Colombia is a country known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture. However, one of the highlights of this South American country is its delicious and varied cuisine. During your visit to Colombia, we recommend you explore the unique flavors of the country's most emblematic cities: Santa Marta, Cartagena, Bogota and Medellin have an explosion of flavors in store for you! Here is a selection of the best dishes you can try in each of these cities, as well as the most visited food places and the local fruits most loved by travelers. It's not to be missed!
Shrimp Ceviche in Santa Marta
Let's start with Santa Marta, a coastal city located in the Colombian Caribbean, with incredible beaches and amazing landscapes. There you can find a wide variety of fresh and tasty seafood dishes. One of the outstanding places to enjoy the local food is the Santa Marta Public Market. Here you can try a wide variety of seafood dishes, such as "ceviche de camarón" (shrimp ceviche). Ceviche is a very popular seafood dish all along the Caribbean coast of Colombia and Santa Marta is no exception. Shrimp ceviche consists of fresh shrimp cooked in lemon or lime, mixed with onion, tomato, cilantro and other ingredients such as chili or hot peppers. It is served cold and is a refreshing and tasty option to enjoy on hot days in Santa Marta. Another typical dish of Santa Marta is "fried red snapper". Red snapper is a local fish that is prepared fried and served with patacones (fried green plantains) or coconut rice. The fish is seasoned with spices and fried until crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It is a dish much appreciated by seafood and seafood lovers. Also, you can't miss to try "arroz de coco con chipi chipi". Coconut rice is similar to the coconut rice of Cartagena, but in Santa Marta it is prepared with chipi chipi, a small marine mollusk that gives it a characteristic flavor. The rice is cooked in fish broth, grated coconut is added and mixed with the chipi chipis and other ingredients such as onion, peppers and spices. Accompany your delicious typical dishes with tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango and soursop, fruits that you will find in nearby fruit stands.
Santa Marta surprises you with its incredible beaches, beautiful people and its shrimp ceviche / Photo: Source
Coconut Rice in Cartagena
In Cartagena, a city full of history and colonial charm, you will find a variety of typical and representative dishes of its local gastronomy. Let's start with "arroz con coco" (rice with coconut). This dish is a delicious combination of rice, grated coconut, and different ingredients that can include seafood, fish, chicken, pork or beef. The rice is cooked in fish or chicken broth, and grated coconut is added, which gives it a unique and exquisite flavor. Another typical dish of Cartagena is the "cazuela de mariscos" (seafood casserole). This casserole is a stew of fresh seafood such as shrimp, prawns, squid, mussels and other shellfish that are cooked in a sauce of tomato, onion, peppers and spices. It is served hot and is usually accompanied by white rice. Also, you can't miss the "arepas de huevo" (egg arepas), a delicious Cartagena snack. They are corn arepas filled with fried egg and can be eaten alone or accompanied by "suero costeño", a kind of sour cream typical of the region. Cartagena's gastronomy is rich in Afro-Caribbean flavors and influences, offering a variety of delicious dishes that reflect the cultural diversity of the region. Not to be missed!
Cartagena welcomes you with amazing landscapes, beautiful colonial architecture and exquisite dishes such as rice with coconut and fried fish / Photo: source
Ajiaco Santafereño in Bogota
In Bogota, the capital of Colombia, one of the most typical and representative dishes of its gastronomy is the "ajiaco santafereño". The ajiaco is a thick and comforting soup that combines different types of potatoes (creole potato, sabanera potato and pastusa potato), shredded chicken, tender corn, guascas (aromatic herb), capers and cream. It is served hot and accompanied with white rice, avocado and an additional portion of cream. The ajiaco santafereño is considered an emblematic dish of Bogota and is highly appreciated by locals and visitors. You can't miss the "mazamorra chiquita". It is a traditional dessert consisting of a mixture of ground baby corn, milk, panela (a type of brown sugar) and cinnamon. It is served cold and consumed especially at Easter. Other dishes that stand out in Bogotá include "sancocho de gallina" (a chicken soup with yucca, plantain, potato and other ingredients), "ajiaco de habas" (a variant of ajiaco that uses beans instead of potatoes) and "tamales tolimenses" (tamales from the Tolima region, filled with pork, chicken, rice and vegetables). In Bogota you will also find a wide variety of options that include dishes from other regions of the country and a growing offer of restaurants with international cuisine. Here we leave you our tour of street food in Bogota.
Don't forget to try the delicious Ajiaco in the Colombian Capital! / Photo: Source
Bandeja Paisa in Medellin
In Medellín, the city of eternal spring, one of the most typical and representative dishes of its gastronomy is the "bandeja paisa". The bandeja paisa is an abundant and complete dish that reflects the culinary tradition of the region of Antioquia, where Medellin is located. This tray consists of white rice, red beans, ground beef or chicharrón, chorizo, fried egg, ripe plantain, arepa and hogao (a tomato and onion sauce). It is a very hearty dish and is considered a true mountain meal due to its abundance and variety of ingredients. Another typical Medellín dish is "sopa de mondongo". Mondongo is a thick soup made with beef stomach, vegetables, such as potato, carrot and green plantain, and seasonings. It is usually served with white rice and avocado, and is a comforting and tasty option. Also, you can't miss the "Arepa Antioqueña". Arepa Antioqueña is a thick arepa made of corn and cooked on a griddle. It is served hot and can be accompanied with butter, fresh cheese, coastal whey or hogao. It is a delicious and very popular snack in Medellín. Medellín's gastronomy is varied and tasty, with traditional dishes that reflect the culture and flavors of Antioquia. The food in this region is known for its generosity and the mix of ingredients that make it unique and delicious.
When you see the Bandeja Paisa you will know why it is called the food of the mountains, you will love it! / Photo: source
Colombian Coffee, not to be missed in all regions of Colombia
We cannot conclude this article without mentioning Colombian coffee, recognized worldwide for its exceptional flavor and quality. Throughout your trip, you are likely to enjoy cups of aromatic and rich coffee that will awaken your senses and let you know why it has been considered exceptional in taste. Colombia is one of the main producers of coffee in the world and there is no better way to end a meal than with a cup of this delicious beverage.
Don't forget that in Colombia you will always have a good cup of coffee every morning / Photo: Source
Besides the typical dishes and delicious coffee, local fruits are an integral part of the culinary experience in Colombia. Exotic and tropical fruits offer an explosion of flavors and colors, find them in markets, food plazas and street stalls throughout the country. From the best known fruits such as pineapple and mango, to less common ones like passion fruit and borojó, every bite is a sample of Colombia's biodiversity and natural richness.
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In short, this culinary journey through some of Colombia's cities will be an unforgettable experience full of unique flavors and textures. The food plazas and markets will allow you to taste a variety of typical dishes and discover the diversity of Colombian gastronomy. In addition, local fruits will add a refreshing and tropical touch to your culinary experience. On your visit to Colombia, we encourage you to explore the great food plazas, enjoy the attention of its people and taste the delicious local and exotic fruits. Don't think twice and get to know the best of Colombia with Daytours4u!
By: Hasbleidy Chacón, creative content coordinator for Daytours4u
