Experience in Ibague, Colombia by Laura

What do you think of living in Ibagué? Do you recommend it? What is it like?

Living in Ibagué is excellent for those looking for an intermediate city with warm weather. In the city you can find multiple activities to do related to culture, music and fun, such as: shopping centres, stadium, sports park, Olympic swimming pools, bandshells, theatres, music halls, private clubs etc. It’s a city that because of its location is close to the capital of Colombia (Bogotá is only 4 hours by car and 45 minutes by plane). The means of public transport are bus and taxi, with the bus fare costing $1, 600 and the minimum for taxi $3, 900. The city has a wide variety of spas due to its climate which is perfectly suited to this type of activity, the stand out examples of these being Totumo, Comfatolima, Comfenalco, and Tierra Caliente, which are quite affordable to the public (between $5, 000 and $ 20, 000 per person). In the city there is also a huge amount of nightclubs for all tastes and time preferences, located in the centre of the city, the industrial zone and the outskirts; there are also bars for those who want another type of atmosphere, cafes, restaurants and places where you can enjoy the entire afternoon. Colombians and Ibaguéreños welcome foreigners very well because we are interested in their experiences, life lessons and perceptions of the world.

What is the student environment like in Ibagué?

In Ibagué there are 4 universities; the University of Tolima, the University of Ibagué, the Cooperative University and the CUN. The first is public and the others private, although there are also several satellite universities that have certain degrees in the city. The public university is the best in terms of education level, campus, complementary services and extracurricular activities, since it has: university residences, a restaurant (where you can get lunch from $800 to $2, 000), football fields, basketball, nursing, a bank, veterinary science, auditoriums and exhibition halls. On the other hand, the private university has its own football and basketball teams, martial arts, dance, and theatre, among other activities that welcome anyone who wants to participate, for free. The university also sponsors academic practices in all its courses and in all semesters, including trips that take place outside the city and can be anywhere in the country. On previous trips the university has provided the buses for free plus some small financial aid, so the students only had to pay for their lodgings and food.

How much does it cost to live in Ibagué?

Living in Ibagué is economical compared to many capital cities of Colombia. With it being a city of moderate size, a trip in a taxi will not cost more than $15, 000 (for longer distances), although you can also make the trip by bus for only $1, 600; an economic lunch in Ibagué in a restaurant can cost between $4, 000 and $8, 000, and if you want something more elegant dishes are available from $20, 000 to $40, 000 approximately. A lease for an unfurnished room in Ibagué near the universities costs between $250, 000 and $350, 000 per month with services included. An unfurnished apartment or 3-room apartment can cost between $800, 000 or $1, 000, 000 monthly with services included. The services are quite cheap since here because we do not have problems with the water, nor do we have to use heating.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Ibagué? Can you give some advice?

Finding rooms near the universities is very simple, since there is a wide range of them; likewise, universities help to advise students about them.

What is the country's food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The gastronomy of Colombia is EXCELLENT, and you can find a great variety of dishes according to the region where you visit, but even outside of it you can still find it if you look hard enough. The traditional dishes are: Ajiaco (Bogotá), Bandeja Paisa (Medellín), Tamales and Lechona (Ibagué), Hormigas Culonas y Cabrito (Santander), Sopa de Mute (Boyacá), Coconut Rice, patacones, fish (Atlantic and Pacific coast). There is also: Sancocho, Arequipe, Tamales Santafereños, Tamales llaneros, suckling pig or veal, coffee. It is also worth noting the great variety of fruits typical of the tropical regions: apple, papaya, peach, grapes, pears, oranges, tangerines, avocado, tomatoes, guava, rose apple, lemon, etc. Typical dishes can cost between $10, 000 and $30, 000 depending on where they are and the portion size. Fruit is very affordable

What places do you recommend visiting in Ibagué?

Tolima Theatre, bandshells, Belen neighborhood, downtown, Alberto Castilla Music Hall, Totumo, the shopping centres, Darío Echandía library, Murillo Toro park and Bolivar square, Pastales, Villa Restrepo, Juntas.

And what about eating in Ibagué? What are your favourite places?

There are several recognized food areas: around the Bolivar Square, the centre of 3rd Avenue (pedestrian street), zone 64 between Guabinal and 5th Avenue, shopping center Multicentro, The Station, Aqua, the burger shop El Establo, Pomarrosa ice cream parlour, Vino y Tinto Café Bar, Balmeto, Libro y Son, Jugos de Cosechas.

What sites do you recommend to party in Ibagué?

La Estación, Ukelele, La Tribu, Tereque, places located on 5th Avenue between 42 and 37.

Any advice you want to give to future students in Ibagué?

The people of Ibagué are friendly and warm whenever they are treated with respect, and making friends is of vital importance to be able to enjoy the experience. There’s not much of a security issue in the city, however you have to be careful and not be too trusting.