On a given day, Barranquilla is an energetic fiesta of color. Colombia’s fourth largest city and home to two million-plus, the city’s spark is as omnipresent as the warm Caribbean breeze that rushes nonstop through its thoroughfares. Drums from cumbia, porro and gaita tunes radiate from hole-in-the-wall watering holes. Buildings with bright blues and orange pop amid preserved decades-old residences. And modern glass monuments—like the neon-infused Ventana al Mundo (Window to the World) and the soccer-honoring statue Aleta del Tiburón (Shark Fin)—add that much more intrigue to its river-adjacent skyline.

Take that energy, multiply it by a gazillion and add 300,000 domestic and international visitors to the mix, and you have Barranquilla’s annual Carnaval. Dating back to 1888 and recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Humanity’s Intangible and Oral Heritage, the four-day fest is the second largest Carnaval in the world, only behind Rio’s spectacle. It’s a utopian-esque time for people of all backgrounds to come together to party right before Holy Week, with mask, float-filled parades, and high-paced, rump-shaking street concerts.

After pivoting to a virtual experience in 2021 due to COVID and with so much pent-up energy, count on the in-person Carnaval 2022 being the wildest yet. The bulk of the action falls between March 26 and 29, with nearly 20 city-sanctioned events at its core. Carnaval presents an opportunity to experience a party and city like no other; here’s how to make the most of it all.

Bring your vaccination card (and have a mask handy, too)

To attend Carnaval-sanctioned events, COVID-19 full vaccination is required for those older than 12. Regarding masks, Colombians have navigated a roller coaster of COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates. As of March 1, 2022, the Colombian government lifted mask requirements in open-air spaces for departments with a vaccination rate of more than 70%. Atlántico – the department that Barranquilla is the capital of – has a vaccination rate of more than 90%, meaning masks are not required for the outdoor Carnaval components. However, it can’t hurt to have a mask for any indoor excursions that arise during your Barranquilla adventure – inside, you will need it.

Snag your tickets for parades, concerts and… a flower battle

You’ll want to get tickets for all official Carnaval events in advance. An annual staple is the Batalla de Flores (Battle of the Flowers) parade. This year’s parade features 15 floats with thousands of dancers surrounding them. The parade dates to the early 1900s as a celebration to mark the end of Colombia’s Thousand Days’ War. You’ll see that the colorful costumery is not just reserved for parade participants—make sure to wear your wildest garb to fit in. Post-parade and each night starting at 5 pm, the area on Carrera 50 near the Plaza de la Aduana complex morphs into a Baila la Calle experience, where orchestral and tambó concerts stretch into the night and, living up to its name (and as Wyclef Jean says in a Shakira song), everyone dances in the streets.

Experience the Carnaval magic under one roof

With so many characters swirling by during Carnaval, it can be hard to grasp the meaning behind it all. Hit the Museo del Carnaval de Barranquilla—you can’t miss it, as it’s draped in vertical stripes of all colors—for an interactive and colorful history lesson. The museum has three total levels. Make sure to check out the second floor, a collection of dozens of extravagant dresses donned by each year’s Carnaval Queen.

For even more Carnaval and Barranquilla history, consider booking a city-wide tour. Caribia Tours has a number of options spanning music, culture, and gastronomy year-round.

Explore Barranquilla’s bar scene for craft brews and high-paced salsa

Fun fact: Colombia’s staple beer, Aguila, was born in Barranquilla in 1913. You’ll likely want a few of the crisp pilsners to loosen up your hips before dancing the night away at Barranquilla’s salsa institution, La Troja. With popping yellow signage declaring Patrimonio Cultural y Musical (Cultural and Musical Heritage) and walls of albums that the on-site DJ blasts, your senses can’t avoid this place.

For a more chill vibe, check out rising craft brewery Tresquince in a small warehouse three blocks east of the Plaza de la Aduana complex. Its IPAs—often infused with Colombian fruits—are as flavorful as the games of dominos you can play with locals inside.

Let arepas de huevo fuel your adventure

No trip to Barranquilla is complete without chowing down on an ultra-crispy arepa de huevo… or, maybe, ten. Whether slugging through yellow taxi traffic on the Carrera 51B artery or strolling through the mansion-draped Alto Prado neighborhood, there is no shortage of corner market options bearing these fried morsels in a street-side display. The best are obvious to spot: freshly deep fried, medium brown in hue and with a visible mound on one side from where the cook snuck a cracked egg in it mid-fry.

For the best in town, hit the Cucayo at the Caimán del Río market along the Magdalena River or the unassuming cafeteria-style Narcobollo restaurant, where folks line up for mammoth bowls of sancocho (a thick soup with root vegetables and meat) and gooey deditos de queso (cheese sticks) around the clock.

Start your day with coffee and end at the most vibrant restaurant in town

To get your Carnaval buzz going in the morning, head to El Diario in Alto Prado for Colombian coffee concoctions. It’s the new hotspot in Barranquilla to get a perfectly timed espresso shot, V60 pour over coffee, and even a corozo juice—a tangy, cherry-like beverage made from the small red-meets-purple fruit grown only in Colombia’s Caribbean region.

