BAQTour is Barranquilla’s new official tourist bus, created to showcase the city’s main attractions through a comfortable panoramic route. This open-top experience connects the Gran Malecón, Barrio Abajo and other iconic landmarks, allowing visitors and locals to enjoy Barranquilla from a fresh, elevated viewpoint. As part of the city’s tourism strategy, BAQTour integrates mobility, culture and local identity, positioning Barranquilla as a modern and vibrant Caribbean destination. Designed with accessibility, sustainability and guided interpretation, BAQTour is quickly becoming a must-do activity for anyone wanting an easy introduction to Barranquilla. BAQTour first launched on Sunday, March 22nd.
What is BAQTour?
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BAQTour is the first official double-decker tourist bus in Barranquilla, promoted by the Mayor’s Office and operated with Transmetro as part of the city’s tourism strategy.
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The route combines mobility, culture and local identity, highlighting Barranquilla as a modern, vibrant and competitive Caribbean destination.
Route and main stops
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BAQTour offers a panoramic circuit that includes the Gran Malecón del Río, Caimán del Río, Shakira’s statue, Sofía Vergara’s statue, Ventana de Campeones and the open-air museum in Barrio Abajo.
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Other emblematic points on the extended route include the Callejones del Prado, Ventana al Mundo, the Mallorquín marshland area, Riobús Karakalí, Intendencia Fluvial and the María Reina Metropolitan Cathedral.
Timetable, boarding point and operation
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The BAQTour bus will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with three departure times: 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. from the Gran Malecón, Puerta de Oro sector (official boarding point). If Monday is a holiday, the bus will also operate on Mondays.
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Passengers can get off during the route and board again only at the designated official stops, including longer stops of about 10 minutes at the Shakira statue and 40 minutes at the Barrio Abajo Open-Air Museum.
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Semana Santa 2025: The bus will be in operation from Monday, March 30 to Sunday, April 5th with three departures daily: 9:30am, 2pm, and 4pm.
Buy your Riobus and BAQTour tickets here
Costs and where to purchase tickets
- The cost to board the tour bus will be $15,000 COP (~$4 USD) and payment can be made in cash, via Colombian bank transfer, or debit/credit card (datáfono).
- Tickets are purchased at the Ríobus kiosk on the Gran Malecón.
- If you plan your afternoon well, I recommend buying tickets for Ríobus departing at 3pm (45 minute tour), and for BAQTour departing at 4pm; or do the 2pm BAQTour and Ríobus at 5pm.
- The starting point will be behind Puerta de Oro on the Gran Malecón, right across the street from Vive Río.
Accessibility and comfort on BAQTour
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The BAQTour bus has universal accessibility features, including a ramp and reserved spaces for people with reduced mobility, ensuring inclusive tourism for all.
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The vehicle carries about 53 passengers, offers air-conditioned and open-air areas and uses Euro 6 technology to reduce emissions, aligning BAQTour with sustainable urban tourism standards.
