10 CUSTOMS OF THE PACIFIC REGION OF COLOMBIA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The customs of the Pacific region of Colombia are as varied as its topography. From food and clothing to music and dance, Colombian customs have been shaped both by their region of origin and by Spanish, Caribbean, and African influences brought in by outside settlers.

Popular travel guides like Frommers now indicate that Colombia is "poised to become the next great ecotourism destination." The Gorgona National Natural Park, Bahía Solano, Juanchaco and Ladrilleros or Tumaco are some of the most attractive tourist places.

The positive profiles of travel programs such as Anthony Bourdain's “No Reservations” have helped spark considerable interest in Colombia's food, culture, and many natural beauties.

Main customs of the Pacific region of Colombia

Both African and Caribbean roots, as well as Spanish colonialism, have been powerful influences on the culture, traditions and customs of the Colombian population.

1- Search for perfection in beauty

Beauty, specifically feminine beauty, is exalted throughout Latin American culture, and Colombia, a world leader in plastic surgery procedures, is no exception.

Beauty pageants, like the National Beauty Contest of Colombia, are a national obsession, and many Colombian carnivals feature "reigns" or beauty pageants.

In fact, the importance of female beauty is so ingrained in popular culture that a Colombian soap opera, “Yo soy Betty, la fea,” played on Latin American presumptions about beauty by dressing its main character.

2- Carnivals and celebrations

These colorful celebrations are often multi-day events featuring elaborate parades, beauty pageants, spirited performances, and delicious regional food.

Among the most important carnivals and celebrations in the Pacific region are:

• Holy Week in Popayán, Cauca (Colombia).
• The Cali Fair is the main cultural event on the Pacific coast of Colombia.
• The San Pancho Festivities.
• The Carnival of Fire.
• The folkloric festival of the Pacific Coast in Buenaventura.

3- Personal appearance

Colombians are generally quite formal in their way of dressing. Men in almost all professional occupations and on most occasions wear a suit with a shirt and tie.

Dresses are the most appropriate for women, although they also usually wear shorts or pants. Casual dress is popular with young people.

In general, Colombians in this region pay a lot of attention to personal hygiene, therefore they tend to use deodorant and bathe daily, among other hygienic measures.

4- Dating and marriages

Appointments generally begin at 15 or 16, depending on family custom. There are no chaperones (adult who supervised the young people on dates) and the family no longer arranges marriages.

The people involved make the decision. Young girls, still in their teens, can be seen dating older men. This is common.

5- Music and Dance

Very influenced by the music of Africa, the currulao is performed with folk instruments such as the chonta marimba, the guasá (a hollow cylinder filled with light seeds) and the cununo drum. A lead performer sings the melody and a chorus answers a chorus.

As with the bambuco and cumbia, currulao is a style of dance as well as a style of music.

6- Typical food

Coconut rice is a mainstay of gastronomy along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Colombia.

The arepa is served in many variations on the coast, including stuffed with cheese and served with egg. In general, food in the coastal regions of Colombia tends to be spicy.

Many of the typical dishes of the region show a mixture of African and Creole influences.

7- Coffee

The dry air and rich volcanic soil of Colombia's mountainous climates produce some of the richest and boldest coffee beans in the world.

In 1959, the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia launched an advertising campaign designed to put a Colombian face on their coffee.

Projected against a mountain peak, wearing a poncho and a hat, Juan Valdez, a humble and fictional coffee picker, and his partner Conchita la Mula, remain synonymous with Colombian coffee today.

It is customary to have coffee in the morning and in the afternoon. It is easy to acquire, as coffee is sold everywhere, from bakeries to the streets and squares of the city.

You may be interested in 5 Economic Activities of the Pacific Region of Colombia.

8- Diet

Breakfast often consists of juice, fruit, eggs and pastries, or a little "continental." Lunch, usually served between 12 - 2 pm, is the big meal of the day and the time when the family gets together.

Nowadays, many families are switching to the big meal in the afternoon, as in the United States.

There are few desserts, but a variety of fruits instead. Water is generally not served with meals. Dinner is customary at 7 - 8 pm

9- Greetings

The most common greeting is the handshake and it occurs frequently. It is customary for men and women to shake hands with everyone when entering a house or a group meeting and also when leaving.

Women often close their forearms. Close male friends often express welcome by hugging each other.

Any close female or male-female friendship can kiss. In most cases there is no contact, but the sound of the kiss is made.

10- Visits

In Colombia, social courtesy and proper etiquette are emphasized. Even if he is tired or busy, the Colombian always tries to have a good word for strangers.

It is very improper to put your feet on furniture. Going barefoot at any time is also insulting.

When you visit, you should come prepared to stay for a while to "chat." The "I quit this quick" or "I look for something quick" at someone's house doesn't work that way.

Even in business situations, not everything is business, and you should start with a "Hello, how are you?" Before you get "to business."

References

1. Mathew C. Gutmann, Félix V. Rodríguez, Lynn Stephen, Patricia Zavella. (2008). Perspectives on Las Americas: A Reader in Culture, History, & Representation. Google Books: John Wiley & Sons.
2. Bagely, Bruce M. (1990) "The Society and Its Environment." In Colombia: A Country Study.
3. Berquist, Charles W. (1986) Coffee and Conflict in Colombia, 1886–1910.
4. Árquez, Samuel M. and Roadfield, Douglas C. "Colombia." Recovered from everyculture.com
5. Associated Press. (2009) "US Ugrades Colombia's Human Rights Score." The New York Times.
6. Frommer's. "Introduction to Colombia." The New York Times.
7. Mauleon, Rebecca. "Colombia" National Geographic.