9 Observations about Colombian People

I always hesitate to write articles about the local people of the countries I visit. For one thing, whatever I write could be debated or objected to or denied. After all, I’m not writing undisputable facts such as the altitude of Bogota, Colombia or current temperatures or the objects found in any given museum.

My observations about local people are just that – my own personal observations, the residents’ habits, attitudes and characteristics as I interpret them from my own perspective.

I could be wrong, have a skewered view, mis-interpret behaviors. And I can hardly call myself an expert on Colombian psychy or outlooks or character. I’ve only been in the country for less than three weeks, and that time only in Bogota.

So take everything I’ve written here with a grain of salt. These personal observations are just what I’ve seen while exploring the city of Bogota daily for over two weeks.

If anyone has different observations, perspectives or insights, feel free to pitch in at the comments area below. And if you think I’m entirely wrong about something I’ve written here, let me know that too. I’m all ears.

So with all that in mind, following are my own observations about Colombians…

1. Colombians are very active people

Colombians always seem to be out and about doing things, including physical, cultural, educational and social activities.

For one thing, there are miles and miles and miles of designated cycling lanes on roads, sidewalks and through parks. And those cycling routes are busy. Thousands and thousands of people are out pedaling the lanes every day, all day long.

Even more people are out walking through the city. This is quite different from many countries in the world, where nobody ever walks if they can avoid it.

In addition, Bogota is filled with gyms. Huge modern brand-name gyms are filled with state-of-the-art aerobic machines, weight-training apparatus, free weights and an ongoing roster of athletic classes. And these gyms are busy. Tons of muscle-bound men and super-fit women strut the streets showing off their hard-earned physiques.

On weekends, the city’s museums, parks and other venues get crammed with local families, friends, groups and couples.

And of course, Colombia’s cities are famous for their hopping bars, nightclubs and dance clubs.

2. Colombian love dogs

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people walking their dogs anywhere else in the world. Granted, in Bogota I’ve been staying in a house in a middle-upper-class residential neighborhood. Here, no matter what time of day I’m outside I come across dozens of people walking their dogs.

But it’s not just this neighborhood. I see the same thing in every park I explore as well as in more commercial, less residential districts. There are also lots of pet stores all over the place.

3. Colombians are really into coffee

Considering that Colombia is one of the world’s top high-quality coffee producers, this shouldn’t really be much of a surprise to me or anyone else.

Still, I have to admit to being surprised at just how very many coffee shops there are in Bogota. There must be at least one coffee shop in every block of this city.

A couple big-name chain coffee shops occupy nearly every block. Juan Valdez and Tostao are the most prominent ones. Starbucks is almost as ubiquitous in Bogota’s more upscale districts.

Then there are the individually-owned cafes, cafe-bakeries, coffee kiosks and even wandering coffee vendors carting around thermoses of hot coffee in carts.

I’ve also never seen so many varieties of high-quality coffees sold in supermarkets in any other country in the world.

5. Colombians have great hospitality – very welcoming, friendly and helpful

Among travelers, Colombians are well-known for their very welcoming, friendly and helpful natures. I’ve personally found this to be true.

For instance, all of my hosts at accommodations I’ve stayed at in Colombia have made a point to welcome me warmly and make it clear that they’re always around to answer any questions, help with information and keep the rooms and houses well stocked.
Out in the streets, shops and restaurants people are also very helpful and welcoming. Staff provide attentive, professional service, even at inexpensive eateries, budget stores and basic cafes.

6. Colombians are a multi-ethnic society

If you asked for a photo of a ‘typical’ Colombian, that would be a very tall order. Colombians are a very diverse people ranging from light-skinned Caucasian-looking folks who could easily pass for Americans or Europeans to very dark-skinned negro Colombians, to solidly Latino-looking folks. And between those, there are people with every shade of brown skin from pale latte to nearly pitch black.

I’ve also seen a few people with pale brown or pale green eyes. I’ve even seen a few redheads here.

This is all the result of Colombia’s long, complex history. Before the Spaniards arrived in the early 1500s, various indigenous tribes inhabited the vast Andes mountains, the equally-vast Amazonian lowlands, the long Pacific coast and the lively Carribbean region.

The Spaniards arrived in droves, some of whom intermingled with various local tribes. Then in the 1600-1700s the Spanish shipped in thousands of African slaves, who then also intermingled with Spanish and indigenous peoples.

It’s no wonder that today Colombia is a huge melting pot of diverse ethnic genes.

7. Colombians have big entrepreneurial spirit

The streets, plazas and parks of Bogota are filled with street vendors selling everything from used-goods to clothing and shoes, electronic accessories, food and drinks and snacks, to marijuana and more.

In addition to vendors are street performers, traffic-light performers and flat-out beggars.

I personally knokw several young entrepreneurial Colmbians who own several houses or apartment buildings, which they rent out on AirBnB, Booking or to long-term renters.

8. Colombians seem to be well educated

I’m basing this observation on three things I’ve seen in Bogota. I don’t know if this holds true across the country or just in a few major Colombian cities where there are large middle and upper class populations.

To start with, Bogota has a whopping 76 universities in town! That is a lot for any city, even a mega-city like Bogota that has over 11,000,000 inhabitants. Not surprisingly, thousands and thousands of students occupy the city.

Secondly, there are a lot of bookstores. Not every country, nor city, can claim that any more, especially since the boom of the internet and cell phones.

My third observation was an experience I had at the city’s Planetarium. Just by chance, I ended up attenting an afternoon planetarium show.

Along with all the adults were hundreds of very young children. I’m talking from toddlers up through about 12 years old.

The show began with an interactive educational session during which a narrator/lecturer asked the audience a bunch of questions about the planets, solar system, galaxies and sun.

I was astounded to hear all those young kids eagerly shouting out the answers – the correct answers, for the most part. They already knew all about our universe!

I have to wonder how many young American kids are that well educated. Any American parents here who can fill me in on that?

9. Colombians are progressive, modern, globally-oriented

Bogota is a very modern, progressive city. It’s full of excellent museums, wonderful parks, cylcing lanes, great contemporary architecture, universities and a hip active nightlife.

Bogota has a very cosmopolitan vibe and lifestyle which reminds of other progressive cities I’ve vistied in USA, Europe and Far Asia.

It’s a city exuding an upbeat, healthy, forward-thinking vibe.

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