Colombia: The Best Books to Read Before You Go
Colombia is a land of vibrant culture, incredible landscapes, and a history as rich as its coffee. For many, traveling to Colombia sparks excitement mixed with a touch of uncertainty.
As someone who lived in this beautiful country for four years and returns annually, let me assure you: Colombia is truly amazing.
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One of the best ways to immerse yourself before visiting Colombia is through the country’s literature. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or someone with dozens of passport stamps, this article on Colombia: The Best Books to Read Before You Go is designed to inspire, inform, and guide you on your way to departure.
Table of Contents
Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia
Author: Jeanette Winter
Year Published and Publisher: 2010, by Beach Lane Books
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction
Summary: A heartwarming true story of Profesor Luis Soriano Bohórquez who rides his donkeys, Alfa and Beto, through the mountains of Colombia, bringing books to children in remote villages.
This beautifully illustrated book shares the inspiring tale of one man’s dedication to spreading the joy of reading in rural Colombia, making it a delightful read for children and adults alike.
Audience: Children and families interested in stories of literacy, compassion, and cultural exchange
Worth Noting: In 2009, Biblioburro won an American Library Association award as a Notable Children’s Book
More information: Simon and Schuster
Colombia: A Comedy of Errors
Author: Victoria Kellaway and Richard McColl
Year Published and Publisher: 2012, The Wandering Iguana Press
Genre: Non-fiction, Travel, Humor
Summary: A witty and insightful book that pokes fun at the idiosyncrasies of Colombian life, written by two foreigners who made this South American mecca their home. Colombia: A Comedy of Errors is an entertaining and often humorous take on the country’s culture, offering a fresh perspective on everyday life.
Visuals: Colombia: A Comedy of Errors contains more than 180 illustrations and comical renditions of famous Colombians including revolutionary Símon Bolivar, artist Fernando Botero, performing artist Shakira, and politician Álvaro Uribe.
Audience: Travelers curious about Colombian quirks, ex-pats, and anyone who enjoys light-hearted travel writing
Worth Noting: Victoria Kellaway is the founder of Banana Skin Flip Flops, a travel website with thousands of loyal followers, and the author of a second book on this list.
Colombia – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Author: Kate Cathey
Year Published and Publisher: first published 2011, updated 2019, Kuperard
Genre: Non-fiction, Travel, Culture
Summary: This pocket-sized guide provides valuable insights into Colombian customs and culture. It helps travelers avoid cultural missteps and easily navigate social interactions. Colombia – Culture Smart! is a great companion for anyone wanting to learn the ins and outs of the country while connecting on a deeper level with locals.
Visuals: Black and white photos throughout the book
Audience: First-time travelers, ex-pats, and cultural enthusiasts
More Information: Culture Smart! Books
En diciembre llegaban las brisas (December Breeze)
Author: Marvel Moreno
Year Published and Publisher: 1987, Editorial Oveja Negra
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction
Summary: Set in the beautiful Caribbean city of Barranquilla, this novel vividly portrays three women’s lives as they navigate a patriarchal society in Colombia. Marvel Moreno’s lush prose and powerful themes of female empowerment make this a standout work of Colombian literature.
Worth Noting: A fierce writer whose articulate writing style was often the subject of criticism, Marvel Luz Moreno Abello was chosen by Cromos magazine as “one of the hundred most influential women in the history of Colombia.”
Audience: Fans of feminist literature and historical fiction
More information: On the Seawall
La Perra
Author: Pilar Quintana
Year Published and Publisher: 2017, Literatura Random House
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Cultural
Summary: With its themes of poverty and isolation, La Perra is based around the life of Damaris, a middle-aged woman who raises a puppy, Chirli, in a low-income, coastal Colombian community. The book uses a simple tone, evoking a stoic theme reflected in its main characters.
Audience: Feminist readers, mature women, psychology-curious
Awards: Shortlisted in 2018, Colombian Premio Nacional de Novela
Worth Noting: While many were off-put by the offensive title of the book, La Perra, or The B*tch, in English, readers agree unanimously that it resonates with the novel.
Magdalena: River of Dreams
Author: Wade Davis
Year Published and Publisher: 2020, Knopf
Genre: Non-fiction, History, Travel
Summary: Wade Davis embarks on a journey down Colombia’s Magdalena River, telling the story of the country’s history, geography, and people through his encounters as he makes his way. His writing combines personal experiences with a deep understanding of Colombia’s past and present.
Audience: History buffs, adventure travelers, and those who love nature writing
Worth Noting: The audiobook version of Magdalena: River of Dreams is a sheer delight, with its precise details and specific references to Colombian traditions. Listeners will revel in Davis’s recollection of tasting hot chocolate with cheese atop Monserrate in Bogotá and his personal interactions with Jorge Villamizar from the popular band Bacilos.
