The first thing you will notice when you arrive to Colombia, is that Colombian weather is so unpredictable. It can feel as hot as the Sahara in the morning, and as cold as a winter's evening at night. Having said that, you definitely will never miss the seasons of your country, because in Colombia you can experience all 4 in just one day. ¡Que locura! ¿no?
Here are 5 things we believe you must pack for a trip to Colombia.
1. Umbrella If you think that Colombia has tropical weather all-year-round, you are totally wrong. Always carry an umbrella in your bag, like all Colombians. You will need it. Sunshine can quickly turn to un palo de agua (heavy rain). We don't want you to arrive wet to your internship!
2. Sunscreen
Just as you need the umbrella to cover yourself from the rain, you can also use it to block the sun. Alternatively, you can use sunscreen. The sun in Colombia is muy picante (very hot) and if you don't want to look like a lobster, sunscreen is essential.
3. An adaptor Electrical outlets in Colombia are the same shape and size as those of the US (rectangular slits), but just because they look the same does not mean they will be a perfect fit. We strongly recommend bringing an adaptor to ensure you can charge your laptop and phone once you land in Colombia.
4. Bug spray If you plan on visiting Cartagena, Santa Marta or the Amazon region you will need insect repellent. Although if you don't think this is necessary, you can always drink a petaco de cerveza (a crate of beer), which gives your body a special smell which can repel mosquitoes!
5. Clothes for nightlife Colombian fashion is very diverse. During the day you will see hundreds of different styles, but when night comes, Colombians usually dress up with their best outfits to dance to salsa, reggaeton, vallenato, or electronic music. In Colombia, there are many different types of clubs and bars, and to get into the nicest you cannot forget to wear your best outfit and shoes. If you prefer a more relaxing and quieter place, you can wear a pair of jeans and more comfortable shoes.
But please, please, please do NOT go out in shorts and/or flip flops! If you are in doubt, dress up, not down.
If you would like to know more about Colombia or what it's like to do an internship abroad in Latin America. Please contact a member of our team. To learn more about our new remote internship programs - click here.
This blog post was written & published by Intern Colombia on 28 January 2019
Sources:
https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20150721/54434043955/trucos-picaduras-mosquitos.html