Colombia travel blog by Mark Berman -
April 2021
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According to Tripadvisor the number one thing to do in Barrancabermeja is go to the commercial center. Really? I'm not so sure about that. Yes, the hotels and shops
are located in the commercial center and most sights are also around this area but I have a better idea about what to do in Barrancabermeja! Located 2hrs 30mins
west from Bucaramanga, Barrancabermeja is Colombia's petrol capital and is situated on the banks of the Magdalena River. The enormous petrol plant dominates the
city, day and night. Hotel Superestrellas, Barrancabermeja
My best advice for Barrancabermeja is this! Get a room on the 13th or 14th floor of Hotel Superestrellas. Rooms cost between $40-70USD,
it's not cheap but it's certainly not nasty. The views out to the city, river and petrol plant are absolutely amazing. Enjoy the hotel at the same time of course
with breakfast included and a swimming pool. Walking around the city is OK but enjoying the view from Hotel Superestrellas is something in itself and well worth
the cost. See the hotel review below.
Sights In Barrancabermeja
Sights to see in Barrancabermeja on foot include the Petrol Monument in the water (Cristo Petrolero), the
red-brick cathedral, the markets, river activities and nature around the riverbanks. Some of the wildlife you can see include iguanas, a crocodile or caiman, water
and non-water birds. Be careful when walking around the river banks, a crocodile was the last thing I was expecting to see, luckily they (2) were in the water.
Also, there are thieves and street people along the road beside the river around the area of the cathedral. When I went down to the petrol monument at night to get
a photo, a guy offered to take a photo of me with my camera, don't fall for that trick! Of course I said no and quickly moved on (back to the amazing view of the lights of the petrol factory from my 14th floor hotel room).
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Cristo Petrolero, hand holding globe and the petrol factory in Barrancabermeja.
The Magdalena River and a glimpse into river life in Barrancabermeja, a spectacular view.
Iguanas are a common sighting in places with a tropical climate like Barrancabermeja.
View of the cathedral in Barrancabermeja from down by the river, 2 tall towers.