For a memorable dinner and cultural experience balled in one, book a reservation at Restaurante La Cueva in the El Recreo neighborhood. Dating back to the mid-1950s, this is where Barranquilla’s most boisterous personalities and intellectuals—from artist Orlando Rivera to One Hundred Years of Solitude author Gabriel García Marquez—gathered and partied hard. Today, the spot is a living museum, serving up Caribbean-infused delicacies and nightly musical performances spanning salsa to Cuban jams.

Rejuvenate at Barranquilla’s top hotels

Completed in 1930, Hotel El Prado is widely considered the first tourist hotel in all of Latin America. Today, it is a Colombian cultural heritage site and gleaming with stately five-star elegance, a red tile roof, yellow arched balconies, and blue central pool that’s surrounded by towering palm trees.

For a slightly less federal and more contemporary vibe, Hotel Movich Buró 51 is a stellar option. It has a rooftop pool with panoramic city views, an expansive breakfast buffet (unlimited arepas de huevo on select days, anyone?), and a multicolor sculpture of a horse’s head greeting you in its lobby.

Going to a job interview and confused about what to wear? These tips can offer some help!

Don’t Overthink- Most individuals will, in general, choose what they’ll wear a couple of days ahead of time. Be that as it may, overthinking things will just make you feel increasingly pushed and anxious.

Research About Your Potential Workplace- Before the day of your meeting, look at the organization’s site to get a general feeling of the clothing regulation. Whatever you do, don’t take on the appearance of a duplicate of the organization’s present workers. The thought is to comprehend what to go for and what to maintain a strategic distance from.

Do Pick A ‘Central Embellishment’- Numerous individuals will encourage you to keep it basic and there’s some fact to that: Wearing something preposterous, regardless of whether it makes you feel ultra-sure, can reverse discharge by making the questioner center around your dress, rather than your character. Be that as it may, abstain from keeping things excessively straightforward. Think about the expansion of a focal point in your dress. That may be an extraordinary tie or ornament or whatever else.

Try not to feel compelled to look more seasoned It is frequently heard that dressing one level over the position you’re applying for will make you look progressively develop, mindful and fit. That isn’t valid.

Do Wear Scent Or Cologne- Businesses need to contract competitors who look perfect and cleaned and that implies smelling lovely. As indicated by one overview, 90% of members said they feel progressively certain when wearing their preferred aroma.

Research About Your Potential Workplace- Before the day of your meeting, look at the organization’s site to get a general feeling of the clothing regulation. Whatever you do, don’t take on the appearance of a duplicate of the organization’s present workers. The thought is to comprehend what to go for and what to maintain a strategic distance from.

Do Pick A ‘Central Embellishment’- Numerous individuals will encourage you to keep it basic and there’s some fact to that: Wearing something preposterous, regardless of whether it makes you feel ultra-sure, can reverse discharge by making the questioner center around your dress, rather than your character. Be that as it may, abstain from keeping things excessively straightforward. Think about the expansion of a focal point in your dress. That may be an extraordinary tie or ornament or whatever else.

Try not to feel compelled to look more seasoned It is frequently heard that dressing one level over the position you’re applying for will make you look progressively develop, mindful and fit. That isn’t valid.

Do Wear Scent Or Cologne- Businesses need to contract competitors who look perfect and cleaned and that implies smelling lovely. As indicated by one overview, 90% of members said they feel progressively certain when wearing their preferred aroma.

International travel picked up pace post easing of restrictions followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, there are multiple reasons where one could be hassled if they are not well-prepared to undertake a journey across borders. Let’s take a look at certain airport recommendations to ensure you enjoy a hassle-free trip to a foreign destination.

To make your stay at the airport as relaxing as possible before an international tour, consider the following tips.

Arrive early at the airport

Many individuals don’t pay attention to this, which might lead to flight delays or cancellations. Be careful and arrive at the airport ahead of the scheduled departure. If you’re taking an international trip, it’s important to be at the airport at least two hours before takeoff.

You need not be at the airport a full hour before your flight time if you have already booked online and don’t have any luggage to check-in.

You’d be mistaken if you thought you’d be saving time by doing this. Extra sleep and recuperation before heading to the airport are advised in this case.

Being too early at the airport will lengthen the time you’ll be there and you could get tired. Hence, make sure you give yourself enough time to get everything done.

Because finding parking at the airport may be a hassle, it’s a good idea to designate your place in advance. Parkos airport parking and other apps allow you to reserve a parking space in advance of your trip.

Keep an eye out for transportation and traffic disruptions

Make sure that there will be no delays getting to the airport by using a map to make sure that your route will not be altered by things like traffic or construction. And if you plan on using public transportation, keep a tight eye on any relevant transportation apps.