More Information: DavisWade.com
Misspelled Paradise: A Year in a Reinvented Colombia
Author: Bryanna Plog
Year Published and Publisher: 2014, El Limonero Books
Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir
Summary: This book is particularly close to my heart, as Bryanna and I both volunteered with the same organization in Colombia. Her account of living and working on Isla Barú, with its vivid, accurate descriptions of wild, humbling Costeño life, is filled with humor and heartfelt moments, resonating deeply with my experiences.
Audience: Travelers, volunteers, and those interested in immersive cultural experiences
Worth Noting: After Misspelled Paradise, Bryanna wrote a second book, Make Sure You Have a Map (and Other Bits of Travel Advice I’m Glad I Ignored), that includes twenty stories about her travels in over a dozen countries. Bryanna currently works as a park ranger with the U.S. National Park Service.
More info: bryannaplog.com
Mother Tongue: A Bogotan Story
Author: Juan Fernando Hincapié
Year Published and Publisher: 2020, Sílaba Editores
Genre: Fiction, Novela, Masculinity
Summary: Based on the life of a man educated in the United States who is forced to return to his native Colombia, where nothing ever seems good enough. Mother Tongue is a humorous novel with unapologetic honesty, the third from its writer, and a dual-toned reflection of what it means to feel like a stranger in your homeland. Considered by many to be a misogynous display of arrogance, the underlying message is deep and humbling.
Audience: Short story lovers, fans of urban fiction, men’s men
More information: The Bogotá Post
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Author: Gabriel García Márquez
Year Published and Publisher: 1967, Harper & Row
Genre: Magical Realism, Fiction
Summary: This Nobel Prize-winning masterpiece tells the story of the Buendía family in the mythical town of Macondo, capturing Colombia’s complex history, culture, and identity through generations. García Márquez weaves magical realism into everyday events, making the extraordinary seem entirely plausible.
Worth Noting: Though it seems cliché to include this book, Gabo’s classic speaks for itself as required reading for anyone headed for his tierra madre.
Audience: Lovers of literary fiction, magical realism, and Colombian culture
Awards: Nobel Prize in Literature, 1982
More Information: A long-awaited TV adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude features 16 drama-filled episodes.
Short Walks from Bogotá: Journeys in the New Colombia
Author: Tom Feiling
Year Published and Publisher: 2013, Penguin Books
Genre: Non-fiction, Travel
Summary: Tom Feiling takes readers on a journey through post-conflict Colombia, revealing a country far removed from the stereotypes of drug cartels and violence. Through his travels and encounters, Feiling paints a picture of a nation on the rise, full of hope and resilience.
Worth Noting: Some sections of the book dig deep to reveal the lives of ordinary people seeking stability after years of conflict. These passages influenced me to volunteer in Colombia because I believed it to be a beautiful place worthy of change and a different perception from what the world had seen in the past. I still do.
Audience: Those interested in modern Colombian history and post-conflict recovery
More Information: A brilliant review from The Guardian
The Making of Modern Colombia: A Nation in Spite of Itself
Author: David Bushnell
Year Published and Publisher: 1993, University of California Press
Genre: Non-fiction, History
Summary: A comprehensive account of Colombia’s complex history, from its colonial roots to the present day. Bushnell’s work is essential reading for anyone looking to understand the forces that have shaped modern Colombia.
Audience: History enthusiasts, academics, and travelers seeking deeper insights into Colombia’s past
Worth Noting: The author, David Bushnell, was an American academic and Latin American historian. Often called “The Father of the Colombianists,” Bushnell was among the first Americans to study Colombia as an academic field in the United States. He continually proclaimed his love for the country until he died in 2010.
More Information: UC Press
The Sound of Things Falling
Author: Juan Gabriel Vásquez
Year Published and Publisher: 2011, Riverhead Books
Genre: Fiction, Literary Fiction
Summary: A gripping novel about a man whose life becomes entangled in the legacy of Colombia’s drug trade. Vásquez explores the psychological effects of living in a country scarred by violence, creating a tense and thought-provoking narrative.
Worth Noting: While some dismiss Vásquez’s novel as “just another book about the drug trade in Colombia,” critics have hailed it as an insider’s guide to surviving amid a crisis that affects everyone, even those who never want to be involved, yet they are.
Audience: Fans of literary fiction and those interested in Colombia’s recent history
Awards: International Dublin Literary Award (2014)
More Information: An enlightening article from The Guardian
Was Gabo an Irishman?: Tales from Gabriel García Márquez’s Colombia
Authors: Victoria Kellaway and Richard McColl
Year Published and Publisher: 2016, Papaya Press
Genre: Non-fiction, Travel, Literary Criticism
Summary: This engaging collection of essays and sophomore release from Kellaway and McColl explores the Colombia that inspired Gabriel García Márquez’s writing, blending travel anecdotes with literary insights. The book offers a fresh look at Colombia through the lens of its most famous author.
Worth Nothing: Among its many notable contributors, this book features Sara Duncan, an Australian who lived in Colombia, otherwise known as Sarepa – for her love of arepas, Colombia’s favorite fast food.
