Centro Comercial Buenavista — Local services in Barranquilla

Huge shopping mall with three buildings and at least 3 floors in each. All three buildings have at least 2 food courts each: the "fast food" and the "classy food". I'm sure you can guess which food courts have the better-seasoned options 😉

I saw at least one movie theater in this shopping center, but there might be a second one, it would make sense.

I found it was easy to get overwhelmed and overstimulated while inside the shopping center. Seeking directions or recommendations was as simple as approaching any of the multiple unarmed security guards peppered all over, and asking them politely. For me they always seemed eager (or at least capable) to help an extranjero out. However - just like with any other interaction in Latin America - knowing some functional phrases in Español (upper A1 level) makes things markedly easier.

I was glad to see that this mall has at least a couple of hobbyist, gaming, action figure, and manga shops for me and my fellow nerds. I've not yet explored much of BuenaVista mall, so I might update this review later. For now I see no reason for anything less than 5 stars.

As of this review, face masks are optional. The mall staff and many shoppers still wear theirs, but many people aren't anymore (or just wearing them over their mouths only).

Quick tip: The HomeCenter is right next to the BuenaVista mall. Getting a taxi or InDriver from outside of HomeCenter seems much easier than from the...

When I first visited Buenavista Mall in 2004, it was the only North American style shopping center in Barranquilla. By U.S. standards, it was rather small, and it sat in a suburban area just outside the city.

Twenty-one years later, I returned and was surprised to find the surrounding rural landscape absorbed into the city sprawl. The mall itself now consists of at least three separate buildings connected by elevated pedestrian walkways. At first, I could not tell which building was the original. The complex is very clean and offers everything you would find in a large U.S. mall.

Although Viva Mall, which did not exist in 2004, has become the city’s flagship shopping destination, Buenavista has modernized successfully and remains relevant as Barranquilla grows and welcomes more international visitors. I enjoyed spending time there on my recent trip and reliving memories from my first visit. I will be sure to return the next time...

This review is for the latter part of my 3 city travel in Colombia, Barranquilla. I stayed at the CROWNE PLAZA right across the street, the BUENAVISTA mall in Riomar. It has all types of stores, a supermarket, and 3 different sections separated by walkways. Each has 4 or 5 floors. The architecture is amazing. Everyone is friendly. The dollar exchange is very favorable. I used my Amex card because the exchange was the stock exchange versus getting it in the open market, which is usually anywhere from $500-$700 pesos. It's not much when you calculate, but it adds up. Makes a big difference. I was pleasantly surprised with all the Malls I visited in Colombia. The structures, the panoramic views, the cleanliness, and more importantly, the people...