Get your airline tickets the night before your flight to avoid lines the next day. As an added precaution, you should leave the area a little earlier than usual if heavy traffic is expected. You should always have a contingency plan in case your primary one fails. Even though using public transportation is an option, it is recommended to reserve a private ride in advance. Also, using public transportation is not advised for this reason; instead, it is advised to retain the services of private taxi service.

Get a Room at a Hotel Near the Airport, Please

If your flight leaves early in the morning, this becomes even more crucial. Early flights are a hassle for everyone, even frequent flyers.

If your residence is far from the airport, you will need to get up early in order to make it to the airport in time for your departure. Due to the very early hour of your departure, you may have to arrange for a private vehicle.

Plan to spend the night at an airport lounge instead. It would be more expensive to stay in a hotel close to a major airport, but there is always the chance that you may get a great offer.

It’s Okay to take your time traveling to the airport after a long day at the office or a relaxing dinner at home. Since you won’t have to drive for hours to reach the closest hotel, you’ll be able to sleep in a little longer. Because of this, the transportation problem will be lessened and people will be able to spend less time traveling.

View Current Flight Information

Using Google, you can quickly track your flight’s location, speed, and more. Checking the plane’s actual statistics and its past flight history will tell you whether flights have ever left on time.

You may also see the estimated time of arrival and see whether your flight is on schedule.

You may use this to provide precise instructions to anybody you’d want to come and pick you up in the United Kingdom.

If you give them the flight number, they can also verify it for you. The safest thing to do is keep an eye on your flight until you’re safely on board and it’s time to take off.

Whenever possible, travel with just a carry-on bag

Those who are on extended journeys, such as those to see relatives, may find this problematic. Visitors visiting for just a few days should, however, make every effort to travel with only what can be carried on their person.

Time spent waiting for bags at the conveyor belt accounts for a large portion of the total time spent at airports. In addition, you won’t have to wait for your bags to be found on the baggage belt; instead, you may leave the airport with just your hand luggage in tow.

If you strictly adhere to all of the advice given above, you should arrive in the United Kingdom without any problems. Treat managers with respect; they’re only doing their jobs. If you bring everything you need and go to the airport at least one hour before your flight, you shouldn’t have any problems.

We are seeing a lot of people travelling these days due to growing affluence. Friends, families and random strangers are posting picturesque snapshots of the places they’ve been to on Facebook and Instagram. Sure, travelling can be very exciting, but it does cost money to pack your bags and explore the world.

But money shouldn’t always get in the way of your travel plans. In fact, many travel enthusiasts these days hop from one country to another on a tight budget. And since they are already doing that, it only goes to show that you can follow their footsteps too.

So how exactly should you travel on a shoestring budget? Here are five expert tips:

1. Plan ahead

This is perhaps the cardinal rule in every travel escapade – planning. If you want to keep your expenses low, then it is an imperative that you draw out a strategy in which you can use the least amount of money for your needs when on the road.

Planning should cover everything – from your airline tickets to your travel dates to the places where you will stay and the purchases you will make. You need not dine in a fancy restaurant or go shopping in high-end malls during your vacation especially when your overall goal is just to feel the vibe of your destination. Try the night bazaars or the local food stall where the food is freshly cooked in front of you. While you save hard, you should not fall sick along the way. Part of your plan should include having a travel insurance plan.

2. Search for discounts

When you have already planned ahead, then you have the leverage of finding discounts to save on your expenses. Some airlines offer discounted rates on their flights when you book tickets at least six months before your target travel dates. Discounts help reduce your intended cash outlay, and you are able to get the best deals simply by planning beforehand.

3. Look for secondary destinations

Secondary destinations can bring more colour to your budget travel. For example, if you are going to travel to Thailand, you may want opt to visit Chiang Mai instead of focusing on Phuket or Bangkok. This is because Chiang Mai is cheaper, the weather is cooler and the attractions are unique. Visit the elephant camp, trek the mountain and shop at the famous night bazaar. Stay at small motels, most of them are conveniently located with low cost meals easily available within walking distance.

When searching for secondary destinations, you may want to look at two factors:

• the transportation options to reach the place and;
• the accessibility of the place to other areas worth visiting

By knowing the routes and the transportation options, you will derive more value from your travel expenses. Not to mention more pictures of unique landscape that you can showcase on social media.

4. Hotel vs. homestay vs. couch surfing

Booking hotel stays at heavily discounted rates can be difficult, especially when you are thinking about travelling during peak season. If you have to travel during peak season, you really have to look for cheaper alternatives then. Homestays that offer bed and breakfast to backpackers is the usual first option. Increasingly, couch surfing in case you have friends who can accommodate you for a few nights during your stay, is gaining popularity.

A homestay can be a great Plan B to a hotel since it is not only cheaper but also gives you a taste of how it is like to live as a local in the place you are visiting.

5. Secure travel insurance

Do not see travel insurance as an additional expense but think of it as an investment. It can save you on huge costs later on since you can use it during emergency situations. By being insured, you are saving the cost of a medical bill or a piece of baggage that has gone missing. Think of using the amount saved for an investment where you can make money to pay for your next vacation!