Culture and History
Colombian culture has unique characteristics. From interpersonal manners to slangs and way of living. Get to know them here and discover a quick way to adapt to this new context.
Communication and Interpersonal Relations
Don’t be surprised if someone greets you with a kiss on the cheek, as this is a common form of greeting between men and women, even if they have just met. People in Colombia are usually friendly, warm, and open to conversation, making it easy to start talking even with strangers. At the same time, visitors are encouraged to communicate their personal and professional boundaries clearly and respectfully, as norms around physical contact and social interaction may differ across cultures. Depending on the region, however, social openness can vary. For example, people in Bogotá tend to be more reserved than those in Medellín. Across the country, there is also a strong emphasis on being helpful and providing a pleasant experience, especially for visitors.
In educational settings, communication is formal and respectful, but relationships can become more relaxed over time.
People may stand a bit closer when speaking and often use small gestures to express themselves. However, people like to keep some physical distance from each other.
Colombians usually are strongly attached to the family as a source emotional support, decision-making, and center of a daily life. When hearing about family concerns, try to keep polite and not judgmental.
People in Colombia tend to be communicative and welcoming, and they enjoy gathering, talking, and building personal connections. While formal relationships are often defined on paper through hierarchical structures, everyday interactions tend to be more relaxed. Formal titles are commonly used in emails or official documents, but in-person conversations usually become friendly and informal quite quickly.
Declining a social invitation without a clear reason may be seen as disinterest or lack of courtesy.
Politeness, greeting others, and being respectful are very important. People appreciate courteous communication.
People often prefer gentle communication and tend to avoid saying “no” in a blunt or confrontational way. Disagreements are usually handled calmly, as direct confrontation is not common.
Each region of Colombia has its own typical expressions. They will be helpful for integrating better with the locals.
Here, people like to keep the personal information private. So questions about family, salary, gossiping, future plans, and intimacy aren’t expected and responded honestly.
General Recommendations and Urban Dynamics
Despite Colombian people have great characteristics, you should consider keeping in mind “how not to be an easy target for crime and opportunists”.
Cities can be loud due to traffic, music, and everyday social activity.
For safety and to avoid drawing unnecessary attention, discreet accessories are recommended.
When speaking to somenone, try to keep your voice at a low volume when it comes to in-door spaces. Here people try to avoid getting other people involved.
In the main cities, Colombians don’t fully trust strangers from the streets because of the possibility of scam or theft. So try to only mind about your business and to know where you are heading to.
Knowing Spanish, even at a basic level at least, makes daily life and integration much easier.
Being polite, punctual, and well-presented helps build trust from the very beginning.
Lifestyle, Customs, and Way of Life
Colombia is a country of celebrations. That’s why you will find much holidays.
Most people dress neatly and put-together; good personal presentation is expected even if you are only going to the gym.
Thanks to Colombia’s climate, fresh fruits and flowers are widely available throughout the year.
When it comes to informal relations, have in mind that most people may be around 10 minutes late (or more) for any social meet up.
Though punctuality may be more flexible than in some cultures and schedules can shift and start later than planned, bear in mind that in formal settings (as well as for medical appointments) meetings are expected to start on time.
It’s common to hear music in streets, stores, and parks, creating lively and social atmospheres.
Eldest generations used to be deeply involved in the work not minding about how much time they spend in the office or duty. Nowadays, you will find in the younger generations a tendency for a balance between work and personal life.
Since Colombia is culturally diverse, it’s important to show respect for different practices and beliefs. Any form of discrimination is seen as a problematic way of relating to others.
Understanding Colombia
Many visitors find themselves as passionate about Colombia’s history and the development of the country between the multiples eras it has been through. Explore pre-Colombian civilizations, the Spanish conquest, the independence movement, La Gran Colombia, the separation of Panamá, the violence period, or the Peace Process and Agreement. For that matter, the following is a list of books and novels you could consider reading:
• Colombia: país fragmentado, sociedad dividida (Palacios & Safford, 2002).
• Historia de Colombia, todo lo que hay que saber (Rodríguez et al., 2017).
• La verdadera historia de Colombia (Gómez, 2024).
• Colombia: una nación a pesar de sí misma (Bushnell, 2021).
• Antes de Colombia (Langebaek, 2021).
• Gabriel García Márquez — One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad, 1967)
• Gabriel García Márquez — Love in the Time of Cholera (El amor en los tiempos del cólera, 1985)
• Laura Restrepo — Delirium (Delirio, 2004)
• Jorge Isaacs — María (1867)
• Álvaro Mutis — The Adventures and Misadventures of Maqroll (Empresas y tribulaciones de Maqroll el Gaviero, 1986)
• Fernando Vallejo — The Virgin of the Assassins (La virgen de los sicarios, 1994)
• Tomás Carrasquilla — La Marquesa de Yolombó (1928)
• Héctor Abad Faciolince — Oblivion: A Memoir (El olvido que seremos, 2006)
• José Asunción Silva — Nocturne (Nocturno, 1894)
• Porfirio Barba Jacob — Song of the Profound Life (Canción de la vida profunda, 1917)
• León de Greiff — Variations Around Nothing (Variaciones alrededor de nada, 1936)
• María Mercedes Carranza — The Song of the Flies (El canto de las moscas, 1998)
• Piedad Bonnett — Unrequested Explanations (Explicaciones no pedidas, 2011)
• Giovanni Quessep — Imaginary Letter (Carta imaginaria, 1975)
• Aurelio Arturo — Southern Dwelling (Morada al Sur, 1963)
Traditional Rhythms
• Cumbia
• Vallenato
• Bambuco
• Pasillo
• Mapalé
• Bullerengue
• Joropo
• Currulao
• Porro
• Champeta
• El Tiempo
• El Espectador
• La República
• Portafolio
• El Colombiano
• El País
• Vanguardia
• El Heraldo
• Los Abismos (Quintana, 2021).
• Cien años de soledad (García Márquez, 1967).
• La Vorágine (Rivera, 1924).
• Lo que no tiene nombre (Bonnett, 2013).
• El canto de las moscas (Carranza, 1998).
• Germán Arciniegas — Colombia: Itinerario y espíritu de la independencia (1969)
• David Bushnell — The Making of Modern Colombia: A Nation in Spite of Itself (1993)
• Malcolm Deas — Del poder y la gramática y otros ensayos sobre historia, política y literatura colombianas (1993)
• Frank Safford & Marco Palacios — Colombia: Fragmented Land, Divided Society (2002)
• Eduardo Posada Carbó — Colombia: The Politics of Reforming the State (2005)
• Marco Palacios — Between Legitimacy and Violence: A History of Colombia, 1875–2002 (2006)
• La estrategia del caracol — Sergio Cabrera (1993)
• Rodrigo D. No futuro — Víctor Gaviria (1990)
• La vendedora de rosas — Víctor Gaviria (1998)
• El abrazo de la serpiente — Ciro Guerra (2015)
• Pájaros de verano — Ciro Guerra y Cristina Gallego (2018)
• Monos — Alejandro Landes (2019)
• El olvido que seremos — Fernando Trueba (2020)
• Los reyes del mundo — Laura Mora (2022)
• Shakira
• Carlos Vives
• Juanes
• Fonseca
• Andrea Echeverri
• Monsieur Periné
• Bomba Estéreo
• ChocQuibTown
• Goyo
• Caracol Televisión
• Canal RCN
• Señal Colombia
• Teleantioquia
• Telecaribe
• Telepacífico
Keep in Mind
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