The Colombian Caribbean greets the baseball world with open arms in Barranquilla & Cartagena de Indias

Baseball and the Caribbean has forged an intimate relationship for more than 150 years, with the sport becoming an essential element in many Caribbean countries' everyday life and culture. Colombia is one of them. In a country largely known for football and coffee, baseball has become one of the biggest sports and cultural phenomenon in the Caribbean coast. 

Two of the biggest and most important cities in the Colombian Caribbean are Barranquilla and Cartagena de Indias, capital cities of the Atlantico and Bolivar departments.

Another of this region’s many attractions is the wide variety of beaches it offers, unique for their crystal-clear water, white sands, and stunning landscapes. 

Barranquilla, the Golden Gate

Barranquilla, also known as the "Golden Gate", is the largest city in the Caribbean coast region; as of 2018, it had a population of 1,206,319 making it Colombia's fourth-most populous city after Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. The city has one of the most important ports in the whole country, which has allowed to position itself as a city with high potential for economic and industrial development.

Barranquilla is the stage of one of the country's most important celebrations: The Carnival of Barranquilla. Held in the first quarter of every year, it is known as the best party in Colombia. 

Visitors can enjoy beautiful natural and architectonic attractions, like Bocas de Ceniza, a marvelous place where the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean Sea; The Golden Gate park (el Gran Malecón), which extends about three miles along the west bank of the Magdalena River, offering a variety of culinary, sports, cultural, and recreational activities; or emblematic buildings like the Queen Mary Cathedral and the Castle of San Antonio de Salgar.

Estadio Edgar Renteria will be the venue of the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2024. For the second time the 12,000-seat facility will host a WBSC Baseball World Cup. A few months after its inauguration in 2018, the stadium hosted the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup. It was also a competition venue for the Central American and Caribbean Games Barranquilla 2018.

The stadium, named after homegrown star Edgar Renteria, was built on the site of the former Estadio Tomás Arrieta, which was demolished in 2016. It is the home of the Caimanes de Barranquilla professional baseball team.

Cartagena de Indias

Located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena de Indias a heavily frequented tourist destination in Colombia. Framed by its stunning bay, Cartagena de Indias is one of the most beautiful, well-preserved cities in the Americas.

Cartagena de Indias combines the charm of colonial architecture, the excitement of a vivid night life, fascinating cultural festivals, and lush landscapes. 

Among the most iconic places, the Walls of Cartagena are the most recognized buildings in the city. It was a project that lasted nearly two centuries and ended in 1796, constructed with the aim of defending the city from the continuous pirate attacks that it suffered. 

The city has several archipelagos and islands around that are paradises for true rest. Among these are Tierra Bomba Island, Múcura Islan, and Barú Island, among others.

Estadio 11 de Noviembre will host the U-15 Baseball World Cup in Cartagena de Indias. The 12,500 people currently serves as the home of the Tigres de Cartagena of Colombia's professional baseball league. The stadium, inaugurated in 1947, hosted the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games.