Audience: Fans of Gabriel García Márquez, literary travelers, and cultural explorers
More Information: A clever review on Medellin Living
Bonus Books – Hard to Find and Worth the Hunt
These books are out of print but if you can find a used copy or have a friend to lend you one, definitely read them. They are filled with insider information, feature brilliant illustrations and photos, and contain slightly gritty details left out of most guidebooks.
Colombia Facíl
Author: Multiple contributors, self-published
Year Published and Publisher: Early 2000s, Independent
Genre: Travel, Guidebook
Summary: A pocket-sized, no-frills travel guide to Colombia, Colombia Facíl was the go-to resource for backpackers and adventurous travelers in the early 2000s. Sold for just USD 1.50 in hostels across Colombia, this guide was coveted for its honest, on-the-ground advice, hand-drawn maps, and tips from fellow travelers. Despite its humble origins, it gained a cult following among those seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Visuals: Hand-drawn maps, minimal illustrations, vivid photos
Audience: Backpackers, budget travelers, solo adventurers
Worth Noting: As a volunteer teacher in Colombia, I received a copy of Colombia Facíl as part of my “welcome kit” for cultural immersion. Rumor has it the publisher of Colombia Facíl became a mother just after the third edition was printed and couldn’t continue publishing on her own.
End of Publication: The rise of digital resources and updated travel guides led to the end of Colombia Facíl’s print run. However, its charm lives on in the memories of those lucky enough to have owned it. While there are no official PDFs, some nostalgic travelers have shared scans online, though finding them is often challenging.
More Information: Colombia Facíl still has a semi-active Facebook page.
Guía Turística Bolívar Colombia
Author: Published by ViveColombia
Year Published and Publisher: 2015, ViveColombia
Genre: Travel, Guidebook
Summary: This regional guide focuses on the Bolívar department of Colombia, home to Cartagena and other stunning Caribbean destinations. Guía Turística Bolívar provides detailed information on local attractions, history, and culture, making it an excellent resource for visitors eager to explore Colombia’s northern coast.
Visuals: Full-color photos and maps, latitude and longitude readings
Audience: Travelers interested in exploring the Bolívar region, including Cartagena and nearby beaches
Note: Distributed by ViveColombia – not the low-priced airline, but a division of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Guía Turística Bolívar has no date for the most recent publication.
More information: available as a PDF on Colombia.com
Insight Guides: South America
Author: Multiple authors
Year Published and Publisher: 2019, Insight Guides, with post-pandemic updated copies available – visit the publisher’s website
Genre: Travel, Guidebook
Summary: While covering the entire continent, Insights Guide: South America dedicates a substantial section to Colombia, offering an in-depth look at its cities, cultural landmarks, and natural wonders. This visually stunning guide is rich with photos and detailed maps, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy Colombia’s beauty before arriving.
Visuals: Full-color photos, maps, and illustrations throughout
Audience: General travelers looking for a visually engaging and detailed guide
Worth Noting: Most Insight Guides come with QR Codes to scan and receive a digital copy of the book on your smartphone – awesome for travel!
More Information: Insights Guide
Lonely Planet Colombia
Author: Various contributors
Year Published and Publisher: 2021, Lonely Planet with updated copies available
Genre: Travel, Guidebook
Summary: The most common of the rare, hard-to-find books, the Lonely Planet Colombia guide offers comprehensive coverage of everything from Colombia’s bustling cities to its remote jungle villages. With detailed maps, itinerary suggestions, and cultural insights, it’s the perfect resource for travels of all types, from a short city break to an extended adventure through the country’s diverse landscapes.
Visuals: Full-color photographs, maps, and illustrations
Audience: All travelers, from budget backpackers to luxury tourists
Note: My heart sank the first time I found a copy of Lonely Planet Colombia before leaving for a year to volunteer on the coast, as there are barely two pages about things to do in Barranquilla. The coverage of Colombia’s fourth-largest city may vary, depending on what year you read Lonely Planet, and it’s always a good idea to search for the most updated version of any guidebook due to unexpected changes.
More Information: Lonely Planet: Colombia
Wrap Up
So, there you have it, visitors heading to Colombia: the best books to read before you go!
Imagine yourself lying in a colorful hamaca, swaying in the Caribbean breeze with a book in your hand, as waves lap at the shore. Or perhaps you’re on a long flight, miles above the ocean, where the pages of a well-loved novel transport you to the busy streets of Medellín or the mystical jungles of Minca.
Wherever you’re headed in Colombia, these books offer tons of information and inspiration before you even touch down.
¡Reach Out, Parcero!
Hey friend, do you have a favorite book about Colombia that I didn’t include? I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to reach out and share your thoughts on the list, or sign up for my weekly newsletter for more information.
Looking for more tips and information on traveling to the incredible country of Colombia? Explore the rest of my website or check out the links below. Happy reading and happy travels!
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