries and government forces. The US State Department advises avoiding the Colombia-Venezuela border region, as well as departments like Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander.

Food and drink in Colombia

Lunch is the most important meal of the day in Colombia. In rural areas, everything comes to a halt for two hours each day as people go home to enjoy a hot meal with their families. The Colombian diet is very carb-heavy and includes a lot of sugar, with numerous soft drinks, fruit salad drizzled with condensed milk, and tubs of dulce de leche sold on street corners.

Beer costs the same as, or sometimes even less than, a soft drink in the ubiquitous corner store tiendas. Coffee, particularly the strong and bitter tinto, is everywhere, as is freshly squeezed fruit juice. Water and other soft drinks are often sold in plastic bags, which may be unusual for newcomers.

In the larger cities, you should have no trouble finding eateries serving cuisines of any type. Imported food items will be available in larger grocery shops, but usually, they will have a hefty price tag attached.

Transport in Colombia

Colombia is a developing country, and the standard of public transport may not be what you’re used to at home. Traffic in Colombia’s major cities is notoriously congested, and Barranquilla and Bogotá rank among the world’s worst for gridlock. Drivers in Colombia pay little attention to signs and traffic lanes. Omnipresent motorcycles also completely ignore road rules as they wind through traffic.

Buses are often crowded, yet street vendors and performers frequently push through the crowds to sell their wares or serenade passengers. The major cities of Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla have rapid transit bus systems, and Medellín is the country’s only city with a metro.

Public Transport in Colombia