You might have heard about Colombia for its food, stunning landscapes, warm people, or vibrant music and dances. But if you’re seriously considering traveling or moving to Colombia, here are some of the key things you need to know, from dating culture to transportation.
In Colombia, every region feels like a different country
Colombia is one of the most diverse countries in Latin America. This diversity is multifaceted. First and foremost, it is environmental, with seven primary biomes and six climate zones. Second, it is ethno-cultural, with six natural regions defined by the government and historians.
Far from being abstract, these zones present major climatic, ethnic, gastronomic, and cultural differences. Indeed, without Colombians’ shared love for their country, the contrasts between the country’s different regions could easily lead to the formation of distinct nations.
On the Caribbean Coast, the mestizo (mixed) population – born from centuries of mixing among native Indigenous peoples, Africans, Europeans, and even Middle Easterners – thrives in a warm and humid climate.
On the Pacific Coast, mostly Afro-descendant and Indigenous populations live in a tropical climate. In both the Caribbean and Pacific regions, seafood is a key component of local diets.
In the so-called Paisa region, people are mostly descendants of Spanish settlers, and there are lower levels of mixing with Indigenous populations. The climate is renowned as the best in the country: mild and consistent year-round, except during the rainy season. Pork is the primary protein in this region and is found in all traditional dishes, from bandeja paisa (a hearty mixed platter) to tamales (corn dough filled with meat and wrapped in banana leaves).
In the eastern part of the country, the Llanos – or eastern plains – feature grasslands and a tropical savanna climate, offering an unmatched outback experience. People here have a unique Colombian cowboy culture, largely descending from European settlers and Indigenous groups. Due to the extensive cattle-raising culture, beef is the key component of meals.
Finally, in the Andean region, a mountainous and cold area, people are of mixed European and Indigenous descent. Cities like Bogota can even feel European, due to the distinct mentality and way of life of their citizens.
Colombia’s dating culture
Colombia has a global reputation for being home to extraordinarily beautiful people. However, the charm, natural spontaneity, and friendliness of Colombians have generated several false impressions and stereotypes, which often portray women as being “easy” and men as “womanizers.”
In reality, Colombians are no different from other Latin American people and share universal values of respect, gallantry, love, and trust.
Colombians have developed an extremely wide range of respected relationship and intimate categories: “amor de una noche” (one-night stand), “amigos con derechos” (friends with benefits), “salir juntos” (hanging out together), “novios” (boyfriend/girlfriend), “prometidos” (engaged), and married.
While Colombians are often liberal regarding premarital sexual relationships, they place great importance on commitment once in a relationship. You might see a Colombian friend going out every night and chatting with various women, but once he is formally engaged, he will stick strictly to that relationship.
In this regard, unlike in most Western countries, Colombians are extremely formal when it comes to relationships. In Europe or the United States, simply kissing or going on dates with someone might automatically define you as “boyfriend/girlfriend.”
This is absolutely not the case in Colombia. If you are dating a Colombian woman, unless you officially ask her to be your girlfriend, she will consider that the two of you are just “hanging out” and will feel no obligation to be faithful. It is the same for Colombian men. Unless they formally ask you to be engaged, they will not feel bound by any kind of fidelity to you.
Colombians also still adhere to a traditional, romantic culture. In general, men are expected to provide for women during dates or “salidas juntos” (going out together). Colombian women are very sensitive to gifts, gestures, and small details, but they also value their financial independence.
In this regard, some foreigners might feel they are sought after only for their money or the expectation of financial support they might provide. While every relationship is specific and unique, and only those within the relationship truly understand its dynamics, it is important to reaffirm that the phenomenon of seeking a “provider” is absolutely not exclusive to Colombian-foreigner relationships. It is a widespread dynamic within Colombian society and is widely accepted – or endured – as part of the country’s cultural norms.
Financial autonomy has led to a degree of Westernization in behaviors in this regard, but these traditional dynamics still persist, even within the upper classes.
Traveling and transportation
Colombia is a country so rich in human and natural diversity that you could travel for an entire year and still not see even 10 percent of the treasures the country holds.
However, Colombia presents some challenges when it comes to travel. First is the state of transport infrastructure. While there have been notable improvements in recent years, most Colombian roads are rugged and uneven. Within the cities themselves, roads can be challenging – full of potholes, steep terrain, and other obstacles – and these difficulties increase as you move away from major urban centers and venture into forested or mountainous areas.
In cities, taxis and vehicles for hire – both motorcycles and cars – are the main means of transportation for those who do not own a vehicle. Apps such as Uber are illegal but widely used and serve as a side or main job for tens of thousands of Colombians.
Indeed, road transport is the primary means of travel in the country, with a multitude of bus and van companies, and even “transport colectivos” (shared private cars) for the more adventurous. In some areas of the Amazon or the Llanos regions, car transport is almost non-existent due to swampy conditions.
Rail transport is virtually non-existent for historical and geographical reasons, including the country’s mountainous terrain and abundant but difficult-to-traverse natural features.
As for air travel, major and medium-sized cities are connected by frequent flights, although many routes stop in Bogota, the capital and national hub. To access certain remote areas, small local planes are often the only option.
Language barrier
Another key consideration when moving to Colombia is the language barrier. First and foremost, most Colombians do not speak English at all. Those who do typically belong to the upper class, and have learnt the language while studying abroad or in specific local institutions. However, with the growth of the tourism industry, workers in this sector have begun learning and developing good English skills.
The lack of English speakers is not the only challenge when it comes to language. Colombian Spanish itself is divided into numerous local variants that correspond to the cultural regions of the country.
When it comes to accents, those of Colombia’s coastal regions might be the most challenging to understand for visitors who learnt Spanish in Spain or Mexico. The speed at which people speak, and the tendency to “swallow” letters or even entire words, can prove confusing even for those who consider themselves proficient in Spanish.
Beyond accents, Colombians have also developed a wide range of local slang, which varies completely from one region to another.