Here are my key impressions from a recent trip to Colombia, to the cities of Bogota and Medellin.
Nicer parts of cites like Park 93, Verrey or El Poblado are very walkable and very European and less “American” (i.e., big roads, must have cars, not walkable).
The food is more european with less salsas and spices
Bogota is cold but again it reminded me of European cloudy skies in Scandinavia, London or Russia.
There are a lot of hookah places in El Poblado and in Bogota they have small shops with tables on the streets to smoke
There are a lot of peddlers and beggars on the street that are very persistent and annoying.
People love bicycles, running and their dogs.
There are a lot of greens (trees, bushes, grass).
Meat is superb and has a very natural grass-fed flavor.
Avianca tries to be a low-cost airline charging for everything extra (seat selection, soda, juice, small roller suitcase).
Roads are good and tunnels are moderns but traffic in rush hours suck. Even Pico y Placa doesn’t help. It’s better to walk or take a bike, or ride motorbike if you’re local.
Bogota restaurants are better than Medellin restaurants.
Bogota hotels are cheaper than Medellin hotels.
Uber can call a regular taxi.
Cash is not needed for a week-long trip except to buy fruits from street vendors who are too lazy to get a card terminal.