If you are planning a business trip to Colombia, take the opportunity to explore its destinations. Cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Cali combine opportunities to do business with a wide range of culinary and cultural offerings. In this way, your business trips can also become an opportunity to discover the country.
What can you discover in Bogotá?
Bogotá is one of the most important business centers in the region. Major national and multinational companies are based there and have chosen Colombia as their business hub in Latin America. In addition, it is a cosmopolitan city with a diverse cultural, culinary, and music scene, ideal for complementing your business trips.
What to eat?
In Bogotá, you can try Colombian cuisine and international food. The city is becoming one of the most important foodie destinations in Latin America. In addition, every year the city hosts various food fairs catering to a wide range of tastes.
In areas such as Zona G, Zona T, Usaquén, La Macarena, and La Candelaria, you will find restaurants and bars offering local and international options. Try dishes such as ajiaco, almojábanas, and tamales, and visit Paloquemao Market to discover the variety of fruits and ingredients found in Colombia.
What cultural activity can you enjoy?
Visit downtown Bogotá and Bolívar Square, where you will find the Primatial Cathedral, the Congress of the Republic, and other monuments of national interest. You can also visit the Banco de la República Museum, which houses the private collection of Fernando Botero, the Gold Museum, home to the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian gold, and the National Museum, which houses nearly 20,000 objects and has operated since May 2, 1948, in the building of the former Central Penitentiary of Cundinamarca.
Cultural events are also held throughout the year, such as the Book Fair in April and ArtBo in October. They are a great way to experience Colombian culture during a business trip.
What can you do in Medellín after a meeting?
Medellín, known as the city of eternal spring, has undergone an architectural and cultural transformation that has led it to be recognized as one of the most innovative cities in the world.
What dishes should you try?
Bandeja paisa, which you can find in almost any restaurant, contains more than 10 ingredients and is one of Colombia's iconic dishes. You can also try mazamorra paisa, made with yellow corn and milk and served cold with ground panela; arepa paisa and mondongo.
To discover culinary offerings that highlight local produce, you can visit El Cielo, Carmen, Oci, or Barcal.
What cultural activities does Medellín offer?
If you are interested in nature and science, visit Parque Explora or Arví Park, which you can reach via the Metrocable. You can also visit El Castillo Museum, Botero Plaza, the Museum of Antioquia, and Lleras Park.
Why is Cartagena ideal for combining business and tourism?
Cartagena is the gateway for many foreigners who come to the country for business. Its magical and colorful character allows you to make the most of your free time to explore, eat, and connect with the local culture. For this reason, it is also an attractive destination for convention and congress tourism.
What to eat in Cartagena?
In its streets, you will find fruits, drinks such as salpicón, cocadas, and juices, as well as fried foods such as carimañolas and arepa de huevo. The city also offers fine dining restaurants and dishes inspired by local cuisine, such as fried or stewed fish, ceviches, rice dishes, plantains or fried cassava, and seafood preparations.
What can you do during your free time?
The Hay Festival takes place during the first quarter of the year, bringing together artists, musicians, thinkers, and writers from around the world. Cartagena also hosts the Cartagena International Film Festival (FICCI), the oldest in Latin America, as well as the International Music Festival.
If you are traveling at another time of year, you can explore the city walls, visit San Felipe Castle, explore Getsemaní, or spend a day in the Rosario Islands, just an hour by boat from the city. You can also attend a theater or musical performance at the Adolfo Mejía Theater.
What can you do in Cali during a business trip?
Known as the “World Capital of Salsa,” Cali has a warm climate, with an average temperature of 23 °C (73 °F), perfect for outdoor activities.
What traditional dishes can you try?
Its cuisine stands out for its local ingredients and influences from the Colombian Pacific. Try marranitas, aborrajados, chicken sancocho, chuleta valluna, and arroz atollado.
On the streets, you will find cholados, a mixture of fruits such as papaya, banana, and pineapple with shaved ice and condensed milk. You can also try lulada, champús, chontaduro, manjar blanco, and gelatina de pata.
What cultural experiences can you enjoy?
Cultural venues include the Cali Municipal Theater, the Jorge Garcés Borrero Departmental Library, the La Merced Archaeological Museum and the Caliwood Museum.
Cali is world-renowned as one of the capitals of salsa, so learning to dance this rhythm is an experience you should not miss. There are schools offering classes for beginners and tourists, as well as salsa shows by Delirio or Ensálsate.
You can also visit La Ermita Church, whose Neo-Gothic style contrasts with the rest of the city, or climb up to the Cristo Rey Monument to enjoy the view.
How can you make the most of your business trips in Colombia?
A work schedule does not have to limit your experience in the country. These cities allow you to combine meetings with gastronomy, culture, music, history, and nature, a combination that is increasingly relevant to business and meetings tourism.
So, if you are wondering what to do in Colombia during a business trip, look beyond your schedule. Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Cali offer experiences that can turn a professional commitment into a memorable trip.
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